System and method for early detection of failure of a solid-state data storage system
First Claim
1. An early failure detection method for a flash memory system that designates a quantity of storage locations as spare storage locations, the early failure detection method comprising:
- tracking a total number of spare storage locations that are available on multiple memory cards, wherein the spare storage locations are assigned for use as alternate storage locations in place of defective storage locations;
calculating a percentage of initially available spare storage locations which remain available, based on the total number of spare storage locations;
determining if a threshold value has been reached based on the calculated percentage; and
in the event that the threshold value has been reached, taking a preemptive action to avert impending failure of the flash memory system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments are disclosed of a failure detection system for a solid-state data storage system that can experience difficulties, such as system failure or loss of data integrity, when it runs out of spare storage locations. Spare storage locations can be used by a solid-state data storage system to replace storage locations that have become defective. In one embodiment, a count is kept of the available spare storage locations in a system, or sub-system, and when the amount of available spare locations drops to a threshold value, an action can be taken to avoid the consequences of an impending failure. In other embodiments, the available spare storage locations are monitored by keeping track of the percentage of initially available spare locations still remaining, by keeping track of the rate of new spare locations being used, or by other techniques. In various embodiments, the early failure detection system responds to detection of a possible impending failure by taking one or more of a variety of actions, including, for example, sending an alert notification, enabling additional storage capacity, copying portions of the data stored in the system to other secure storage locations, shutting the system down, and taking no action.
29 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An early failure detection method for a flash memory system that designates a quantity of storage locations as spare storage locations, the early failure detection method comprising:
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tracking a total number of spare storage locations that are available on multiple memory cards, wherein the spare storage locations are assigned for use as alternate storage locations in place of defective storage locations; calculating a percentage of initially available spare storage locations which remain available, based on the total number of spare storage locations; determining if a threshold value has been reached based on the calculated percentage; and in the event that the threshold value has been reached, taking a preemptive action to avert impending failure of the flash memory system.
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2. A method of determining the usability of a solid-state storage device, the solid-state storage device comprising a plurality of flash memory devices comprising storage locations and spare storage locations, the method comprising predicting the usability of the solid-state storage device based on a total number of unused spare storage locations in the solid-state storage device,
wherein the spare storage locations are assigned for use in place of defective storage locations, and wherein the act of predicting the usability of the solid-state storage device comprises calculating a percentage of initially available spare storage locations which remain available, based on the total number of spare storage locations, and determining if a threshold value has been reached based on the calculated percentage.
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5. A method of monitoring the life expectancy of a solid-state memory device, the method comprising:
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calculating a percentage of initially available spare storage locations which remain available, based on the total number of spare storage locations available in an array of flash memory cards of the solid-state memory device, wherein the spare storage locations are assigned for use in place of defective storage locations in the solid-state storage device; determining if a threshold value has been reached based on the calculated percentage; and performing an action when the threshold value has been reached, so as to avoid the consequences of the failure of the flash memory cards. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A flash memory device comprising:
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a plurality of flash storage devices each comprising; a plurality of storage locations; and a plurality of spare storage locations assigned for use in place of defective storage locations; and processor circuitry configured to calculate a percentage of initially available spare storage locations which remain available based on the total number of spare storage locations available in the flash memory device, determine if a threshold value has been reached based on the calculated percentage, and perform an action when the threshold value has been reached. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for determining the usability of a solid-state storage device, the system comprising:
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means for monitoring the number of available spare storage locations in multiple memory cards of the solid-state storage device, wherein the spare storage locations are assigned for use in place of defective storage locations; means for calculating a percentage of initially available spare storage locations which remain available, based on the total number of spare storage locations available in the multiple memory cards; means for determining if a threshold value has been reached based on the calculated percentage; and means for performing an action when the threshold value has been reached, so as to avert the consequences of the potential failure of the solid-state storage device.
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Specification