Disk array apparatus and method for controlling the same

• US 8,151,046 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Suzuki, Katsuyoshi, Hirasawa, Akihisa
• Primary Examiner(s): BRADLEY, MATTHEW A
• Application Number:
  US12/370,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20090150609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 711/112, 711/114, 710/22, 710/27, 710/28, 714/6.22
• US Class Current: 711/112
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0625 Power saving in storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0658 Controller construction arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0661 Format or protocol conversion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0689 Disk arrays, e.g. RAID, JBOD
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/415 Redundant array of inexpensive disks [RAID] systems
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/144 by detection, control, regulation of the temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20836 Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

The disk array apparatus includes a controller having a communication control unit for accepting a data input/output request, a disk controller unit for controlling a plurality of disk drives, and a cache memory for temporarily storing data transferred between the communication control unit and the disk controller unit. A plurality of cooling fans are provided for cooling the plurality of disk drives. In response to receiving a request, the controller controls the rotational speed of a first cooling fan related to a first disk drive, which is related to the request, and changes an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the request such that the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed.

Claims

1. A disk array apparatus, comprising:

a controller having a communication control unit for accepting a data input/output request, a disk controller unit for controlling a plurality of disk drives, and a cache memory for temporarily storing data transferred between said communication control unit and said disk controller unit;

the plurality of disk drives being connected to the disk controller unit to communicate with the disk controller unit, the plurality of disk drives including a first disk drive; and

a plurality of cooling fans cooling the plurality of disk drives, the plurality of cooling fans including a first cooling fan related to the first disk drive,

wherein in response to receiving a backup request, the controller controls the rotational speed of the first cooling fan and changes an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the backup request such that the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed from a first mode of not storing data related to the backup request to a second mode of storing data related to the backup request.

2. The disk array apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is increased based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode.

3. The disk array apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is changed from a low-power-consumption mode to a normal mode based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode.

4. The disk array apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is reduced based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a ready mode to a power off mode.

5. A disk array apparatus, comprising:

a controller controlling a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) function;

a plurality of disk drives including a first disk drive; and

a cooling fan related to the first disk drive,

wherein in response to receiving a backup request, the controller controls the rotational speed of the cooling fan and changes an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the backup request such that the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed from a first mode of not storing data related to the backup request to a second mode of storing data related to the backup request.

6. The disk array apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode.

7. The disk array apparatus according to the claim 5, wherein:

the rotational speed of the cooling fan is changed from a low-power-consumption mode to a normal mode based on the change in operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode.

8. The disk array apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the rotational speed of the cooling fan is reduced based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a ready mode to a power off mode.

9. The disk array apparatus according to the claim 5, wherein:

the controller is included in a first housing, and

the plurality of disk drives and the cooling fan are included in a second housing outside of the first housing.

10. A control method for a disk array apparatus having a controller, a plurality of disk drives, including a first disk drive, and a cooling fan related to the first disk drive, the control method comprising:

controlling, by the controller, a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) function;

changing, in response to receiving a backup request, the rotational speed of the cooling fan and changing an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the backup request such that the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed from a first mode of not storing data related to the backup request to a second mode of storing data related to the backup request.

11. The control method according to the claim 10, wherein:

in the changing step, for changing the rotational speed of the cooling fan, the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode.

12. The control method according to the claim 10, wherein:

in the changing step, for changing the rotational speed of the cooling fan, the rotational speed of the cooling fan is changed from a low-power-consumption mode to a normal mode based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode.

13. The control method according to the claim 10, wherein:

in the changing step, for changing the rotational speed of the cooling fan, the rotational speed of the cooling fan is reduced based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a ready mode to a power off mode.

14. The control method according to the claim 10, wherein:

the controller is included in a first housing, and

the plurality of disk drives and the cooling fan are included in a second housing outside of the first housing.