Controls the status indicators of the storage system drive bay enclosure's drive bays

Abstract

An apparatus comprises: at least one processing device, the at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory; and a drive bay housing of a storage system, the drive bay housing comprising a housing having one or more drive bays, the housing of the drive bay housing comprising one or more status indicators proximate an opening of at least one given drive bay of the one or more drive bays. The at least one processing device is configured to perform the steps of: determining status information of the given drive bay; and controlling the one or more status indicators proximate the opening of the given drive bay based at least in part on the determined status information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This field generally relates to information processing, and more particularly to storage in information processing systems. Background Technology

[0002] Storage arrays and other types of storage systems are typically shared by multiple host devices over a network. Applications running on the host devices each consist of one or more processes that perform application functionality. These processes issue input-output (I / O) operation requests to be delivered to the storage system. The storage system's storage controller service these I / O operation requests. In some information processing systems, the storage system may include one or more drive bays, and storage devices can be hot-plugged into and hot-plugged out of the storage system within one or more drive bays. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The illustrative embodiments of this disclosure provide a technique for controlling a status indicator of a drive bay for a drive bay housing in a storage system.

[0004] In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: at least one processing device including a processor coupled to a memory; and a drive bay housing of the memory system, the drive bay housing including a housing having one or more drive bays, the housing including one or more status indicators near an opening of at least one given drive bay of the one or more drive bays. The at least one processing device is configured to perform the steps of: determining status information of the given drive bay; and controlling the one or more status indicators near the opening of the given drive bay, at least in part based on the determined status information.

[0005] These and other illustrative embodiments include, but are not limited to, methods, devices, networks, systems, and processor-readable storage media. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an information processing system for controlling a status indicator of a drive bay housing for a storage system, according to an illustrative embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of an exemplary process for controlling a status indicator of a drive bay for a drive bay housing in an illustrative embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3A A storage system having a drive housing including drive bays configured to indicate status information is shown in an illustrative embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3B A flap for a drive bay is shown in an illustrative embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3C A filler plate for a drive bay is shown in an illustrative embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3D A drive tray for a drive carriage is shown in an illustrative embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4A The illuminating spindle and lamps of the flip plate for the drive bracket are shown in the illustrative embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4B The folded flap is shown in an illustrative embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4C The flap is shown in the unfolded state in the illustrative embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 A perspective view of the drive housing in an illustrative embodiment is shown, in which a flap, a filler plate, and a drive tray are mounted in its drive bracket.

[0016] Figure 6 A front view of the drive housing in an illustrative embodiment is shown, wherein a flap is mounted in its drive bracket.

[0017] Figure 7 The illustration shows a drive bay in the drive housing of an illustrative embodiment, where the indicator light on the filler plate is not illuminated.

[0018] Figure 8 The drive bay of the drive housing in the illustrative embodiment is shown, with the indicator light on the filler plate flashing.

[0019] Figure 9 The drive bay of the drive housing in the illustrative embodiment is shown, with the indicator light on the flip panel flashing.

[0020] Figure 10 The illustration shows a drive tray of a drive housing in an illustrative embodiment, wherein a first indicator light and a second indicator light on the drive tray flash simultaneously.

[0021] Figure 11 The illustration shows a drive tray of a drive housing in an illustrative embodiment, where a first indicator light on the drive tray is flashing and a second indicator light on the drive tray is not lit.

[0022] Figure 12The illustration shows a drive tray of a drive housing in an illustrative embodiment, wherein a first indicator light on the drive tray is lit and a second indicator light on the drive tray is not lit.

[0023] Figure 13 The illustration shows a drive tray of a drive housing in an illustrative embodiment, wherein the first indicator light of the drive tray is off and the second indicator light of the drive tray is flashing.

[0024] Figure 14 A drive tray of a drive housing is shown in an illustrative embodiment, wherein a first indicator light and a second indicator light on the drive tray flash sequentially.

[0025] Figure 15 and Figure 16 Examples of processing platforms that can be used to implement at least a portion of an information processing system are shown in the illustrative embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0026] This document describes illustrative embodiments with reference to exemplary information processing systems and associated computers, servers, storage devices, and other processing apparatuses. However, it should be understood that the embodiments are not limited to use with the specific illustrative system and apparatus configurations shown. Therefore, the term "information processing system" as used herein is intended to be interpreted broadly to encompass, for example, processing systems including cloud computing and storage systems, as well as other types of processing systems including various combinations of physical and virtual processing resources. Thus, an information processing system may include, for example, at least one data center or other type of cloud-based system that includes one or more clouds hosting tenants accessing cloud resources.

[0027] Figure 1 An information processing system 100 is shown, configured according to an illustrative embodiment to provide functionality for indicating the drive status of drive bays in drive enclosures of a storage system. The information processing system 100 includes one or more host devices 102-1, 102-2, ..., 102-N (collectively referred to as host devices 102) communicating via a network 104 with one or more storage arrays 106-1, 106-2, ..., 106-M (collectively referred to as storage array 106). The network 104 may include a storage area network (SAN).

[0028] like Figure 1As shown, storage array 106-1 includes one or more storage devices 108 that are inserted into drive bay housing 107. The drive bays of drive bay housing 107 are assumed to include hot-swappable drive bays in which storage devices 108 can be mounted or otherwise inserted. Each storage device 108 stores data utilized by one or more applications running on host device 102. Storage devices 108 are illustratively arranged in one or more storage pools (such as one or more software-defined storage (SDS) pools). Storage array 106-1 also includes one or more storage controllers 110 that facilitate I / O processing of storage devices 108. Storage array 106-1 and its associated storage devices 108 are examples of what is more generally referred to herein as a “storage system.” This storage system in this embodiment is shared by host device 102 and is therefore also referred to herein as a “shared storage system.” In embodiments where only a single host device 102 exists, host device 102 may be configured to exclusively use the storage system.

[0029] Host device 102 illustratively includes a corresponding computer, server, or other type of processing device capable of communicating with storage array 106 via network 104. For example, at least a subset of host device 102 may be implemented as a corresponding virtual machine of a computing service platform or other type of processing platform. Host device 102 in this arrangement illustratively provides computing services, such as executing one or more applications on behalf of each of one or more users associated with a corresponding host device in host device 102.

[0030] The term “user” in this article is intended to be interpreted broadly to encompass numerous arrangements of human, hardware, software, or firmware entities, and combinations thereof.

[0031] Computing and / or storage services can be provided to users under Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and / or Function as a Service (FaaS) models, but it should be understood that numerous other cloud infrastructure deployments can be used. Furthermore, illustrative implementations can be implemented outside the context of cloud infrastructure, such as in the case of stand-alone computing and storage systems implemented within a given enterprise.

[0032] Storage device 108 of storage array 106-1 can implement logical units (LUNs) configured to store user objects associated with host device 102. These objects may include files, blocks, or other types of objects. Host device 102 interacts with storage array 106-1 using read / write commands and other types of commands transmitted over network 104. In some embodiments, such commands more specifically include Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) commands, but in other embodiments, other types of commands may be used. As used extensively herein for a given I / O operation, the term descriptively includes one or more of these commands. References to terms such as “input-output” and “I / O” herein should be understood to refer to input and / or output. Thus, an I / O operation involves at least one of input and output.

[0033] Furthermore, the term "storage device" as used herein is intended to be interpreted broadly to encompass, for example, logical storage devices, such as LUNs or other logical storage volumes. Logical storage devices can be defined in storage array 106-1 to include different portions of one or more physical storage devices. Therefore, storage device 108 can be considered to include a corresponding LUN or other logical storage volume.

[0034] exist Figure 1In the information processing system 100, multiple storage arrays in storage array 106 may be part of a storage cluster, and host device 102 may submit I / O operations to be processed by the storage cluster. The storage cluster may include or provide an SDS system having one or more SDS storage pools. The storage controller 110 of storage array 106-1 assumes to utilize indicator circuitry 112 to implement the functionality of indicating the drive tray status of the drive trays in drive tray housing 107. Indicator circuitry 112 may include one or more lights (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) or other visual indicators of the status of the drive trays in drive tray housing 107. Indicator circuitry 112 or at least a portion thereof (e.g., one or more LEDs) is arranged within the housing of drive tray housing 107 so that it is visible upon startup after the installation of flaps, filler plates, and drive tray plates for the drive trays. Storage controller 110 utilizes drive tray status determination module 114 and drive tray status indicator signaling module 116 to provide the functionality of indicating the drive tray status of the drive trays in drive tray housing 107. Drive bay status determination module 114 is configured to determine status information of a corresponding drive bay in the drive bays of drive bay housing 107. Such status information may include, but is not limited to: determining whether a given storage bay is ready to have a storage device added, whether the installed storage device matches storage system specifications (e.g., for use in one or more SDS storage pools), whether a data error has occurred, whether the installed storage device is a member of an SDS storage pool, whether an SDS storage pool operation is being performed on the installed storage device, and whether the installed storage device is ready to be removed or replaced. Drive bay status indicator signaling module 116 is configured to control one or more status indicators (e.g., indicator circuitry 112) based at least in part on the status information determined for the drive bays of drive bay housing 107, said one or more status indicators being mounted on the housing of drive bay housing 107 near an opening of such drive bay.

[0035] The functionality of the drive carriage status determination module 114 and the drive carriage status indicator signaling module 116 can be implemented in at least part in the form of software stored in memory and executed by a processor.

[0036] Although shown as being implemented within the storage controller 110 of storage array 106-1, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the drive bay status determination module 114 and the drive bay status indicator signaling module 116 may be implemented at least partially outside the storage controller 110 (including at least partially outside the storage array 106-1, such as within one or more of the host device 102, one or more other storage arrays of storage arrays 106-2 to 106-M, one or more external servers, etc.).

[0037] Figure 1 In the embodiments described, the host device 102, storage array 106, and storage controller 110 implementing drive bay status determination module 114 and drive bay status indicator signaling module 116 are assumed to be implemented using at least one processing platform, wherein each processing platform includes one or more processing units, each processing unit having a processor coupled to memory. Such processing units may illustratively include specific arrangements of computing, storage, and networking resources. For example, in some embodiments, the processing units are implemented at least in part using virtual resources such as virtual machines (VMs), or using Linux containers (LXC), or a combination of both, such as in an arrangement in which Docker containers or other types of LXC are configured to run on VMs.

[0038] The host device 102, the storage array 106, and the storage controller 110 that implements the drive bay status determination module 114 and the drive bay status indicator signaling module 116 may be implemented on different processing platforms, but numerous other arrangements are possible. For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of one or more of the host device 102, the storage array 106, and the storage controller 110 that implements the drive bay status determination module 114 and the drive bay status indicator signaling module 116 may be implemented on the same processing platform. Therefore, one or more of the storage controller 110, the storage array 106, or a combination thereof that implements the drive bay status determination module 114 and the drive bay status indicator signaling module 116 may be implemented at least partially within at least one processing platform that implements at least one subset of the host device 102.

[0039] Network 104 may be implemented using multiple different types of networks to interconnect storage system components. For example, network 104 may include a SAN that is part of a global computer network (such as the Internet), but other types of networks may be parts of a SAN, including wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), satellite networks, telephone or wired networks, cellular networks, wireless networks (such as WiFi or WiMAX networks), or various parts or combinations of these and other types of networks. Therefore, in some embodiments, network 104 includes a combination of multiple different types of networks, each network including processing means configured to communicate using Internet Protocol (IP) or other related communication protocols.

[0040] As a more specific example, some implementations may utilize one or more high-speed local area networks, in which associated processing devices communicate with each other using peripheral interconnect high-speed (PCIe) cards and networking protocols such as wireless bandwidth, gigabit Ethernet, or Fibre Channel. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, numerous alternative networking arrangements are possible in a given implementation.

[0041] While in some embodiments, certain commands used by host device 102 to communicate with storage array 106 illustratively include SCSI commands, other types of commands and command formats may be used in other embodiments. For example, some embodiments may utilize the command features and functionality associated with NVM High Speed ​​(NVMe) to perform I / O operations, as described in revision 1.3 of the NVMe specification of May 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other storage protocols of this type that may be utilized in the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein include: architecture-based NVMe, also known as NVMeoF; and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)-based NVMe, also known as NVMe / TCP.

[0042] The memory array 106-1 in this embodiment is assumed to include persistent memory implemented using flash memory or other types of non-volatile memory. More specific examples include NAND-based flash memory or other types of non-volatile memory, such as resistive RAM, phase-change memory, spin torque-transferred magnetoresistive RAM (STT-MRAM), and 3D XPoint-based... TM Intel Optane memory TMThe persistent memory is further assumed to be separate from the storage device 108 of the storage array 106-1, but in other embodiments, the persistent memory may be implemented as one or more designated portions of one or more of the storage devices 108. For example, in some embodiments, the storage device 108 may include a flash-based storage device, such as in embodiments involving an all-flash storage array, or may be implemented using other types of non-volatile memory, either wholly or partially.

[0043] As mentioned above, communication between host device 102 and storage array 106 can utilize PCIe connections or other types of connections implemented through one or more networks. For example, illustrative embodiments may use interfaces such as Internet SCSI (iSCSI), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), and Serial ATA (SATA). In other embodiments, numerous other interfaces and associated communication protocols may be used.

[0044] In some implementations, storage array 106 may be implemented as part of a cloud-based system.

[0045] The storage device 108 of the storage array 106-1 can be implemented using a solid-state drive (SSD). Such SSDs are implemented using non-volatile memory (NVM) devices such as flash memory. Other types of NVM devices that can be used to implement at least a portion of the storage device 108 include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), phase-change RAM (PC-RAM), and magnetic RAM (MRAM). Various combinations of these and other types of NVM devices or other storage devices can also be used. For example, a hard disk drive (HDD) can be used in conjunction with or in place of an SSD or other type of NVM device. Therefore, at least one subset of the storage device 108 can be implemented using a wide variety of other types of electronic or magnetic media.

[0046] Storage array 106 may be additionally or alternatively configured to implement multiple different storage tiers in a multi-tier storage system. For example, a given multi-tier storage system may include a speed or performance tier implemented using flash storage devices or other types of SSDs and a capacity tier implemented using HDDs, wherein one or more of such tiers may be server-based. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in other embodiments, a wide variety of other types of storage devices and multi-tier storage systems may be used. The specific storage device used in a given storage tier may vary depending on the specific requirements of a given embodiment, and multiple different types of storage devices may be used within a single storage tier. As previously indicated, the term “storage device” as used herein is intended to be interpreted broadly and therefore may cover, for example, SSDs, HDDs, flash drives, hybrid drives, or other types of storage products and devices or portions thereof, and illustratively includes logical storage devices such as LUNs.

[0047] As another example, storage array 106 can be used to implement one or more storage nodes in a clustered storage system that includes multiple storage nodes interconnected by one or more networks.

[0048] Therefore, it should be apparent that the term “memory array” as used herein is intended to be interpreted broadly and may cover several different instances of commercially available memory arrays.

[0049] In the illustrative embodiments, other types of storage products that can be used to implement a given storage system include software-defined storage devices, cloud storage devices, object-based storage devices, and external storage devices. In the illustrative embodiments, combinations of these and other storage types can also be used to implement a given storage system.

[0050] In some implementations, the storage system includes a first storage array and a second storage array arranged in an active-active configuration. For example, this arrangement can be used to ensure that data stored in one storage array is copied to another storage array using a synchronous replication process. This data replication across multiple storage arrays can be used to facilitate fault recovery in system 100. Thus, one storage array can operate as a production storage array relative to another storage array, which can then operate as a backup or recovery storage array.

[0051] However, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to active-active configuration or any other particular storage system arrangement. Therefore, the illustrative embodiments herein can be configured using a wide variety of other arrangements, including, for example, active-passive arrangements, active-active asymmetric logical unit access (ALUA) arrangements, and other types of ALUA arrangements.

[0052] These and other storage systems may be part of what is more generally referred to herein as a processing platform, which includes one or more processing units, each including a processor coupled to memory. A given processing unit may correspond to one or more virtual machines or other types of virtualization infrastructure, such as Docker containers or other types of LXC. As indicated above, communication between such components of system 100 may be via one or more networks.

[0053] As used herein, the term "processing platform" is intended to be interpreted broadly to encompass (by way of illustration and not limitation) multiple sets of processing devices and one or more associated storage systems configured to communicate over one or more networks. For example, a distributed implementation of host device 102 is possible, wherein some host devices of host device 102 reside in a data center located in a first geographic location, while other host devices of host device 102 reside in one or more other data centers located in one or more other geographic locations that may be far from the first geographic location. Storage array 106 may be implemented at least partially in the first geographic location, the second geographic location, and one or more other geographic locations. Thus, in some implementations of system 100, different host devices and storage arrays in host device 102 and storage array 106 may reside in different data centers.

[0054] Numerous other distributed implementations of host device 102 and storage array 106 are possible. Therefore, host device 102 and storage array 106 can also be implemented in a distributed manner across multiple data centers.

[0055] The following will combine Figure 15 and Figure 16 Further examples of processing platforms used to implement various parts of system 100 are described in more detail in the illustrative implementation scheme.

[0056] It should be understood that this is presented only through illustrative examples. Figure 1 The diagram shows a specific set of elements for controlling the status indicators (e.g., indicator circuitry 112) of the drive bays for the drive bay housing 107 of the storage array 106-1, and in other embodiments, additional or alternative elements may be used. Therefore, another embodiment may include additional or alternative systems, devices, and other network entities, as well as different arrangements of modules and other components.

[0057] It should be understood that these and other features of the illustrative implementation are presented by way of examples only and should not be construed as restrictive in any way.

[0058] Now refer to Figure 2The flowchart describes in more detail an exemplary process 200 for controlling a status indicator of a drive bay for a drive bay housing of a storage system. It should be understood that this particular process is merely an example, and in other embodiments, additional or alternative processes for controlling a status indicator of a drive bay for a drive bay housing of a storage system may be used.

[0059] In this embodiment, process 200 includes steps 202 and 204. These steps are assumed to be performed by the storage controller 110 using a drive bay status determination module 114 and a drive bay status indicator signaling module 116. The process begins with step 202: determining the status information of a given drive bay in one or more drive bays within the housing of a drive bay enclosure of the storage system, the housing including one or more status indicators near the given drive bay. The one or more status indicators may be mounted to the housing, integrally formed with the housing, or a combination thereof. In step 204, the one or more status indicators near the opening of the given drive bay are controlled, at least in part, based on the status information of the given drive bay determined in step 202.

[0060] In some embodiments, the drive carriage housing includes a spindle that houses one or more lamps, and controlling one or more status indicators in step 204 includes selectively activating a corresponding lamp among the one or more lamps housed in the spindle. The drive carriage housing may also include a flap rotatably mounted to the spindle near an opening of a given drive carriage, wherein the flap includes at least one of the one or more status indicators. At least one status indicator of the flap is configured to passively illuminate in response to activation of one of the one or more lamps housed in the spindle. The flap may be configured to rotate into a folded state when at least one of a filler plate and a drive tray plate is installed in the opening of a given drive carriage, and to rotate into an unfolded state covering at least a portion of the opening of the given drive carriage when the filler plate and the drive tray plate are not installed in the opening of the given drive carriage. The flap may include a control circuit board configured to be coupled to at least one of the one or more lamps housed in the spindle. The drive carriage housing may also include a filler plate installed in the opening of a given drive carriage, wherein the filler plate includes at least one of the one or more status indicators. At least one status indicator of the filler plate is configured to passively illuminate in response to the activation of one of one or more lamps housed in the spindle. The drive carriage housing may also include a drive tray plate mounted in an opening of a given drive carriage, wherein the drive tray plate includes at least one of one or more status indicators. At least one status indicator of the drive tray plate is configured to passively illuminate in response to the activation of one of one or more lamps housed in the spindle. The drive tray plate may include a first status indicator and a second status indicator of one or more status indicators.

[0061] In some implementations, step 202 includes one or more of the following: determining whether a given drive bay is ready to add a storage device; determining whether a storage device installed in a given drive bay is a member of a software-defined storage pool; determining whether a storage device installed in a given drive bay is performing one or more operations associated with a software-defined storage pool; determining whether a data error has occurred for a storage device installed in a given drive bay; determining whether a storage device installed in a given drive bay meets one or more specifications of a software-defined storage pool; and determining whether a storage device installed in a given drive bay is ready to be removed and replaced. Step 204 may include: selectively illuminating at least one indicator on at least one of the flaps and filler plates covering the opening of the given drive bay in response to determining that the given drive bay is ready to add a storage device; selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the drive tray plate covering the opening of the given drive bay in response to determining that the storage device mounted in the given drive bay is a member of a software-defined storage pool; selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the drive tray plate covering the opening of the given drive bay in response to determining that the storage device mounted in the given drive bay is performing one or more operations associated with the software-defined storage pool; selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the drive tray plate covering the opening of the given drive bay in response to determining that a data error has occurred for the storage device mounted in the given drive bay; selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the drive tray plate covering the opening of the given drive bay in response to determining that the storage device mounted in the given drive bay meets one or more specifications of the software-defined storage pool; and selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the drive tray plate covering the opening of the given drive bay in response to determining that the storage device mounted in the given drive bay is ready for removal and replacement.

[0062] Modern storage server systems can be equipped with multiple hot-swappable drive bays on the front or back panel to achieve high-density storage. In data centers, SDS architectures utilize the internal storage resources on storage server systems to provide virtualized storage pools. Physical drive bay management is critical to the scalability and serviceability of SDS systems. However, conventional drive bay solutions can only indicate the limited hardware status of installed drives. It is difficult for IT infrastructure administrators to identify empty slots or check the software status of each drive bay. This can lead to erroneous operations and even data loss.

[0063] An illustrative embodiment provides a reversible drive indication storage system comprising one or more hot-swappable drive bays within a drive housing configured with indicator circuitry to indicate the software operation and running status of the drives housed within the hot-swappable drive bays. The reversible drive indication storage system advantageously assists operators (e.g., end users adding and removing storage drives from the hot-swappable drive bays of the drive housing) in interacting with the storage management software for each of the hot-swappable drive bays in various operating modes. In this way, IT infrastructure administrators or other end users can more easily operate the hot-swappable drive bays, and the risk of misoperation is significantly reduced.

[0064] Typically, conventional hot-swappable drive bays are equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) indicators (e.g., green and amber LEDs) that connect to the storage backplane via light tubes on the drive tray to display device activity and health status. However, these hardware statuses only apply to installed drives. Modern SDS systems require a wider range of operational status information for both installed and idle hot-swappable drive bays.

[0065] In some implementations, the convertible drive indicating storage system includes an luminous spindle, in which flaps, fill plates, and drive trays are used in different operating modes. If a storage drive is already installed in a drive bay, one or more software-controlled indicator lights (e.g., a first multi-color LED and a second multi-color LED) are present on the luminous spindle of the drive tray. These software-controlled indicator lights can be turned on and off to indicate various status information of the installed storage drive. Conventional hardware indicator lights (e.g., green and amber LEDs) driven by the storage backplane are still retained on the other side of the hot-swappable drive bay. Additional software-controlled indicator lights (e.g., blue LEDs) are provided on the fill plate of each free slot (e.g., on a newly manufactured storage server system). If no fill plate is installed in a free drive bay slot, a short flap with an active indicator (e.g., blue LED) appears on the front of the drive bay slot.

[0066] The convertible drive indicator storage system features luminous spindles on drive trays that provide various characteristics. The luminous spindles are mounted inside the frame of the drive housing and can be combined with flaps (e.g., one flap per drive tray slot, configured to provide drive status, as described herein). Therefore, no additional panel space is required to house indicators for software control of the hot-swappable drive trays. If a drive or filler plate is mounted in a hot-swappable drive tray, its associated flap folds down like a regular drive tray. If the drive and / or filler plate is removed from the hot-swappable drive tray, its associated flap emerges to function as an indicator on the filler plate. Circuit boards are used to control the luminous rings on the luminous spindles and the active indicators on the flaps. A set of spindle control boards is mounted on the drive tray housing and can be connected via a serial bus (e.g., inter-integrated circuit (IIC)). 2 C) The bus communicates with the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) on the server board. Therefore, the storage management software can control software-controlled indicators (e.g., LEDs) on each drive tray via in-band management channels on the BMC. Advantageously, the drive trays or filler plates do not need to be mounted with any electronic connection to the spindle control board, as the software-controlled indicators reflect light signals from the light-emitting rings on the luminous spindle as passive light emitters.

[0067] Figure 3A An exemplary convertible drive indicating storage system 300 is shown, which includes a drive bay housing 301 having a set of hot-swappable drive bays. Figure 3A In one example, a flap 303 is shown, along with ten filler plates 305 and five drive tray plates 307. The drive tray plates 307 are mounted in the first five drive trays (and therefore the flap 303 for such drive trays is positioned...). Figure 4B The folded state shown is described below. The sixth drive bracket has its flap 303 in the unfolded state. Filler plates 305 are installed in the remaining ten drive brackets (and therefore the flaps 303 for these drive brackets are in the unfolded state). Figure 4B The folded state shown is described below. Figure 3B A close-up view of the flip panel 303, including the center indicator 330, is shown. Figure 3C A close-up view of one of the filler plates 305, including the top center indicator 350, is shown. Figure 3DA close-up view of one of the drive tray plates 307, including the upper left indicator 370 and the upper right indicator 372, is shown. Thus, the hot-swappable drive tray of the drive tray housing 301 of the convertible drive indicator storage system 300 can operate in three operating modes—flip-plate 303 operating mode, fill-plate 305 operating mode, and drive tray plate 307 operating mode.

[0068] In the flip-panel 303 operating mode, a first indicator type is used to indicate that the associated hot-swappable drive bay is ready to add a drive, and a second indicator type is used to indicate that the associated hot-swappable drive bay is not yet ready to add a drive. The first indicator type may be, for example, a center indicator 330 light flashing blue or some other specified color, while the second indicator type may include a center indicator 330 light being off, a stable light, or a flashing light of a different color than the color used in the first indicator type.

[0069] In the fill plate 305 operating mode, a first indicator type is used to indicate that the associated hot-swappable driver tray is ready to add a driver, and a second indicator type is used to indicate that the associated hot-swappable driver tray is not yet ready to add a driver. The first and second indicator types in the fill plate 305 operating mode are similar to those used in the flip plate 303 operating mode, although an indicator 350 is used instead of a center indicator 330. As noted above, the indicator 350 can be a passive light emitter that reflects light from an LED on the light-emitting spindle.

[0070] For drive tray 307 operating mode, the first indicator type indicates that a drive in the associated hot-swappable drive bay is configured; the second indicator type indicates that a drive in the associated hot-swappable drive bay is performing a specified operation (e.g., rebuilding data, performing data migration, etc.); the third indicator type indicates that a data error has occurred on a drive in the associated hot-swappable drive bay; the fourth indicator type indicates that an installed drive in the associated hot-swappable drive bay is not "qualified" or otherwise does not match the storage system requirements (e.g., for use in a specified SDS storage pool or in a certain application); the fifth indicator type indicates that a drive in the associated hot-swappable drive bay is ready for removal; and the sixth indicator type indicates that the associated hot-swappable drive bay is ready to replace the currently installed drive. As mentioned above, the fourth indicator type can be used to indicate that an installed drive in a given hot-swappable drive bay is unqualified, which is common among various vendors (e.g., VMware). ® vSAN, Microsoft ®Direct Memory (S2D), NetApp ® (etc.) is a concept used to indicate that an installed drive does not match the storage system requirements of an associated SDS storage pool or other application.

[0071] The first to sixth indicator types for the operation modes of the drive tray 307 can utilize various combinations of illuminating the upper left indicator 370 and the upper right indicator 372. For example, the first indicator type may include illuminating the upper left indicator 370 in pure white or another specified color while keeping the upper right indicator 372 off. The second indicator type may include flashing the upper left indicator 370 in white or another specified color while keeping the upper right indicator 372 off. The third indicator type may include illuminating the upper left indicator 370 in pure amber or another specified color different from the color used in the first indicator type while keeping the upper right indicator 372 off. The fourth indicator type may include flashing the upper left indicator 370 in amber or another color different from the color used in the second indicator type while flashing the upper right indicator 372 in red or another specified color. The fifth indicator type may include flashing the upper right indicator 372 in red or another specified color while keeping the upper left indicator 370 off. The sixth indicator type may include having the upper left indicator 370 and the upper right indicator 372 flash alternately, wherein the upper left indicator 370 flashes amber or some other specified color, and the upper right indicator 372 flashes red or some other specified color.

[0072] It should be noted that the indicator types described above for the operation modes of flip-up plate 303, filler plate 305, and drive tray plate 307 are presented only as examples. Various other types of indicators (e.g., flashing lights, steady lights, off lights, alternating flashing lights, or colors, etc.) can be used as needed to indicate different states of the hot-swappable drive bays in the variable drive indicator storage system. Furthermore, the implementation is not limited to indicating the states described above. Indicator lights on flip-up plate 303, filler plate 305, and drive tray plate 307 can be used to indicate various other drive bay states using other indicator types.

[0073] Figure 4A Details of the light-emitting spindle 400, on which flaps 303-1, 303-2 and 303-3 (collectively referred to as flaps 303) are mounted, are shown. Figure 4AMore specifically, the flap 303-2 in the center drive bracket slot is shown in its unfolded state, while the flaps 303-1 and 303-2 in the left and right drive bracket slots are in a folded state. The luminous spindle 400 includes multiple sets of luminous rings for generating an indicator pattern displayed on the flap 303 (or on the filler plate 305 or drive tray plate 307 (in the case of installation)). Figure 4A In this example, three sets of illuminated rings are shown for three hot-swappable drive bay slots. Each set of illuminated rings includes three lights (e.g., LEDs). Each set of illuminated rings includes a first light (401-1, 401-2, and 401-3, collectively referred to as 401), a second light (402-1, 402-2, and 402-3, collectively referred to as 402), and a third light (403-1, 403-2, and 403-3, collectively referred to as 403). Light 401 controls the content displayed in the upper left indicator 370 of the drive tray 307, light 402 controls the content displayed in the center indicator 330 of the flip panel 303 and the indicator 350 of the filler plate 305, and light 403 controls the content displayed in the upper right indicator 372 of the drive tray 307.

[0074] Figure 4B and Figure 4C The flap 303 is shown in its folded and unfolded state. Figure 4B For example, a flap 303 is shown that folds down inside the drive bracket housing 301. Figure 4B A circuit board 405, housed within a flap 303, is also shown and is used to control multiple groups of lights on the light-emitting spindle 400 (e.g., for controlling multiple groups of lights 401, 402, and 403). The circuit board 405 is illustratively connected via the light-emitting spindle 400 to a controller 410 (e.g., a BMC or other storage controller for a storage system, such as one or more of the storage controllers 110 of storage array 106-1 in system 100). In some embodiments, the flap 303 for the hot-swappable drive carriage is positioned when the filler plate 305 is mounted to a particular hot-swappable drive carriage or when the drive and associated drive tray plate 307 are mounted to the hot-swappable drive carriage. Figure 4B The folded state or position. Figure 4C The unfolded flap 303 is shown, with the center indicator 330 facing outward from the drive housing 301.

[0075] Figure 5A perspective view of a portion of a driver bracket housing (e.g., 301) is shown, comprising: a driver tray plate 307 disposed in a first driver bracket, the driver tray plate 307 such that its associated flap 303-1 is folded; a flap 303-2 in a second driver bracket in an unfolded state; and a filler plate 305 in a third driver bracket, the filler plate 305 also such that its associated flap 303-3 is folded. The first and third driver brackets have their flaps 303-1 and 303-2 in the folded position. The flap 303-1 for the first driver bracket is shown as partially transparent, thereby revealing the circuit board 405 housed therein. Multiple sets of lamps 401, 402, and 403 are shown on the light-emitting spindles 400 for the first, second, and third driver brackets. In the illustrative embodiment, the light-emitting spindles 400 are thus embedded in the chassis frame of the driver bracket housing 301. The light source is transmitted from the light-emitting spindle 400 to the indicators 370 and 372 on the driver tray plate 307 (e.g., through two short light tubes on the top of the driver tray).

[0076] Figure 6 A front view of a portion of a driver housing (e.g., 301) having three driver brackets and associated flaps 303-1, 303-2, and 303-2 (collectively referred to as flaps 303) is shown. The first flap 303-1 and the second flap 303-3, with associated center indicators 330-1 and 330-3 in the left and right driver brackets, are in an unfolded position, while the flap 303-2 in the center driver bracket is in a folded position. As shown, flap 303-1 is mounted to a light-emitting spindle (e.g., 400) and has lamps 401-1, 402-1, and 403-1. Flap 303-3 is also mounted to a light-emitting spindle and has lamps 401-3, 402-3, and 403-3. For clarity, the lamps of flap 303-2 in the folded position of the center driver bracket are not shown. The flap 303-1 is also shown to be partially transparent, thereby revealing the circuit board 405 contained therein, which is connected to lamps 401-1, 402-1 and 403-1.

[0077] Now relative to Figures 7 to 14 An exemplary drive replacement workflow is described for hot-swapping drives in drive bays of drive housing 301 of a convertible drive indicating storage system 300.

[0078] Figure 7 The diagram shows a convertible drive indicator storage system 300 and a drive bay of interest, in which a filler plate 305 is currently mounted, and the indicator 350 light of the filler plate 305 is off (e.g., a state where a drive is not ready to be added).

[0079] Figure 8 The filler plate 305 is shown, wherein the indicator light 350 of the filler plate 305 is flashing (e.g., 350 on, 350' off, 350'' on, etc.), thereby indicating that the associated drive bay is ready to add a drive. Figure 8 View 800 is also shown, which shows the removal 801 of filler plate 305 and the insertion 803 of drive to drive bracket.

[0080] Figure 9 This indicates a ready-to-add status using a flap 303 instead of a filler plate 305. The flap 303 causes its center indicator 330 light to flash (e.g., 330 on, 330' off, 330'' on, etc.) to indicate that the associated drive bay is ready to add a drive. Figure 9 View 900 is also shown, which shows the insertion 901 of the drive into the drive carriage (where the insertion 901 of the drive will cause the flap 303 to enter the folded state).

[0081] Figure 10 A drive tray 307 is shown, which indicates that a drive is unqualified (e.g., a drive mounted in a drive bay does not meet storage requirements, such as those of an SDS storage pool). More specifically, the drive tray 307 causes its upper left indicator 370 and upper right indicator 372 to flash simultaneously (e.g., 370 and 372 are on, 370' and 372' are off, and 370'' and 372'' are on). Figure 10 Views 1000, 1002, and 1004 are also shown, illustrating the removal of a mismatched drive (1001) and the insertion of a new drive (1003).

[0082] Figure 11 A drive tray 307 is shown, indicating that the drive housed therein is rebuilding data, performing a data migration, or otherwise undergoing an application operation (e.g., for an SDS storage pool). More specifically, the drive tray 307 causes its upper left indicator 370 light to flash (e.g., 370 on, 370' off, 370'' on), while the upper right indicator 372 light remains off.

[0083] Figure 12 The drive tray 307 is shown with its upper left indicator 370 steadily on and its upper right indicator 372 steadily off. The color of the left indicator 370 indicates different drive states. For example, if the left indicator 370 is a stable white, it indicates that the drive housed there is a member of an SDS storage pool. If the left indicator 370 is a stable amber, it indicates a data error or software failure in the drive housed there.

[0084] Figure 13 The drive tray 307 is shown, indicating that the drive housed therein is ready to be removed from the drive bay. More specifically, the drive tray 307 causes its upper right indicator 372 light to flash (e.g., 372 on, 372' off, 372'' on), while the upper left indicator 370 light remains off.

[0085] Figure 14 The drive tray 307 is shown, indicating that the drive housed therein is ready for replacement. More specifically, the drive tray 307 causes its top light indicator 370 and upper right indicator 372 to flash sequentially (e.g., 370 on and 372 off, 370' off and 372' on, 370'' on and 372'' off, 370''' off and 372''' on, etc.).

[0086] Using a flap 303, a filler plate 305, and a drive tray plate 307, the convertible drive indicator storage system 300 can indicate the status information of both installed and idle drive bays in the drive housing 301. The embedded and foldable mechanism of the flap 303 advantageously eliminates the need for additional panel space. Furthermore, the light-emitting spindle 400 (along with associated lamps 401, 402, and 403) provides passive illumination on the filler plate 305 and the drive tray plate 307, and potentially also on the front of the flap 303, thus eliminating the need for electronic connections. The convertible drive indicator storage system 300 can be used to help IT administrators and other users operate drive bays more easily, thereby avoiding accidental operation. Furthermore, the indicator type can be used to provide full-featured SDS status information for high-density storage designs. Additionally, the flap 303 can be used to display status information or operation prompts even for idle drive bays (with or without the filler plate 305). The indicators used in the convertible drive indicator storage system 300 are also advantageously programmable and therefore can be customized to the needs of specific use cases and controlled by various storage management software. The convertible drive indicating storage system 300 may include any type of device, including one or more hot-swappable drive bays, including but not limited to general-purpose servers, storage devices, storage chassis, etc.

[0087] It should be understood that the specific advantages described above and elsewhere in this document are associated with specific illustrative embodiments and do not need to exist in other embodiments. Moreover, the specific types of information processing system features and functionalities, as shown in the figures and as described above, are merely exemplary, and numerous other arrangements may be used in other embodiments.

[0088] Now refer to Figure 15 and Figure 16An illustrative embodiment of a processing platform is described in more detail, which utilizes the functionality of a status indicator for controlling a drive bay housing for a storage system. Although described in the context of system 100, these platforms may also be used to implement at least a portion of other information processing systems in other embodiments.

[0089] Figure 15 An exemplary processing platform including cloud infrastructure 1500 is shown. Cloud infrastructure 1500 includes components that can be used to implement… Figure 1 The information processing system 100 comprises at least a portion of its physical and virtual processing resources. The cloud infrastructure 1500 includes multiple virtual machines (VMs) and / or container groups 1502-1, 1502-2, ..., 1502-L implemented using virtualization infrastructure 1504. Virtualization infrastructure 1504 runs on physical infrastructure 1505 and illustratively includes one or more hypervisors and / or operating system-level virtualization infrastructures. Operating system-level virtualization infrastructure illustratively includes the kernel control group of a Linux operating system or other types of operating systems.

[0090] Cloud infrastructure 1500 also includes application groups 1510-1, 1510-2, ..., 1510-L running on corresponding VM / container groups 1502-1, 1502-2, ..., 1502-L under the control of virtualization infrastructure 1504. VM / container group 1502 may include a corresponding VM, a corresponding group of one or more containers, or a corresponding group of one or more containers running in a VM.

[0091] exist Figure 15 In some implementations of the scheme, VM / container group 1502 includes corresponding VMs implemented using virtualization infrastructure 1504 including at least one hypervisor. A hypervisor platform can be used to implement the hypervisor within virtualization infrastructure 1504, wherein the hypervisor platform has an associated virtual infrastructure management system. The underlying physical machine may include one or more distributed processing platforms including one or more storage systems.

[0092] exist Figure 15 In other implementations of the scheme, VM / container group 1502 includes corresponding containers implemented using virtualization infrastructure 1504 that provides operating system-level virtualization functionality, such as supporting Docker containers running on bare metal hosts or running on VMs. The containers are implemented illustratively using the corresponding kernel control group of the operating system.

[0093] As is apparent from the above, one or more of the processing modules or other components of system 100 may each run on a computer, server, storage device, or other processing platform element. A given such element may be considered as an instance of something more generally referred to herein as a “processing device.” Figure 15 The cloud infrastructure 1500 shown may represent at least a portion of a processing platform. Another example of such a processing platform is... Figure 16 The processing platform shown is 1600.

[0094] In this embodiment, the processing platform 1600 includes a portion of the system 100 and includes a plurality of processing devices, designated as 1602-1, 1602-2, 1602-3, ..., 1602-K, that communicate with each other via a network 1604.

[0095] Network 1604 may include any type of network, for example including global computer networks (such as the Internet), WANs, LANs, satellite networks, telephone or wired networks, cellular networks, wireless networks (such as WiFi or WiMAX networks), or various parts or combinations of these and other types of networks.

[0096] The processing device 1602-1 in the processing platform 1600 includes a processor 1610 connected to a memory 1612.

[0097] Processor 1610 may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), video processing unit (VPU), or other types of processing circuitry, as well as portions or combinations of such circuitry elements.

[0098] Memory 1612 may take any combination of forms including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, or other types of memory. Memory 1612 and other memories disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative examples of what is more generally referred to as a “processor-readable storage medium” storing executable program code of one or more software programs.

[0099] Articles of manufacture including such processor-readable storage media are considered illustrative embodiments. A given such article of manufacture may include, for example, a storage array, a storage disk, or an integrated circuit containing RAM, ROM, flash memory, or other electronic memory, or any of a wide variety of other types of computer program products. As used herein, the term "article of manufacture" should be understood to exclude transient propagated signals. Numerous other types of computer program products including processor-readable storage media may be used.

[0100] The processing device 1602-1 also includes a network interface circuit 1614 for interfacing the processing device with the network 1604 and other system components, and may include a conventional transceiver.

[0101] The other processing devices 1602 of the processing platform 1600 are assumed to be configured in a manner similar to that shown for the processing device 1602-1 in the figure.

[0102] Furthermore, the specific processing platform 1600 shown in the figure is presented only by way of example, and the system 100 may include additional or alternative processing platforms, as well as a number of different processing platforms in any combination, wherein each such platform includes one or more computers, servers, storage devices or other processing devices.

[0103] For example, other processing platforms used to implement the illustrative implementation scheme may include converged infrastructure.

[0104] Therefore, it should be understood that in other embodiments, different arrangements of additional or alternative elements may be used. At least a subset of these elements may be implemented together on a common processing platform, or each such element may be implemented on a separate processing platform.

[0105] As previously indicated, components of the information processing system disclosed herein may be implemented, at least in part, in the form of one or more software programs stored in memory and executed by a processor of a processing device. For example, the functionality of a status indicator for controlling a drive bay housing for a storage system, as disclosed herein, is at least partially implemented in the form of software running on one or more processing devices.

[0106] It should be emphasized again that the above embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes only. Many variations and other alternative embodiments can be used. For example, the disclosed technology is applicable to a wide variety of other types of information processing systems, storage systems, status indicators, drive bays, etc. Moreover, in other embodiments, the specific configurations of the system and apparatus elements illustratively shown in the figures and the associated processing operations can be changed. Furthermore, the various assumptions made above in describing the illustrative embodiments should be considered exemplary and not as requirements or limitations of this disclosure. Numerous other alternative embodiments within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A device comprising: at least one processing device, the at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory; as well as a drive bay enclosure of a storage system, the drive bay enclosure comprising a housing having one or more drive bays; a spindle, including one or more lamps; said housing of said drive bay enclosure including one or more status indicators proximate an opening of at least one given one of said one or more drive bays; a plate configurable to cover at least a portion of an opening of a given drive bay, the plate including at least one of the one or more status indicators; and The at least one processing device is configured to perform the following steps: determining status information for the given drive bay; as well as Controlling the one or more status indicators proximate the opening of the given drive bay based at least in part on the determined status information, wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes selectively activating corresponding lights of the one or more lights of the spindle to passively illuminate at least a portion of the board.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more status indicators is at least one of: mounted on the shell of the drive bay housing; and integrally formed with the shell of the drive bay housing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein: The plate includes a flap rotatably mounted to the spindle proximate the opening of the given drive bay.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flap is configured to: rotating to a folded state when at least one of a filler panel and a drive tray panel is installed in the opening of the given drive bay; and The filler panel and the drive tray panel are rotated to an expanded state covering at least a portion of the opening of the given drive bay when the filler panel and the drive tray panel are not installed in the opening of the given drive bay.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flap includes a control circuit board configured to couple to at least one of the one or more lamps housed in the spindle.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein: The panel includes a filler panel that fits within the opening of the given drive bay.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein: The plate includes a drive tray plate that mounts in the opening of the given drive bay.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: A determination is made as to whether the given drive bay is ready for adding storage, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators comprises selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the panel in response to determining that the given drive bay is ready for adding the storage.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: Determining whether a storage device installed in the given drive bay is a member of a software-defined storage pool, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the board in response to determining that the storage device installed in the given drive bay is a member of a software-defined storage pool.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: determining whether a storage device installed in the given drive bay is performing one or more operations associated with a software-defined storage pool, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators comprises selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the board in response to determining that the storage device installed in the given drive bay is performing one or more operations associated with the software-defined storage pool.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: Determining whether a data error has occurred for a storage device installed in the given drive bay, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the board in response to determining that the data error has occurred for the storage device installed in the given drive bay.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: Determining whether the storage device installed in the given drive bay meets one or more specifications of the software-defined storage pool, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes: selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the board in response to determining that the storage device installed in the given drive bay meets the one or more specifications of the software-defined storage pool.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: Determining whether a storage device installed in the given drive bay is ready for at least one of removal and replacement, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes: selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the board in response to determining that the storage device installed in the given drive bay is ready for at least one of removal and replacement.

14. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored therein program code of one or more software programs, wherein the program code, when executed by at least one processing device, causes the at least one processing device to perform the following steps: Determining status information for a given drive bay of one or more drive bays in a housing of a drive bay enclosure of a storage system, the housing of the drive bay enclosure comprising: a spindle, including one or more lamps; one or more status indicators proximate an opening of the given drive bay; as well as a plate configurable to cover at least a portion of an opening of a given drive bay, the plate including at least one of the one or more status indicators; as well as Controlling the one or more status indicators proximate the opening of the given drive bay based at least in part on the determined status information, wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes selectively activating corresponding lights of the one or more lights of the spindle to passively illuminate at least a portion of the board.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein: The plate includes at least one of: a flap rotatably mounted to the spindle proximate the opening of the given drive bay, a filler plate installed in the opening of the given drive bay, and a drive tray plate installed in the opening of the given drive bay.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: Determining a status of a storage device installed in the given drive bay relative to one or more software-defined storage pools, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the board in response to determining the status of the storage device installed in the given drive bay relative to the one or more software-defined storage pools.

17. A method comprising: Determining status information for a given drive bay of one or more drive bays in a housing of a drive bay enclosure of a storage system, the housing of the drive bay enclosure comprising: a spindle, including one or more lamps; one or more status indicators proximate the opening of the given drive bay; and a plate configurable to cover at least a portion of an opening of a given drive bay, the plate including at least one of the one or more status indicators; and controlling the one or more status indicators proximate the opening of the given drive bay based at least in part on the determined status information, wherein controlling the one or more status indicators comprises: selectively activating corresponding ones of the one or more lights of the spindle to passively illuminate at least a portion of the plate; Wherein the method is performed by at least one processing device, the at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The plate includes at least one of: a flap rotatably mounted to the spindle proximate the opening of the given drive bay, a filler plate installed in the opening of the given drive bay, and a drive tray plate installed in the opening of the given drive bay.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein determining status information for the given drive bay comprises: Determining a status of a storage device installed in the given drive bay relative to one or more software-defined storage pools, and wherein controlling the one or more status indicators includes selectively illuminating at least one indicator on the board in response to determining the status of the storage device installed in the given drive bay relative to the one or more software-defined storage pools.

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