Data storage system and method for managing storage media

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a data storage system and a method for managing storage media, which belongs to the field of data storage technology. The data storage system provided by the present disclosure includes a media read-write cabinet, an offline storage resource pool, and a robot system. The media read-write cabinet and the offline storage resource pool are physically decoupled, the media read-write cabinet is used to perform read and write operations on the storage medium, the offline storage resource pool is used to store the storage medium, and the robot system is used to transport the storage medium between the media read-write cabinet and the offline storage resource pool. The data storage system provided by the present disclosure breaks the conventional integration of the media read-write cabinet and the storage medium in the storage system, and stores the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool that is physically decoupled from the media read-write cabinet. In this way, when the number of storage media increases, the number of media read-write cabinets does not have to increase linearly with the number of storage media, which can effectively reduce the cost of data storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of data storage, and in particular to a data storage system and a method for managing storage media. Background Art

[0002] Under the wave of digital economy, all industries will generate a large amount of data, especially new infrastructure such as the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G), large data centers, big data, industrial Internet, autonomous driving and the Internet of Things, which will bring an even greater data torrent.

[0003] Data read and write frequencies vary, resulting in different levels of hotness. For example, the hottest data, such as real-time images and audio and video, are accessed by a large number of users within a short period of time, while cooler data, such as operation logs, database backups, and surveillance videos, see relatively low traffic. Over time, various types of data transition from hot to warm and then from warm to cold, with up to 80% of data eventually becoming cold.

[0004] The data storage system used to store cold data requires security, durability, and extremely low cost. The data stored in this data storage system is accessed less frequently and only needs to be prepared under the conditions of meeting the service level agreement (SLA).

[0005] Data storage systems in related technologies, such as tape libraries, Blu-ray disc libraries, and just a bunch of disks (JBOD), are all integrated data storage systems that store and read and write data. That is, servers and storage media are stored in a cabinet at the same time, and the storage and reading and writing of storage media are all performed in the same cabinet.

[0006] For example, a JBOD is a server that integrates multiple hard drives for data storage. Each drive in the JBOD can be independently powered on and off, without interfering with each other. Most of the time, the drives remain dormant to reduce power consumption, and are awakened to normal operation only when an access request is received.

[0007] However, as the amount of data required for storage increases, the number of JBODs must also increase. In other words, the cost of a JBOD increases linearly with storage capacity, making it very expensive when storing large amounts of data. Similar to JBODs, integrated storage and read / write data storage systems like tape libraries and Blu-ray disc libraries also require a linear increase in the number of servers and cabinets as the amount of storage media increases, leading to higher data storage system costs. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure provides a data storage system and a method for managing storage media, which can store data at a low cost. The technical solutions of the data storage system and the storage medium management are as follows:

[0009] In a first aspect, a data storage system is provided, which includes a media read-write cabinet, an offline storage resource pool and a robot system; the media read-write cabinet is configured to operate on a storage medium, and the operation includes at least one of a read operation and a write operation; the offline storage resource pool is configured to store the storage medium; the robot system is configured to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet when the storage medium needs to be operated, and, after the media read-write cabinet completes the operation on the storage medium, remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool.

[0010] The data storage system provided by the present disclosure may also be referred to as an archive storage system, a deep archive storage system, a glacier deep archive storage system, an automated archive storage system, an archive data storage system, a cold storage system, and a cold data storage system. The data storage system provided by the present disclosure may be used to store cold data (or archive data), but is not limited thereto.

[0011] The media read / write cabinet provides power and network connections, and provides the relevant hardware and software environment for data reading, writing, and data transmission. The media read / write cabinet can include a cabinet, a server, and a media frame for docking or driving storage media.

[0012] The offline resource pool is physically decoupled from the media reader / writer cabinet, eliminating the need for network and power supply, and is used to store storage media. The offline storage resource pool can also be referred to as a storage media storage system, storage media storage rack, or storage media storage device.

[0013] The robotic system is used to transport storage media between the media read / write cabinet and the offline storage resource pool. Specifically, when the storage media needs to be read / written, it is transported from the offline storage resource pool to the media read / write cabinet. After the storage media is read / written, it is returned from the media read / write cabinet to the offline storage resource pool.

[0014] The storage medium may be at least one of a hard disk storage medium, a magnetic tape storage medium, an optical disk storage medium, etc. The present disclosure does not limit the specific type of the storage medium.

[0015] The technical solution disclosed in this disclosure breaks the conventional practice of integrating media read / write cabinets with storage media in data storage systems. Instead, the storage media is stored in an offline storage resource pool that is physically decoupled from the read / write cabinets. This allows the number of read / write cabinets to scale linearly with the number of storage media as the number of storage media increases, effectively reducing data storage costs.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the media read-write cabinet includes a cabinet, a server, and a first media frame; the server and the first media frame are located inside the cabinet, and the server is electrically connected to the first media frame; the first media frame is configured to dock with a hard disk storage medium.

[0017] The first media frame and the server may be two independent devices, and are connected via a cable.

[0018] According to the technical solution disclosed in the present invention, each server can be connected to multiple first media frames, thereby maximizing the utilization of server resources and bandwidth, increasing the number of hard disk storage media controlled by a server, reducing the number of servers required for the data storage system, and saving costs.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the media reading and writing cabinet includes a cabinet, a server and multiple media frames; the server and the multiple media frames are located inside the cabinet, and the server is electrically connected to the multiple media frames; the multiple media frames include at least two of a first media frame, a second media frame and a third media frame, the first media frame is configured to dock with a hard disk storage medium, the second media frame is configured to drive a tape storage medium, and the third media frame is configured to drive an optical disk storage medium.

[0020] The media frame and the server may be two independent devices connected via a cable.

[0021] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure, by providing a media read-write cabinet including multiple types of media frames, enables the data storage system provided by the present disclosure to support the mixed use of multiple storage media, thereby expanding the application scenarios of the data storage system.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the first media frame includes a first power supply unit, a first fan and a first hard disk interface assembly; the first power supply unit is electrically connected to the power supply line in the cabinet, and the first power supply unit supplies power to the first fan and the first hard disk interface assembly; the first hard disk interface assembly is electrically connected to the server, and the first hard disk interface assembly is configured to dock with a hard disk storage medium.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the media read-write cabinet includes a cabinet, a server, and a fourth media frame; the server and the fourth media frame are located inside the cabinet, and the server is electrically connected to the fourth media frame; the fourth media frame is configured to dock hard disk storage media, drive tape storage media, and drive optical disk storage media.

[0024] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure can support multiple storage media by setting a fourth media frame of the media read-write cabinet, so that the data storage system can support the mixed use of multiple storage media, expanding the application scenarios of the data storage system.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the fourth media frame includes a second power supply unit, a second fan, a second hard disk interface assembly, a tape drive, and an optical disk drive; the second power supply unit is electrically connected to the power supply line in the cabinet, and the second power supply unit supplies power to the second fan, the second hard disk interface assembly, the tape drive, and the optical disk drive; the second hard disk interface assembly, the tape drive, and the optical disk drive are all electrically connected to the server, the second hard disk interface assembly is configured to dock with a hard disk storage medium, the tape drive is configured to drive a tape storage medium, and the optical disk drive is configured to drive an optical disk storage medium.

[0026] In one possible implementation, there are multiple media read-write cabinets, and the multiple media read-write cabinets include at least two of a first media read-write cabinet, a second media read-write cabinet, and a third media read-write cabinet; the first media read-write cabinet is configured to operate hard disk storage media, the second media read-write cabinet is configured to operate tape storage media, and the third media read-write cabinet is configured to operate optical disk storage media.

[0027] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure enables the data storage system to support the mixed use of multiple storage media by setting up multiple types of media read-write cabinets, thereby expanding the application scenarios of the data storage system.

[0028] In a possible implementation, an outer wall of the media reading and writing cabinet has a first marker, and the first marker is used to assist the robot system in locating the position of the media reading and writing cabinet.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the offline storage resource pool includes a storage rack; the storage rack includes a support and multiple partitions; the multiple partitions are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction and are all fixedly connected to the support, and the top surface of the partition is used to store the storage medium.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the distance between two adjacent partitions is adjustable.

[0031] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure, through the above-mentioned settings, enables the storage rack to adaptively adjust the distance between two adjacent partitions according to the actual scenario (such as the form of the storage medium actually stored), thereby improving the adaptability of the offline storage resource pool.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the support member has a plurality of mounting positions of different heights corresponding to each of the partitions, and the mounting positions are used to fix the partitions; the partitions are detachably connected to the support member, and the partitions can be fixed in any corresponding mounting position.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the support member has multiple mounting positions of different heights, the mounting positions are used to fix the partitions, and the number of the mounting positions is greater than or equal to the number of the partitions; the partitions are detachably connected to the support member, and the partitions can be fixed in any mounting position.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the offline storage resource pool further includes a plurality of storage boxes, which are located on a top surface of the partition and are used to store the storage media; and the robot system is configured to transport the storage media through the storage boxes.

[0035] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure can protect the storage media by using storage boxes to store storage media, and each storage box can store multiple storage media, thereby improving the efficiency of the robot system in transporting storage media.

[0036] In one possible implementation, there are two support members, and the two support members are fixedly connected to both sides of the partition in the length direction; two rows of storage boxes are arranged on the top surface of the partition, and each row of storage boxes includes multiple storage boxes arranged along the length direction of the partition.

[0037] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure arranges two rows of storage boxes on a partition, making it convenient for a robot system to pick up and place storage boxes on both sides of the width direction of the partition.

[0038] In one possible implementation, there are two support members, and the two support members are fixedly connected to both sides of the partition in the length direction; a row of storage boxes is arranged on the top surface of the partition, and the row of storage boxes includes multiple storage boxes arranged along the length direction of the partition, and the two storage racks are arranged side by side along the width direction of the partition.

[0039] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure arranges a row of storage boxes on a partition and sets two storage racks side by side along the width direction of the partition, so that the robot system can easily pick up and place the storage boxes on both sides of the two storage racks.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the offline storage resource pool further includes a second identifier; the second identifier is fixed to the storage rack, and the second identifier is used to assist the robot system in locating the position of the storage medium.

[0041] In one possible implementation, there are two support members, and the two support members are fixedly connected to the first side wall and the second side wall of the partition, respectively, and the first side wall is opposite to the second side wall; there are multiple second identifiers, and the second identifiers are fixed to the third side wall and / or the fourth side wall of the partition, and the third side wall and the fourth side wall are opposite, and the position of each storage medium corresponds to the position of at least one second identifier.

[0042] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure facilitates the robot system to determine the position of the storage medium and further facilitates the robot system to operate the storage medium by providing at least one second identifier for each storage medium.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the robot system includes a transport robot and a plug-in robot; the transport robot is configured to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and pass the storage medium to the plug-in robot, and to receive the storage medium passed by the plug-in robot and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool; the plug-in robot is configured to receive the storage medium passed by the transport robot and insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet, and to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and pass the storage medium to the transport robot.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the plugging and unplugging robot is located outside the media reading and writing cabinet.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the plugging and unplugging robot is located inside the media reading and writing cabinet.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the data storage system also includes a transfer position; the handling robot is configured to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and store the storage medium in the transfer position, and to remove the storage medium from the transfer position and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool; the plug-in robot is configured to remove the storage medium from the transfer position and insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet, and to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the transfer position.

[0047] The technical solution shown in the present disclosure, by setting a transfer position, makes the transfer of storage media between the handling robot and the plug-in robot simpler and more stable. The handling robot and the plug-in robot can be designed more simply, which can reduce the cost of the robot system.

[0048] Moreover, due to the existence of the transfer position, the action of transferring storage media between the handling robot and the plug-in robot can be decomposed into two independent actions. The transfer of storage media does not require the handling robot and the plug-in robot to work at the same time. The scheduling of the handling robot and the plug-in robot is more flexible, which can effectively improve the efficiency of the robot system in transporting storage media.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the robot system includes an operating robot; the operating robot is configured to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet, and remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool.

[0050] In a second aspect, a method for managing storage media is provided, which is applied in a data storage system as described in any one of the first aspects, and the method includes: controlling a robot system to remove a storage medium from an offline storage resource pool and inserting the storage medium into a media read-write cabinet; when the media read-write cabinet completes the operation on the storage medium, controlling the robot system to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool.

[0051] In one possible implementation, when the robot system includes a transport robot and a plug-in robot, the control robot system removes the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and inserts the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet, including: controlling the transport robot to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool, and passing the storage medium to the plug-in robot, and controlling the plug-in robot to insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet; controlling the robot system to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool, including: controlling the plug-in robot to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet, and passing the storage medium to the transport robot, and controlling the transport robot to store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool.

[0052] In one possible implementation, when the data storage system includes a transfer position, controlling the transport robot to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and transfer the storage medium to the plug-in robot, and controlling the plug-in robot to insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet, includes: controlling the transport robot to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and store the storage medium in the transfer position, controlling the plug-in robot to remove the storage medium from the transfer position, and inserting the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet; controlling the plug-in robot to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and transfer the storage medium to the transport robot, and controlling the transport robot to store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool, includes: controlling the plug-in robot to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the transfer position, controlling the transport robot to remove the storage medium from the transfer position, and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool.

[0053] In one possible implementation, when the robot system includes an operating robot, controlling the robot system to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and inserting the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet includes: controlling the operating robot to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool and inserting the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet; controlling the robot system to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool includes: controlling the operating robot to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool.

[0054] In a third aspect, a data storage system is provided, which includes a scheduling system and a data storage system as described in any one of the first aspects, and the scheduling system is used to execute the method for managing storage media as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0055] In a fourth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium includes instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0056] In a fifth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided. When the computer program product is run on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0057] In a sixth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and is used to implement any method described in the second aspect when the chip is running.

[0058] Based on the implementation methods provided in the above aspects, this application can also be further combined to provide more implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a data storage system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a media reading and writing cabinet provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0061] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a media reading and writing cabinet provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0062] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a first media frame provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0063] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a media reading and writing cabinet provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0064] Figure 6 This is a structural block diagram of a fourth medium frame provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0065] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a data storage system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0066] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a media reading and writing cabinet provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0067] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a storage rack provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0068] Figure 10 This is a partial structural diagram of a storage rack provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0069] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a storage rack and a storage box provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0070] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a storage rack and a storage box provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0071] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a storage rack and a storage box provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0072] Figure 14is a schematic diagram of a storage rack, a storage box, and a second identifier provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0073] Figure 15 is a schematic top view of a data storage system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0074] Figure 16 is a schematic top view of a data storage system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0075] Figure 17 is a schematic top view of a data storage system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0076] Figure 18 is a schematic top view of a data storage system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0077] Figure 19 is a schematic top view of a data storage system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0078] Figure 20 This is a flowchart of a method for managing storage media provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] Legend

[0080] 1. Media read-write cabinet; 1a. First media read-write cabinet; 1b. Second media read-write cabinet;

[0081] 1c, third-media read / write cabinet; 11, cabinet; 12, server;

[0082] 13. First medium frame; 131. First power supply unit; 132. First fan;

[0083] 133. First hard disk interface assembly; 14. Second media frame; 15. Third media frame;

[0084] 16. Fourth dielectric frame; 161. Second power supply unit; 162. Second fan;

[0085] 163. Second hard disk interface assembly; 164. Tape drive; 165. Optical disk drive;

[0086] 17. First identifier; 2. Offline storage resource pool; 21. Storage rack;

[0087] 210, mounting position; 211, support member; 212, partition;

[0088] 2121, first side wall; 2122, second side wall; 2123, third side wall;

[0089] 2124, fourth side wall; 22, storage box; 23, second marker;

[0090] 3. Robot system; 31. Handling robot; 32. Insertion and removal robot;

[0091] 33. Operating robot; 4. Transfer position; a. Storage medium. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] The present disclosure provides a data storage system. Figure 1 As shown, the data storage system includes a media read / write cabinet 1, an offline storage resource pool 2, and a robotic system 3. The media read / write cabinet 1 is configured to perform an operation on a storage medium a, wherein the operation includes at least one of a read operation and a write operation. The offline storage resource pool 2 is configured to store the storage medium a. The robotic system 3 is configured to remove the storage medium a from the offline storage resource pool 2 and insert the storage medium a into the media read / write cabinet 1 when an operation on the storage medium a is required, and, after the operation on the storage medium a by the media read / write cabinet 1 is completed, remove the storage medium a from the media read / write cabinet 1 and store the storage medium a in the offline storage resource pool 2.

[0093] The data storage system provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be referred to as an archive storage system, a deep archive storage system, a glacier deep archive storage system, an automated archive storage system, an archive data storage system, a cold storage system, and a cold data storage system. The data storage system provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to store any data with a low access frequency, such as cold data (or archive data), but is not limited thereto.

[0094] The data storage system provided by the present invention breaks the conventional integration of the media read-write cabinet and the storage medium in the storage system, and stores the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 instead of the media read-write cabinet 1, and the storage medium is transferred between the media read-write cabinet 1 and the offline storage resource pool 2 by the robot system 3.

[0095] In this way, when the number of storage media increases, the number of media read-write cabinets 1 does not need to increase linearly with the number of storage media, which can effectively reduce data storage costs.

[0096] The following is a more detailed exemplary description of the media read / write cabinet 1 , the offline storage resource pool 2 , and the robot system 3 .

[0097] (1) The media read-write cabinet 1 provides power and network connection, and provides the relevant software and hardware environment for data reading, writing and data transmission.

[0098] The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific form of the media read / write cabinet 1. In some examples, the media read / write cabinet 1 includes a cabinet 11, a server 12, and a media frame. The media frame and the server are two independent devices that can be connected by a cable. The media frame is used to connect or drive storage media.

[0099] The cabinet 11 has a storage space and a plurality of brackets inside, and the server 12 and the media frame can be fixed on the brackets of the cabinet 11. The cabinet 11 may not have a front door, so that the robot system 3 can easily insert and remove the storage medium.

[0100] The server 12 is connected to the media frame via a cable. Specifically, the media frame is connected to an expansion card of the server 12 via a cable. The expansion card may be a host bus adapter (HBA) or other connection card with a connection function. The media frame includes at least one read / write unit (such as a hard disk interface component, a tape drive, and an optical drive), as well as basic units such as a power supply, a fan, and an interface component for connecting to the server 12. The media frame also includes a housing.

[0101] Each server 12 can be connected to multiple media frames, thereby maximizing the utilization of the resources and bandwidth of the server 12, reducing the number of servers 12 required for the data storage system, and saving costs.

[0102] Next, the media read-write cabinet 1 is described in conjunction with the storage media used in the data storage system:

[0103] The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the storage medium used in the data storage system. In some examples, the storage medium used in the data storage system may be at least one of a hard disk storage medium, a tape storage medium, and an optical disk storage medium.

[0104] When using hard disk storage media (such as mechanical hard disk or solid state drive), in some examples, such as Figure 2 As shown, the media read / write cabinet 1 includes a cabinet 11, a server 12, and a first media frame 13. The server 12 and the first media frame 13 are located inside the cabinet 11, and the server 12 is electrically connected to the first media frame 13. The first media frame 13 is configured to connect to hard disk storage media. This type of media read / write cabinet 1 can be referred to as a first media read / write cabinet 1a.

[0105] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the first media frame 13 includes a first power supply unit 131, a first fan 132, and a first hard disk interface assembly 133. The first power supply unit 131 is electrically connected to the power supply line in the cabinet 11 and provides power to the first fan 132 and the first hard disk interface assembly 133. The first hard disk interface assembly 133 is electrically connected to the server 12 and is configured to connect to a hard disk storage medium.

[0106] The first hard disk interface component 133 may be a serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) interface component or a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface component. The SATA interface is a serial hardware drive interface based on industry standards.

[0107] When using magnetic tape storage media, the media read / write cabinet 1 includes a cabinet 11, a server 12, and a second media frame 14. The server 12 and the second media frame 14 are located within the cabinet 11 and are electrically connected to the server 12. The second media frame 14 is configured to drive magnetic tape storage media. This type of media read / write cabinet 1 may be referred to as a second media read / write cabinet 1b.

[0108] Exemplarily, the second media frame 14 includes a power supply unit, a fan, and a tape drive. The power supply unit is electrically connected to the power lines in the cabinet 11 and supplies power to the fan and the tape drive. The tape drive is electrically connected to the server 12 and is configured to drive a magnetic tape storage medium.

[0109] When using optical disk storage media (such as Blu-ray Disc cartridges), the media read / write cabinet 1 includes a cabinet 11, a server 12, and a third media frame 15. The server 12 and the third media frame 15 are located inside the cabinet 11, and the server 12 is electrically connected to the third media frame 15. The third media frame 15 is configured to drive the optical disk storage media. This type of media read / write cabinet 1 can be referred to as a third media read / write cabinet 1c.

[0110] Illustratively, the third media frame 15 includes a power supply unit, a fan, and an optical disc drive. The power supply unit is electrically connected to the power supply line in the cabinet 11 and supplies power to the fan and the optical disc drive. The optical disc drive is electrically connected to the server 12 and is configured to drive optical disc storage media.

[0111] Of course, the above three types of media reading and writing cabinets 1 are merely exemplary descriptions. In actual applications, other types of media reading and writing cabinets 1 may also be used.

[0112] The data storage system provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure may also support mixed use of storage media. For example, at least two of hard disk storage media, magnetic tape storage media, and optical disk storage media may be mixed.

[0113] In this way, different types of storage media can store data with different read and write speed requirements, thus expanding the functionality of the data storage system. For example, if a customer has high read and write speed requirements, data can be stored on hard disk storage media, while if the customer has low read and write speed requirements, data can be stored on tape or optical disk storage media.

[0114] In order to enable the media read-write cabinet 1 to support mixed use of storage media, in some examples, such as Figure 3 As shown, the media read / write cabinet 1 includes a cabinet 11, a server 12, and multiple media frames. The server 12 and the multiple media frames are located inside the cabinet 11, and the server 12 is electrically connected to the multiple media frames. The multiple media frames include at least two of a first media frame 13, a second media frame 14, and a third media frame 15. The first media frame 13 is configured to connect to hard disk storage media, the second media frame 14 is configured to drive tape storage media, and the third media frame 15 is configured to drive optical disk storage media.

[0115] Regarding the first medium frame 13 (such as Figure 4 As shown in the figure), the specific structures of the second medium frame 14 and the third medium frame 15 can refer to the above content and will not be repeated here.

[0116] In other examples, such as Figure 5 As shown, the media read / write cabinet 1 includes a cabinet 11, a server 12, and a fourth media frame 16. The server 12 and the fourth media frame 16 are located inside the cabinet 11, and the server 12 is electrically connected to the fourth media frame 16. The fourth media frame 16 is configured to connect to hard disk storage media, drive tape storage media, and drive optical disk storage media.

[0117] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the fourth media frame 16 includes a second power supply unit 161, a second fan 162, a second hard disk interface assembly 163, a tape drive 164, and an optical disk drive 165. The second power supply unit 161 is electrically connected to the power line in the cabinet 11, and the second power supply unit 161 supplies power to the second fan 162, the second hard disk interface assembly 163, the tape drive 164, and the optical disk drive 165. The second hard disk interface assembly 163, the tape drive 164, and the optical disk drive 165 are all electrically connected to the server 12. The second hard disk interface assembly 163 is configured to connect to a hard disk storage medium, the tape drive 164 is configured to drive a tape storage medium, and the optical disk drive 165 is configured to drive an optical disk storage medium.

[0118] Of course, the fourth media frame 16 may also include only any two of the second hard disk interface component 163 , the tape drive 164 and the optical disk drive 165 , which is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] The second hard disk interface assembly 163 may be the same as the first hard disk interface assembly 133 and will not be described in detail here.

[0120] In addition to providing a single media read-write cabinet 1 capable of operating multiple types of storage media to support mixed use of storage media, multiple types of media read-write cabinets 1 may also be provided in the data storage system.

[0121] In some examples, such as Figure 7 As shown, there are multiple media read-write cabinets 1, and the multiple media read-write cabinets 1 include at least two of the first media read-write cabinet 1a, the second media read-write cabinet 1b and the third media read-write cabinet 1c ( Figure 7 The data storage system shown includes three types of media read / write cabinets. The first media read / write cabinet 1a is configured to operate on hard disk storage media, the second media read / write cabinet 1b is configured to operate on tape storage media, and the third media read / write cabinet 1c is configured to operate on optical disk storage media.

[0122] The specific structures of the first medium reading and writing cabinet 1a, the second medium reading and writing cabinet 1b and the third medium reading and writing cabinet 1c can be referred to the above content and will not be repeated here.

[0123] In order to assist the robot system 3 in locating the position of the medium reading and writing cabinet 1, Figure 8 As shown, the outer wall of the media reading and writing cabinet 1 has a first identifier 17. In some examples, the first identifier 17 is located on one side of the opening of the media reading and writing cabinet 1.

[0124] The disclosed embodiments do not limit the specific form of the first identifier 17. In some examples, the first identifier 17 is a block having a special structure. The robot in the robotic system 3 may be equipped with a sensor (such as a 3D camera) to identify the spatial posture of the media reader / writer cabinet 1 through the first identifier 17, allowing the robot to accurately insert the storage medium into the media reader / writer cabinet 1 based on the actual posture of the media reader / writer cabinet 1.

[0125] In other examples, the first identifier 17 may also be a planar identifier such as a QR code.

[0126] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the number of the first marker 17. In some examples, there is one first marker 17; in other examples, there are multiple second markers 17, and the multiple second markers 17 correspond one to one with the multiple media frames; in other examples, Figure 8 As shown, there are multiple second identifiers 17, and each second identifier 17 corresponds to the position of at least two media frames.

[0127] (2) Offline storage resource pool 2 is located outside of media read / write cabinet 1 and is separated from media read / write cabinet 1. That is, offline storage resource pool 2 is physically decoupled from media read / write cabinet 1. In addition, offline storage resource pool 2 is only used to store storage media, so it does not require a network or power supply.

[0128] Since the offline storage resource pool 2 is physically decoupled from the media read-write cabinet 1, when the number of storage media increases, the number of media read-write cabinets 1 does not need to increase linearly, so the cost of the data storage system will not increase linearly with the increase of storage capacity.

[0129] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the form of the offline storage resource pool 2. For example, the offline storage resource pool 2 may be a storage table or a storage rack.

[0130] In some examples, such as Figure 9 As shown, the offline storage resource pool 2 includes a storage rack 21. The storage rack 21 includes a support member 211 and a plurality of partitions 212. The partitions 212 are arranged vertically and fixedly connected to the support member 211. The top surfaces of the partitions 212 are used to store storage media. The support member 211 can be a support plate.

[0131] Since the storage rack 21 is physically decoupled from the media reading and writing cabinet 1, the storage rack 21 does not have to comply with the height requirements of the cabinet. The height of the storage rack 21 can break through the height limit of about 2m of the traditional cabinet, which greatly improves the storage density of the storage medium per unit area.

[0132] Moreover, since the storage rack 21 is physically decoupled from the media reader / writer cabinet 1 and does not require external electrical wires and network cables, the storage rack 21 can be quickly deployed, relocated, and expanded.

[0133] In some examples, such as Figure 10 As shown, the distance between two adjacent partitions 212 is adjustable, so that the storage rack 21 can adapt to more scenarios and store more types of storage media.

[0134] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the implementation method of adjusting the distance between two adjacent partitions 212.

[0135] In some examples, such as Figure 10 As shown, the support member 211 has a plurality of mounting positions 210 of different heights corresponding to each partition 212, and the mounting positions 210 are used to fix the partition 212. The partition 212 is detachably connected to the support member 211, and the partition 212 can be fixed in any corresponding mounting position 210.

[0136] like Figure 10 As shown, the support member 211 has three mounting positions 210 of different heights corresponding to each partition 212. Figure 10The upper part of the partition 212 is fixed in the uppermost mounting position 210. When the spacing between the partitions 212 needs to be increased, such as Figure 10 Adjust the lower partition 212 to the middle installation position 210.

[0137] certainly, Figure 10 The adjustment method shown is only an example. In actual application, the installation position 210 where the partition 212 is located can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0138] In other examples, the support member 211 may have multiple mounting positions 210 of varying heights, with the number of mounting positions 210 exceeding the number of partitions 212. The partitions 212 are detachably connected to the support member 211 and can be fixed in any mounting position 210. The multiple mounting positions 210 may be arranged at equal intervals, but are not limited thereto.

[0139] That is, the partition 212 can be fixed in any installation position 210 of the support member 211, and the partition 212 has no corresponding installation position 210 (of course, it can also be understood that each partition 212 corresponds to all installation positions 210).

[0140] It should be noted that the number of partitions 212 included in the storage rack 21 is adjustable, and the staff can also adjust the distance between two adjacent partitions 212 by adding or removing the partitions 212. The installation position 210 can be as follows Figure 10 The slots and holes shown may also be simple holes that can be used for screws to pass through. Each mounting position 210 may include one hole or multiple holes, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0141] In some examples, such as Figure 11 As shown, the offline storage resource pool 2 further includes a plurality of storage boxes 22 . The storage boxes 22 are located on the top surface of the partition 212 and are used to store storage media.

[0142] The storage box 22 can store one storage medium or multiple storage media, and this embodiment of the disclosure does not limit this. When the storage box 22 stores multiple storage media, the stored storage media can be different types of storage media or the same type of storage media, and this embodiment of the disclosure does not limit this.

[0143] When the data storage system supports mixed storage media, in some examples, each storage box 22 can accommodate multiple types of storage media, such as at least two of hard disk storage media, magnetic tape storage media, and optical disk storage media. In other examples, the storage boxes 22 include a first storage box for hard disk storage media, a second storage box for magnetic tape storage media, and a third storage box for optical disk storage media.

[0144] The disclosed embodiments do not limit the specific dimensions of the storage box 22. The specific dimensions of the storage box 22 can be designed based on the actual application scenario. In some examples, the width of the storage box 22 is greater than 300 mm and less than 500 mm, and the length of the storage box 22 is greater than 500 mm and less than 700 mm. For example, the storage box 22 is 400 mm wide and 600 mm long.

[0145] The wall of the storage box 22 may be filled with anti-static and vibration-damping materials, so that the storage box 22 can provide anti-static and vibration-damping protection for the storage medium.

[0146] The storage box 22 can be placed on top of the partition 212 without being connected to the partition 212. In this case, the robot system 3 can carry the storage medium together with the storage box 22. In this way, when the storage box 22 contains multiple storage media, the robot system 3 can carry multiple storage media at a time, thereby improving the handling efficiency of the robot system 3.

[0147] The storage box 22 can also be fixed to the top surface of the partition 212. In this case, when the robot system 3 moves the storage medium, it needs to move the storage medium separately (in this case, a protective shell can be provided on the outside of the storage medium to prevent damage to the storage medium during movement by the robot system 3 and to facilitate movement by the robot system 3). Specifically, when the robot system 3 removes the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2, the robot system 3 removes the storage medium from the storage box 22; when the robot system 3 stores the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2, the robot system 3 places the storage medium in the storage box 22.

[0148] The top surface of each partition 212 can be used to place (or fix) one storage box 22, or multiple storage boxes 22, which are not limited in the present embodiment. The following are several possible situations:

[0149] In some examples, such as Figure 11 As shown, there are two support members 211, and the two support members 211 are fixedly connected to both sides of the partition 212 in the longitudinal direction. A row of storage boxes 22 is arranged on the top surface of the partition 212, and each row of storage boxes 22 includes multiple storage boxes 22 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the partition 212.

[0150] For example, Figure 11 As shown, the storage racks 21 can be placed individually in the width direction.

[0151] For example, Figure 12 As shown, the two storage racks 21 are arranged side by side in the width direction (or called back-to-back arrangement), and the two rows of storage boxes 22 on the two partitions 212 corresponding to the two storage racks 21 can be opposite to each other.

[0152] In other examples, such as Figure 13 As shown, two rows of storage boxes 22 are arranged on the top surface of the partition 212, and the two rows of storage boxes 22 can be opposite to each other.

[0153] It should be noted that for Figure 12 He Ru Figure 13 In the two situations shown, when the robot system 3 picks up and places the two rows of storage boxes 22, it can pick up and place two rows of storage boxes 22 on both sides of the storage rack 21 (or two storage racks 21) in the width direction; or it can pick up and place the storage boxes 22 from a single side of the storage rack 21. In this case, when picking up and placing the storage box 22 located on the inner side, it is necessary to take out the outer storage box 22 first, and then pick up and place the storage box 22 located on the inner side. Figure 12 and Figure 13 The two arrangements shown can improve the storage density of the storage medium.

[0154] In order to facilitate the robot system 3 to locate the storage rack 21 and the storage medium, in some examples, such as Figure 14 As shown, the offline storage resource pool 2 further includes a second identifier 23. The second identifier 23 is fixed to the storage rack 21, and is used to assist the robot system 3 in locating the position of the storage medium.

[0155] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the form of the second marker 23. In some examples, such as Figure 14 As shown, the second identifier 23 is a plane identifier, such as an information code such as a QR code and a bar code. In other examples, the second identifier 23 can also be an identification block.

[0156] In some examples, such as Figure 14 As shown, there are two support members 211 , and the two support members 211 are fixedly connected to the first side wall 2121 and the second side wall 2122 of the partition 212 respectively, and the first side wall 2121 is opposite to the second side wall 2122 .

[0157] There are multiple second identifiers 23, and the second identifiers 23 are fixed to the third side wall 2123 and / or the fourth side wall 2124 of the partition 212. The third side wall 2123 and the fourth side wall 2124 are opposite to each other, and the position of each storage medium (or each storage box 22) corresponds to the position of at least one second identifier 23.

[0158] like Figure 14 As shown, the first side wall 2121 and the second side wall 2122 extend along the width direction of the partition 212 , and the third side wall 2123 and the fourth side wall 2124 extend along the length direction of the partition 212 .

[0159] In some examples, the second identifier 23 may be fixed only on the third side wall 2123 of the partition 212 , and the robot system 3 needs to take and place the storage medium on one side of the third side wall 2123 of the storage rack 21 .

[0160] In other examples, the second identifier 23 may be fixed only on the fourth side wall 2124 of the partition 212 , and the robot system 3 needs to take and place the storage medium on one side of the fourth side wall 2124 of the storage rack 21 .

[0161] It should be noted that for Figure 12 In the situation shown, the second marker 23 can be fixed on the third side wall 2124 of the partition 212 of one storage rack 21, and the second marker 23 can be fixed on the fourth side wall 2124 of the partition 212 of another storage rack 21, so as to facilitate the robot system 3 to take and place the storage boxes 22 from both sides in the width direction of the two side-by-side storage racks 21.

[0162] Of course, the second marker 23 can also be fixed on the partition 212 of only one storage rack 21. In this case, the robot system 3 needs to pick up and place two rows of storage boxes 22 on the side of the storage rack 21 where the second marker 23 is fixed, and the two rows of storage boxes 22 are facing each other.

[0163] In other examples, the second marker 23 can be fixed to both the third side wall 2123 and the fourth side wall 2124 of the partition 212, and the robot system 3 can then take and place the storage medium on either side of the third side wall 2123 or the fourth side wall 2124 of the storage rack 21. In other words, the robot system 3 can take and place the storage medium from both sides of the storage rack 21. For example, Figure 13 The storage rack 21 shown may adopt this method, but is not limited thereto.

[0164] The technical solution shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure facilitates the robot system 3 to determine the position of each storage medium by providing at least one second identifier 23 corresponding to a position for each storage medium (or each storage box 22).

[0165] (3) The robot system 3 is used to transport storage media between the media read / write cabinet 1 and the offline storage resource pool 2. Specifically, when the storage media needs to be read / written, the storage media is transported from the offline storage resource pool 2 to the media read / write cabinet 1; after the storage media is read / written, the storage media is returned from the media read / write cabinet 1 to the offline storage resource pool 2.

[0166] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the types of robots included in the robot system 3. The robot system 3 may include multiple robots or a single robot. The following are exemplary descriptions of these two situations:

[0167] In some examples, the robotic system 3 includes multiple robots, such as Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, the robot system 3 includes a transport robot 31 and an insertion robot 32 .

[0168] When the robotic system 3 transports storage media from the offline storage resource pool 2 to the media read / write cabinet 1, the transport robot 31 first removes the storage media from the offline storage resource pool 2 and then passes the storage media to the insertion robot 32. The insertion robot 32 receives the storage media from the transport robot 31 and then inserts the storage media into the media read / write cabinet 1.

[0169] When the robotic system 3 transports the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 to the offline storage resource pool 2, the plugging robot 32 first removes the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and then passes the storage medium to the transport robot 31. The transport robot 31 receives the storage medium passed by the plugging robot 32 and stores the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2.

[0170] In some examples, the robot system 3 may include multiple transport robots 31 and multiple plugging and unplugging robots 32, and the multiple transport robots 31 and multiple plugging and unplugging robots 32 can operate simultaneously, thereby improving the transportation efficiency of the robot system 3 for storage media and improving the reading and writing efficiency of the data storage system.

[0171] The disclosed embodiments do not limit the form of the transfer robot 31. Exemplarily, the transfer robot 31 may be a slide-type robot, a ceiling-type robot, a floor-type robot, or an automated guided vehicle (AGV). The transfer robot 31 may be equipped with high-precision sensors to automatically retrieve and place storage boxes 22 from the storage rack 21.

[0172] Exemplarily, the transport robot 31 has four degrees of freedom (chassis movement, rotation, lifting and holding), and can locate the storage rack 21 and the storage box 22 through sensors and the second marker 23 on the storage rack 21.

[0173] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the shape of the plugging robot 32 , and the specific shape of the plugging robot 32 can be determined according to the specific application scenario (such as the location).

[0174] In some examples, such as Figure 15 As shown, the plugging and unplugging robot 32 is located outside the medium reading and writing cabinet 1 .

[0175] Exemplarily, the plugging robot 32 includes a robotic arm with 7-8 degrees of freedom (the movement and rotation of the chassis, and the 6 degrees of freedom of the robotic arm itself). The end of the robotic arm can be equipped with an industrial camera (or 3D camera), a force control sensor, and a replaceable gripper. The plugging robot 32 can grab storage media from the storage box 22 and insert it into the media reader / writer cabinet 1.

[0176] In other examples, such as Figure 16 As shown, the plugging and unplugging robot 32 is located inside the medium reading and writing cabinet 1 .

[0177] Exemplarily, the plugging and unplugging robot 32 may be an automated robotic arm in the media reading and writing cabinet 1 .

[0178] In some examples, such as Figure 17 and Figure 18 As shown, the data storage system further includes a transfer position 4. The transfer position 4 can be a transfer table or a transfer rack, for example, a rack similar to or the same as the storage rack 21, but is not limited thereto.

[0179] When the robotic system 3 transports the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 to the media read / write cabinet 1, the transport robot 31 first removes the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and then deposits the storage medium in the transfer position 4. The insertion and removal robot 32 removes the storage medium from the transfer position 4 and then inserts the storage medium into the media read / write cabinet 1.

[0180] When the robot system 3 transports the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 to the offline storage resource pool 2, the plugging robot 32 first removes the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and then deposits the storage medium into the transfer location 4. The handling robot 31 removes the storage medium from the transfer location 4 and then deposits the storage medium into the offline storage resource pool 2.

[0181] It should be noted that when the transport robot 31 transports the storage medium, it may transport the storage medium through the storage box 22 , and when the plug-in robot 32 transports the storage medium, it may transport the storage medium alone.

[0182] For example, in the process of transporting the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 to the media read-write cabinet 1, the transport robot 31 transports the storage box 22 to the transfer position 4, and then the insertion and removal robot 32 takes out the storage medium from the storage box 22 and inserts the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet 1.

[0183] When transporting the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 to the offline storage resource pool 2, the insertion robot 32 removes the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and places the storage medium into the storage box 22 at the transfer position 4. Then, the transport robot 31 places the storage box 22 back into the storage rack 21.

[0184] like Figure 17 As shown, when the plugging robot 32 is located outside the media reading and writing cabinet 1 , the transfer position 4 can also be located outside the media reading and writing cabinet 1 , and multiple media reading and writing cabinets 1 can share the same transfer position 4 .

[0185] Of course, a transfer position 4 may also be provided for each media reading and writing cabinet 1 . The transfer position 4 may be located in front of or inside the media reading and writing cabinet 1 , etc., and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0186] like Figure 18 As shown, when the plug-in robot 32 is located inside the media reading and writing cabinet 1 , the transfer position 4 can also be located inside the media reading and writing cabinet 1 , and each media reading and writing cabinet 1 has one transfer position 4 .

[0187] Of course, the transfer position 4 may also be set in front of the medium reading and writing cabinet 1, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0188] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure makes the transfer of storage media between the handling robot 31 and the plugging robot 32 simpler and more stable by setting a transfer position 4 in the data storage system. The handling robot 31 and the plugging robot 32 can be designed to be simpler, which can reduce the cost of the robot system 3.

[0189] Moreover, due to the existence of the transfer position 4, the action of transferring the storage medium between the handling robot 31 and the plugging robot 32 can be decomposed into two independent actions. The transfer of storage medium does not require the handling robot 31 and the plugging robot 32 to work at the same time. The scheduling of the handling robot 31 and the plugging robot 32 is more flexible, which can effectively improve the efficiency of the robot system 3 in transporting storage media.

[0190] In other examples, such as Figure 19 As shown, the robot system 3 includes a manipulation robot 33 .

[0191] When the robot system 3 transports the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 to the media read-write cabinet 1 , the operating robot 33 takes out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and inserts the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet 1 .

[0192] When the robot system 3 transports the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 to the offline storage resource pool 2 , the operating robot 33 takes out the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and stores the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 .

[0193] The operating robot 33 provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can adopt the same or similar structure as the above-mentioned handling robot 31, and a guide structure is set in the horizontal and vertical directions on the shell of the media frame of the cabinet 1, so that the operating robot 33 can accurately dock the storage medium with the media frame through the guide structure. In addition, when the storage medium is a hard disk storage medium, a first connector can be set on the outer wall of the storage medium, and the hard disk interface component of the media frame can be in the form of a second connector, one of the first connector and the second connector is a male connector, and the other is a female connector, so as to facilitate the docking of the storage medium and the media frame. The first connector and the second connector can be gold finger connectors, but are not limited to this.

[0194] It should be noted that the operating robot 33 may carry the storage medium alone when carrying the storage medium. In this case, the storage box 22 may not be provided in the offline storage resource pool 2 .

[0195] The storage medium used in the data storage system provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure may be a single storage medium or a storage medium group consisting of multiple storage media, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0196] The data storage system provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure has at least the following advantages:

[0197] The offline storage resource pool 2 is only used to store storage media and does not perform read and write operations on the storage media, so no power supply is required, which greatly reduces the overall power consumption of the data storage system. Moreover, the offline storage resource pool 2 is physically decoupled from the media read and write cabinet 1, and the storage cost of the data storage system will not increase linearly with the storage capacity.

[0198] The robot system 3 can carry multiple storage media at one time, and multiple storage media can be read and written simultaneously in the media reading and writing cabinet 1, so that the data storage system provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is more efficient.

[0199] The offline storage resource pool 2 is physically decoupled from the media read-write cabinet 1 and does not require connection to power lines and network cables, so the deployment, relocation, and expansion of the offline storage resource pool 2 are very convenient. Moreover, the storage rack 21 is only used to store storage media and does not need to comply with the height requirements of the cabinet, so compared with the cabinet, the storage rack 21 can store more storage media per unit area. In addition, by placing the storage racks 21 back to back (or arranging two rows of storage boxes 22 on the storage racks 21), customizing the super-high storage racks 21, and reducing the layer spacing of the storage racks 21, the storage density of the storage media can be further improved.

[0200] The storage space is decoupled from the read-write space, so the expansion of the media read-write cabinet 1 and the offline storage resource pool 2 can be achieved by using multiple spaces (multiple computer rooms, warehouses, etc.) without occupying an entire place.

[0201] Next, in conjunction with the introduction to the above system structure, a method for managing storage media provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is further described. This method is applied to the above data storage system. The method can be executed by a scheduling system, which is used to control the above data storage system. The scheduling system can be any electronic device, such as a server.

[0202] like Figure 20 As shown, the method includes:

[0203] In step 101 , the robot system 3 is controlled to retrieve a storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and insert the storage medium into the media read / write cabinet 1 .

[0204] When a customer requests data, the scheduling system prioritizes the data storage system based on multiple factors, including the overall state of the data storage system, the time required to read or write the requested data, and the urgency of the request. The work order then issues a work order to the data storage system. The work order includes the location of the storage media, the location of transfer station 4, the location of media read / write cabinet 1, the location of the media rack within media read / write cabinet 1, and the specific time to retrieve the storage media.

[0205] Afterwards, the robot system 3 may retrieve the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and insert the storage medium into the media read / write cabinet 1 according to the information carried in the work order.

[0206] In some examples, when the robot system 3 includes a transport robot 31 and an insertion robot 32, the process of controlling the robot system 3 to remove a storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and insert the storage medium into the media read / write cabinet 1 is as follows:

[0207] The transport robot 31 is controlled to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 , and transfer the storage medium to the plugging robot 32 , and the plugging robot 32 is controlled to insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet 1 .

[0208] In some examples, when the robot system 3 includes a transfer position 4, the process of controlling the robot system 3 to remove the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and insert the storage medium into the media read / write cabinet 1 is as follows:

[0209] The transport robot 31 is controlled to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and store the storage medium in the transfer position 4 , and the plugging robot 32 is controlled to take out the storage medium from the transfer position 4 and insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet 1 .

[0210] In some examples, when the robot system 2 includes an operating robot 33, the process of controlling the robot system 3 to remove a storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and insert the storage medium into the media read / write cabinet 1 is as follows:

[0211] The control operation robot 33 takes out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool 2 and inserts the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet 1 .

[0212] In step 102 , after the media read / write cabinet 1 completes the operation on the storage medium, the robot system 3 is controlled to take out the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 .

[0213] After the media read / write cabinet 1 completes the operation on the storage medium, it can send an operation completion message to the scheduling system. After receiving the operation completion message, the scheduling system sends a deposit message to the robot system 3, instructing the robot system 3 to store the storage medium back to the offline storage resource pool 2.

[0214] After receiving the storage message, the robot system 3 takes out the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and stores the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 .

[0215] In some examples, when the robot system 3 includes a transport robot 31 and an insertion robot 32, the process of controlling the robot system 3 to remove the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 is as follows:

[0216] The plug-in robot 32 is controlled to take out the storage medium from the medium reading and writing cabinet 1 , and transfer the storage medium to the transport robot 31 , and the transport robot 31 is controlled to store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 .

[0217] In some examples, when the robot system 3 includes a transfer position 4, the process of controlling the robot system 3 to take out the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 is as follows:

[0218] The plug-in robot 32 is controlled to remove the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet 1 and store the storage medium in the transfer position 4 . The transport robot 31 is controlled to remove the storage medium from the transfer position 4 and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 .

[0219] In some examples, when the robot system 3 includes an operating robot 33, the process of controlling the robot system 3 to take out a storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 is as follows:

[0220] The control operation robot 33 takes out the storage medium from the media read / write cabinet 1 and stores the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool 2 .

[0221] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a data storage system, comprising the above-mentioned data storage system and a scheduling system, wherein the scheduling system is used to execute any of the above-mentioned methods for managing storage media.

[0222] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a scheduling system, the scheduling system executes any one of the above-mentioned methods for managing storage media.

[0223] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer program product comprising instructions. When the computer program product is run on a scheduling system, the scheduling system executes any one of the above-mentioned methods for managing storage media.

[0224] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a chip, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and is used to implement any of the above-mentioned methods for managing storage media when the chip is running.

[0225] The above descriptions are merely optional embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the principles of the present disclosure shall be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A data storage system, characterized in that: The data storage system comprises a media read-write cabinet (1), an offline storage resource pool (2) and a robot system (3); The medium read / write cabinet (1) is configured to operate on a storage medium, wherein the operation includes at least one of a read operation and a write operation; The offline storage resource pool (2) is configured to store the storage medium; The robot system (3) is configured to, when the storage medium needs to be operated, take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2) and insert the storage medium into the medium read-write cabinet (1); and, after the medium read-write cabinet (1) completes the operation on the storage medium, take out the storage medium from the medium read-write cabinet (1) and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2).

2. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The media reading and writing cabinet (1) comprises a cabinet (11), a server (12) and a first media frame (13); The server (12) and the first medium frame (13) are located inside the cabinet (11), and the server (12) is electrically connected to the first medium frame (13); The first medium frame (13) is configured to dock with a hard disk type storage medium.

3. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The media reading and writing cabinet (1) comprises a cabinet (11), a server (12) and a plurality of media frames; The server (12) and the plurality of media frames are located inside the cabinet (11), and the server (12) is electrically connected to the plurality of media frames; The plurality of media frames include at least two of a first media frame (13), a second media frame (14) and a third media frame (15); the first media frame (13) is configured to dock a hard disk type storage medium; the second media frame (14) is configured to drive a tape type storage medium; and the third media frame (15) is configured to drive an optical disk type storage medium.

4. The data storage system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first medium frame (13) comprises a first power supply unit (131), a first fan (132) and a first hard disk interface component (133); The first power supply unit (131) is electrically connected to a power supply line in the cabinet (11), and the first power supply unit (131) supplies power to the first fan (132) and the first hard disk interface component (133); The first hard disk interface component (133) is electrically connected to the server (12), and the first hard disk interface component (133) is configured to connect to a hard disk storage medium.

5. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The media reading and writing cabinet (1) comprises a cabinet (11), a server (12) and a fourth media frame (16); The server (12) and the fourth medium frame (16) are located inside the cabinet (11), and the server (12) is electrically connected to the fourth medium frame (16); The fourth medium frame (16) is configured to dock with a hard disk type storage medium, drive a magnetic tape type storage medium, and drive an optical disk type storage medium.

6. The data storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fourth media frame (16) includes a second power supply unit (161), a second fan (162), a second hard disk interface component (163), a tape drive (164) and an optical disk drive (165); The second power supply unit (161) is electrically connected to a power supply line in the cabinet (11), and the second power supply unit (161) supplies power to the second fan (162), the second hard disk interface component (163), the tape drive (164), and the optical disk drive (165); The second hard disk interface component (163), the tape drive (164) and the optical disk drive (165) are all electrically connected to the server (12); the second hard disk interface component (163) is configured to connect to a hard disk storage medium; the tape drive (164) is configured to drive a tape storage medium; and the optical disk drive (165) is configured to drive an optical disk storage medium.

7. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein: There are multiple media read-write cabinets (1), and the multiple media read-write cabinets (1) include at least two of a first media read-write cabinet (1a), a second media read-write cabinet (1b), and a third media read-write cabinet (1c); The first medium read-write cabinet (1a) is configured to operate hard disk storage media, the second medium read-write cabinet (1b) is configured to operate magnetic tape storage media, and the third medium read-write cabinet (1c) is configured to operate optical disk storage media.

8. The data storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The outer wall of the media reading and writing cabinet (1) has a first identifier (17), and the first identifier (17) is used to assist the robot system (3) in locating the position of the media reading and writing cabinet (1).

9. The data storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The offline storage resource pool (2) includes a storage rack (21); The storage rack (21) includes a support member (211) and a plurality of partitions (212); The plurality of partitions (212) are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction and are all fixedly connected to the support member (211); the top surfaces of the partitions (212) are used for storing the storage medium.

10. The data storage system according to claim 9, wherein: The distance between two adjacent partitions (212) is adjustable.

11. The data storage system according to claim 10, wherein: The support member (211) has a plurality of mounting positions (210) of different heights corresponding to each of the partitions (212), and the mounting positions (210) are used to fix the partitions (212); The partition (212) is detachably connected to the support member (211), and the partition (212) can be fixed in any corresponding installation position (210).

12. The data storage system according to claim 10, wherein: The support member (211) has a plurality of mounting positions (210) of different heights, the mounting positions (210) are used to fix the partitions (212), and the number of the mounting positions (210) is greater than or equal to the number of the partitions (212); The partition (212) is detachably connected to the support member (211), and the partition (212) can be fixed in any installation position (210).

13. The data storage system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that: The offline storage resource pool (2) further includes a plurality of storage boxes (22), wherein the storage boxes (22) are located on the top surface of the partition (212), and the storage boxes (22) are used to store the storage media; The robot system (3) is configured to carry the storage medium through the storage box (22).

14. The data storage system according to claim 13, wherein: There are two support members (211), and the two support members (211) are respectively fixedly connected to both sides of the partition (212) in the length direction; A row of storage boxes (22) is arranged on the top surface of the partition (212), the row of storage boxes (22) includes a plurality of storage boxes (22) arranged along the length direction of the partition (212), and the two storage racks (21) are arranged side by side along the width direction of the partition (212).

15. The data storage system according to claim 13, wherein: There are two support members (211), and the two support members (211) are respectively fixedly connected to both sides of the partition (212) in the length direction; Two rows of storage boxes (22) are arranged on the top surface of the partition (212), and each row of storage boxes (22) includes a plurality of storage boxes (22) arranged along the length direction of the partition (212).

16. The data storage system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that: The offline storage resource pool (2) further includes a second identifier (23); The second identifier (23) is fixed to the storage rack (21), and the second identifier (23) is used to assist the robot system (3) in locating the position of the storage medium.

17. The data storage system according to claim 16, wherein: There are two support members (211), and the two support members (211) are fixedly connected to the first side wall (2121) and the second side wall (2122) of the partition (212), respectively, and the first side wall (2121) is opposite to the second side wall (2122); There are multiple second identifiers (23), and the second identifiers (23) are fixed to the third side wall (2123) and / or the fourth side wall (2124) of the partition (212). The third side wall (2123) and the fourth side wall (2124) are opposite to each other, and the position of each storage medium corresponds to the position of at least one second identifier (23).

18. The data storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The robot system (3) includes a transport robot (31) and an insertion and extraction robot (32); The transport robot (31) is configured to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2) and transfer the storage medium to the plugging robot (32), and receive the storage medium transferred by the plugging robot (32) and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2); The plug-in robot (32) is configured to receive the storage medium delivered by the transport robot (31) and insert the storage medium into the medium read-write cabinet (1), and to take out the storage medium from the medium read-write cabinet (1) and deliver the storage medium to the transport robot (31).

19. The data storage system according to claim 18, wherein: The plugging and unplugging robot (32) is located outside the medium reading and writing cabinet (1).

20. The data storage system according to claim 18, wherein: The plugging and unplugging robot (32) is located inside the medium reading and writing cabinet (1).

21. The data storage system according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that: The data storage system further includes a transfer location (4); The transport robot (31) is configured to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2) and store the storage medium in the transfer location (4), and to take out the storage medium from the transfer location (4) and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2); The plug-in robot (32) is configured to remove the storage medium from the intermediate transfer position (4) and insert the storage medium into the medium reading and writing cabinet (1), and to remove the storage medium from the medium reading and writing cabinet (1) and store the storage medium in the intermediate transfer position (4).

22. The data storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: The robot system (3) includes an operating robot (33); The operating robot (33) is configured to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2) and insert the storage medium into the media read-write cabinet (1), and to take out the storage medium from the media read-write cabinet (1) and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2).

23. A method for managing a storage medium, characterized in that: The method is applied to the data storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 22, and the method includes: Controlling the robot system (3) to take out a storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2) and inserting the storage medium into the medium reading and writing cabinet (1); After the medium read / write cabinet (1) completes the operation on the storage medium, the robot system (3) is controlled to take out the storage medium from the medium read / write cabinet (1) and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2).

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein When the robot system (3) includes a transport robot (31) and an insertion robot (32), the control robot system (3) takes out a storage medium from an offline storage resource pool (2) and inserts the storage medium into a medium read / write cabinet (1), including: Controlling the transport robot (31) to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2), and transferring the storage medium to the plugging robot (32), and controlling the plugging robot (32) to insert the storage medium into the medium reading and writing cabinet (1); The controlling the robot system (3) to take out the storage medium from the medium reading and writing cabinet (1) and storing the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2) includes: The plug-in robot (32) is controlled to take out the storage medium from the medium read-write cabinet (1), and transfer the storage medium to the transport robot (31), and the transport robot (31) is controlled to store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2).

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that When the data storage system includes a transfer position (4), controlling the transport robot (31) to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2), transferring the storage medium to the plugging robot (32), and controlling the plugging robot (32) to insert the storage medium into the medium reading and writing cabinet (1) includes: Controlling the transport robot (31) to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2) and store the storage medium in the transfer position (4); controlling the plugging and unplugging robot (32) to take out the storage medium from the transfer position (4) and insert the storage medium into the medium reading and writing cabinet (1); The method of controlling the plugging robot (32) to take out the storage medium from the medium reading and writing cabinet (1), transferring the storage medium to the transporting robot (31), and controlling the transporting robot (31) to store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2) comprises: The plug-in robot (32) is controlled to take out the storage medium from the medium read-write cabinet (1) and store the storage medium in the transfer position (4); the transport robot (31) is controlled to take out the storage medium from the transfer position (4) and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2).

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein When the robot system (3) includes an operating robot (33), the control robot system (3) takes out a storage medium from an offline storage resource pool (2) and inserts the storage medium into a medium read / write cabinet (1), including: Controlling the operating robot (33) to take out the storage medium from the offline storage resource pool (2) and inserting the storage medium into the medium reading and writing cabinet (1); The controlling the robot system (3) to take out the storage medium from the medium reading and writing cabinet (1) and storing the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2) includes: The operating robot (33) is controlled to take out the storage medium from the medium reading and writing cabinet (1), and store the storage medium in the offline storage resource pool (2).

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