A RAID array storage test system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a RAID array storage test system, belonging to the field of storage arrays. The storage test system of the present invention uses a RAID array card as its core, and utilizes efficient RAID data processing firmware and a Linux operating system driver developed in conjunction with the characteristics of the RAID chip. The system can connect up to 40 hard drives and configure them into RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 arrays using self-developed host computer software on a Linux platform. This system achieves higher data security, faster data storage speeds, and better testing results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of storage arrays, and in particular relates to a RAID array storage test system. Background Art

[0002] In today's era, informatization has had a profound and extensive impact on human society, and data is fully and comprehensively realizing its potential value. A prerequisite for achieving this goal is that data can be properly stored on a reliable, trustworthy, and manageable platform, ensuring its integrity and credibility, and enabling convenient access anytime, anywhere. Consequently, the increasing demand for data storage has driven the continuous development and upgrading of data storage technology. Therefore, a storage test system for large-scale RAID arrays is urgently needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] (1) Technical issues to be solved

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to provide a RAID array storage test system to solve the storage test problem of large-scale RAID arrays.

[0005] (2) Technical solution

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a RAID array storage test system, which includes a RAID array card and a host computer; the RAID array card includes a board card, on which a RAID chip and related peripheral circuits required by the RAID chip are provided; the host computer includes a driver and host computer software; the RAID array card communicates with the host computer via a PCIe interface;

[0007] The independently developed RAID chip on the RAID array card has a processor as the main control, which completes some global scheduling, performs storage test initialization work, analyzes the communication structure between the upper and lower computers, generates the command list required by the RAID engine, and executes storage tests;

[0008] The RAID chip has a built-in RAID engine, which serves as a hardware data dispatch center and includes a RAID hardware acceleration module. The RAID engine directly operates multiple SATA controllers to implement RAID functions. The RAID engine generates the command list required by SATA based on the instructions of the host computer.

[0009] The SATA controller in the RAID chip leads to the SATA interface on the RAID array card, which stores the RAID data on the external SATA hard disk;

[0010] The software architecture is divided into three parts: RAID firmware, driver and host computer software; among them,

[0011] RAID firmware implements the scheduling of RAID hardware acceleration modules on RAID chips and boards and the management of SATA hard drives, completing the implementation of RAID functions and is the core of RAID array card functions.

[0012] The driver enables the operating system to identify the RAID array card as a storage device and provides a channel for the host computer software to configure the RAID array card, so that the RAID array card can be provided to users as a storage device under the computer operating system.

[0013] The host computer software completes the human-computer interaction function of the user configuring the RAID array card, allowing the user to complete the management and configuration of the RAID array card functions under the operating system, making it convenient for users to use.

[0014] Furthermore, the RAID array card also has DDR, which serves as a data transmission and verification buffer for the RAID array.

[0015] Furthermore, the RAID array card also has Flash, which serves as a storage area for firmware and RAID array information, allowing the RAID array card to retain previous configuration parameters after power failure.

[0016] Furthermore, the tests provided by the test system include: RAID0 / 1 / 5 / 6 full disk read and write test, RAID1 / 5 / 6 read and write test in degraded state, and RAID1 / 5 / 6 read and write test in rebuilding state.

[0017] Furthermore, the RAID0 / 1 / 5 / 6 full disk read and write test includes: inserting the SATA interface and the PCIe interface of the board where the RAID chip is located into the host PCIe card slot, connecting 40 SATA hard drives to the SATA interfaces on the board respectively, configuring the board to RAID0, RAID1, RAID5 and RAID6 states respectively through the driver and host computer software, using the script file algorithm to generate a 200MB data package and write it into the board, then reading out this data and calculating its MD5 value. If the MD5 value is the same as the MD5 value of the previously written data, it proves that the RAID array has normal read and write functions and can correctly recover the data in a lost hard drive, proving that the RAID function is effective.

[0018] Furthermore, when creating a new array, the array levels include RAID0, RAID1, RAID5, and RAID6.

[0019] Furthermore, the size of the array stripe ranges from 8k to 128k; the array capacity ranges from 2G to a maximum capacity of 10T.

[0020] Furthermore, after the array is created, right-clicking the array in the host computer software will have the functions of deleting the array and selecting the array.

[0021] Furthermore, the read and write test in the degraded state of RAID1 / 5 / 6 includes: unplugging the disk of the RAID1, RAID5, RAID6 array to complete the read and write operation in the degraded state; or when a disk is dropped from the RAID1, RAID5, RAID6 array, completing the read and write operation in the degraded state.

[0022] Furthermore, the read and write test in the RAID1 / 5 / 6 reconstruction state includes: the RAID array card supports setting a hot spare disk in the RAID1, RAID5, and RAID6 arrays, and completes the array reconstruction process and after the reconstruction is completed by automatically rebuilding the array; the read operation will read out the data written in the storage array and compare it with the data generated by the script file algorithm. If the data is consistent, it means that the test is correct; if not, the script execution stops and the test is an error.

[0023] (3) Beneficial effects

[0024] The present invention provides a RAID array storage test system. The storage test system of the present invention uses a RAID array card as its core and uses efficient RAID data processing firmware and a Linux operating system driver developed in conjunction with the characteristics of the RAID chip. The system can connect up to 40 hard disks and use self-developed host computer software on the Linux platform to configure them into RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 arrays, thereby achieving higher data security and faster data storage speeds, and achieving better testing results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the RAID array storage test system architecture of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, content and advantages of the present invention more clear, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0027] Aiming at the storage application requirements in the server field, the present invention provides a storage test system based on RAID array cards.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the overall design of the present invention is as follows:

[0029] The present invention relates to a storage testing system based on a RAID array card, comprising a RAID array card and a host computer. The RAID array card comprises a board equipped with a RAID chip and related peripheral circuits required by the RAID chip. The host computer comprises a driver and host computer software. The RAID array card communicates with the host computer via a PCIe interface.

[0030] The DDR on the RAID array card serves as the data transmission and verification buffer of the RAID array;

[0031] The Flash on the RAID array card is used as a storage area for firmware and RAID array information, allowing the RAID array card to retain previous configuration parameters after power failure.

[0032] The independently developed RAID chip on the RAID array card has a processor as the main control, which completes some global scheduling, performs storage test initialization work, analyzes the communication structure between the upper and lower computers, generates the command list required by the RAID engine, and executes storage tests;

[0033] The RAID chip has a built-in RAID engine, which serves as a hardware data dispatch center and includes a RAID hardware acceleration module. The RAID engine directly operates multiple SATA controllers to implement RAID functions. The RAID engine generates the command list required by SATA based on the instructions of the host computer.

[0034] The SATA controller in the RAID chip leads to the SATA interface on the RAID array card, which can store RAID data on an external SATA hard drive.

[0035] The software architecture is divided into three parts: RAID firmware, driver and host software.

[0036] Among them, RAID firmware implements the scheduling of RAID hardware acceleration modules on RAID chips and boards and the management of SATA hard drives, completing the implementation of RAID functions and is the core of RAID array card functions.

[0037] The driver enables the operating system to identify the RAID array card as a storage device and provides a channel for the host computer software to configure the RAID array card, so that the RAID array card can be provided to users as a storage device under the computer operating system.

[0038] The host computer software completes the human-computer interaction function of the user configuring the RAID array card, allowing the user to complete the management and configuration of the RAID array card functions under the operating system, making it convenient for users to use.

[0039] The combination of these three parts of the software brings out the functions and performance of the RAID board hardware and realizes the use of complete RAID array card functions under the operating system.

[0040] The RAID array storage test system of the present invention can provide the following tests:

[0041] ①RAID0 / 1 / 5 / 6 full disk read and write test

[0042] Insert the SATA interface and the PCIe interface of the board containing the RAID chip into the host PCIe slot. Connect 40 SATA hard drives to the SATA interfaces on the board. Configure the board for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 6 using the driver and host software. Use a script file algorithm to generate a 200MB packet of data and write it to the board. Then, read this data and calculate its MD5 hash. If the MD5 hash matches the MD5 hash of the previously written data, the RAID array is functional and can recover data from a lost hard drive, proving the RAID functionality is working. When creating a new array, select RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6; select stripe size from 8KB to 128KB; and select capacity from 2GB to a maximum of 10TB. After the array is created, right-clicking the array in the host software will display options such as deleting or selecting an array.

[0043] Among them, the script file algorithm can be implemented by a general algorithm as long as it can generate data.

[0044] ② Read and write test in RAID1 / 5 / 6 degraded state

[0045] Remove the disk from the RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 array to complete read and write operations in a degraded state; or if a disk is removed from the RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 array, complete read and write operations in a degraded state.

[0046] ③ Read and write test in RAID1 / 5 / 6 rebuild state

[0047] The RAID array card supports setting a hot spare disk in RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 6 arrays. By automatically rebuilding the array or manually rebuilding the array, you can complete read and write data testing during and after the array rebuild.

[0048] The read operation will read the data written in the storage array and compare it with the data generated by the script file algorithm. If the data is consistent, the test is correct; if not, the script execution stops and the test is wrong.

[0049] This invention provides a complete RAID array storage test system. This storage test system, with a RAID array card as its core and efficient RAID data processing firmware and Linux operating system drivers developed in conjunction with the RAID chip's features, can connect up to 40 hard drives and configure them into RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 arrays using proprietary host computer software on the Linux platform. This system achieves higher data security, faster data storage, and better testing results.

[0050] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A RAID array storage test system, characterized in that: The system includes a RAID array card and a host computer; the RAID array card includes a board, which is provided with a RAID chip and related peripheral circuits required by the RAID chip; the host computer includes a driver and host computer software; the RAID array card communicates with the host computer through a PCIe interface; The independently developed RAID chip on the RAID array card has a processor as the main control, which performs storage test initialization, analyzes the communication structure between the upper and lower computers, generates the command list required by the RAID engine, and executes the storage test; The RAID chip has a built-in RAID engine, which serves as a hardware data dispatch center and includes a RAID hardware acceleration module. The RAID engine directly operates multiple SATA controllers to implement RAID functions. The RAID engine generates the command list required by SATA based on the instructions of the host computer. The SATA controller in the RAID chip leads to the SATA interface on the RAID array card, which stores the RAID data on the external SATA hard disk; The software architecture is divided into three parts: RAID firmware, driver and host computer software; among them, RAID firmware implements the scheduling of RAID hardware acceleration modules on RAID chips and boards and the management of SATA hard drives, completing the implementation of RAID functions and is the core of RAID array card functions. The driver enables the operating system to identify the RAID array card as a storage device and provides a channel for the host computer software to configure the RAID array card, so that the RAID array card can be provided to users as a storage device under the computer operating system. The host computer software completes the human-computer interaction function of the user configuring the RAID array card, allowing the user to complete the management and configuration of the RAID array card functions under the operating system, making it convenient for users to use.

2. The RAID array storage test system according to claim 1, wherein: The RAID array card also has DDR, which serves as the data transmission and verification buffer of the RAID array.

3. The RAID array storage test system according to claim 1, wherein: The RAID array card also has Flash, which serves as a storage area for firmware and RAID array information, allowing the RAID array card to retain previous configuration parameters after power failure.

4. The RAID array storage test system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The tests provided by this test system include: RAID0 / 1 / 5 / 6 full disk read and write test, RAID1 / 5 / 6 read and write test in degraded state, and RAID1 / 5 / 6 read and write test in rebuilding state.

5. The RAID array storage test system according to claim 4, wherein: The RAID0 / 1 / 5 / 6 full-disk read and write test includes: inserting the SATA interface and the PCIe interface of the board where the RAID chip is located into the host PCIe card slot, connecting 40 SATA hard drives to the SATA interfaces on the board respectively, configuring the board to RAID0, RAID1, RAID5 and RAID6 states respectively through the driver and host computer software, using a script file algorithm to generate a 200MB data packet and write it to the board, then reading this data and calculating its MD5 value. If the MD5 value is the same as the MD5 value of the previously written data, it proves that the RAID array has normal read and write functions and can correctly recover data from a lost hard drive, proving that the RAID function is effective.

6. The RAID array storage test system according to claim 5, wherein: When creating a new array, the array level can be RAID0, RAID1, RAID5, or RAID6.

7. The RAID array storage test system according to claim 6, wherein: The array stripe size ranges from 8k to 128k; the array capacity ranges from 2G to a maximum of 10T.

8. The RAID array storage test system according to claim 6, wherein: After the array is created, right-clicking the array in the host computer software will have the functions of deleting the array and selecting the array.

9. The RAID array storage test system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The read and write test in the degraded state of RAID1 / 5 / 6 includes: unplugging the disk of RAID 1, RAID5, RAID6 array to complete the read and write operation in the degraded state; or completing the read and write operation in the degraded state when a disk is removed from the RAID 1, RAID5, RAID6 array.

10. The RAID array storage test system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The read and write test in the RAID 1 / 5 / 6 rebuild state includes: the RAID array card supports setting a hot spare disk in the RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 6 arrays, and completes the array rebuild process and post-rebuild read and write data testing by automatically rebuilding the array or manually rebuilding the array. The read operation will read the data written to the storage array and compare it with the data generated by the script file algorithm. If the data is consistent, the test is correct; if not, the script execution stops and the test is an error.

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