Storage control device, information processing system, control method of storage control device, and program

Abstract

To provide a storage control device, an information processing system, a control method of the storage control device, and a program which can acquire information on failure from a RAID card having the failure, while reducing costs.SOLUTION: A storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage includes: diagnosis execution means for executing diagnosis of the storage control device; and diagnosis result transmission means for transmitting a result of the diagnosis to the information processing device through a diagnosis information transmission path as a path different from such an access path that the information processing device accesses the storage through the storage control device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage control device, an information processing system, a storage control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) technology is one of the technologies for increasing the availability of auxiliary storage devices such as disks used by computers. Generally, auxiliary storage devices are connected to computers via an interface called a RAID card. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a technology for acquiring failure information from a RAID card in the event of a failure in the RAID card.

[0003] In the technology of Patent Document 1, a BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) mounted on a computer motherboard requests information from a RAID card connected to the BMC, and the BMC then obtains a log related to a failure in the RAID card from the RAID card. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 151845 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 1 uses a BMC to obtain failure information from a RAID card in which a failure has occurred. However, BMCs are generally expensive. In low-cost computers that do not have a BMC, it is not possible to obtain failure information from a RAID card in which a failure has occurred using the technology of Patent Document 1.

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a storage control device, an information processing system, a storage control method, a program, and the like that can acquire failure information from a RAID card in which a failure has occurred while reducing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A storage control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a storage control device connected to an information processing device and storage, and includes a diagnostic implementation means for diagnosing the storage control device, and a diagnostic result transmission means for transmitting the results of the diagnosis to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is different from the access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device.

[0008] A storage control device control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a storage control device connected to an information processing device and storage, which performs a diagnosis of the storage control device and transmits the results of the diagnosis to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is different from the access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer operating as a storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage to execute a diagnostic execution process for diagnosing the storage control device and a diagnostic result transmission process for transmitting the results of the diagnosis to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is a path different from an access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device. Another aspect of the present disclosure can also be realized by a storage medium that stores the above-mentioned program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present disclosure has the effect of being able to acquire failure information from a RAID card in which a failure has occurred while reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a storage control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the storage control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer not equipped with a BMC according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing software and logs stored in the memory of a RAID card according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A shows the flow of information (ie, requests and information) when storing SMART information. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B shows the flow of information (ie, requests and information) when accumulating a RAID log. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the memory of a RAID card according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow from transmission of self-diagnosis information to storage on the motherboard according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow from acquisition to storage of self-diagnosis information in a motherboard according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the storage control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer capable of realizing the RAID card and storage control device according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, a comparative example of the present disclosure will be described.

[0013] <Comparative Example> Computers used primarily for industrial purposes have RAS (Reliability, Availability, Serviceability) functions, which are functions that improve the reliability, availability, and maintainability of computers and ensure stable operation.

[0014] As mentioned above, RAID technology is one of the RAS functions that increases the availability of disks installed in computers. RAID technology operates multiple hard disk drives (HDDs) as a single virtual HDD. RAID technology also provides HDD redundancy. Because a computer equipped with RAID technology can operate multiple HDDs, even if one HDD fails, the computer can continue to operate using the remaining HDDs. Furthermore, redundancy can be restored by replacing the failed HDD and copying data from the remaining HDDs through a rebuild process. This type of RAID technology is implemented, for example, using a card equipped with a RAID controller (hereafter referred to as a RAID card). RAID cards are often installed in computers used for industrial purposes.

[0015] RAID cards are known to be able to obtain SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) information from connected storage devices such as HDDs (referred to as secondary storage devices) as well as the RAID card's own operation log (hereafter referred to as the RAID log). SMART information is information that can be used to check the current status of secondary storage devices using the secondary storage device's built-in self-diagnostic function.

[0016] If a secondary storage device in a computer fails, the computer can obtain the SMART information and RAID log of the failed secondary storage device through the RAID card. The computer can then save the obtained SMART information and RAID log to a non-failed secondary storage device, allowing the computer to analyze the cause of the failure. However, if a failure occurs in the RAID card, the computer has no way to obtain the log, making it difficult to analyze the cause of the RAID card failure.

[0017] One known way to solve this problem is to use a BMC, which is a control chip that manages computers and is mounted on motherboards.

[0018] As described above, for example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 connects a BMC and a RAID card, and obtains a log related to a failure in the RAID card by requesting information from the BMC.

[0019] However, as mentioned above, BMCs are expensive, and therefore are generally installed in high-performance computers such as servers. Therefore, in computers without BMCs, other methods are required to analyze RAID card failures.

[0020] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer not equipped with a BMC according to the present disclosure. The computer according to this modification will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0021] 3, the path connecting the motherboard 111Z and the RAID card 121Z is a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) path. Therefore, information about the RAID card 121Z is sent only when a command is sent from the motherboard 111Z.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating software and logs stored in the memory 123 of the RAID card 121Z according to the present disclosure. The FW (Firmware) 201Z is software that performs SATA processing and monitors the operation of the RAID card. Hereinafter, the operation of the processor controlled by the FW 201Z will be described as the operation of the FW 201Z. The FW 201Z of the RAID card 121Z stores a record of accesses from the RAID card 121Z to the auxiliary storage device, which is the result of monitoring by the RAID card operation monitoring function 302, as a RAID log 404 in the data area 202 of the memory 123. The FW 201Z of the RAID card 121Z can detect unauthorized operations using the RAID card operation monitoring function 302. However, the FW 201Z does not have the function of saving and transmitting logs related to unauthorized operations to an external device.

[0023] For these reasons, the motherboard 111Z of the computer 101Z does not have a means to acquire a log related to a RAID card failure when a failure occurs in the RAID card. This makes it difficult to analyze the failure in the RAID card. This prolongs the failure analysis process, which in turn increases the time required to replace the failed part. As a result, the user's system is down for a long time, which is a problem.

[0024] This will be explained in more detail below. Information that can be used for failure analysis when a failure occurs in an auxiliary storage device includes SMART information and a RAID log. Information that can be used for failure analysis when a failure occurs in a RAID card includes self-diagnosis information. In this comparative example, the motherboard 111Z of the computer 101Z can acquire SMART information and a RAID log. On the other hand, the motherboard 111Z cannot acquire self-diagnosis information. Therefore, it is difficult for the motherboard 111Z (specifically, in this case, for example, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112) that cannot acquire self-diagnosis information to analyze a failure when a failure occurs in a RAID card. Note that in this disclosure, the operation by the CPU 112 mounted on the motherboard 111Z may be described as the operation of the motherboard 111Z.

[0025] For example, if a failure occurs in the auxiliary storage device 131, the motherboard 111Z can analyze the failure.

[0026] FIG. 5A shows the flow of information (i.e., requests and information) when storing SMART information. FIG. 5B shows the flow of information (i.e., requests and information) when storing RAID logs. FIGS. 5A and 5B will be described in more detail later. Note that in this disclosure, the flow of information and data is not necessarily limited to the direction of the arrows depicted in the drawings.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5A, the motherboard 111Z can acquire SMART information 402 stored in the management area 133 of the auxiliary storage device 131 and store the acquired SMART information 402 in the data area 144 of the auxiliary storage device 141. As shown in FIG. 5B, the motherboard 111Z can acquire a RAID log 404 stored in the memory 123 of the RAID card 121Z and store the acquired RAID log 404 in the data area 144 of the auxiliary storage device 141. Therefore, the motherboard 111Z can analyze a failure using the SMART information 402 and the RAID log 404 stored in the data area 144 of the auxiliary storage device 141.

[0028] However, if a failure occurs in the RAID card 121Z, it is difficult for the motherboard 111Z to analyze the failure that occurred in the RAID card 121Z. As shown in Figure 1, only a SATA path exists between the motherboard 111Z and the RAID card 121Z. Therefore, unless the motherboard 111Z sends a SATA command, the RAID card 121Z cannot send information to the motherboard 111Z.

[0029] Furthermore, as described above, when a failure occurs in the RAID card 121Z, the RAID card 121Z detects an illegal operation using the RAID card operation monitoring function 302. However, the RAID card 121Z does not have a function to store information about the illegal operation or to transmit the stored information about the illegal operation.

[0030] For these reasons, when a failure occurs in the RAID card 121Z, the motherboard 111Z cannot obtain information about the abnormal operation of the RAID card 121Z, making it difficult for the motherboard 111Z to analyze the failure that has occurred in the RAID card 121Z.

[0031] Furthermore, since it is difficult to analyze a failure occurring in the RAID card 121Z, the motherboard 111Z is unable to identify the faulty part. As a result, it takes time to replace the faulty part. As a result, the user's system downtime is extended.

[0032] First Embodiment Next, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0033] <Configuration> 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure. The configuration of a computer according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0034] <Computer 101> 6, the computer 101 includes a motherboard 111, a RAID card 121, an auxiliary storage device 131, and an auxiliary storage device 141. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the RAID configuration of the computer 101 is RAID1. Note that the RAID configuration of the computer 101 does not have to be RAID1. The RAID configuration of the computer 101 may be any other RAID configuration.

[0035] <Motherboard 111> The motherboard 111 includes a CPU 112 , a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) 113 , a SATA I / F (Interface) 114 , and a serial communication I / F 115 .

[0036] The CPU 112 is a processor that performs various types of information processing on the motherboard 111. When the motherboard 111 obtains information from, for example, the RAID card 121, the CPU 112 requests the information from the RAID card 121 and obtains the requested information from the RAID card 121.

[0037] The CMOS 113 is a non-volatile memory. The CMOS 113 is mounted on the motherboard 111. In this embodiment, the CMOS 113 is used as a memory area (also referred to as a storage area) on the motherboard 111. The storage area on the motherboard 111 does not have to be the CMOS 113 that uses CMOS. Another storage area on the motherboard 111 may be used instead of the CMOS 113.

[0038] The SATA I / F 114 is an interface for performing SATA communication. The interfaces for performing SATA communication, including the SATA controller and SATA connector on the motherboard 111, are collectively referred to as the SATA I / F 114. The SATA I / F 114 is connected to a SATA I / F 124 of the RAID card 121, which will be described in detail later.

[0039] The serial communication I / F 115 is an interface including a connector, signal lines, etc. for performing serial communication with the RAID card 121 on the motherboard 111. Interfaces including a connector, signal lines, etc. for performing serial communication are collectively referred to as the serial communication I / F 115. The serial communication I / F 115 is connected to a serial communication I / F 127 of the RAID card 121, which will be described later.

[0040] The motherboard 111 can perform serial communication with the RAID card 121 via the serial communication I / F 115 and the serial communication I / F 127. Serial communication is a communication method in which data is sent and received sequentially, one bit at a time, using a single signal line or circuit.

[0041] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which serial communication is used for communication between the motherboard 111 and the RAID card 121 to transmit the self-diagnosis information 401. However, another communication method that can connect the motherboard 111 and the RAID card 121 and transmit the self-diagnosis information 401 may also be used for communication used for transmitting the self-diagnosis information 401.

[0042] <RAIDカード121> The RAID card 121 includes a CPU 122 , a memory 123 , a SATA I / F 124 , a SATA I / F 125 , a SATA I / F 126 , and a serial communication I / F 127 .

[0043] The CPU 122 is a CPU on the RAID card 121 .

[0044] The memory 123 is a memory mounted on the RAID card 121. As the memory 123, a non-volatile memory can be used.

[0045] The memory 123 stores FW 201, which is software for operating the CPU 122. The FW 201 includes a SATA processing function 301 and a RAID card operation monitoring function 302.

[0046] The memory 123 includes a data area 202 set within the memory 123. In the data area 202, self-diagnosis information 401 and a RAID log 404 are stored.

[0047] The SATA I / F 124 is an interface for performing SATA communication with the motherboard 111. The interfaces for performing SATA communication, including the SATA controller and connector on the RAID card 121, are collectively referred to as the SATA I / F 124. The SATA I / F 124 is connected to the SATA I / F 114 of the motherboard 111. The SATA I / F 124 is connected to the SATA I / F 114 of the motherboard 111 via a SATA path connecting the connector of the SATA I / F 124 and the connector of the SATA I / F 114 of the motherboard 111.

[0048] The SATA I / F 125 is an interface for performing SATA communication with the auxiliary storage device 131. The interfaces for performing SATA communication with the auxiliary storage device 131, including the SATA controller on the RAID card 121 and a connector connected to the auxiliary storage device 131 via a SATA path, are collectively referred to as the SATA I / F 125.

[0049] The SATA I / F 126 is an interface for performing SATA communication with the auxiliary storage device 141. The interfaces for performing SATA communication with the auxiliary storage device 141, including a SATA controller on the RAID card 121 and a connector connected to the auxiliary storage device 141 via a SATA path, are collectively referred to as the SATA I / F 126.

[0050] The serial communication I / F 127 is an interface for performing serial communication with the motherboard 111. An interface on the RAID card 121 for performing serial communication with the motherboard 111, including a connector and signal lines connected to the motherboard 111, is referred to as the serial communication I / F 127. The serial communication I / F 127 is connected to the serial communication I / F 115 of the motherboard 111 via a serial communication path.

[0051] The FW 201 of the RAID card 121 (specifically, the CPU 112 controlled by the FW 201) detects a failure in the RAID card 121. When the FW 201 detects a failure in the RAID card 121, it generates self-diagnosis information 401 and stores the generated self-diagnosis information 401 on the motherboard 111. In other words, when the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 of the FW 201 detects a failure in the RAID card 121, it transmits the self-diagnosis information 401 to the motherboard 111 via the serial communication I / F 127. The motherboard 111 receives the self-diagnosis information 401 from the RAID card 121 via the serial communication I / F 115. The motherboard 111 stores the received self-diagnosis information 401. The motherboard 111 stores the received self-diagnosis information 401 in, for example, the CMOS 113.

[0052] <Auxiliary storage device> The auxiliary storage device 131 includes a SATA I / F 132, a management area 133, and a data area 134. The management area 133 and the data area 134 are storage areas in which information can be stored. The management area 133 stores SMART information 402. The data area 134 stores a RAID log 404 and SMART information 405.

[0053] The SATA I / F 132 is an interface for performing SATA communication with the RAID card 121. The interfaces for performing SATA communication, including a SATA controller in the auxiliary storage device 131 and a connector connected to the RAID card 121 via a SATA path, are collectively referred to as the SATA I / F 132.

[0054] Management area 133 is a storage area in which SMART information 402, which is the result of a self-diagnosis performed in auxiliary storage device 131, is stored. Auxiliary storage device 131 may include a self-diagnosis controller. In this case, the self-diagnosis controller performs a self-diagnosis of auxiliary storage device 131, generates SMART information 402, which is the result of the self-diagnosis, and stores the generated SMART information 402 in management area 133.

[0055] The data area 134 is an area where information requested to be saved by the motherboard 111 is saved. When the auxiliary storage device 131 receives a request to save information from the motherboard 111, for example, the above-mentioned SATA controller stores the information in the data area 134 in accordance with the request from the motherboard 111.

[0056] The management area 133 may be a storage area unique to the auxiliary storage device 131, independent of the RAID configuration. The data area 134 is a storage area controlled by the RAID card 121. Data is stored in the data area 134 according to the RAID configuration of the RAID card 121. Since the RAID configuration of this embodiment is RAID1 (i.e., mirroring), the data area 134 stores the same data as that stored in the data area 144, which will be described later.

[0057] The RAID log 404 and SMART information 405 stored by the CPU 112 of the motherboard 111 are stored in the data area 134 .

[0058] SMART information 405 is a compilation of SMART information 402 and SMART information 403 when the CPU 112 of the motherboard 111 saves the SMART information. In other words, the CPU 112 of the motherboard 111 stores the SMART information 402 and SMART information 403 (described later) in the data area 134 as SMART information 405. In this disclosure, the SMART information 402, SMART information 403, and SMART information 406 (described later) are also referred to as storage diagnostic information. The SMART information 405 is also referred to as integrated storage diagnostic information.

[0059] The auxiliary storage device 141 includes a SATA I / F 142, a management area 143, and a data area 144. The management area 143 and the data area 144 are storage areas in which information can be stored. The management area 143 stores SMART information 403. The data area 144 stores a RAID log 404 and SMART information 405.

[0060] The SATA I / F 142 is an interface for performing SATA communication with the RAID card 121. The interface for performing SATA communication, including a SATA controller in the auxiliary storage device 141 and a connector connected to the RAID card 121 via a SATA path, is referred to as the SATA I / F 142.

[0061] Management area 143 is an area where SMART information 403, which is the result of a self-diagnosis performed in auxiliary storage device 141, is stored. Auxiliary storage device 141 may include a self-diagnosis controller. In this case, the self-diagnosis controller performs a self-diagnosis of auxiliary storage device 141, generates SMART information 403, which is the result of the self-diagnosis, and stores the generated SMART information 403 in management area 143.

[0062] The data area 144 is an area where information requested to be saved by the motherboard 111 is saved. When the auxiliary storage device 141 receives a request to save information from the motherboard 111, for example, the above-mentioned SATA controller stores the information in the data area 144 in accordance with the request from the motherboard 111.

[0063] The management area 143 may be a storage area unique to the auxiliary storage device 141, independent of the RAID configuration. The data area 134 is a storage area controlled by the RAID card 121. Data is stored in the data area 144 according to the RAID configuration of the RAID card 121. Since the RAID configuration of this embodiment is RAID1 (i.e., mirroring), the data area 144 stores the same data as that stored in the data area 134 described above.

[0064] The RAID log 404 and SMART information 405 stored by the CPU 112 of the motherboard 111 are stored in the data area 144 .

[0065] <About connection> As described above, the motherboard 111 and the RAID card 121 are connected via the SATA I / F 114 and the SATA I / F 124. The RAID card 121 and the auxiliary storage device 131 are connected via the SATA I / F 125 and the SATA I / F 132. The RAID card 121 and the auxiliary storage device 141 are connected via the SATA I / F 126 and the SATA I / F 142. The motherboard 111 and the RAID card 121 are connected via the serial communication I / F 115 and the serial communication I / F 127.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the memory of a RAID card according to the present disclosure.

[0067] The memory 123 of the RAID card 121 of this embodiment stores software and information exemplified in FIG.

[0068] The RAID card 121 (specifically, the CPU 122 of the RAID card 121) operates under the control of the FW 201. The FW 201 is stored in the memory 123.

[0069] The FW 201 has a SATA processing function 301 for performing SATA processing, a RAID card operation monitoring function 302 for monitoring its own operation, and a self-diagnosis information transmission function 303. The SATA processing function 301, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302, and the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 are realized by the CPU 122 that executes the FW 201. In other words, the CPU 122 that executes the FW 201 operates as the SATA processing function 301, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302, and the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303.

[0070] Furthermore, the self-diagnosis information 401 and the RAID log 404 are stored in the data area 202 of the memory 123 .

[0071] Specifically, the SATA processing function 301 performs SATA processing and RAID processing, and stores a record of the RAID processing that has been performed as a RAID log 404 in the data area 202 of the memory 123 .

[0072] Furthermore, the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 diagnoses the RAID card 121 including the memory 123 in which the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 is stored. The self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 stores self-diagnosis information 401, which is the result of the diagnosis (i.e., self-diagnosis), in the data area 202 of the memory 123.

[0073] The self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 transmits the results of the self-diagnosis performed by the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 (self-diagnosis information 401) to the motherboard 111 via the serial communication I / F 127. The motherboard 111 (specifically, the CPU 112) receives the self-diagnosis information 401 transmitted by the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 via the serial communication I / F 115. The motherboard 111 (specifically, the CPU 112) stores the received self-diagnosis information 401 in the CMOS 113.

[0074] The following describes the differences between the configuration shown in Fig. 3 used to explain the comparative example and the configuration shown in Fig. 6 used to explain this embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 6 further includes serial communication I / F 115 and serial communication I / F 127 in addition to the configuration shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, in the configuration shown in Fig. 3, self-diagnosis information 401 is not stored in data area 202. In contrast, in the configuration shown in Fig. 6, self-diagnosis information 401 is stored in data area 202.

[0075] We will also explain the differences between the software and information stored in memory 123 of RAID card 121Z shown in Figure 4, which was used to explain the comparative example, and the software and information stored in memory 123 shown in Figure 7, which was used to explain this embodiment.

[0076] FW 201 stored in memory 123 shown in Fig. 4 does not include self-diagnosis information transmission function 303, whereas FW 201 stored in memory 123 shown in Fig. 7 includes self-diagnosis information transmission function 303. Furthermore, self-diagnosis information 401 is not stored in data area 202 of memory 123 shown in Fig. 4, but self-diagnosis information 401 is stored in data area 202 of memory 123 shown in Fig. 7.

[0077] <Operation> Next, the operation of the computer 101 of this embodiment will be described.

[0078] In the computer 101, when a failure occurs in the auxiliary storage device 131 or the auxiliary storage device 141, the accumulated SMART information 405 and RAID log 404 are used for analysis. The SMART information 405 and the RAID log 404 are obtained from the RAID card 121 by, for example, the CPU 112 of the motherboard 111.

[0079] The accumulation of SMART information 405 is performed in a similar manner to the flow shown in Fig. 5A, which will be described below. However, in this embodiment, the computer 101Z in Fig. 5A is replaced with the computer 101. The motherboard 111Z in Fig. 5A is replaced with the motherboard 111. The RAID card 121Z in Fig. 5A is replaced with the RAID card 121. The FW 201Z in Fig. 5A is replaced with the FW 201.

[0080] (1) The CPU 112 on the motherboard 111 sends a request to acquire SMART information to the RAID card 121. The request is sent to the CPU 122 on the RAID card 121 via the SATA I / F 114 on the motherboard 111 and the SATA I / F 124 on the RAID card 121.

[0081] (2) Upon receiving the request from CPU 112, CPU 122 requests SMART information 402 from the auxiliary storage device 131 via SATA I / F 125 on RAID card 121. CPU 122 then requests SMART information 403 from the auxiliary storage device 141 via SATA I / F 126 on RAID card 121.

[0082] (3) When the auxiliary storage device 131 receives a request for SMART information 402, it reads the SMART information 402 from the management area 133. The auxiliary storage device 131 returns the read SMART information 402 to the CPU 122 via the SATA I / F 132 and the SATA I / F 125. Similarly, when the auxiliary storage device 141 receives a request for SMART information 403, it reads the SMART information 403 from the management area 143. The auxiliary storage device 141 returns the read SMART information 403 to the CPU 122 via the SATA I / F 142 and the SATA I / F 126.

[0083] The CPU 122 of the RAID card 121 receives the SMART information 402 returned from the auxiliary storage device 131. The CPU 122 receives the SMART information 403 returned from the auxiliary storage device 141.

[0084] (4) The CPU 122 of the RAID card 121 returns the SMART information 402 and the SMART information 403 to the motherboard 111 via the SATA I / F 124 and the SATA I / F 114 .

[0085] The CPU 112 of the motherboard 111 receives the SMART information 402 and SMART information 403 returned from the RAID card 121 .

[0086] (5) CPU 112 combines the returned SMART information 402 and SMART information 403 into SMART information 405. CPU 112 sends a request to RAID card 121 to save the SMART information 405. Specifically, CPU 112 sends the request and SMART information 405 to CPU 122 via SATA I / F 114 and SATA I / F 124.

[0087] The CPU 122 receives the request to save the SMART information 405 and the SMART information 405 from the CPU 112 .

[0088] (6) Upon receiving the request and SMART information 405 from CPU 112, CPU 122 stores the SMART information 405 in data area 134 of auxiliary storage device 131 via SATA I / F 125 and SATA I / F 132. Similarly, CPU 122 stores the SMART information 405 in data area 144 of auxiliary storage device 141 via SATA I / F 126 and SATA I / F 142.

[0089] The accumulation of the RAID log 404 is performed in a flow similar to that shown in FIG. 5B, which will be described below. However, in this embodiment, the computer 101Z in FIG. 5B is replaced with the computer 101. The motherboard 111Z in FIG. 5B is replaced with the motherboard 111. The RAID card 121Z in FIG. 5B is replaced with the RAID card 121. The FW 201Z in FIG. 5B is replaced with the FW 201.

[0090] (1) The CPU 112 on the motherboard 111 sends a request to acquire a RAID log to the RAID card 121. Specifically, the CPU 112 sends the request to the CPU 122 of the RAID card 121 via the SATA I / F 114 on the motherboard 111 and the SATA I / F 124 on the RAID card 121.

[0091] The CPU 122 of the RAID card 121 receives the request sent by the CPU 112 to acquire the RAID log.

[0092] (2) Upon receiving the request from the CPU 112, the CPU 122 issues a request to the memory 123 to return the RAID log 404.

[0093] (3) Upon receiving the request to return the RAID log 404, the memory 123 returns the RAID log 404 to the CPU 122. The CPU 122 receives the RAID log 404 returned from the memory 123.

[0094] (4) The CPU 122 returns the RAID log 404 to the CPU 112 via the SATA I / F 124 and the SATA I / F 114. The CPU 112 receives the RAID log 404 returned from the CPU 122.

[0095] (5) The CPU 112 transmits a request to save the returned RAID log 404 to the RAID card 121. Specifically, the CPU 112 transmits the request to save the RAID log 404 and the RAID log 404 to the CPU 122 via the SATA I / F 114 and the SATA I / F 124. The CPU 122 receives the RAID log 404 and the request to save the RAID log 404.

[0096] (6) Upon receiving the request and RAID log 404 from CPU 112, CPU 122 stores the RAID log 404 in the data area 134 of the auxiliary storage device 131 via SATA I / F 125 and SATA I / F 132. Similarly, CPU 122 stores the RAID log 404 in the data area 144 of the auxiliary storage device 141 via SATA I / F 126 and SATA I / F 142.

[0097] The computer 101 according to this embodiment differs from the computer 101Z according to the comparative example in that it can acquire self-diagnosis information 401 when a failure occurs in the RAID card 121, as will be described below.

[0098] The information transmitted as the self-diagnosis information 401 includes the following information.

[0099] (1) Information about the address of the area where the FW201 processing instructions that were being executed when the error occurred are stored

[0100] (2) Information about the location that FW201 is trying to access on the hardware (HW).

[0101] (3) Information about the process that FW201 attempted to execute The flow from sending the self-diagnosis information 401 to saving it is as follows.

[0102] In the description of the present disclosure, the operation of the CPU 122 operating under the control of the FW 201 may be described as the operation of the FW 201. Furthermore, the operation of the CPU 122 operating under the control of the FW 201 by a function of the FW 201 (for example, the SATA processing function 301, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302, and the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303) may be described as the operation of that function.

[0103] If the FW 201 of the RAID card 121 (specifically, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 of the FW 201) detects any kind of illegal operation during self-diagnosis, the FW 201 generates self-diagnosis information 401 indicating the results of the self-diagnosis. Examples of illegal operation include abnormal termination of an operation, an operation not completing normally within a predetermined time, an inability to start an operation, and the occurrence of an error or failure. Examples of illegal operation are not limited to these. The FW 201 stores the self-diagnosis information 401 in the memory 123 (specifically, the data area 202 of the memory 123). In this case, the FW 201 may generate the self-diagnosis information 401 indicating the results of the self-diagnosis in the data area 202 of the memory 123. Furthermore, the FW 201 (specifically, the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 of the FW 201) transmits the generated self-diagnosis information 401 stored in the memory 123 to the motherboard 111. The motherboard 111 receives the transmitted self-diagnosis information 401 and stores the received self-diagnosis information 401 in the motherboard 111. The transmitted self-diagnosis information 401 is stored in the motherboard 111.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow from transmission of self-diagnosis information 401 to storage on motherboard 111 according to the present disclosure.

[0105] The self-diagnosis information 401 is saved according to the flow shown in FIG. 8, which will be described below.

[0106] (1) If the FW 201 of the RAID card 121 (specifically, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302) detects an illegal operation during self-diagnosis, the FW 201 generates self-diagnosis information 401 indicating the results of the self-diagnosis, for example, in the memory 123. Furthermore, if an illegal operation is detected, the CPU 122 of the RAID card 121 (specifically, the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 of the FW 201 that controls the CPU 122) requests the self-diagnosis information 401 from the memory 123.

[0107] (2) When the self-diagnosis information 401 is requested, the memory 123 returns the self-diagnosis information 401 to the CPU 122. The self-diagnosis information 401 is returned from the memory 123 to the CPU 122.

[0108] (3) The CPU 122 (specifically, the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 ) transmits the self-diagnosis information 401 to the CPU 112 on the motherboard 111 via the serial communication I / F 115 and the serial communication I / F 127 .

[0109] (4) The CPU 112 of the motherboard 111 receives the self-diagnosis information 401. The CPU 112 stores the received self-diagnosis information 401 in a storage area on the motherboard 111 (the CMOS 113 in this embodiment).

[0110] This allows the self-diagnosis information 401 regarding the improper operation detected by the FW 201 of the RAID card 121 to be stored on the motherboard 111.

[0111] Next, a procedure for acquiring and analyzing self-diagnosis information will be described.

[0112] By referring to the self-diagnosis information 401, it is possible to know where the RAID card 121 attempted to access when it detected an illegal operation, thereby identifying the location of the failure.

[0113] The following describes an example of acquiring self-diagnosis information 401 and analyzing the acquired self-diagnosis information 401.

[0114] (Example 1) If a failure occurs in SATA I / F124 on RAID card 121 Because a failure has occurred in the SATA I / F 124, the RAID card 121 cannot access the motherboard 111 via the SATA I / F. As a result, the computer 101 cannot start the OS (Operating System). If the only communication path between the RAID card 121 and the motherboard 111 is a SATA path, the motherboard 111 cannot obtain information from the RAID card 121. As a result, it is unclear whether the reason the OS cannot be started is due to a failure in the RAID card 121 or a failure in another location. It takes a long time to analyze the cause.

[0115] In this embodiment, the motherboard 111 can acquire the self-diagnosis information 401 via the serial communication I / F 115. Therefore, by using the self-diagnosis information 401 that can be acquired via the serial communication I / F 115, it becomes possible to identify the location of the failure.

[0116] As described above, in Example 1, a failure occurs in the SATA I / F 124. In this case, the self-diagnosis information 401 includes, for example, the following information:

[0117] (1) Information about the address of the area where the FW201 processing instructions that were being executed when the error occurred are stored

[0118] (2) Information indicating an attempt to access SATA I / F124

[0119] (3) Information indicating an attempt to read / write to the SATA I / F124 register A register is a memory element within a CPU that is used to store calculations and execution status.

[0120] This makes it possible to confirm that an illegal operation has occurred in the SATA I / F 124 of the RAID card 121.

[0121] Therefore, it is clear that the maintenance work required is to replace the RAID card 121.

[0122] (Example 2) If a failure occurs in SATA I / F125 on RAID card 121 Because a failure has occurred in the SATA I / F 125, the RAID card 121 cannot access the secondary storage device 131. In this case, the computer 101 can start the OS. However, the storage realized by the RAID card 121 using the secondary storage device 131 is in a degenerate state, in which its functionality and performance are restricted and it can only be used to a limited extent. If the only communication path between the RAID card 121 and the motherboard 111 is a SATA path, the motherboard 111 cannot obtain information from the RAID card 121. Therefore, it is unclear whether the cause of the degenerate operation is a failure in the RAID card 121 or in the secondary storage device 131. Consequently, it takes a long time to analyze the situation.

[0123] In this embodiment, the motherboard 111 can acquire the self-diagnosis information 401 via the serial communication I / F 115. Therefore, in this case as well, by using the self-diagnosis information 401 that can be acquired via the serial communication I / F 115, it becomes possible to identify the location of the failure.

[0124] As described above, in Example 2, a failure occurs in the SATA I / F 125. In this case, the self-diagnosis information 401 includes, for example, the following information:

[0125] (1) Information about the address of the area where the FW201 processing instructions that were being executed when the error occurred are stored

[0126] (2) Information indicating an attempt to access SATA I / F125

[0127] (3) Information indicating an attempt to read / write to the SATA I / F125 register This confirms that SATA I / F125 is malfunctioning.

[0128] Therefore, in this case too, it is clear that the maintenance work is to replace the RAID card 121 in the same way as in Example 1.

[0129] <Effects> The present embodiment has the following advantages. Below, the advantages and the reasons why these advantages are obtained will be described.

[0130] (Effect 1) The self-diagnosis information 401 of the RAID card 121 can be sent to the motherboard 111 .

[0131] (Explanation of Effect 1) The RAID card 121 includes a serial communication I / F 127. The serial communication I / F 127 is connected to the serial communication I / F 115 on the motherboard 111.

[0132] The RAID card 121 also includes a self-diagnosis information transmission function 303, which is a processing function for transmitting self-diagnosis information 401 when the FW 201 of the RAID card 121 detects its own improper operation.

[0133] This allows the FW 201 of the RAID card 121 to detect an improper operation using the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 and to transmit self-diagnosis information 401 to the motherboard 111 using the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 .

[0134] (Effect 2) The self-diagnosis information 401 of the RAID card 121 can be stored on the motherboard 111 .

[0135] (Explanation of Effect 2) The motherboard 111 can receive the self-diagnosis information 401 transmitted from the RAID card 121. Therefore, the motherboard 111 can store the self-diagnosis information 401 transmitted from the RAID card 121 in a storage area on the motherboard 111, such as the CMOS 113.

[0136] (Effect 3) By using the self-diagnosis information 401 for analysis, the time required for maintenance can be reduced, and the system downtime for users can be reduced.

[0137] (Explanation of Effect 3) In this embodiment, the self-diagnosis information 401 sent from the RAID card 121 to the motherboard 111 is stored in a storage area such as the CMOS 113 of the motherboard 111. By using the self-diagnosis information 401 stored in a storage area such as the CMOS 113 of the motherboard 111 for analysis, it is possible to quickly identify the faulty part of the RAID card 121. As a result, the time required to replace the faulty part is reduced, and the system downtime for the user can be reduced.

[0138] (Effect 4) This allows you to obtain failure information from a failed RAID card while reducing costs.

[0139] (Explanation of Effect 4) As described above, in this embodiment, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 of the RAID card 121 (specifically, the CPU 122 operating as the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 under the control of the FW 201) performs a self-diagnosis of the RAID card 121. If an incorrect operation is detected in the self-diagnosis of the RAID card 121, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 generates self-diagnosis information 401 representing the results of the self-diagnosis. If an incorrect operation is detected in the self-diagnosis of the RAID card 121, the self-diagnosis information transmitting function 303 (specifically, the CPU 122 operating as the self-diagnosis information transmitting function 303 under the control of the FW 201) transmits the self-diagnosis information 401 to the motherboard 111. Therefore, the motherboard 111 can obtain the self-diagnosis information 401, which is information about the failure, from the RAID card 121 in which a failure has occurred. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is no need to install a BMC for obtaining information about the RAID card failure on the motherboard 111, thereby reducing costs.

[0140] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, serial communication is used as the communication method of the path along which the self-diagnostic information 401 is transmitted from the RAID card 121 to the motherboard 111. The communication method of the path along which the self-diagnostic information 401 is transmitted from the RAID card 121 to the motherboard 111 is not limited to serial communication. The communication method of the path along which the self-diagnostic information 401 is transmitted from the RAID card 121 to the motherboard 111 may be another communication method that allows the RAID card 121 to transmit the self-diagnostic information 401 and allows the motherboard 111 to receive the transmitted self-diagnostic information 401.

[0141] For example, parallel communication can be used as the communication method for the path along which the self-diagnosis information 401 is sent from the RAID card 121 to the motherboard 111. Parallel communication is a communication method that uses multiple signal lines or circuits to send and receive multiple signals and data in a single operation. Parallel communication has more transmission paths than serial communication, making it easier to improve communication speed, and therefore, improved speeds can be expected. On the other hand, control must be performed to synchronize the transmission timing between terminals, and the large number of signal lines means that it is more expensive than serial communication.

[0142] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure. Fig. 7A shows an example of the configuration when a parallel communication I / F is used instead of a serial communication I / F. The parallel communication I / F is, for example, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect).

[0143] The configuration of the computer 101A according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0144] 9 is the same as the computer 101 shown in FIG. 6 except for the differences described below. The computer 101A includes a motherboard 111A instead of the motherboard 111. The computer 101A also includes a RAID card 121A instead of the RAID card 121. The motherboard 111A includes a parallel communication I / F 115A instead of the serial communication I / F 115. The RAID card 121A includes a parallel communication I / F 127A instead of the serial communication I / F 127. The parallel communication I / F 115A is connected to the parallel communication I / F 127A.

[0145] The parallel communication I / F 115A is an interface on the motherboard 111A for performing parallel communication with the RAID card 121A. The interfaces on the motherboard 111A for performing parallel communication, including connectors and signal lines connected to the RAID card 121A, are collectively referred to as the parallel communication I / F 115A.

[0146] The parallel communication I / F 127A is an interface on the RAID card 121A for performing parallel communication with the motherboard 111A. The interfaces on the RAID card 121A for performing parallel communication, including connectors and signal lines connected to the motherboard 111A, are collectively referred to as the parallel communication I / F 127A.

[0147] <Operation> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow from acquisition to storage of self-diagnosis information 401 in the motherboard according to the present disclosure.

[0148] In this embodiment, the self-diagnosis information 401 is saved according to the flow shown in FIG. 10, which will be described below.

[0149] (1) If the FW 201 of the RAID card 121A (specifically, the RAID card operation monitoring function 302) detects an illegal operation during self-diagnosis, it generates self-diagnosis information 401 representing the results of the self-diagnosis, for example, in the memory 123. Furthermore, if an illegal operation is detected, the CPU 122 of the RAID card 121A (specifically, the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 of the FW 201 that controls the CPU 122) requests the self-diagnosis information 401 from the memory 123.

[0150] (2) When the self-diagnosis information 401 is requested, the memory 123 returns the self-diagnosis information 401 to the CPU 122. The self-diagnosis information 401 is returned from the memory 123 to the CPU 122.

[0151] (3) The CPU 122 (specifically, the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303) transmits the self-diagnosis information 401 to the CPU 112 on the motherboard 111A via the parallel communication I / F 115A and the parallel communication I / F 127A.

[0152] (4) The CPU 112 of the motherboard 111A receives the self-diagnosis information 401. The CPU 112 stores the received self-diagnosis information 401 in a storage area on the motherboard 111A (in this embodiment, the CMOS 113).

[0153] As a result, similarly to the case where the computer 101 of the first embodiment using serial communication is used, it is possible to analyze unauthorized operations of the RAID card when using the computer 101A of this embodiment.

[0154] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment, the self-diagnostic information 401 is stored in the CMOS 113, which is a storage area of ​​the motherboard 111. In the second embodiment, the self-diagnostic information 401 is stored in the CMOS 113, which is a storage area of ​​the motherboard 111A. However, the area in which the self-diagnostic information 401 is stored in the motherboard according to the present disclosure may be another type of storage area capable of storing the self-diagnostic information 401.

[0155] For example, a flash memory may be used as the area for storing the self-diagnosis information 401. A flash memory is a non-volatile memory.

[0156] 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure, in which a flash memory 113B is used instead of the CMOS 113.

[0157] The computer 101B according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0158] The computer 101B according to this embodiment is the same as the computer 101 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 6, except for the following differences. The computer 101B includes a motherboard 111B instead of the motherboard 111. The motherboard 111B includes a flash memory 113B instead of the CMOS 113. The motherboard 111B uses the flash memory 113B instead of the CMOS 113.

[0159] As in the first embodiment, when the RAID card 121 detects an illegal operation, the self-diagnosis information 401 is sent to the motherboard 111B via the serial communication I / F 115 and the serial communication I / F 127.

[0160] The transmitted self-diagnosis information 401 is stored in flash memory 113B by CPU 112 on the motherboard.

[0161] This makes it possible to analyze any unauthorized operation of the RAID card in the same way as when a CMOS is used in the area where the self-diagnosis information 401 is saved.

[0162] <Fourth embodiment> 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer configuration according to the present disclosure, in which RAID5 is used as the RAID configuration.

[0163] The computer 101C according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0164] The computer 101C of this embodiment is the same as the computer 101 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 6, except for the differences described below. The computer 101C of this embodiment includes a RAID card 121C instead of the RAID card 121. The computer 101C also includes an auxiliary storage device 151. The RAID card 121C also includes a SATA I / F 128. The CPU 122 is connected to the SATA I / F 128. The SATA I / F 128 is connected to the auxiliary storage device 151. The auxiliary storage device 151 includes a SATA I / F 152, a management area 153, and a data area 154. The management area 153 stores SMART information 406. The data area 154 stores a RAID log 404 and SMART information 405.

[0165] In the first, second, and third embodiments, the SMART information 405 stored in the data area of ​​the auxiliary storage device in response to a request from the CPU 112 includes SMART information 402 and SMART information 403. In the first, second, and third embodiments, the data areas of the auxiliary storage device in which the SMART information 405 is stored are the data area 134 of the auxiliary storage device 131 and the data area 144 of the auxiliary storage device 141. In contrast, in this embodiment, the SMART information 405 stored in the data area of ​​the auxiliary storage device in response to a request from the CPU 112 includes SMART information 402, SMART information 403, and SMART information 406. In this embodiment, the data areas of the auxiliary storage device in which the SMART information 405 is stored are the data area 134 of the auxiliary storage device 131, the data area 144 of the auxiliary storage device 141, and the data area 154 of the auxiliary storage device 151.

[0166] The SATA I / F 128 is an interface on the RAID card 121 for performing SATA communication with the auxiliary storage device 151. The interfaces for performing SATA communication, including the SATA controller on the RAID card 121 and the connector connected to the auxiliary storage device 151, are collectively referred to as the SATA I / F 128.

[0167] As described above, the auxiliary storage device 151 includes the SATA I / F 152 , the management area 153 , and the data area 154 .

[0168] The SATA I / F 152 is an interface for performing SATA communication, including a controller in the auxiliary storage device 151 and a connector with the RAID card 121. The interfaces for performing SATA communication with the RAID card 121, including the controller in the auxiliary storage device 151 and the connector connected to the RAID card 121, are collectively referred to as the SATA I / F 152.

[0169] The management area 153 is a storage area that stores SMART information 406 that indicates the results of a self-diagnosis performed in the auxiliary storage device 151 .

[0170] The data area 154 is a storage area for storing information requested to be stored by the motherboard 111. A RAID log 404 and SMART information 405, which are stored in response to a request to store by the motherboard 111, are stored in the data area 154.

[0171] Note that the management area 133, the management area 143, and the management area 153 may be storage areas unique to the auxiliary storage device 131, the auxiliary storage device 141, and the auxiliary storage device 151, regardless of the RAID configuration. The data area 134, the data area 144, and the data area 154 are storage areas controlled by the RAID card 121. Data according to the RAID configuration by the RAID card 121 is stored in the data area 134, the data area 144, and the data area 154. Since the RAID configuration in this embodiment is RAID5, the data areas 134, the data area 144, and the data area 154 do not store the same data, but data according to the RAID5 configuration. The RAID log 404 and the SMART information 405 stored in the data area 134, the data area 144, and the data area 154 are data generated from the RAID log 404 and the SMART information 405 according to the RAID5 configuration. In other words, the RAID log 404 stored in each of the data areas 134, 144, and 154 is a part of the RAID log 404 or parity data of the RAID log 404. The SMART information 405 stored in each of the data areas 134, 144, and 154 is a part of the SMART information 405 or parity data of the SMART information 405.

[0172] SMART information 405 includes SMART information 402, SMART information 403, and SMART information 406. SMART information 405 is SMART information 402, SMART information 403, and SMART information 406 compiled by motherboard 111 (specifically, CPU 112) when motherboard 111 requests that the SMART information be saved.

[0173] In this embodiment, the self-diagnosis information 401 can be acquired in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0174] That is, similar to the first embodiment, when the RAID card 121 detects an unauthorized operation, the self-diagnosis information 401 is transmitted to the motherboard 111 via the serial communication I / F 115 and the serial communication I / F 127. The transmitted self-diagnosis information 401 is stored in the CMOS 113 by the CPU 112 on the motherboard 111.

[0175] This makes it possible to analyze unauthorized operations of the RAID card in the same way as when the auxiliary storage device of the computer 101 has a RAID1 configuration.

[0176] <Modification> In the above-described embodiment, the computer (i.e., computer 101, computer 101A, computer 101B, computer 101C) includes a RAID card and an auxiliary storage device. In other words, the motherboard, the RAID card, and the auxiliary storage device are implemented as one computer.

[0177] The motherboard, RAID card, and auxiliary storage device do not have to be implemented as a single device. For example, a computer including a motherboard and a RAID card and a device including an auxiliary storage device may be implemented as separate devices connected to each other. Also, the RAID card does not necessarily have to be implemented as a card. A RAID control device having the same functions as the RAID card may be used instead of the RAID card. And, for example, a computer including a motherboard and a device including a RAID control device and an auxiliary storage device may be implemented as separate devices connected to each other. A computer including a motherboard, a RAID control device connected to the computer, and a device including an auxiliary storage device and connected to the RAID control device may be implemented as separate devices.

[0178] In addition, any two or more of the second, third and fourth embodiments may be combined.

[0179] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is an embodiment that schematically illustrates the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments described above.

[0180] <Configuration> FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure.

[0181] The information processing system according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0182] 13 includes an information processing system 1101, an information processing device 1111, a storage control device 1121, and a storage 1131. The information processing device 1111 and the storage control device 1121 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The storage control device 1121 and the storage 1131 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

[0183] The information processing system 1101 corresponds to the computer 101 of the first and fourth embodiments, the computer 101A of the second embodiment, and the computer 101B of the third embodiment.

[0184] The information processing device 1111 corresponds to the motherboard 111 of the first and fourth embodiments, the motherboard 111A of the second embodiment, and the motherboard 111B of the third embodiment.

[0185] The storage control device 1121 corresponds to the RAID card 121 of the first and third embodiments, the RAID card 121A of the second embodiment, and the RAID card 121C of the fourth embodiment.

[0186] The storage 1131 corresponds to the auxiliary storage device 131 and the auxiliary storage device 141 of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments, and the auxiliary storage device 151 of the fourth embodiment.

[0187] The storage 1131 includes a plurality of storage devices (i.e., the auxiliary storage devices described above). The storage control device 1121 is connected to each of the plurality of storage devices included in the storage 1131 so that they can communicate with each other. The storage control device 1121 controls the storage 1131, including the plurality of storage devices, using RAID technology so that the information processing device 1111 can use the storage 1131, including the plurality of storage devices, as a single storage. The RAID configuration of the storage control device 1121 may be RAID1, RAID5, or another RAID configuration.

[0188] <Information processing device 1111> The information processing device 1111 includes an access unit 1112 , an output unit 1113 , a diagnostic result storage unit 1114 , and a diagnostic result receiving unit 1115 .

[0189] <Access section 1112> The access unit 1112 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121. The access includes, for example, reading information from the storage 1131, writing information to the storage 1131, and deleting information from the storage 1131. The access may also include changing the information stored in the storage 1131.

[0190] The access unit 1112 corresponds to the CPU 112 that makes requests to the SATA I / F 114 and auxiliary storage device in the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments. The access unit 1112 operates as the CPU 112 that makes requests to the SATA I / F 114 and auxiliary storage device.

[0191] <Diagnosis result receiving unit 1115> The diagnostic result receiving unit 1115 receives the diagnostic result from the diagnostic result transmitting unit 1125 of the storage control device 1121 via a path different from the path through which the access unit 1112 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121. The diagnostic result receiving unit 1115 stores the diagnostic result in the diagnostic result storage unit 1114.

[0192] The results of the diagnosis correspond to the self-diagnosis information 401 in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments.

[0193] The diagnostic result receiving unit 1115 corresponds to the serial communication I / F 115 and the CPU 112 that receives self-diagnostic information (in other words, the function of receiving self-diagnostic information of the CPU 112) of the first, third, and fourth embodiments. Also, the diagnostic result receiving unit 1115 corresponds to the parallel communication I / F 115A and the CPU 112 that receives self-diagnostic information (in other words, the function of receiving self-diagnostic information of the CPU 112) of the second embodiment. In other words, the diagnostic result receiving unit 1115 operates as the serial communication I / F 115 and the CPU 112 that receives self-diagnostic information (in other words, the function of receiving self-diagnostic information of the CPU 112) of the first, third, and fourth embodiments. Also, the diagnostic result receiving unit 1115 operates as the parallel communication I / F 115A and the CPU 112 that receives self-diagnostic information (in other words, the function of receiving self-diagnostic information of the CPU 112) of the second embodiment.

[0194] <Diagnosis result storage unit 1114> The diagnosis result storage unit 1114 stores the results of the diagnosis.

[0195] The diagnostic result storage unit 1114 corresponds to the CMOS 113 of the first, second, and fourth embodiments. The diagnostic result storage unit 1114 also corresponds to the flash memory 113B of the third embodiment. In other words, the diagnostic result storage unit 1114 operates as the CMOS 113 of the first, second, and fourth embodiments. The diagnostic result storage unit 1114 also operates as the flash memory 113B of the third embodiment.

[0196] <Output section 1113> The output unit 1113 reads out the diagnosis result from the diagnosis result storage unit 1114 and outputs the read out diagnosis result. The output unit 1113 may output the diagnosis result to a display of the information processing device 1111. The output unit 1113 may output the diagnosis result to another information processing device.

[0197] <Storage control device 1121> The storage control device 1121 includes a control unit 1122 , a diagnosis execution unit 1123 , a diagnosis result storage unit 1124 , and a diagnosis result transmission unit 1125 .

[0198] <Control unit 1122> The control unit 1122 reads, writes, and erases data stored in the storage 1131 in response to a request from the access unit 1112 of the information processing device 1111. The control unit 1122 may also change the data stored in the storage 1131 in response to a request from the access unit 1112 of the information processing device 1111.

[0199] The control unit 1122 corresponds to the SATA processing function 301 of the CPU 122 and the FW 201, the function of saving the RAID log 404 in the data area 202 of the memory 123, the SATA I / F 124, the SATA I / F 125, the SATA I / F 126, and the SATA I / F 128. In other words, the control unit 1122 operates as the SATA processing function 301 of the CPU 122 and the FW 201, the function of saving the RAID log 404 in the data area 202 of the memory 123, the SATA I / F 124, the SATA I / F 125, and the SATA I / F 126 of the first, second, and third embodiments. The control unit 1122 also operates as the SATA processing function 301 of the CPU 122 and the FW 201, the function of saving the RAID log 404 in the data area 202 of the memory 123, the SATA I / F 124, the SATA I / F 125, the SATA I / F 126, and the SATA I / F 128 of the fourth embodiment.

[0200] <Diagnosis Implementation Department 1123> The diagnosis execution unit 1123 diagnoses the storage control device 1121. The diagnosis execution unit 1123 stores the results of the diagnosis in the diagnosis result storage unit 1124.

[0201] The diagnosis of the storage control device 1121 corresponds to the self-diagnosis in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments. The result of the diagnosis corresponds to the self-diagnosis information 401 in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments.

[0202] The diagnosis execution unit 1123 corresponds to the CPU 122 and the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 of the FW 201 in the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments. In other words, the diagnosis execution unit 1123 operates as the RAID card operation monitoring function 302 of the CPU 122 controlled by the FW 201.

[0203] <Diagnosis result storage unit 1124> The diagnosis result storage unit 1124 stores the results of the diagnosis.

[0204] The diagnostic result storage unit 1124 corresponds to the area in the data area 202 of the memory 123 in which the self-diagnosis information 401 is stored in the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments. In other words, the diagnostic result storage unit 1124 operates as the area in the data area 202 of the memory 123 in which the self-diagnosis information 401 is stored in the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments.

[0205] <Diagnosis result transmission unit 1125> The diagnostic result transmission unit 1125 transmits, for example, the diagnostic result stored in the diagnostic result storage unit 1124 to the information processing device 1111 via a path different from the path by which the information processing device 1111 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121. If an incorrect operation is detected in the storage control device 1121 as a result of the diagnosis, the diagnostic result transmission unit 1125 may transmit the diagnostic result indicating information about the detected failure to the information processing device 1111.

[0206] The path by which the information processing device 1111 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121 is, in other words, the path used when the information processing device 1111 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121. In other words, the path by which the information processing device 1111 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121 is the path through which a request to be sent and returned data pass when the information processing device 1111 accesses the storage 1131. The request to be sent is a request for access to the storage 1131 that is sent from the information processing device 1111 to the storage control device 1121. The returned data is data that is returned from the storage 1131 to the information processing device 1111 in response to the access request from the information processing device 1111.

[0207] The path through which the information processing device 1111 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121 is, for example, a path (hereinafter referred to as an access path) that passes through the access unit 1112, the control unit 1122, and the control unit 1132. In the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments, the access path is a path that passes through a SATA I / F.

[0208] In the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the path separate from the access path corresponds to the path passing through serial communication I / F 115 and serial communication I / F 127. In the second embodiment, the path separate from the access path corresponds to the path passing through parallel communication I / F 115A and parallel communication I / F 127A. In the following description, the path separate from the access path is also referred to as a diagnostic information transmission path.

[0209] The diagnostic result transmission unit 1125 corresponds to the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 of the CPU 122 and FW 201 and the serial communication I / F 127 in the first, third, and fourth embodiments. The diagnostic result transmission unit 1125 also corresponds to the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 of the CPU 122 and FW 201 and the parallel communication I / F 127A in the second embodiment. In other words, the diagnostic result transmission unit 1125 operates as the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 of the CPU 122 and FW 201 and the serial communication I / F 127 in the first, third, and fourth embodiments. The diagnostic result transmission unit 1125 also operates as the self-diagnosis information transmission function 303 of the CPU 122 and FW 201 and the parallel communication I / F 127A in the second embodiment.

[0210] <Storage 1131> The storage 1131 includes a control unit 1132 and a memory unit 1133 .

[0211] The control unit 1132 writes data to the memory unit 1133, reads data from the memory unit 1133, and erases data from the memory unit 1133 under the control of the storage control device 1121. The control unit 1132 may also change the data stored in the memory unit 1133 under the control of the storage control device 1121.

[0212] The control unit 1132 corresponds to the SATA I / F and the function of accessing the management area and data area of ​​the auxiliary storage device according to the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments. In other words, the control unit 1132 operates as the function of accessing the SATA I / F and the management area and data area of ​​the auxiliary storage device according to the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments.

[0213] <Storage section 1133> The storage unit 1133 corresponds to the management area and data area of ​​the auxiliary storage device according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments. The storage unit 1133 operates as the management area and data area of ​​the auxiliary storage device according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments.

[0214] <Operation> FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the storage control device according to the present disclosure.

[0215] The operation of the storage control device 1121 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0216] 14, the diagnosis execution unit 1123 executes a diagnosis of the storage control device 1121 (step S101). If no unauthorized operation is detected in the diagnosis (NO in step S102), the storage control device 1121 may end the operation shown in FIG.

[0217] If an unauthorized operation is detected in the diagnosis (YES in step S102), the diagnosis result transmission unit 1125 transmits the diagnosis result to the information processing device 1111 via a route different from the route by which the information processing device 1111 accesses the storage 1131 via the storage control device 1121 (step S103).

[0218] <Effects> This embodiment has the effect described as effect 4 of the first embodiment (that is, the effect of being able to acquire failure information from a RAID card in which a failure has occurred while reducing costs).

[0219] The reason for this is the same as the reason why effect 4 of the first embodiment is obtained.

[0220] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0221] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a storage control device according to the present disclosure.

[0222] The configuration of the storage control device 1121A according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0223] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the storage control device 1121A is connected to an information processing device and storage, and includes a diagnosis execution unit 1123 and a diagnosis result transmission unit 1125.

[0224] The diagnosis execution unit 1123 executes diagnosis of the storage control device 1121A.

[0225] The diagnosis result transmission unit 1125 transmits the result of the diagnosis to the information processing device via a diagnosis information transmission path that is different from the access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device 1121A.

[0226] <Operation> FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the storage control device according to the present disclosure.

[0227] The operation of the storage control device 1121A according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0228] 2, the diagnosis execution unit 1123 diagnoses the storage control device 1121 (step S101). The diagnosis result transmission unit 1125 transmits the diagnosis result to the information processing device 1111 via a path different from the path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device 1121 (step S103).

[0229] <Effects> This embodiment has the same effects as the fifth embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the fifth embodiment.

[0230] <Other embodiments> The RAID card and storage control device according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized by a computer including a memory into which a program read from a storage medium is loaded and a processor that executes the program. The RAID card and storage control device according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized by dedicated hardware. The RAID card and storage control device according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized by a combination of the computer and dedicated hardware.

[0231] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1000 that can realize the RAID card and storage control device according to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 15, the computer 1000 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage device 1003, and an I / O (Input / Output) interface 1004. The computer 1000 can also access a storage medium 1005. The memory 1002 and the storage device 1003 are, for example, storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and a hard disk. The storage medium 1005 is, for example, a storage device such as RAM or a hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), or a portable storage medium. The storage device 1003 may also be the storage medium 1005. The processor 1001 can read and write data and programs from and to the memory 1002 and the storage device 1003. The processor 1001 can access, for example, a motherboard, an auxiliary storage device, an information processing device, and storage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure via the I / O interface 1004. The processor 1001 can access a storage medium 1005. The storage medium 1005 stores a program that causes the computer 1000 to operate as a RAID card (i.e., a storage control device) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0232] The processor 1001 loads a program stored in the storage medium 1005, which causes the computer 1000 to operate as a RAID card (i.e., a storage control device) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, into the memory 1002. Then, the processor 1001 executes the program loaded into the memory 1002, causing the computer 1000 to operate as a RAID card (i.e., a storage control device) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0233] The processor 1001 corresponds to the CPU 122 according to the above-described embodiment. The memory 1002 corresponds to the memory 123 according to the above-described embodiment. The program corresponds to the FW 201 according to the above-described embodiment. The program may be stored in the memory 1002 in a state where it is loaded into the memory 1002. In this case, the memory 1002 can also be considered to correspond to the storage medium 1005. The I / O interface 1004 corresponds to the serial communication I / F 127, parallel communication I / F 127A, SATA I / F 124, SATA I / F 125, SATA I / F 126, and SATA I / F 128 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0234] The control unit 1122, the diagnosis implementation unit 1123, and the diagnosis result transmission unit 1125 can be realized, for example, by the processor 1001 that executes a program loaded into the memory 1002. Furthermore, the diagnosis result storage unit 1124 can be realized by the memory 1002 or the storage device 1003, such as a hard disk drive, included in the computer 1000. Alternatively, some or all of the control unit 1122, the diagnosis implementation unit 1123, the diagnosis result storage unit 1124, and the diagnosis result transmission unit 1125 can be realized by dedicated circuits that realize the functions of each unit.

[0235] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0236] (Appendix 1) A storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage, a diagnosis execution means for executing a diagnosis of the storage control device; a diagnostic result transmission means for transmitting the diagnostic result to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is a path different from an access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device; A storage control device comprising:

[0237] (Appendix 2) The diagnostic result transmission means transmits the result of the diagnosis when a fault is detected in the diagnosis of the storage control device. 2. The storage control device according to claim 1.

[0238] (Appendix 3) The information processing device, the storage, and the storage control device described in Supplementary Note 2, The information processing device includes: a diagnostic result receiving means for receiving the result of the diagnosis via the diagnostic information transmission path; a diagnostic result storage means for storing the results of the diagnosis; an output means for outputting the result of the diagnosis; An information processing system comprising:

[0239] (Appendix 4) the access path is a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a serial communication path. 3. The storage control device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0240] (Appendix 5) the access path is a SATA path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a path for parallel communication. 3. The storage control device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0241] (Appendix 6) the storage includes a plurality of storage devices; a control means for acquiring storage diagnostic information representing the results of the self-diagnosis of each of the plurality of storage devices, transmitting the acquired storage diagnostic information to the information processing device, receiving integrated storage diagnostic information in which the storage diagnostic information of the plurality of storage devices is compiled from the information processing device, and storing the received integrated storage diagnostic information in the storage; 3. The storage control device according to claim 1, comprising:

[0242] (Appendix 7) A control means that uses RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) technology to control the storage so that the information processing device can use the storage as a single storage device. 3. The storage control device according to claim 1, comprising:

[0243] (Appendix 8) The control means uses RAID1 or RAID5 as the RAID technology. 8. The storage control device of claim 7.

[0244] (Appendix 9) A storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage, performing a diagnosis of the storage control device; transmitting the diagnosis result to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is different from an access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device; Storage control device control method.

[0245] (Appendix 10) If a fault is detected in the diagnosis of the storage control device, the result of the diagnosis is transmitted. A storage control device control method according to Supplementary Note 9.

[0246] (Appendix 11) The storage control device control method according to claim 10, The information processing device includes: receiving a result of the diagnosis via the diagnostic information transmission path; storing the results of the diagnosis in a diagnosis result storage means; outputting the results of the diagnosis; Information processing system control method.

[0247] (Appendix 12) the access path is a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a serial communication path. A storage control device control method according to claim 9 or 10.

[0248] (Appendix 13) the access path is a SATA path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a path for parallel communication. A storage control device control method according to claim 9 or 10.

[0249] (Appendix 14) the storage includes a plurality of storage devices; The storage control device acquiring storage diagnostic information representing a result of the self-diagnosis of each of the plurality of storage devices, and transmitting the acquired storage diagnostic information to the information processing device; receiving integrated storage diagnostic information, which is a compilation of the storage diagnostic information of the plurality of storage devices, from the information processing device, and storing the received integrated storage diagnostic information in the storage; A storage control device control method according to claim 9 or 10.

[0250] (Appendix 15) Using RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) technology, the information processing device controls the storage so that it can use the storage as a single storage device. A storage control device control method according to claim 9 or 10.

[0251] (Appendix 16) The RAID technology used is RAID1 or RAID5. A storage control device control method as described in Appendix 15.

[0252] (Appendix 17) A computer that operates as a storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage, a diagnosis execution process for executing a diagnosis of the storage control device; a diagnostic result transmission process for transmitting the diagnostic result to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is a path different from an access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0253] (Appendix 18) The diagnosis result transmission process transmits the diagnosis result when a failure is detected in the diagnosis of the storage control device. 17. The program described in Appendix 17.

[0254] (Appendix 19) the access path is a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a serial communication path. 19. The program according to claim 17 or 18.

[0255] (Appendix 20) the access path is a SATA path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a path for parallel communication. 19. The program according to claim 17 or 18.

[0256] (Appendix 21) the storage includes a plurality of storage devices; a control process of acquiring storage diagnostic information representing the results of self-diagnosis of each of the plurality of storage devices, transmitting the acquired storage diagnostic information to the information processing device, receiving integrated storage diagnostic information that aggregates the storage diagnostic information of the plurality of storage devices from the information processing device, and storing the received integrated storage diagnostic information in the storage; 19. The program according to claim 17 or 18, which causes a computer to execute the above.

[0257] (Appendix 22) Control process that uses RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) technology to control the storage so that the information processing device can use the storage as a single storage device. 19. The program according to claim 17 or 18, which causes a computer to execute the above.

[0258] (Appendix 23) The control process uses RAID1 or RAID5 as the RAID technology. 22. The program of claim 1.

[0259] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0260] 101 Computer 101A Computer 101B Computer 101C Computer 101Z Computer 111 Motherboard 111A motherboard 111B motherboard 111Z motherboard 112 CPU 113 CMOS 113B flash memory 114 SATA I / F 115 Serial communication I / F 115A Parallel communication I / F 121 RAID card 121A RAID card 121C RAID card 121Z RAID Card 122 CPU 123 memory 124 SATA I / F 125 SATA I / F 126 SATA I / F 127 Serial communication I / F 127A Parallel communication I / F 128 SATA I / F 131 Auxiliary storage device 132 SATA I / F 133 Management Area 134 Data Area 141 Auxiliary storage device 142 SATA I / F 143 Management Area 144 Data Area 151 Auxiliary storage device 152 SATA I / F 153 Management Area 154 Data Area 201FW 201Z FW 202 Data Area 301 SATA processing capabilities 302 RAID card operation monitoring function 303 Self-diagnosis information transmission function 401 Self-diagnosis information 402 SMART Information 403 SMART Information 404 RAID Log 405 SMART Information 406 SMART Information 410 Self-diagnosis information 1000 computers 1001 processor 1002 memory 1003 Storage device 1004 I / O interface 1005 Storage medium 1101 Information Processing Systems 1111 Information processing equipment 1112 Access Section 1113 Output section 1114 Diagnosis result storage unit 1115 Diagnostic result receiving unit 1121 Storage control device 1121A Storage Control Unit 1122 control section 1123 Diagnostics Department 1124 Diagnosis result storage unit 1125 Diagnostic result transmission unit 1131 Storage 1132 Control Unit 1133 Storage section

Claims

1. A storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage, a diagnosis execution means for executing a diagnosis of the storage control device; a diagnostic result transmission means for transmitting the diagnostic result to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is a path different from an access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device; A storage control device comprising:

2. The diagnostic result transmission means transmits the result of the diagnosis when a fault is detected in the diagnosis of the storage control device. The storage control device according to claim 1 .

3. The information processing device, the storage, and the storage control device according to claim 2, The information processing device includes: a diagnostic result receiving means for receiving the result of the diagnosis via the diagnostic information transmission path; a diagnostic result storage means for storing the results of the diagnosis; an output means for outputting the result of the diagnosis; An information processing system comprising:

4. the access path is a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a serial communication path. The storage control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the access path is a SATA path, The diagnostic information transmission path is a path for parallel communication. The storage control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the storage includes a plurality of storage devices; a control means for acquiring storage diagnostic information representing the results of the self-diagnosis of each of the plurality of storage devices, transmitting the acquired storage diagnostic information to the information processing device, receiving integrated storage diagnostic information in which the storage diagnostic information of the plurality of storage devices is compiled from the information processing device, and storing the received integrated storage diagnostic information in the storage; The storage control device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

7. A control means that uses RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) technology to control the storage so that the information processing device can use the storage as a single storage device. The storage control device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

8. The control means uses RAID 1 or RAID 5 as the RAID technology. The storage control device according to claim 7.

9. A storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage, performing a diagnosis of the storage control device; transmitting the diagnosis result to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is different from an access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device; Storage control device control method.

10. A computer that operates as a storage control device connected to an information processing device and a storage, a diagnosis execution process for executing a diagnosis of the storage control device; a diagnostic result transmission process for transmitting the diagnostic result to the information processing device via a diagnostic information transmission path that is a path different from an access path through which the information processing device accesses the storage via the storage control device; A program that executes the following.

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