Storage device and storage system

Abstract

Disclosed are a storage device and a storage system, relating to the technical field of tapes. Tape in a tape media storage is accessed by a head driver in the tape media storage, and the head driver in the tape media storage would not be used to access tape in other tape media storages, that is, shared components in the storage device do not include mechanical structures, i.e., head drivers, reducing the problem of storage device failure caused by unreliable mechanical components, facilitating the improvement of the service stability of the storage device. A data processing component is connected to different tape media storages by means of a plurality of data channels, the plurality of tape media storages share the data processing component, that is, the shared components in the storage device do not include mechanical components, and the mechanical components, i.e., the head drivers, do not need to be moved multiple times, improving the reliability of mechanical components in the storage device, facilitating the further improvement of the service stability of the storage device.

Description

A storage device and storage system

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410525577.8, filed on April 28, 2024, entitled “A Storage Device and Storage System”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of magnetic tape technology, and more particularly to a storage device and storage system. Background Technology

[0003] Magnetic tape is a strip of material with a magnetic layer used to record sound, images, digital signals, or other signals. Magnetic media, such as magnetic powder, are attached to the tape for data storage. In storage technology, magnetic tape is the best choice for backup, archiving, and other scenarios due to its low cost, high reliability, and security. Current magnetic tape storage systems mainly adopt tape library solutions. A tape library includes: a server, robotic arm components, tape drives, tape bays, and a dedicated cabinet. Each tape bay contains multiple tape cassettes, and each cassette contains a single, packaged magnetic tape.

[0004] The data read / write process in a tape library includes: after the server issues read / write operation commands to the robotic arm, the robotic arm retrieves the corresponding tape cartridge from the tape compartment and transports it to the corresponding tape drive, where the tape drive performs data read / write operations on a specified location within the tape cartridge. When the retrieved tape cartridge is full or data in another tape cartridge needs to be read / written, the server issues another read / write operation command to the robotic arm, which then retrieves the current tape cartridge from the tape drive and moves a new tape cartridge in the tape compartment for data read / write. In a tape library, all components except the tape cartridges are shared components between different tape cartridges. Therefore, during data read / write operations, the robotic arm frequently moves different tape cartridges. Furthermore, the robotic arm is a complex mechanical component with relatively low reliability; a failure of the robotic arm can lead to service interruptions in the tape library. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a storage device and storage system that solves the problem of needing to move tape cartridges for data reading and writing. It includes a data processing component shared by different tape media storage devices, including tapes and magnetic head drives. Each tape media storage device has a magnetic head drive, meaning that the mechanical parts in the tape media storage device cannot be used by the tapes in other tape media storage devices. This reduces the problem of storage device failure due to unreliable mechanical parts and helps to improve the service stability of the storage device.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a storage device. The storage device includes: a plurality of magnetic tape media memories and a data processing component. Each of the plurality of magnetic tape media memories includes: a magnetic tape and a head driver, the head driver being used to access the magnetic tape. The data processing component is electrically connected to each of the plurality of magnetic tape media memories; and the data processing component is used to: select a target data channel from the plurality of data channels according to a data access request, and output the data transmitted on the target data channel. Different data channels correspond to different magnetic tape media memories.

[0008] In the first aspect of this application, the data processing component selects a target data channel from multiple data channels based on different data access requests. This allows access to the magnetic tape storage device corresponding to the target data channel, reducing storage device failures caused by unreliable mechanical components and improving service stability within the storage device. Since the data processing component is electrically connected to multiple magnetic tape storage devices, these devices share the data processing component within the storage device. Furthermore, each magnetic tape storage device has a head driver, meaning that the mechanical components in one magnetic tape storage device are not used by the tapes in other devices. In other words, the shared components within the storage device do not include mechanical parts, and the head drivers do not need to be moved repeatedly, improving the reliability of the mechanical components and further enhancing service stability.

[0009] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the data processing component provided in this application includes: an electronic switching switch and a data processing circuit. The electronic switching switch is electrically connected to multiple magnetic tape media memories, and the data processing circuit is electrically connected to the electronic switching switch. The data processing circuit is used to: select a target data channel from the multiple data channels connected to the electronic switching switch according to a data access request, and output the data transmitted through the target data channel.

[0010] In the first aspect of this application, each magnetic tape medium storage device is connected by an electronic switching switch. Without the need to move the magnetic tape medium storage devices, the data processing circuit can select the target data channel from the multiple data channels connected by the electronic switching switch. This helps to reduce the number of times the magnetic tape medium storage devices need to be moved when the storage device accesses the magnetic tape, thereby reducing the data access latency in the storage device and improving the access efficiency in the storage device.

[0011] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the aforementioned electronic switching switch is integrated into the data processing circuit. In the first aspect of this application, the electronic switching switch is integrated into the data processing circuit, which selects multiple data channels to determine the target data channel. By reusing the access pins of the data processing circuit and the processing capabilities provided by the data processing circuit, the function of the electronic switching switch is achieved. In other words, by enabling the selection of data channels corresponding to multiple magnetic tape media memories, the cost of the data processing components is reduced, thereby reducing the hardware cost of the storage device.

[0012] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one alternative implementation, the data processing circuit described above includes multiple access pins, with different access pins connected to different magnetic tape media memories.

[0013] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the storage device provided in this application further includes a backplane. The backplane has multiple data channels, including a first data channel. The first data channel includes: a first connection portion and a second connection portion disposed opposite to each other; the first connection portion is connected to a first magnetic tape medium memory among a plurality of magnetic tape medium memories, and the second connection portion is connected to a data processing component.

[0014] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the aforementioned first magnetic tape media storage device is detachably connected to the first connecting portion. In the first aspect of this application, the detachable connection between the magnetic tape media storage device and the first connecting portion means that in the event of damage or failure of the magnetic tape media storage device, the user can replace the magnetic tape media storage device in the storage device according to usage needs. The data processing component can then recover data from the newly added magnetic tape media storage device based on data stored in other undamaged magnetic tape media storage devices, avoiding data loss caused by the failure of the old magnetic tape media storage device and improving data security in the storage device.

[0015] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the aforementioned electronic switching switch includes: a plurality of sub-switches, wherein the first sub-switches includes a plurality of read signal input ports and a read signal output port. One of the plurality of read signal input ports is connected to the first magnetic tape medium memory, and this read signal input port is used to: receive read data signals from the first magnetic tape medium memory. The aforementioned read signal output port is connected to a data processing circuit and is used to: output read data signals from the first magnetic tape medium memory.

[0016] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the head driver in the first magnetic tape media memory includes a head assembly. This head assembly includes: a data read head, a servo read head, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit, the ADC circuit being electrically connected to both the data read head and the servo read head. The servo read head is used to: determine the positioning information of the first magnetic tape based on a first address in a data access request. The data read head is used to: read the magnetic tape area specified by the positioning information and send a first electrical signal corresponding to the magnetic tape area to the ADC circuit. The ADC circuit is used to: receive the first electrical signal, process the first electrical signal to obtain a first digital signal, and send the first digital signal to the first data channel.

[0017] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the data processing circuit provided in this application includes: a first communication interface, a sub-processing circuit, and a second communication interface. The first communication interface is connected to the aforementioned second connection portion and is used to receive a first digital signal from a first magnetic tape medium memory. The sub-processing circuit is used to convert the first digital signal to obtain a second digital signal. The first and second digital signals carry the same service information, but the first and second digital signals conform to different protocol standards. The second communication interface is used to serially output the aforementioned second digital signal.

[0018] In the implementation provided in the first aspect of this application, since the protocol standard conformed to by the digital signal output by the read data head is generally different from the protocol standard conformed to by the digital signal output by the storage device, the data processing circuit provided in this application can convert the received digital signal from the read data head so that the converted digital signal conforms to the protocol standard of the storage device, thereby avoiding the problem that the digital signal output by the storage device cannot be effectively recognized by other devices.

[0019] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the aforementioned magnetic head assembly further includes an amplifier circuit. This amplifier circuit has an input terminal and an output terminal; the input terminal is connected to the data reading head, and the output terminal is connected to an analog-to-digital converter circuit. The amplifier circuit is used to amplify the first electrical signal and output the amplified first electrical signal to the analog-to-digital converter circuit.

[0020] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the magnetic head driver provided in this application further includes: a motor and a plurality of rollers. The plurality of rollers are used to carry the magnetic tape; the motor is used to drive the plurality of rollers to rewind the magnetic tape in a first direction, rewind in a second direction, or stop rewinding, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite.

[0021] For example, the motor described above includes one or a combination of the following: voice coil motor, stepper motor, and tape motor.

[0022] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the plurality of magnetic tape media memories provided in this application include a first magnetic tape media memory. The head driver in the first magnetic tape media memory includes a write data head electrically connected to a first data channel of the plurality of data channels. The write data head is used to write second data from a data access request into a target magnetic tape area of ​​the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape media memory.

[0023] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first magnetic tape medium memory provided in this application further includes: a management chip electrically connected to a data processing component via a first write data bus and electrically connected to a write data head via a second write data bus. The management chip is used to: send a second write data signal to the write data head according to a first write data signal in the first write data bus.

[0024] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the bit width of the first write data bus is less than or equal to the bit width of the second write data bus.

[0025] In the implementation provided in the first aspect of this application, the management chip in the magnetic tape medium memory can not only coordinate the performance differences between the data processing component and the magnetic head driver in the magnetic tape medium memory, but also reduce the bus width of the connection between the data processing component and the magnetic tape medium memory, thereby reducing the hardware requirements of the storage device.

[0026] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first write data bus and the second write data bus are serial buses.

[0027] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one alternative implementation, the aforementioned management chip is also electrically connected to the data processing component via a first management bus and electrically connected to the head driver in the first magnetic tape medium memory via a second management bus.

[0028] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one alternative implementation, the aforementioned first magnetic tape media storage includes: a magnetic tape, a head driver, and a housing. The magnetic tape and the head driver are located within the housing. The housing has an electrical connector electrically connected to the head driver, and the electrical connector is electrically connected to a data processing component via a first data channel of a plurality of data channels.

[0029] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the storage device provided in this application further includes a rack. The rack includes a slot structure and an electrical connector, with the electrical connector located within the slot structure. The slot structure is used to accommodate one of a plurality of magnetic tape media memories, and the electrical connector is used for electrical connection to the magnetic tape media memory. Alternatively, the slot structure is used to accommodate a data processing component, and the electrical connector is used for electrical connection to the data processing component.

[0030] In conjunction with the storage device provided in the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the storage device provided in this application further includes: a heat dissipation structure located outside the slot structure and close to the electrical connector.

[0031] Secondly, this application provides a storage system. The storage system includes: a storage controller, a communication interface, and multiple storage devices provided in the first aspect or the first aspect. The storage devices are used to store data, the communication interface is used to receive data access requests, and the storage controller is used to manage target storage devices in the storage system according to the data access requests. This storage system can also achieve the beneficial effects of the aforementioned first aspect or any of the optional implementations of the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0032] Based on the implementation methods provided above, this application can be further combined to provide more implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a data access system provided in this application;

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application;

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application;

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application.

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application;

[0038] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application;

[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application.

[0040] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a data processing circuit provided in this application;

[0041] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0042] This application provides a storage device and storage system in which the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape medium storage is accessed by the magnetic head driver in the magnetic tape medium storage. The magnetic head driver in the magnetic tape medium storage is not used to access the magnetic head drivers in other magnetic tape medium storages. That is, the shared components in the storage device do not include the mechanical structure of the magnetic head driver, which reduces the problem of storage device failure caused by unreliable mechanical components and helps to improve the service stability in the storage device.

[0043] Specifically, the data processing component is connected to different magnetic tape media storage devices through multiple data channels. These multiple magnetic tape media storage devices share the data processing component. That is, the shared components in the storage device do not include mechanical parts. The mechanical parts, such as the magnetic head drive, do not need to be moved multiple times, which improves the reliability of the mechanical parts in the storage device and helps to further enhance the business stability in the storage device.

[0044] The technical solutions involved in this application may be applied not only to current magnetic tape technology or storage devices, but also to future magnetic tape technology or storage devices, or to storage systems including magnetic tape media storage or storage devices. The terminology used in the embodiments section of this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit this application. A brief introduction to some concepts that may be involved in this application is given below.

[0045] Storage medium: A storage material used to record sound, images, digital signals, or other signals. This storage material may include, but is not limited to, magnetic tape, such as a tape-shaped material with a magnetic layer used to record sound, images, digital signals, or other signals. Magnetic tape contains a magnetic medium, such as magnetic powder, for storing data. For example, changes in the magnetic field in this magnetic medium are typically achieved by coating a plastic film substrate (support) with a layer of granular magnetic material or by evaporating and depositing a layer of magnetic oxide or alloy film. The substrate of magnetic tape may include, but is not limited to, paper, celluloid, or polyester film.

[0046] Magnetic head: A component that reads and writes data on magnetic tape using magnetic principles. It is divided into write heads and read heads. Write heads record data by magnetizing the magnetic medium (such as magnetic powder), while read heads read data from the magnetic medium by sensing its magnetic field.

[0047] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] In the following description, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0049] Furthermore, in this application, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" are defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0050] In a tape library, after the server issues read / write operation commands to the robotic arm, the robotic arm retrieves the corresponding tape cartridge from the tape bay and transports it to the corresponding tape drive. The tape drive then reads and writes data to a specified location within the tape cartridge. When the retrieved tape cartridge is full or data in another tape cartridge needs to be read / written, the server issues another read / write operation command to the robotic arm. The robotic arm then retrieves the current tape cartridge from the tape drive and moves the new tape cartridge in the tape bay for data reading and writing. In a tape library, all components except the tape cartridges are shared across different tape cartridges. Therefore, during data reading and writing, the robotic arm frequently moves different tape cartridges. Furthermore, the robotic arm is a complex mechanical component with relatively low reliability; a failure of the robotic arm can lead to service interruptions in the tape library.

[0051] To address the aforementioned issues, the application scenarios of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a data access system provided in this application. The data access system includes a data access device 100 and a storage system 120. In the application scenario shown in Figure 1, users access data through applications. The computer running these applications can be referred to as a "computing device".

[0053] Data access device 100 can be a physical machine, a virtual machine, or a container. The physical machine can include, but is not limited to, one or both a client and a smart NIC. For example, data access device 100 includes a client, such as a host, desktop computer, server, laptop, or mobile device. Another example is that data access device 100 includes a smart NIC. This smart NIC, also known as a smart network adapter, not only performs the network transmission functions of a standard NIC but also provides a built-in programmable and configurable hardware acceleration engine. This improves application performance and significantly reduces CPU consumption in the host connected to the smart NIC, providing more CPU resources for the application. For example, in a highly virtualized environment, the host CPU needs to run open virtual switch (OVS) related tasks. Simultaneously, the host CPU also needs to handle storage, online or offline encryption / decryption of data packets, deep packet inspection, firewalls, complex routing, and other operations. These operations not only consume significant CPU resources but also, due to competition for CPU resources between different services, prevent the services from achieving optimal performance. As a hub connecting various services, smart network interface cards (NICs) accelerate these services.

[0054] In one possible example, data access device 100 accesses storage system 120 via a network to access data; for example, the network may include switch 110.

[0055] In another possible example, the data access device 100 may also communicate with the storage system 120 via a wired connection, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus.

[0056] The storage system 120 shown in Figure 1 can be a centralized storage system. A key feature of a centralized storage system is a unified entry point through which all data from external devices passes; this entry point is the engine 121 of the centralized storage system. The engine 121 has management functions, and many advanced functions of the storage system are implemented within it.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1, engine 121 may contain one or more controllers. Figure 1 illustrates an example where engine 121 contains one controller. In one possible example, if engine 121 has multiple controllers, any two controllers can have a mirror channel, enabling any two controllers to serve as backups for each other, thereby preventing hardware failures from causing the entire storage system 120 to become unavailable. It should be understood that if engine 121 includes multiple controllers, then engine 121 can also be referred to as the array controller of storage system 120.

[0058] Engine 121 also includes a front-end interface 1211 and a back-end interface 1214. The front-end interface 1211 is used to communicate with the data access device 100 to provide data access services to the data access device 100. The back-end interface 1214 is used to communicate with hard drives to expand the capacity of the storage system 120. Through the back-end interface 1214, engine 121 can connect to more hard drives, thereby forming a very large storage resource pool.

[0059] In terms of hardware, as shown in Figure 1, the controller includes at least a processor 1212 and memory 1213. The processor 1212 is a central processing unit (CPU) used to process data access requests from outside the storage system 120 (servers or other storage systems), and also to process requests generated internally within the storage system 120. For example, when the processor 1212 receives write data requests from the data access device 100 through the front-end interface 1211, it temporarily stores the data in these write data requests in memory 1213. When the total amount of data in memory 1213 reaches a certain threshold, the processor 1212 sends the data stored in memory 1213 to at least one of the following hard drives for persistent storage: a mechanical hard drive 1221, a solid-state drive (SSD) 1222, a magnetic disk 1223, or another hard drive 1224.

[0060] Memory 1213 refers to internal memory that directly exchanges data with the processor. It can read and write data at any time and at high speed, serving as temporary data storage for the operating system or other running programs. Memory includes at least two types of memory, such as random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM). For example, RAM can be DRAM or SCM. DRAM is a semiconductor memory and, like most RAM, is a volatile memory device. However, DRAM and SCM are merely illustrative examples in this embodiment; memory can also include other types of RAM, such as static random access memory (SRAM). For read-only memory, examples include programmable read-only memory (PROM) and erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). Additionally, memory 1213 can also be a dual in-line memory module (DIMM), i.e., a module composed of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or an SSD. In practical applications, the controller can be configured with multiple memory modules 1213, and different types of memory modules 1213. This embodiment does not limit the number or type of memory modules 1213. Furthermore, memory modules 1213 can be configured to have a power-saving function. The power-saving function means that when the system loses power and then regains power, the data stored in memory modules 1213 will not be lost. Memory with a power-saving function is called non-volatile memory. Memory modules 1213 store software programs, and processor 1212 can run the software programs in memory modules 1213 to manage the hard disk. For example, the hard disk can be abstracted as a storage resource pool, and the storage resource pool can be provided to the server in the form of logical unit numbers (LUNs). Here, the LUN is actually the hard disk seen on the server. Of course, some centralized storage systems are also file servers themselves, and can provide shared file services to the server.

[0061] As shown in Figure 1, in this system, engine 121 may not have a hard drive slot; the hard drive needs to be placed in hard drive enclosure 122, and the back-end interface 1214 communicates with the hard drive enclosure 122. The back-end interface 1214 exists in the form of an adapter card within engine 121, and two or more back-end interfaces 1214 can be used simultaneously on one engine 121 to connect multiple hard drive enclosures. Alternatively, the adapter card can be integrated onto the motherboard, in which case the adapter card can communicate with processor 1212 via the PCIe bus.

[0062] It should be noted that only one engine 121 is shown in Figure 1. However, in actual applications, the storage system may contain two or more engines 121, and redundancy or load balancing may be performed among the multiple engines 121.

[0063] The hard disk enclosure 122 includes a control unit 1225 and several hard disks. The control unit 1225 can have various forms. In one case, the hard disk enclosure 122 is a smart enclosure, as shown in Figure 1. The control unit 1225 includes a CPU and memory. The CPU is used to perform address translation and data reading / writing operations. The memory is used to temporarily store data to be written to the hard disk or to read data from the hard disk to be sent to the controller. In another case, the control unit 1225 is a programmable electronic component, such as a data processing unit (DPU). A DPU has the versatility and programmability of a CPU, but is more specialized, capable of efficiently operating on network packets, storage requests, or analysis requests. A DPU differs from a CPU by its high degree of parallelism (the ability to handle a large number of requests). Optionally, the DPU can also be replaced by a graphics processing unit (GPU), an embedded neural network processing unit (NPU), or other processing chips. Typically, there can be one, two, or more control units 1225. The functions of the control unit 1225 can be offloaded to the network interface card 1226. In other words, in this embodiment, the hard disk enclosure 122 does not contain a control unit 1225; instead, the network interface card (NIC) 1226 performs data reading and writing, address translation, and other computational functions. In this case, the NIC 1226 is a smart NIC. It can contain a CPU and memory. The CPU performs address translation and data reading / writing operations. The memory temporarily stores data to be written to the hard disk or reads data from the hard disk to be sent to the controller. It can also be a programmable electronic component, such as a digital processing unit (DPU). There is no hierarchical relationship between the NIC 1226 and the hard disks in the hard disk enclosure 122; the NIC 1226 can access any hard disk in the enclosure 122 (such as the mechanical hard disk 1221, solid-state drive 1222, magnetic disk 1223, and other hard disks 1224 shown in Figure 1). Therefore, expanding the hard disks is more convenient when storage space is insufficient.

[0064] In this embodiment, the magnetoelectric disk 1223 refers to a memory that includes a magnetic tape medium. In hardware implementation, the magnetoelectric disk may include, but is not limited to, a magnetic tape and a head driver. The head driver can be used to access the magnetic tape, such as writing data to or reading data from the magnetic tape. Specific implementations of the magnetoelectric disk can be found in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 9 below, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0065] Depending on the type of communication protocol between engine 121 and disk enclosure 122, disk enclosure 122 may be a serially attached small computer system interface (SAS) disk enclosure, an NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) disk enclosure, or other types of disk enclosures. SAS disk enclosures use the SAS 3.0 protocol, and each enclosure supports 25 SAS disks. Engine 121 connects to disk enclosure 122 via an onboard SAS interface or a SAS interface module. NVMe disk enclosures function more like a complete computer system, with NVMe disks inserted into them. The NVMe disk enclosure then connects to engine 121 via an RDMA port. In some cases, engine 121 may also be referred to as a disk management device.

[0066] In terms of hardware implementation, the hard disk enclosure 122 can be installed in the storage system, or the hard disk enclosure 122 can be encapsulated and set up independently. When the hard disk enclosure 122 exists independently, it can also be called a storage device. This application does not limit this.

[0067] In one alternative implementation, the storage system 120 is a centralized storage system integrating disk and controller. The storage system 120 does not have the aforementioned hard disk enclosure 122, and the engine 121 manages multiple hard drives connected via hard disk slots. The functionality of the hard disk slots can be implemented by the backend interface 1214.

[0068] In some alternative implementations, storage system 120 is a distributed storage system. The distributed storage system includes a cluster of compute nodes and a cluster of storage nodes. The compute node cluster includes one or more compute nodes that can communicate with each other. A compute node can be a server, desktop computer, or controller of a storage array, etc. In terms of hardware, a compute node can include a processor, memory, and a network interface card (NIC), etc. The processor is a CPU used to process data access requests from outside the compute node or requests generated internally within the compute node. For example, when the processor receives a write data request from a user, it temporarily stores the data in the write data request in memory. When the total amount of data in memory reaches a certain threshold, the processor sends the data stored in memory to the storage node for persistent storage. In addition, the processor is also used for data computation or processing, such as metadata management, deduplication, data compression, virtualization of storage space, and address translation. In the embodiments provided in this application, the storage node can be a magnetic disk or other types of hard disk, etc. It is understood that the storage system described in the embodiments of this application can be a distributed storage system integrating storage and computing, or a distributed storage system with separate storage and computing; this application does not limit this.

[0069] For example, a distributed storage system can be implemented using network attached storage (NAS) technology. NAS refers to a network storage architecture that provides storage resources through file-level data access and sharing over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. In a NAS scenario, the NAS is an external device for the server / host, used to provide file-level storage space for the server / host in the distributed storage system.

[0070] It is worth noting that the above examples are merely possible implementations of the data access system provided in this embodiment and should not be construed as limiting this application. For example, in the storage system 120 shown in Figure 1, data is stored as files on various hard drives. The files stored on each hard drive constitute a file storage system, which can be, for example, a distributed file system, such as a network file system (NFS). NFS is both a distributed file system and a network protocol used for accessing and sharing files between devices on the same local area network. For example, a NAS system can be implemented using the NFS protocol. A network file system is a low-cost network file sharing option that allows users and applications to access, store, and update files on remote computers, just like using direct-attached storage. A network file system uses the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) protocol to route requests between clients and servers. Although participating devices need to support a network file system, they do not need to know the details of the network. It is worth noting that RPC can be insecure, therefore a network file system should only be deployed on trusted networks behind firewalls. Although Windows supports this protocol, it is primarily used in Linux environments.

[0071] Regarding the aforementioned magnetoelectric disk 1223, this application provides an optional example, as shown in Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a storage device provided in this application. This storage device 200 can be used to implement the functions of the aforementioned hard disk enclosure or storage node, or it can also be used to implement the functions of the aforementioned storage system, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 2. The storage device 200 includes: a data processing component 210 and multiple magnetic tape media storage devices, such as magnetic tape media storage devices 221 to 22x. Magnetic tape media storage device 221 is also called the first magnetic tape media storage device, and magnetic tape media storage device 222 is also called the second magnetic tape media storage device. The names of the other magnetic tape media storage devices are also the same, and will not be described in detail here.

[0073] Data processing component 210 is electrically connected to multiple magnetic tape media storage devices. "Electrical connection" refers to connecting different electrical components or devices together to enable the transmission of current and signals. For example, electrical connections can perform, but are not limited to, functions such as transmitting current, transmitting signals (e.g., control signals, write data signals, read data signals, etc.), power distribution, and device connection.

[0074] Different data channels correspond to different magnetic tape media storage devices. For example, magnetic tape media storage device 221 is connected to data processing component 210 through data channel 1, magnetic tape media storage device 222 is connected to data processing component 210 through data channel 2, and magnetic tape media storage device 22x is connected to data processing component 210 through data channel x.

[0075] The data channel provided in this application embodiment is also called a signal channel, installation channel, or other names, and this application does not limit it to any particular name. The data channel is described below by way of example in terms of software and hardware layers.

[0076] At the software layer, the data channel is used to transmit signals between the data processing component 210 and the magnetic tape media memory 221; this data channel is also called the signal channel.

[0077] At the hardware layer, a data channel is used to connect the data processing component 210 and the magnetic tape media storage 221 to fix the relationship between the data processing component 210 and the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape media storage 221. This data channel is also called the mounting channel. This data channel can be implemented through a data bus, which can be a serial bus.

[0078] In some alternative configurations, the data bus includes a read data bus used by the data processing component 210 to read data from the magnetic tape media memory 221, and a write data bus used by the data processing component 210 to write data to the magnetic tape media memory 221, both of which are serial buses. The embodiment shown in FIG9 below provides an exemplary description of the data bus, which will not be elaborated upon further here.

[0079] In this embodiment, the data processing component 210 is used to: select a target data channel from multiple data channels according to a data access request, and output the data transmitted by the target data channel. The data access request can be, for example, a write data request, a read data request, a garbage collection request, or other types of access requests, and this application does not limit this. Garbage collection refers to erasing redundant data from the storage medium and releasing the storage space occupied by this redundant data when the remaining storage capacity in the storage medium is insufficient.

[0080] For example, the storage space may be provided by a magnetic tape in a magnetic tape media storage device, such as the storage area provided by magnetic tape 2211 in FIG2.

[0081] The structure of the magnetic tape media memory provided in this application embodiment will be exemplified below using the first magnetic tape media memory (magnetic tape media memory 221) as an example. The magnetic tape media memory 221 includes a magnetic tape 2211 and a head driver 2212, which is used to access the magnetic tape 2211. The embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 9 below exemplify the head driver 2212, and will not be described in detail here.

[0082] For example, the magnetic tape 2211 can exist independently or be fixedly connected to a sealed housing.

[0083] For example, depending on user needs, the magnetic tape 2211 can be housed in a casing, such as the magnetic tape media storage 221 described above. For instance, the physical form of the magnetic tape media storage 221 is similar to that of a recording tape. In the magnetic tape media storage, the magnetic tape is wound around one or more fixed spools, and the magnetic tape media storage 221 provides accessible gaps. For example, the magnetic head in the head driver 2212 aligns with the gaps provided by the magnetic tape media storage 221 and drives the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape media storage 221 to begin rewinding, thereby enabling the head driver 2212 to access the data in the magnetic tape 2211.

[0084] For example, when magnetic tape 2211 exists alone, magnetic tape 2211 may refer to a strip of material that includes a magnetic medium for storing data, such as magnetic powder or other media.

[0085] The difference between the magnetic tape media storage 221 and the magnetic tape cassette lies in the following: In conventional technology, the head drive for accessing the magnetic tape cassette is shared by all cassettes in a tape library. Since the head drive is a mechanical component, it is frequently moved or used, resulting in low reliability of the tape library. In contrast, the magnetic tape media storage 221 provided in this embodiment includes the magnetic tape and the head drive for accessing it, while the magnetic tape cassette only includes the magnetic tape and the fixed shaft around which the tape is wound, without containing a head drive for accessing it. In the embodiments of this application, the head drives in each magnetic tape media storage 221 are not used by other magnetic tape media storages, and the head drives are not frequently moved or relocated, thus improving the reliability of the magnetic tape media storage.

[0086] As can be seen from the embodiment in Figure 2 above, the data processing component can select the target data channel from multiple data channels according to different data access requests, and thus access the magnetic tape media storage corresponding to the target data channel. This reduces the problem of storage device failure caused by unreliable mechanical parts and helps to improve the service stability in the storage device.

[0087] Based on Figures 1 and 2, to further illustrate the structural design of the storage device provided in the embodiments of this application, the storage device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described exemplarily below with reference to Figure 3, which is a second structural schematic diagram of a storage device provided in this application. The storage device 200 also includes a rack 230, which includes a slot structure and electrical connectors.

[0088] As shown in Figures 3(1) and (2), the frame 230 includes: slot structures 1 to 8, electrical connector 1 and electrical connector 8, wherein electrical connectors 2 to 7 are not shown in Figure 3. It is understood that the electrical connectors are located in the slot structures corresponding to them, such as electrical connector 1 being located in slot structure 1 and electrical connector 8 being located in slot structure 8. The relative positions of other electrical connectors and slot structures are similar to those of the aforementioned slot structures 1 and 8, and will not be described in detail here.

[0089] In the storage device 200 shown in Figure 3, the slot structure can be used to accommodate magnetic tape media storage or data processing component 210.

[0090] For example, the slot structure 1 is used to accommodate a magnetic tape media memory 221 among multiple magnetic tape media memories, and the electrical connector 1 is used to electrically connect to the magnetic tape media memory 221. In Figure 3(3), the magnetic tape media memory 221 and the electrical connector 1 in the slot structure 1 are detachably connected.

[0091] For example, the slot structure 8 is used to accommodate the data processing component 210, and the electrical connector 8 is used to electrically connect to the data processing component 210. In Figure 3(4), the data processing component 210 and the electrical connector 8 in the slot structure 8 are detachably connected.

[0092] In this example, since the connector in the slot structure is an electrical connector, the “removable” described in (3) and (4) of Figure 3 above is also called “hot-swappable”, which is not limited in this application.

[0093] The slot structure shown in Figure 3 is rectangular, but it can also be other shapes or shapes that can accommodate the aforementioned magnetic tape media storage or data processing component 210. It is worth noting that the slot structure and electrical connector deployment structure in the example provided in Figure 3 are only optional arrangements provided by this application. The arrangement of the slot structure and the position of the electrical connectors within the slot structure can be adjusted according to actual circumstances, and this application does not limit them.

[0094] For example, the magnetic tape media storage 221 also includes a housing, within which the magnetic tape and head drive are located. The housing has an electrical connector 1-1, which is electrically connected to the head drive and electrically connected to the data processing component 210 via a first data channel among multiple data channels. This first data channel can be the aforementioned data channel 1. It is understood that the magnetic tape media storage is equivalent to a combination of a magnetic tape drive and a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is fixedly integrated inside the magnetic tape drive at the factory, forming an integrated structure similar to a hard disk drive (HDD). This integrated structure is called a "magnetic disk". This means that it is difficult to remove / insert the magnetic tape by opening the drive, thus making it difficult to easily replace the tape; it is also difficult to move the tape to the drive position using a robotic arm / manually to read / write data on the tape. The advantage is that the magnetic tape is sealed inside the magneto-electric disk, making it difficult for external media such as dust, liquids, or air to contact the magnetic tape and individual heads, thereby improving the lifespan of the magnetic tape and individual heads in the magneto-electric disk. In some possible cases, if the magnetic tape is fixedly sealed in a magnetic tape media storage device, the magnetic tape media storage device may also be called a magnetic tape all-in-one machine, an all-in-one magnetic tape reel, a magnetic tape drive device, or an all-in-one magnetic tape drive, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0095] Corresponding to the description of magnetic tape media storage 221, the data processing component 210 can also be encapsulated in a housing, which will not be elaborated here.

[0096] Since electrical connectors are used to connect magnetic tape storage media or data processing components, the resistance at the points where different devices are electrically connected increases. When the current between different devices is relatively stable, this increased resistance leads to increased heat and higher temperatures at the electrical connector locations. Therefore, to reduce the operating temperature of the storage device 200 and improve its safety, the storage device 200 may also include a heat dissipation structure. This heat dissipation structure is located outside the slot structure and close to the electrical connectors.

[0097] For example, the heat dissipation structure can be disposed on the rack included in the storage device 200 shown in FIG3, and the heat dissipation structure can be disposed outside the rack and near the electrical connection.

[0098] Alternatively, the heat dissipation structure can also be located in the middle region of the rack, as shown in Figure 3 between slot structure 1 and slot structure 2.

[0099] The above two examples are only optional methods provided by the embodiments of this application. In some other optional implementations, the heat dissipation structure can also be set between different racks. As shown in Figure 4, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided by this application. The storage device 200 includes not only the contents shown in Figures 2 and 3, but also: rack 232 and heat dissipation structure 240. As shown in (2) of Figure 4: rack 232 and rack 230 are arranged side by side, and heat dissipation structure 240 is set between rack 232 and rack 230. The rack 230 shown in (1) of Figure 4 can be referred to the relevant description in (1) of Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0100] The frame 232 also has slot structures and electrical connectors, as shown in slot structure 9 to slot structure 16 in (3) of Figure 4. Each slot structure also has electrical connectors, which can be referred to in the description of the frame 230 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] Optionally, the heat dissipation structure 240 may be implemented based on at least one of air cooling technology and liquid cooling technology.

[0102] For example, the heat dissipation structure 240 is based on air cooling technology. This heat dissipation structure 240 includes a fan that, during operation, exchanges airflow within the storage device 200 with cool external air, thereby reducing heat in the storage device 200 and lowering its operating temperature.

[0103] For example, the heat dissipation structure 240 is based on liquid cooling technology. The heat dissipation structure 240 uses liquid (such as water or other types of liquid) to flow through the conduits provided in the storage device 200 to absorb the heat generated by the storage device 200, thereby reducing the operating temperature of the storage device 200.

[0104] For example, the heat dissipation structure 240 is implemented based on air cooling and liquid cooling technologies. The heat dissipation structure 240 uses a cooling medium (such as water or other types of liquid) to flow through the conduits provided in the storage device 200 to absorb the heat generated by the storage device 200, and uses a fan to transfer the heat absorbed by the liquid in the conduits from the sealed space where the conduits are located to the outside cold air, so as to reduce the operating temperature of the storage device 200.

[0105] The above three examples are merely optional methods of heat dissipation structure provided in the embodiments of this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. With the development of technology, other technologies or structural designs may also be adopted for heat dissipation structure, and this application does not limit them.

[0106] When the storage device 200 shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 is used to accommodate magnetic tape media storage, the storage device 200 can be used not only to accommodate multiple magnetic tape media storages, but also to accommodate multiple data processing components. Taking the storage device shown in Figure 4 as an example, slot structures 1 to 7 and slot structures 9 to 15 are used to accommodate magnetic tape media storage, and slot structures 8 and 16 are used to accommodate data processing components.

[0107] As shown in Figure 4, storage device 200 is a disk-controlled magnetic media storage frame design. The storage frame is a standard size in 4-unit (4U) form, consisting of 2 shared data processing units and 14 magnetic tape media storage devices (it can also be composed of other numbers of data processing units and magnetic tape media storage devices). One data processing unit can access 7 magnetic tape media storage devices.

[0108] It is worth noting that, depending on the application scenario of the storage device 200, the number of data processing components and magnetic tape media storage that can be deployed in the storage device 200 can also be customized. Corresponding to the change of data processing components and magnetic tape media storage in the storage device 200, the form of the storage device 200 can also be changed. For example, the storage device 200 can also be set as a frame form, a cabinet form, or other forms, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0109] Furthermore, when the data processing component has significant processing power, it can access data stored on multiple magnetic tape media in parallel, thereby improving the read / write bandwidth and data access performance of the storage device. For example, one data processing component can access seven magnetic tape media in parallel.

[0110] Optionally, to improve the reliability of the storage device 200, a power module may also be provided in the storage device 200. The power module is used to temporarily provide power to the storage device 200 in the event of a power failure, so as to complete the current access business or save the current access state, so that the storage device 200 can quickly restore the historical access business after the power connection is restored, thereby improving the business reliability of the storage device in the power failure state.

[0111] Regarding the aforementioned data processing component 210, the method by which the data processing component 210 selects a target data channel from multiple data channels may be by setting an electronic switching switch (as shown in Figure 2), which can be used to select one or more data channels as the target data channel.

[0112] In one possible example, the electronic switching switch selects one data channel from multiple data channels as the target data channel, such as data channel 1 in Figure 2.

[0113] In another possible example, the electronic switching switch selects two or more data channels from multiple data channels as target data channels, such as data channel 1 and data channel 2 in Figure 2.

[0114] The above two examples are merely optional methods for the target data channel provided in the embodiments of this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0115] In one alternative implementation, regarding the implementation of the aforementioned multiple data channels, a feasible example is provided below based on Figure 2, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application. In Figure 5, the storage device 200 includes not only the components shown in Figure 2, but also a backplane 250.

[0116] The backplane 250 has multiple data channels, including: a first data channel (data channel 1) to the xth data channel (data channel x).

[0117] The following description uses the first data channel as an example to illustrate the structural design of each data channel. The first data channel (data channel 1) includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part arranged opposite to each other. The first connecting part is connected to the magnetic tape media storage 221 in a plurality of magnetic tape media storages, and the second connecting part is connected to the data processing component 210.

[0118] For example, the magnetic tape media storage 221 is detachably connected to the first connecting part, and the other magnetic tape media storages are also detachably connected to the connecting parts in the corresponding data channels. This structure allows the damaged or failed magnetic tape media storages to be replaced in the event of damage or failure of some magnetic tape media storages, and the data stored in the old magnetic tape media storages to be recovered using other unreplaced magnetic tape media storages in the storage device. This is beneficial for maintaining the data stored in the storage device and improves the reliability of the storage device.

[0119] In hardware implementation, the backplane 250 supports other circuit boards, devices, and interconnections between devices, and provides power and data signals to the supported devices. In some feasible cases, the backplane may include, but is not limited to, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and connectors that connect electrical components in different slot structures. In some optional cases, the aforementioned first and second connection portions may also be referred to as terminals on the backplane 250. These terminals are used to connect different devices to the backplane 250, enabling signal transmission and power supply between these devices.

[0120] When the storage device 200 includes a backplane 250, the backplane 250 can be disposed in the rack on the side near the electrical connectors. Referring to the embodiments in Figures 3 and 4, the backplane 250 can be disposed on the side of the rack 230 near the electrical connectors.

[0121] The aforementioned data channel can be implemented through wires on the backplane 250, such as, but not limited to, metal wires (e.g., gold wires, silver wires, etc.) or other wires with signal transmission capabilities.

[0122] Based on different data access requests, the data processing component can access the magnetic tape media storage device corresponding to the electrically connected target data channel. This reduces the risk of storage device failures caused by unreliable mechanical parts and improves the stability of services within the storage device. Since the data processing component is electrically connected to multiple magnetic tape media storage devices, these devices share the data processing component within the storage device.

[0123] Furthermore, each magnetic tape media storage device in the storage device has a magnetic head driver, meaning that the mechanical parts in the magnetic tape media storage device are not used by the magnetic tapes in other magnetic tape media storage devices. In other words, the shared components in the storage device do not include mechanical parts, and the mechanical parts of the magnetic head driver do not need to be moved multiple times, which improves the reliability of the mechanical parts in the storage device and helps to further improve the service stability in the storage device.

[0124] Regarding the specific implementation of the data processing component 210, based on Figure 2, this application embodiment provides an optional implementation method, as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided by this application. In Figure 6, the aforementioned data processing component 210 includes: an electronic switching switch 211 and a data processing circuit 212.

[0125] Among them, the electronic switching switch 211 is electrically connected to multiple magnetic tape media storage devices, and the data processing circuit 212 is electrically connected to the electronic switching switch 211.

[0126] In some alternative implementations, the electronic switch can be a hardware device located in the data processing component 210, such as a multiplexer. As shown in Figure 6(1), the electronic switch is set independently of the data processing circuit.

[0127] In some alternative implementations, the electronic switching switch can be a logic switch located in the data processing component 210, such as the electronic switching being integrated into the data processing circuit 212. As shown in Figure 6(2), the electronic switching switch is integrated into the data processing circuit, which selects multiple connected data channels and processes the signal transmitted by the selected target data channel before outputting the first data.

[0128] In one possible example, taking (2) in Figure 6 as an example, the data processing circuit 212 includes multiple access pins (lines marked with circles in Figure 6), and different access pins are used to connect to different magnetic tape media memories. These access pins can not only connect to magnetic tape media memories, but can also be used to connect to other types of storage media or hardware devices, which is not limited in this application.

[0129] As shown in Figure 6, the data processing circuit 212 is used to: select a target data channel from multiple data channels connected to the electronic switch 211 according to a data access request, and output the data transmitted by the target data channel. The data processing circuit 212 can process the signal transmitted by the target data channel, such as through digital filtering, decoding, or other processing. Digital filtering refers to processing and optimizing the characteristics of the received digital signal to reduce noise and enhance the effective information features in the digital signal. Decoding refers to the process of converting a digital signal into the information or data represented by that digital signal using a specific method. For example, signal decoding can be implemented using the Viterbi algorithm. This application does not limit the specific method of signal decoding.

[0130] For example, the filters used by the data processing circuit 212 to perform digital filtering may include, but are not limited to, finite impulse response (FIR) filters. FIR filters are also called non-recursive filters. FIR filters can be implemented using integrated circuits, digital signal processors (DSPs), or programmable logic devices; this application does not limit the specific implementation of these methods.

[0131] In the embodiments of this application, the data processing circuit 212 may be, for example, a general-purpose processor, a DSP chip, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. In practical applications, the data processing component 210 may also include multiple data processing circuits, and this application does not limit this.

[0132] The following section uses a read data request as an example to further explain the structure of storage device 200.

[0133] As shown in Figure 7, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application. The magnetic head driver 2212 in the magnetic tape media storage 221 includes a magnetic head assembly, which includes: a data read head R1, a servo read head R2, and an analog-to-digital converter circuit R3. The analog-to-digital converter circuit R3 is electrically connected to the data read head R1 and the servo read head R2, respectively.

[0134] The read servo head R2 is used to: determine the positioning information of the first magnetic tape based on the first address in the data access request. This positioning information is used to determine the location of the target magnetic tape area corresponding to the first address within the first magnetic tape.

[0135] The read head R1 is used to: read the tape area specified by the positioning information and send a first electrical signal corresponding to the tape area to the analog-to-digital converter circuit R3. This first electrical signal can be a current signal or a voltage signal.

[0136] The analog-to-digital converter circuit R3 is used to: receive a first electrical signal, process the first electrical signal to obtain a first digital signal, and send the first digital signal to the first data channel. This first digital signal is a digital signal conforming to a magnetic tape transfer protocol, such as the JESD204B standard. The JESD204B standard defines the serial data interface between the converter and the digital processing device; details can be found in general technical specifications and will not be elaborated here. For example, the analog-to-digital converter circuit R3 can be implemented using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). An ADC can convert analog signals with continuous time and amplitude into digital signals with discrete time and amplitude. Therefore, A / D conversion generally involves four processes: sampling, holding, quantization, and encoding. In practical circuits, some of these processes are combined; for example, sampling and holding, quantization and encoding are often performed simultaneously during the conversion process.

[0137] Optionally, an amplifier circuit R4 may be provided between the data reading head R1 and the analog-to-digital conversion circuit R3. This amplifier circuit R4 has an input terminal (R4). in ) and output terminal (R4) out ), input terminal (R4) in ) is connected to the read data head R1, and the output terminal (R4) out It is connected to the analog-to-digital converter circuit R3. The amplifier circuit R4 is used to amplify the first electrical signal and output the amplified first electrical signal to the analog-to-digital converter circuit R3.

[0138] In some examples, since the amplifier circuit R4 is located on the digital signal generation side, the amplifier circuit R4 can also be called a preamplifier circuit. This preamplifier circuit can be implemented by a preamplifier or other circuits with signal amplification functions.

[0139] For example, the signals from the read data head and the read servo head in the head assembly are pre-amplified and then sampled by the analog front end (AFE). The sampled signals are then sent to the data processing component for processing via the backplane. In some feasible scenarios, assuming the magnetic tape storage device has 32 read data heads and 3×2 read servo heads, this solution uses the JESD interface protocol supported by the AFE to simplify the number of interface pins in order to reduce the number of pins required for the magnetic tape storage device. This allows multiple head signals to be combined and transmitted (e.g., 4 signals combined into 1 data signal), thereby simplifying the number of signal pins and reserving interfaces for future head number evolution.

[0140] In this embodiment, the position of the magnetic tape is located by a read servo head, enabling the read data head to more accurately read the target data, thereby improving the accuracy of data access. Furthermore, during the signal acquisition process for reading data, the acquired electrical signal is amplified by an amplification circuit, which helps to increase the proportion of effective information in the electrical signal and reduce the impact of noise on the read signal, further improving the accuracy of data access in the storage device.

[0141] Optionally, during the data reading process of the above-mentioned data reading head and servo reading head, the magnetic tape can be driven by a motor and a roller in coordination. The roller can be used to carry the magnetic tape, and the motor is used to drive the roller to rewind the magnetic tape in a first direction, rewind in a second direction, or stop rewinding. The first direction and the second direction are opposite.

[0142] As shown in Figure 7, the magnetic tape storage medium 221 also includes a motor M0, which may include one or a combination of the following: a voice coil motor (VCM), a stepping motor, and a tape reel motor.

[0143] A VCM is a direct drive motor. The working principle of a VCM is as follows: when a current-carrying coil is placed in a magnetic field, it will generate a force. The magnitude of the force is proportional to the current applied to the coil. Based on this principle, the motion of a VCM is either linear or circular. For more information about VCMs, please refer to the description of general technology.

[0144] A stepper motor is an electric motor that converts electrical pulse signals into corresponding angular or linear displacement. For each input pulse signal, the rotor rotates by one angle or moves forward one step. The output angular or linear displacement is proportional to the number of input pulses, and the rotational speed is proportional to the pulse frequency. Therefore, a stepper motor is also called a pulse motor. More information about stepper motors can be found in the general technical description.

[0145] In this embodiment, the tape reel motor can be an AC servo motor or a brushless DC servo motor, etc. The tape reel motor drives the rollers to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, causing the magnetic tape mounted on the rollers to slide. Thus, the magnetic heads in the tape drive can write data to or read data stored in the tape.

[0146] Referring to the content shown in Figure 7, for the above electronic switching switch, a possible implementation method is provided below. As shown in Figure 7, the electronic switching switch includes: multiple sub-switches, such as sub-switches 1 to sub-switches k (k is a positive integer). The sub-switches can be determined according to the number of magnetic tape media memories supported for access in the storage device 200 and the number of read signal input ports of each sub-switches.

[0147] In some cases, sub-switch 1 is also called the first sub-switch, sub-switch 2 is also called the second sub-switch, and sub-switch k is also called the kth sub-switch; this application does not limit this.

[0148] The following description uses sub-switch 1 as an example to illustrate the ports of each sub-switch. For example, sub-switch 1 includes multiple read signal input ports and one read signal output port. The multiple read signal input ports include read signal input port 1 and read signal input port 2.

[0149] Read signal input port 1, one of the multiple read signal input ports of sub-switch 1, is connected to magnetic tape media memory 221 and is used to receive read data signals (such as the first digital signal) from magnetic tape media memory 221. This read signal output port is connected to data processing circuit 212 and is used to output read data signals (such as the first digital signal) from magnetic tape media memory 221.

[0150] As an optional implementation, as shown in Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of a data processing circuit provided in this application, the data processing circuit 212 includes: a first communication interface 2121, a second communication interface 2122, and a sub-processing circuit 2123.

[0151] The first communication interface 2121 is connected to the second connection part shown in FIG5 or FIG6, and is used to receive a first digital signal from the magnetic tape medium memory 221.

[0152] The sub-processing circuit 2123 is used to convert and process the first digital signal to obtain a second digital signal. The first digital signal and the second digital signal carry the same service information (such as first data), but the first digital signal and the second digital signal conform to different protocol standards.

[0153] The second communication interface 2122 is used for serial output of the second digital signal.

[0154] In this embodiment, both the first communication interface 2121 and the second communication interface 2122 are serial interfaces.

[0155] For example, the first communication interface 2121 is a serial data interface conforming to the JESD204B standard. The aforementioned first digital signal conforms to the same protocol standard as the first communication interface 2121, such as the JESD204B standard.

[0156] For example, the second communication interface 2122 may be a PCIe interface, a USB interface, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus interface, a Unified Bus (Ubus or UB) interface, a Compute Express Link (CXL) interface, a Cache Coherent Interconnect for Accelerators (CCIX) interface, etc. The host can access the storage device 200 provided in this embodiment of the application via the PCIe bus. The aforementioned second digital signal conforms to the same protocol standard as the second communication interface 2122, such as PCIe.

[0157] In this embodiment, since the protocol standard conformed to by the digital signal output by the read data head is generally different from the protocol standard conformed to by the digital signal output by the storage device, the data processing circuit provided in this application can convert the received digital signal from the read data head so that the converted digital signal conforms to the protocol standard of the storage device, thereby avoiding the problem that the digital signal output by the storage device cannot be effectively recognized by other devices.

[0158] It is worth noting that in some feasible designs, the data processing component 210 may also be equipped with a general-purpose processor such as a CPU. The CPU is used to coordinate the resource allocation of each device in the data processing component 210, thereby improving the resource utilization of the data processing component 210 and improving the service performance of the storage device 200.

[0159] The above description, in conjunction with Figures 7 and 8, illustrates the data reading process that the storage device 200 provided in the embodiments of this application can perform. The following description, using the data writing process of the storage device 200, further illustrates the structure of the storage device 200 provided in the embodiments of this application, as shown in Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application.

[0160] The structural design of storage device 200 will be explained below using the example of a data access request carrying second data.

[0161] The magnetic head assembly in the magnetic tape media storage 221 further includes a write drive and a write data head, the write data head being used to electrically connect data channel 1 of the multiple data channels. The write data head is used to write second data from a data access request into a target tape area of ​​the magnetic tape 2211 in the magnetic tape media storage 221.

[0162] The magnetic tape media storage 221 also includes a management chip 2213. The management chip 2213 may be, for example, an FPGA, an ASIC, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc.

[0163] The management chip 2213 is electrically connected to the data processing component 210 via the first write data bus (W1 in Figure 9) and electrically connected to the write data head via the second write data bus (W2 in Figure 9).

[0164] The management chip 2213 is used to send a second write data signal to the write data head according to the first write data signal in the first write data bus (W1 in Figure 9).

[0165] Optionally, the first write data bus and the second write data bus are serial buses.

[0166] The first write data bus described above can be connected to a flexible Ethernet (FlexE) interface or other types of serial interfaces, and this application does not limit this.

[0167] In one alternative implementation, the bit width of the first write data bus is less than or equal to the bit width of the second write data bus.

[0168] For example, the bit width of the first write data bus is M, and the bit width of the second write data bus is N, where N ≥ M. For instance, if M = 16 and N = 64, then after the data processing component 210 sends four cycles of first write data signals (16 bits) to the management chip 2213, the management chip 2213 sends one cycle of second write data signals (64 bits) to the write data head based on these four cycles of first write data signals. If the total bit width of the multiple first write data signals of the data processing component 210 is not an integer multiple of the bit width of the second write data signal, then during the process of managing the write data signals, the management chip 2213 will pad the last i first write data signals with 4-i invalid signals and send the second write data signal to the write data head.

[0169] In this embodiment, the bit width of the write data bus of the data processing component 210 connected to the magnetic tape media memory is less than or equal to the bit width of the magnetic head assembly in the magnetic tape media memory for a single write operation. This is beneficial for reducing the number of data buses between the data processing component 210 and the magnetic tape media memory, which can not only reduce the number of buses arranged on the backplane, but also reduce the hardware cost of the storage device.

[0170] Referring again to Figure 9, the management chip 2213 is also electrically connected to the data processing component 210 via a first management bus (M1 in Figure 9) and to the head driver in the magnetic tape media memory 221 via a second management bus (M2 in Figure 9). For example, the bit width of the first management bus (M1) and the bit width of the second management bus (M2) may be the same, such as 1 bit, 2 bits, or others. Alternatively, the bit widths of the first management bus (M1) and the second management bus (M2) may be different, such as the bit width of the first management bus (M1) being smaller than the bit width of the second management bus (M2). The first management bus (M1) and the second management bus (M2) are used to transmit control signals or management signals between the data processing component 210 and the magnetic tape media memory 221, such as controlling the motor speed, the rotation of the magnetic tape, etc.

[0171] Optionally, the magnetic tape media storage 221 may also include a sensor and a security module. The sensor can be used to determine the relative position between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head driver, and the security module is used to encrypt the data stored in the magnetic tape media storage. The sensor and the security module can also be electrically connected to the management chip via a management bus (such as M2), which is not limited in this application.

[0172] This application also provides a storage system. The storage system includes a communication interface, a storage controller, and the storage device provided in any of the foregoing embodiments. The storage device is used to store data, the communication interface is used to receive data access requests, and the storage controller is used to manage target storage devices in the storage system according to data access requests. The storage system may be, for example, a magnetic tape library, or a computer / server that uses magnetic tape media as a persistent storage medium.

[0173] The storage controller includes one or more processors, which can be a very large-scale integrated circuit. The processor contains an operating system and other software programs, enabling it to access tape drives and various PCIe devices. The processor includes one or more processor cores. These cores can be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or other ASICs. The processor can also be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. In practical applications, the storage system may also include multiple controllers.

[0174] Optionally, the storage system may also include, but is not limited to, other storage media: dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc., for caching data from the tape drive for processor processing. Additionally, other storage media may be read-only memory (ROM). For example, read-only memory may be programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), etc. This embodiment does not limit the number or type of other storage media. Furthermore, other storage media can be configured to have power-saving functionality. Power-saving functionality means that when the system experiences a power outage and is then powered on again, the data stored in the memory will not be lost. Storage media with power-saving functionality are called non-volatile memory.

[0175] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Various equivalent modifications or substitutions can be conceived within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A storage device, characterized in that, include: Multiple magnetic tape media storage devices, each magnetic tape media storage device including: magnetic tape and head driver, the head driver being used to access the magnetic tape; The data processing components are electrically connected to the plurality of magnetic tape media storage devices, respectively; The data processing component is used to: select a target data channel from multiple data channels according to a data access request, and output the data transmitted by the target data channel, wherein different data channels correspond to different magnetic tape media storage devices.

2. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data processing component includes: Electronic switching switches are electrically connected to the plurality of magnetic tape media storage devices, respectively; A data processing circuit, electrically connected to the electronic switching switch, is used to: select a target data channel from multiple data channels connected to the electronic switching switch according to the data access request, and output the data transmitted by the target data channel.

3. The storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electronic switching switch is integrated into the data processing circuit.

4. The storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The data processing circuit includes multiple access pins, with different access pins connected to different magnetic tape media storage devices.

5. The storage device according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The storage device also includes: The backplane has multiple data channels, including a first data channel; The first data channel includes: a first connection part and a second connection part disposed opposite to each other, the first connection part being connected to a first magnetic tape medium memory among the plurality of magnetic tape medium memories, and the second connection part being connected to the data processing component.

6. The storage device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first magnetic tape medium storage device is detachably connected to the first connecting part.

7. The storage device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The electronic switching switch includes: Multiple sub-switches, wherein the first sub-switches includes multiple read signal input ports and one read signal output port; One of the plurality of read signal input ports is connected to the first magnetic tape medium memory and is used to: receive read data signals from the first magnetic tape medium memory; The read signal output port is connected to the data processing circuit and is used to output the read data signal of the first magnetic tape medium memory.

8. The storage device according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that, The head driver in the first magnetic tape media storage includes a head assembly; The magnetic head assembly includes: a data reading head, a servo reading head, and an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, wherein the analog-to-digital conversion circuit is electrically connected to the data reading head and the servo reading head, respectively. The read servo head is used to: determine the positioning information of the first magnetic tape according to the first address in the data access request; The read head is used to: read the magnetic tape area specified by the positioning information, and send a first electrical signal corresponding to the magnetic tape area to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit; The analog-to-digital converter circuit is configured to: receive the first electrical signal, process the first electrical signal to obtain a first digital signal, and send the first digital signal to the first data channel.

9. The storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The data processing circuit includes: A first communication interface is connected to the second connection part and is used to receive a first digital signal from the first magnetic tape medium memory; A sub-processing circuit is used to convert the first digital signal to obtain a second digital signal. The first digital signal and the second digital signal carry the same service information, but the first digital signal and the second digital signal conform to different protocol standards. The second communication interface is used to serially output the second digital signal.

10. The storage device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The magnetic head assembly also includes: An amplifier circuit is provided with an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the input terminal is connected to the data reading head and the output terminal is connected to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit; The amplifier circuit is used to amplify the first electrical signal and output the amplified first electrical signal to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit.

11. The storage device according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The plurality of magnetic tape media storage devices include a first magnetic tape media storage device, and the magnetic head driver in the first magnetic tape media storage device includes a write data head, which is electrically connected to a first data channel of the plurality of data channels. The write head is used to write the second data in the data access request into the target tape area of ​​the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape media storage.

12. The storage device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first magnetic tape media storage device further includes: The management chip is electrically connected to the data processing component via a first write data bus and electrically connected to the write data head via a second write data bus. The management chip is configured to: send a second write data signal to the write data head according to the first write data signal in the first write data bus.

13. The storage device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The bit width of the first write data bus is less than or equal to the bit width of the second write data bus.

14. The storage device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first write data bus and the second write data bus are serial buses.

15. The storage device according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The management chip is also electrically connected to the data processing component via a first management bus and to the magnetic head driver in the first magnetic tape medium memory via a second management bus.

16. The storage device according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that, The plurality of magnetic tape media storage devices include a first magnetic tape media storage device, which includes: magnetic tape, head driver and housing; The magnetic tape and head driver are located within the housing; The housing has an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the head driver and is electrically connected to the data processing component through a first data channel of the plurality of data channels.

17. The storage device according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, The storage device also includes: A frame, comprising a slot structure and electrical connections, wherein the electrical connections are located within the slot structure; The slot structure is used to accommodate one of the plurality of magnetic tape media memories, and the electrical connector is used to be electrically connected to the magnetic tape media memory. Alternatively, the slot structure is used to accommodate the data processing component, and the electrical connector is used to be electrically connected to the data processing component.

18. The storage device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The storage device also includes: The heat dissipation structure is located outside the slot structure and close to the electrical connector.

19. A storage system, characterized in that, include: The storage device according to any one of claims 1-18 is used for storing data; A communication interface used to receive data access requests; A storage controller is used to manage target storage devices in the storage system based on the data access requests.

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