Boot Sequence Segmentation for Disk Drive Performance Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk drive systems face interruptions and degraded performance data quality due to periodic host access to operating system files stored on the disks during performance data accumulation, which affects the accuracy and continuity of servo control and spindle motor operations.
Innovation Solution
The host is modified to boot from a secondary storage device initially, allowing the disk drive to accumulate performance data without interruptions, and then boots from the Host Storage Assembly (HSA) once data collection is complete, enabling continuous data accumulation and subsequent verification of modifications to the control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the host boots from the HSA to access operating system files, then normal operation is enabled, but performance data accumulation is interrupted and quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The boot process is segmented into two phases: first booting from secondary storage to enable performance data collection, then booting from HSA for normal operation. This segmentation allows the system to separate the data collection phase from the operational phase, eliminating interruptions to performance measurement while maintaining normal host functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The host is configured to boot from secondary storage as a preliminary action before normal operation. This preliminary boot configuration enables the disk drive to accumulate performance data without interruptions during the critical data collection period, before the host transitions to booting from HSA for normal operations.
2Measurement precision
If the host boots from secondary storage device, then continuous performance data accumulation is enabled, but normal host operation from HSA is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by alternating between two boot modes: periodically booting from secondary storage to collect performance data, then booting from HSA for normal operation. This periodic switching between boot sources allows the system to cycle through data collection and operational phases, achieving both continuous measurement and normal functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot configuration is made dynamic rather than static. The host can switch between booting from secondary storage and booting from HSA based on the operational phase required. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its boot source according to whether performance data collection or normal operation is the priority.
3Productivity
If the disk drive accumulates performance data during normal operation, then operational continuity is maintained, but data accuracy is reduced due to host access interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The host's access to operating system files is extracted or removed during the performance data collection phase. By booting from secondary storage, the host does not access files on the HSA, effectively taking out the source of interruptions. This allows the disk drive to accumulate performance data without the harmful interruptions that would otherwise occur during normal host operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system is disclosed comprising a disk drive comprising a head stack assembly (HSA), the HSA comprising a spindle motor for rotating at least one disk, and at least one head actuated over the disk. The computer system further comprises a host coupled to the disk drive, wherein the host comprises a microprocessor operable to first boot the host by reading boot data from a secondary storage device. After first booting the host, the microprocessor commands the disk drive to accumulate performance data for the HSA, and after accumulating the performance data, the microprocessor second boots the host by reading boot data from the HSA.