Disk Array Central Control Module Separation for Failure Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk array devices face challenges in efficiently collecting operation information during failures, as the limited storage capacity of nonvolatile memory within central control modules restricts the amount of data that can be stored for trouble analysis, leading to extensive time and labor requirements for identifying the cause and extent of issues.
Innovation Solution
The disk array device incorporates a separation control mechanism that separates the central control module with abnormalities after writing operation information data to disk devices with sufficient storage, and reconfigures communication paths to ensure uninterrupted data collection, allowing for the storage of operation information data on hard disks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If operation information data is stored in nonvolatile memory within the central control module, then data can be stored for trouble analysis, but the storage capacity is limited and restricts the amount of data that can be stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage function for operation information data from the central control module's nonvolatile memory to the disk devices. When a central control module detects abnormality, it transfers operation information data to a disk device via the interface control module, thereby overcoming the limited storage capacity of the module's internal memory without requiring expansion of the module itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface control module serves as an intermediary between the central control module and the disk device. It receives operation information data from the abnormal central control module and facilitates its storage on the disk device, enabling data transfer without direct connection between the control module and storage device, thus maintaining system modularity.
2Reliability
If the central control module with abnormality is separated immediately, then system reliability is maintained, but operation information data collection is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting abnormality in the central control module and automatically initiating data collection before separation occurs. The interface control module receives operation information data from the abnormal module and stores it on disk devices while the module is still connected, ensuring data is captured prior to any separation action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by enabling the abnormal central control module to continue transmitting operation information data to the interface control module even after abnormality detection. The data collection process continues uninterrupted until the data transfer is complete, after which the module is separated from the system.
3Power
If more device components are mounted to improve performance, then device performance is remarkably improved, but when trouble occurs it takes enormous amount of time and labor to determine cause location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with automated electronic data collection and analysis. Instead of physically examining numerous components to locate failures, the system automatically captures operation information data from all components and stores it on disk devices, enabling remote analysis and significantly reducing the time and labor required for trouble diagnosis.
Data Source
AI summary
A disk array device has: a CM separating part that, when abnormality occurs in a CM, separates the CM in which the abnormality has occurred from a storage system after write of CM operation information data to a hard disk is completed; and communication path reconfiguring parts that reconfigure communication paths between the CM in which the abnormality has occurred and DAs. When abnormality occurs in the CM, the communication paths between the CM and the DAs are reconfigured, and after the CM operation information data of the CM is written to the hard disk, the CM is separated. Therefore, the write processing is not interrupted halfway, so that the useful operation information data regarding the cause of the problem occurrence can be written to the hard disk having a sufficient storage area.