Disk Drive Boot Image Relocation to Nonvolatile Memory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data storage systems require pre-installation of software on disk drives, leading to increased inventory costs and complexity due to the need for multiple part numbers for different DPE and disk drive configurations, complicating manufacturing and site installation processes.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves booting a storage processor from nonvolatile memory, allowing it to transfer and install the necessary software directly onto disk drives during the first boot, enabling the use of a common set of disk drives and simplifying inventory management by eliminating the need for pre-installed software on individual drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software is pre-installed on disk drives for different DPE and disk drive configurations, then the system can boot directly without installation, but inventory costs and complexity increase due to multiple part numbers
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal disk drive design is used that can boot from an embedded non-volatile memory module containing a boot image. This boot image enables the drive to function across multiple DPE and disk drive configurations without requiring pre-customization for each specific configuration, thus achieving universality.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot image is extracted from the traditional pre-installed software on disk drives and relocated to an embedded non-volatile memory module within the disk drive itself. This separation allows the disk drives to be shipped in a universal configuration while still maintaining boot capability through the embedded memory.
2Reliability
If software is pre-installed on disk drives for different configurations, then the system can boot directly, but manufacturing flexibility and inventory management are complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The disk drives are manufactured with a universal design that includes an embedded non-volatile memory module containing a boot image. This universal design allows the same disk drive to be used across multiple configurations without requiring configuration-specific manufacturing steps, thereby improving manufacturing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot image is pre-installed in the embedded non-volatile memory module during manufacturing, enabling the disk drive to boot immediately upon installation in any supported configuration. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-manufacturing software installation while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.
3Reliability
If different disk drives are pre-installed with different information for specific DPE and disk drive configurations, then the system can boot directly, but the complexity of site installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded non-volatile memory module with boot image enables disk drives to function universally across different DPE and disk drive configurations. This eliminates the need for site installation personnel to determine which specific pre-installed software configuration is needed, simplifying the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The disk drive automatically boots from its embedded non-volatile memory module without requiring external intervention or configuration selection during installation. This self-service capability simplifies site installation by eliminating manual software selection and installation steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Data storage system software is installed from nonvolatile memory. A storage processor is booted, transferring information stored in a nonvolatile memory module to a disk drive system, thereby enabling the system processor to boot directly from the disk drive system in subsequent boots. After the information is transferred the storage processor reboots using the information transferred to the disk drive system.