Hard Disk Array Reconstruction Using Backup Data Mapping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hard disk arrays face inefficiencies when multiple disks fail, requiring time-consuming data rewriting upon replacement, as the entire array needs to be reconfigured and data from unaffected disks is rewritten, leading to significant time and energy expenditure.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for reconstructing a hard disk array that involves determining if damaged disks have been replaced and using a mapping table to write backup data onto new disks, thereby efficiently reconstructing the array by utilizing a controller to manage data distribution across disks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional hard disk array reconstruction is performed by re-writing data from unaffected disks, then data integrity is maintained, but significant time and energy are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidreconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating and storing backup data before disk failures occur. When reconstruction is needed, the pre-prepared backup data is directly written to replacement disks, eliminating the time-consuming process of re-reading and re-writing data from surviving disks. The backup data is maintained in a ready-to-use state, so reconstruction can proceed immediately without recalculating or re-accessing intact disks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional hard disk array reconstruction is performed by re-writing data from unaffected disks, then data consistency is ensured, but substantial energy expenditure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidreconstruction energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating and storing backup data before disk failures occur. When reconstruction is needed, the pre-prepared backup data is directly written to replacement disks, eliminating the time-consuming process of re-reading and re-writing data from surviving disks. The backup data is maintained in a ready-to-use state, so reconstruction can proceed immediately without recalculating or re-accessing intact disks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If entire hard disk array is reconfigured upon disk failure, then system reliability is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to extended downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidarray availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating and storing backup data before disk failures occur. When reconstruction is needed, the pre-prepared backup data is directly written to replacement disks, eliminating the time-consuming process of re-reading and re-writing data from surviving disks. The backup data is maintained in a ready-to-use state, so reconstruction can proceed immediately without recalculating or re-accessing intact disks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reconstruction process is segmented into independent operations: identifying failed disks, selecting replacement disks, and writing backup data. This segmentation allows the system to maintain operational disks independently while reconstructing only the affected portions, rather than reconfiguring the entire array. The mapping table enables precise targeting of reconstruction operations to specific disk segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10831601B2Reconstruction hard disk array and reconstruction method for to-be-reconstructed hard disks therein including comparing backup data with an access timestamp of first, second and third hard disks

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

A reconstruction method based on a hard disk array comprises determining whether at least one damaged hard disk among a plurality of hard disks of the hard disk array has been replaced by at least one to-be-reconstructed hard disk, and writing a backup data corresponding to the at least one damaged hard disk into the at least one to-be-reconstructed hard disk according to a mapping table and information of the at least one damaged hard disk.