Magnetic Disk Device Abnormality Logging via Non-Volatile Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic disk devices face challenges in accessing and recording information during abnormal conditions, such as component failures, which hinder manufacturers' ability to diagnose issues upon device return, as existing technologies cannot acquire and log critical data effectively.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic disk device configuration that includes sensors to detect external physical influences, a non-volatile semiconductor storage device, and a controller to generate and store abnormality logs when predetermined conditions are met, ensuring data capture even during failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If information is recorded on the magnetic disk during abnormality occurrence, then the information can be stored, but access to the magnetic disk becomes impossible when components fail, preventing acquisition of the recorded information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into two separate storage media: a magnetic disk for general data storage and a non-volatile semiconductor storage device for abnormality log storage. This segmentation ensures that abnormality information is stored independently from the magnetic disk, allowing access to diagnostic data even when the magnetic disk or its components fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-volatile semiconductor storage device acts as an intermediary storage medium that captures and preserves abnormality logs when the magnetic disk system experiences failures. This intermediary storage ensures that critical diagnostic information is retained and accessible even when the primary magnetic disk storage becomes inaccessible.
2Ease of repair
If the magnetic disk device returns from the market to the manufacturer, then diagnostic analysis can be performed, but the manufacturer cannot acquire abnormality information due to inaccessible magnetic disk
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting abnormalities and storing diagnostic logs in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device before complete system failure occurs. This preliminary logging ensures that abnormality information is captured and preserved in advance, making it available for manufacturer diagnostics when the device is returned.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-volatile semiconductor storage device provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining a backup copy of abnormality information that is protected against magnetic disk failures. This cushioning mechanism ensures that diagnostic data survives component failures and remains accessible for manufacturer analysis.
3Loss of information
If sensors detect physical influences and the controller generates abnormality logs, then diagnostic information is captured, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the non-volatile semiconductor storage device to serve dual purposes: storing the file system image from the magnetic disk and simultaneously storing abnormality logs generated by sensors. This universal storage approach reduces the need for separate dedicated logging hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the abnormality logging function with the existing non-volatile semiconductor storage infrastructure. By combining multiple diagnostic data streams (sensor readings, system logs, and file system images) into a single storage medium, the patent avoids proliferating separate components while maintaining comprehensive abnormality detection and recording capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, a sensor, a non-volatile semiconductor storage device, and a controller. The magnetic head performs writing and reading to and from the magnetic disk. The sensor detects a degree of a physical influence applied from an outside. The controller generates a log when a detection value detected by the sensor satisfies a condition for abnormality determination, and stores the log in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device in response to generation of the log.