Mirroring Information Backup in Replaced Main Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information processing apparatuses, such as multi-function printers, the mirroring information used in RAID systems can be lost during main board failures, leading to potential data loss even after the main board is replaced, as the original mirroring state is not restored.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller for mirror processing, a communication unit for sub-boards, and memory units for writing and matching information to resume mirroring function processing even after main board replacement, ensuring backed-up mirroring information is used to restore the mirroring function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mirroring information is stored only in the main board's controller, then the system structure is simple, but the mirroring information is lost when the main board fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage of mirroring information into multiple locations: the main board's controller and a sub board. This segmentation ensures that if one component fails, the other retains the necessary mirroring information, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely redundant dual-controller system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub board acts as an intermediary storage component that receives and stores mirroring information from the main board's controller. This intermediary structure allows the system to preserve critical information independently of the main board, enabling recovery after failure without complex restoration procedures.
2Reliability
If mirroring information is not backed up externally, then the device complexity is low, but data loss occurs after main board replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously storing mirroring information in the sub board before any failure or replacement occurs. This pre-positioned backup ensures that when the main board is replaced, the mirroring information is already available, eliminating data loss without requiring complex real-time backup restoration operations.
3Ease of operation
If the controller does not match storage unit identifiers after replacement, then the replacement process is simple, but mirroring function cannot be resumed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller includes a determination unit that provides feedback by comparing the identifiers of storage units obtained from the replaced controller with those stored in the sub board. This feedback mechanism automatically detects mismatches and triggers the restoration of correct mirroring information, ensuring reliable function resumption without complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Even when a main board is replaced, if no change is made to a connected storage unit, existent mirroring information is obtained to resume mirroring function processing. An information processing apparatus that performs mirroring to store same data in a plurality of storage units includes a first storage unit configured to store mirroring information indicating a state of the mirroring in a memory of a main board, a second storage unit configured to store the mirroring information in a memory of a sub board, a detection unit configured to detect replacement of the main board, and a restoration unit configured to restore the mirroring information stored in the memory of the sub board by the second storage unit in a memory of a replaced main board in accordance with detection of the replacement of the main board by the detection unit.