Storage Controller Command Pausing During Firmware Revision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud systems and virtualization environments, firmware active application often requires rebooting modules, which can disrupt configuration control from external software, leading to abnormality detection and system shutdown when configuration control from external software is not acceptable.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus with a processor that generates a command set for controlling non-volatile storage, executes commands, and stops execution during firmware revision processing to suppress abnormality detection, using a command manager to pause and resume tasks based on timeout requirements and configuration control acceptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If firmware revision processing is performed during normal operation, then the storage apparatus can be updated without stopping, but external software may detect abnormalities and shut down the system
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by stopping command execution before firmware revision processing begins, and resumes commands after the revision completes. This preemptive stopping prevents external software from detecting abnormalities during the firmware update process, allowing continuous operation without system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The command execution state is dynamically changed during firmware revision. The system transitions from an executing state to a stopped state when revision begins, and back to executing state when revision completes. This dynamic adjustment of command execution timing resolves the contradiction between continuous operation and abnormality detection.
2Productivity
If commands are continuously executed during firmware revision, then processing efficiency is maintained, but configuration control integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily stops command execution before firmware revision starts to protect configuration control integrity. After the revision completes, commands are resumed. This preliminary stopping action ensures that no commands interfere with the firmware revision process, maintaining configuration integrity while minimizing impact on overall productivity.
3Reliability
If command execution is stopped during firmware revision, then abnormality detection is suppressed, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system skips command execution only during the brief firmware revision processing period, allowing rapid completion of the update. By resuming commands immediately after revision completes, the system minimizes the time loss while effectively suppressing abnormality detection during the critical revision window.
Solution Approach 2:
The command execution state is dynamically adjusted to stop only when necessary during firmware revision and resume immediately afterward. This dynamic timing optimization ensures abnormality detection is suppressed during the critical revision period while minimizing overall processing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage apparatus includes a non-volatile storage device configured to store data; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to control access to the non-volatile storage device, the processor configured to: receive an instruction from external software as a task, generate a command set for controlling the non-volatile storage device, execute a command included in the generated command set, control firmware revision processing of the storage apparatus, and stop execution of the command after performing processing for suppressing abnormality detection of the external software at a timing at which the command is not executable during the firmware revision processing.