Storage Control Module Redundancy for Fault-Tolerant Log Data Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face challenges in maintaining operation and data access when faults occur in the path between a controller and disk drives, particularly in reading and writing system disk data, and require large battery capacities for power outages, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system with multiple disk storage devices and control modules that allow for access control, cache memory management, and redundant system disk units, enabling log data output even during controller abnormalities, and reducing battery capacity needs by allowing cache data backup without powering connected disk storage devices during outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If system disk units are connected through disk adapters and cables to controllers, then redundancy and fault tolerance are improved, but the system cannot read/write system disk data when faults occur in the path between controller and disk enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service processor as an intermediary component that can access system disk units through alternative paths when primary paths are blocked. The service processor acts as a mediator between controllers and system disk units, enabling data access even when disk adapters or cables fail by using different routing paths through the service processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data access path into multiple independent routes. Instead of having a single direct path from controller to disk enclosure, the system creates separate paths: primary paths through disk adapters and secondary paths through the service processor. This segmentation allows the system to use alternative paths when primary paths fail, maintaining data access capability.
2Reliability
If large battery capacity is used to backup cache data during power outages, then data backup capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service processor acts as an intermediary for data backup operations during power outages. Instead of requiring large battery capacity to backup all cache data directly to disk, the service processor enables selective backup of critical system disk data through alternative paths, reducing the required battery capacity while maintaining essential data protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between critical data that needs backup during power outages and non-critical data. The service processor enables targeted backup of system disk units containing critical configuration and log data, rather than requiring backup capacity for all data types, thus reducing overall battery capacity requirements.
3Reliability
If controllers can access system disks through multiple paths, then continuous operation during faults is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service processor is designed with multi-functionality, serving multiple purposes: it acts as a path alternative for data access during faults, provides a backup interface for system disk units, and enables log data output operations. This universal component achieves continuous operation capability without requiring complex dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The service processor provides self-service capabilities by automatically detecting path failures and switching to alternative paths without requiring complex controller intervention. The system monitors the status of disk paths and autonomously routes data access requests through the service processor when primary paths are blocked, reducing control system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system have a plurality of control modules which control a plurality of disk storage devices, in which system information reading/writing is possible even when problems arise in paths with a plurality of disk devices, and moreover log data can be output even upon occurrence of an abnormality in a control module. A plurality of control modules has built-in a pair of system disk device units which store log data. Upon occurrence of an abnormality in one control module, a system disk unit of one control module is removed and mounted in another control module, and the log data of the mounted system disk unit is output by the another control module.