Storage System Power Failure Detection via Mounting Apparatus Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems fail to detect power failures in disk enclosures, leading to incorrect identification of magnetic disk drive failures, resulting in unnecessary separation and replacement of functioning drives.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an acquisition determination section and a failure determination section in the storage system to differentiate between disk drive failures and power supply interruptions by checking the presence of AL_PA assigned to both the magnetic disk drives and their corresponding Fiber Channel Controllers, allowing for timely detection of power failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the storage system checks only the accessibility of magnetic disk drives through the arbitrated loop, then the system can detect drive failures, but it cannot distinguish between actual drive failures and power supply interruptions to mounting apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that checks the accessibility of the mounting apparatus itself (via its AL_PA identifier) as a mediator between the storage system and the magnetic disk drives. By determining whether the mounting apparatus is accessible through the arbitrated loop, the system can distinguish between drives that are inaccessible due to power failure versus actual drive failures, thereby resolving the information loss about power supply status.
2Reliability
If the storage system separates magnetic disk drives based on accessibility checks alone, then failed drives can be identified, but functioning drives may be erroneously separated due to power interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the storage system first determines the accessibility of the mounting apparatus (via AL_PA) before proceeding to check individual drive accessibility. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust its failure determination logic: if the mounting apparatus is inaccessible, it infers power failure rather than drive failure, preventing erroneous separation of functioning drives while maintaining reliable identification of actual failures.
3Productivity
If the storage system replaces magnetic disk drives based on accessibility failure, then system reliability can be maintained, but unnecessary replacements occur during power interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the mounting apparatus accessibility check (via AL_PA determination) before making any decisions about drive replacement. This preliminary determination establishes whether the issue is a power interruption (mounting apparatus inaccessible) or an actual drive failure, allowing the system to maintain productivity by avoiding unnecessary replacements of functioning drives while still ensuring system availability through proper failure isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a management apparatus of a storage apparatus. The management apparatus includes an acquisition determination section that determines whether predetermined identification information can be acquired or not from a mounting apparatus that mounts at least one storage apparatus and has at least one predetermined identification information assigned thereto, and a failure determination section that determines, based on a determination result of the acquisition determination section, an access failure to the storage apparatus mounted in the mounting apparatus has been caused due to a failure of the storage apparatus itself or an interruption of a power supply to the mounting apparatus.