Frequently-redundant array of independent disks
January 18, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesStorage device array architecture with copyback cache Optimized stripe detection for redundant arrays of disk drives Method for improving partial stripe write performance in disk array subsystems Delayed initiation of read-modify-write parity operations in a raid level 5 disk array Method and apparatus for improving the performance of partial stripe operations in a disk array subsystem Fast write I/O handling in a disk array using spare drive for buffering Disk array system, data writing method thereof, and fault recovering method Redundant arrays of independent libraries of dismountable media with parity logging Recording apparatus and method for an arrayed recording apparatus Redundant array of disks with improved storage and recovery speed InventorsApplicationNo. 588140 filed on 01/18/1996US Classes:714/6Redundant stored data accessed (e.g., duplicated data, error correction coded data, or other parity-type data)ExaminersPrimary: Beausoliel, Robert W. Jr.Assistant: Baderman, Scott International ClassG06F 011/14AbstractThere is provided a method and apparatus for effectuating data updates on a fault-tolerant storage device having a plurality of disk-drive units forming a disk array, with parity-block updates temporarily suspended to provide increased performance. Parity-block updates are typically deferred until the array is idle. Thus, data is written onto the array with no parity error correction information being present for a short amount of time. Data updates are effectuated by identifying the blocks in the array where data is to be written. New data is then written directly to the identified blocks without reading the old data present therein. A "needs parity rebuild bit" (NPRB) is written to non-volatile memory, identifying the stripes not having parity information on the array. The number of NPRBs present is monitored to allow continuous calculation of a mean-time-to-data-loss (MTTDL). If the MTTDL is acceptable, parity updates are deferred until the array is idle. To that end, the I/O patterns to and from the array are monitored to determine idleness. If the I/O patterns indicate that the disk array is idle, new data is read and parity information is generated which is then written to the array.Other References
| |
