Abstract: M number of physical drives are divided into a plurality of strips. The plurality of strips each has an equal number of blocks on each of the M physical drives. Each of the strips has a first logical block address associated with a first block of the strip. The plurality of strips are grouped across the M physical drives into a plurality of stripes. Each of the stripes is configured use one strip from each of the M physical drives. A first stripe of the plurality of strips has M total strips configured as M?1 data strips and one parity strip. Protection information parity values are calculated for the parity strip in the first stripe using the respective first logical block addresses of the M?1 data strips.

Abstract: M number of physical drives are divided into a plurality of strips. The plurality of strips each has an equal number of blocks on each of the M physical drives. Each of the strips has a first logical block address associated with a first block of the strip. The plurality of strips are grouped across the M physical drives into a plurality of stripes. Each of the stripes is configured use one strip from each of the M physical drives. A first stripe of the plurality of strips has M total strips configured as M?1 data strips and one parity strip. Protection information parity values are calculated for the parity strip in the first stripe using the respective first logical block addresses of the M?1 data strips.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a failed storage device in a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices connected by a ring-type network is disclosed. In one embodiment, when a storage device fails, all storage devices on the ring-type network are disconnected to re-establish communication on the ring-type network. An iterative process of connecting a subset of storage devices to the ring-type network and testing communication on the ring-type network is performed until communication on the ring-type network is re-established. Then, individual storage devices are connected to the ring-type communication until the connection of a storage device causes communication on the ring-type network to fail, thereby identifying the failed storage device. In another embodiment, devices in a reporting group are tested on a shelf-by-shelf basis.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a failed storage device in a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices connected by a ring-type network is disclosed. In one embodiment, when a storage device fails, all storage devices on the ring-type network are disconnected to re-establish communication on the ring-type network. An iterative process of connecting a subset of storage devices to the ring-type network and testing communication on the ring-type network is performed until communication on the ring-type network is re-established. Then, individual storage devices are connected to the ring-type communication until the connection of a storage device causes communication on the ring-type network to fail, thereby identifying the failed storage device. In another embodiment, devices in a reporting group are tested on a shelf-by-shelf basis.