Abstract: An approach to exchanging information between data storage devices (DSDs) within a secure data center and an external fleet health manager (FHM) application includes querying one or more DSDs for data to be analyzed, including providing a unique query identifier, whereby a particular DSD responsively provides (i) a device identifier identifying itself, (ii) a random key code for authentication and integrity purposes, (iii) the data to be analyzed, and (iv) the query identifier for the FHM application to verify. The FHM application can then digitally sign a corrective action payload, using the key code from the particular DSD, including the query identifier and the device identifier and a recommended corrective action, and transmit the signed corrective action payload to the data center for application to the particular DSD, whereby the DSD can execute pre-defined fundamental repair action operation(s) corresponding to the corrective action for in-situ repair.

Abstract: An approach to identifying a corrective action for a data storage device (DSD), such as one implemented in a fleet of DSDs in a data center, involves receiving error data about excursions from normal operational behavior of the DSD, inputting data representing a particular excursion into a probabilistic decision network which characterizes a set of DSD operational metrics and certain DSD controller rules that represent internal controls of the DSD and corresponding conditional relationships among the operational metrics, determining from the decision network the likelihood that one or more possible causes was a contributing factor to the particular excursion, and determining a corrective action for the particular excursion based on the determined likelihood of a particular cause of the one or more possible causes. The corrective action may then be shared with the DSD for in-situ execution of corresponding self-repair operations.

Abstract: An approach to exchanging information between data storage devices (DSDs) within a secure data center and an external fleet health manager (FHM) application includes querying one or more DSDs for data to be analyzed, including providing a unique query identifier, whereby a particular DSD responsively provides (i) a device identifier identifying itself, (ii) a random key code for authentication and integrity purposes, (iii) the data to be analyzed, and (iv) the query identifier for the FHM application to verify. The FHM application can then digitally sign a corrective action payload, using the key code from the particular DSD, including the query identifier and the device identifier and a recommended corrective action, and transmit the signed corrective action payload to the data center for application to the particular DSD, whereby the DSD can execute pre-defined fundamental repair action operation(s) corresponding to the corrective action for in-situ repair.

Abstract: An approach to identifying a corrective action for a data storage device (DSD), such as one implemented in a fleet of DSDs in a data center, involves receiving error data about excursions from normal operational behavior of the DSD, inputting data representing a particular excursion into a probabilistic decision network which characterizes a set of DSD operational metrics and certain DSD controller rules that represent internal controls of the DSD and corresponding conditional relationships among the operational metrics, determining from the decision network the likelihood that one or more possible causes was a contributing factor to the particular excursion, and determining a corrective action for the particular excursion based on the determined likelihood of a particular cause of the one or more possible causes. The corrective action may then be shared with the DSD for in-situ execution of corresponding self-repair operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reclaiming solid state storage with limited write cycles such as flash memory. Through the use of shared storage for common data patterns, physical space may be conserved or reclaimed in a solid state device. The apparatus may use internal mappings and/or external device drivers to handle the reclamation of unused space. By enabling reclamation of physical space, the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may provide more efficient read and write access and improved wear leveling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reclaiming solid state storage with limited write cycles such as flash memory. Through the use of shared storage for common data patterns, physical space may be conserved or reclaimed in a solid state device. The apparatus may use internal mappings and/or external device drivers to handle the reclamation of unused space. By enabling reclamation of physical space, the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may provide more efficient read and write access and improved wear leveling.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying and recovering a file damaged by a hard drive failure. The method includes monitoring event logs, mapping at least one failing sector to at least one corresponding corrupted file if a hard drive failure is detected, and performing a selected remedial procedure based on the at least one corrupted file. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the user is quickly informed of the corrupted file and is given choices for remedial procedures.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and hard disk drive for restricting a rate of spin-up/spin-down cycles for a spindle motor in a hard disk drive. The firmware in the hard disk drive determines a maximum rate of spin-up/spin-down cycles the spindle motor is designed to handle over a designated period of time based on the number of spin-up/spin-down cycles the spindle motor is designed to handle over its expected lifetime. The firmware disables the automatic standby mode of operation if a calculated rate of spin-up/spin-down cycles during the designated period of time is greater than the maximum rate of spin-up/spin-down cycles the spindle motor is designed to handle over the designated period of time. By disabling the automatic standby mode of operation, the rate of spin-up/spin-down cycles will be reduced as the spindle motor will not incur a spin-up/spin-down cycle until the automatic standby mode of operation is enabled.