Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing an indication relating to certain faults that can occur during data storing operations in an array storage system. In connection with providing the indication, a code byte having a number of code bits is appended to data that is stored on storage devices of the array storage system. When such a fault occurs, predetermined code bits are set to indicate the data operation that was taking place when the fault occurred. In a preferred embodiment, there are two data storing related operations for which predetermined code bits are set when a fault occurs, namely, a data reconstruction operation and a data reassignment operation. Since these operations are typically initiated automatically and are transparent to any host system connected to the array storage system, such a fault indication enables the user to determine the identity of the data storing related operation that was in progress when the fault occurred.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing an indication relating to certain faults that can occur during data storing operations in an array storage system. In connection with providing the indication, a code byte having a number of code bits is appended to data that is stored on storage devices of the array storage system. When such a fault occurs, predetermined code bits are set to indicate the data operation that was taking place when the fault occurred. In a preferred embodiment, there are two data storing related operations for which predetermined code bits are set when a fault occurs, namely, a data reconstruction operation and a data reassignment operation. Since these operations are typically initiated automatically and are transparent to any host system connected to the array storage system, such a fault indication enables the user to determine the identity of the data storing related operation that was in progress when the fault occurred.