Abstract: The write operations to the storage devices are managed so that the write operations that would force a storage device to reposition its read/write head outside its read optimization boundary are queued until a threshold is reached. Upon reaching the write queue threshold, the write operations are sent to the storage devices in a burst mode that limits the impact of storage device seek operations that force the device read/write head out of position relative to the data that is assigned as it's primary read region, keeping the read/write head in it's primary locality to optimize the performance of read operations.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to selectively provide power to a component disposed in an information storage and retrieval system. Applicants' method supplies a controller comprising a control portion in combination with a plurality of components comprising one or more host adapters, one or more device adapter ports, and a Fibre Channel switch. The method monitors the performance of each of those components. The method discontinues the supply of power to first component while continuing to provide power to the remaining plurality of components. The method then resumes providing power to the first component while continuing the supply of power to the remaining plurality of components.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing identify indicators in a computer storage subsystem includes a switch module electrically coupled to an initiator module. The switch module implements a queuing scheme, receives an identify command from the initiator module, executes the queuing scheme to synchronize the identify command, and broadcasts the identify command to a target device in the computer storage subsystem. A system for synchronizing identify indicators in a computer storage subsystem includes a switch module electrically coupled to a initiator module. The switch module receives an identify command issued by the initiator module, and invokes a distribution algorithm to serially distribute the identify command to a downstream target device in the computer storage subsystem. A method for synchronizing identify indicators in a computer storage subsystem is also disclosed.

Abstract: To prevent current inrush from exceeding power limitations of a power supply or a power domain in a multiple disk drive system the drives are powered-on in a controlled sequence. In a multi-drive blade storage subsystem, a subsystem control module inventories the locations of the hard drives in one or more drive enclosure blades and maintains information about the boundaries of one or more power domains. The subsystem control module may direct one of several drive power-on sequences, none of which allow current inrush to exceed the allowable current of each power domain.

Abstract: A data storage domain is provided to determine a set of signal conditioning parameters for data being transmitted over smart cables in a data storage domain between an SAS switch and SAS expanders and among SAS expanders. A first expander interrogates any attached smart cables for cable persistent data and captures in a table the cable persistent data. One or more interfaces of the first expander are operated at a first data rate. The switch collects the captured cable persistent data and, in response, determines a set of signal conditioning parameters for data being transmitted on each attached smart cable. The set of signal conditioning parameters includes a first maximum data rate for each attached smart cable. The signal conditioning parameters are then set for each attached smart cable in accordance with the set of determined signal conditioning parameters, whereby the data storage domain is tuned for optimum signal transmission.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-usable medium for implementing a hard disk drive data clear and purge. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a processor sends a predetermined data pattern to be written to a hard disk drive and issues a command for the hard disk drive to write the predetermined data pattern to an entire surface of the hard disk drive. The hard disk drive updates the entire surface with the predetermined data pattern and the processor verifies that the entire surface of the hard disk drive is updated with the predetermined data pattern.

Abstract: A data processing unit including a first active cooling device configured to respond to a first control signal and a second active cooling device configured to respond to a second control signal. The control signals may be any type of control signal suitable to control the operation of the first and second active cooling devices. The data processing unit also includes a first control function selectively capable of providing the first control signal and/or the second control signal, and a second control function selectively capable of providing the first control signal and/or the second control signal. Logic associated with the first and second control functions is included to determine which of the control functions will provide which control signal at a specific time. Logic and/or switching or isolation apparatus is also included to prevent both the first and second control functions from attempting to provide one of the control signals simultaneously.

Abstract: In a RAID storage system, a parity value is generated. The storage system includes a RAID adapter, a plurality of disk array processors managing corresponding sets of RAID storage drives, and a connecting fabric. The RAID adapter initiates a parity generation operation, parallel instructions are dispatched for the array processors to each generate a partial parity value from data blocks on drives on respective managed RAID storage drives, the partial parity value is received in the RAID adapter from each array processor, and the partial parity values are combined in the RAID adapter to generate a complete parity value. The parity value may be an actual parity block to be stored on a hard disk drive or may be a reconstructed data block in the event of a failed drive.

Abstract: A multiple-master Inter Integrated Circuit (“I2C”) bus system includes a first master device including a first processing device within a first power boundary and a second master device including a second processing device within a second power boundary connected through a single I2C bus to one or more slave devices. The second master device utilizes a software algorithm or hardware component to detect or manage power up of the first power boundary. Additionally, the second master device includes a bus control algorithm that allows it, once initiated, to communicate with the connected slave device, to direct the first power boundary to activate or detect that the first power boundary has powered up, and to release the I2C bus. Once the first processor has initialized, the first master device acquires control of the I2C bus without arbitration or interference with the second master device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to convert data from a first sector format to a second sector format. The sector format conversion device includes a processor, and microcode which causes the processor to overlay (N) first sectors having a first sector format onto (M) second sectors having a second sector format, where that sector format conversion device does not include an operating system comprising a user mode and a kernel mode.

Abstract: A storage system includes a RAID adapter, disk array switches, sub-processors, and hard disk drives (HDDs). The system permits the isolation of a suspected faulty HDD to allow diagnostics to be performed without impacting operation of the rest of the system. Upon detection of a possible fault in a target HDD, a private zone is established including the target HDD and one of the sub-processors, thereby isolating the target HDD. The sub-processor performs diagnostic operations, then transmits its results to the adapter. A faulty HDD can then be fully isolated and the private zone is disassembled, allowing the sub-processor to rejoin the network.

Abstract: A storage system includes a RAID adapter, disk array switches, sub-processors, and hard disk drives (HDDs). A disk-related operation is initiated in the RAID adapter. The RAID adapter dispatches a command to a disk array processor (or sub-processor) in an enclosure for the processor to perform the operation on one or more drives. The adapter may dispatch the command to a processor in a single enclosure through a disk array switch or to processors in multiple enclosures through switches in the upstream enclosures. The adapter is then free to perform other functions. The processor commences the specified operation on one or more selected drives, either sequentially one at a time or sequentially more than one (or all) at a time. Upon completion of the operation, the results are transmitted by the processor and received by the adapter.

Abstract: A high density storage enclosure includes a plurality of storage devices, such as hard disk drives, positioned within a cooling airflow. Data to be stored to a storage device is received and a determination is made as to the expected usage of the data relative to other data stored on devices within the enclosure. The data is stored in a device having a position within the airflow relative to the source of the airflow in direct relationship to the relative expected usage of the data. Thus, data having a higher expected usage is stored in a device closer to the airflow source relative to other data having a lower expected usage and data having a lower expected usage is stored in a device farther from the airflow source relative to other data having a higher expected usage. Additionally, data may be dynamically relocated based upon actual usage.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for spare device management. Candidate devices are sorted into spare coverage groups by type. One or more candidate devices having closest fitting characteristics of a desired type are identified from the spare coverage groups. The identified one or more candidate devices are assigned to be spare devices for the spare coverage group. It is determined whether a desired number of spare devices have been assigned to the spare coverage group. In response to determining that the desired number of spare devices have not been assigned, a spare device having the closest fitting characteristics for every predetermined number of candidate devices having the closest fitting characteristics is assigned, until the desired number of spare devices having the closest fitting characteristics are assigned.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for concurrently relocating a RAID array. The apparatus includes an identification module, a designation module, and an implementation module. The identification module identifies an availability of a physical device within a donor arrayed storage device to offload a source drive of a relocation enclosure. The designation module designates an available physical device as a target drive and thereby designate the target drive and the source drive as a linked pair;. The implementation module implements a mirroring relationship between the target drive and the source drive. The apparatus, system, and method provide a dynamic relocation of the raid array, minimizing system downtime and maximizing efficient utilization of system resources.

Abstract: Circuit boards (36) capable of receiving different sets of electrical devices are fabricated from raw boards of the same type by forming (102) respective networks of electrically conductive traces (52) with a common layout on the raw boards, including open circuits (58) within the networks. Electrical device receivers (42,44,46,48,50) and controllers (38,40) are then loaded on the boards, and some of the open circuits are closed such that some of the boards have different patterns (104,106,108,110) of closed circuits and thereby different interconnections. Some of the receivers can accommodate two different types of electrical devices (60,64), with some of the boards configured to support one type and the others another type. The loading of receivers and controllers, and the closing of open circuits, can be performed simultaneously with the placement of zero ohm resistors (R) used for circuit closings.

Abstract: A self-contained backup power source such as a battery is provided for components within an electrically powered device such as a storage controller, photocopier or the like, to maintain diagnostic status data and to power a service indicator aid, or diagnostic indicator, such as an LED. A switch selects the backup power source when a primary power source of the electrically powered device is no longer available to the component, such as when the component is removed from the electrically powered device, the primary power source is disconnected as a safety precaution when servicing or replacing the component, or a higher-level assembly, in which the component is provided, is removed from the electrically powered device. The diagnostic indicator may be powered separately from the data storage device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to provide power to a plurality of data storage devices disposed in a data storage system. The data storage system comprises a system controller comprising a data storage device power-up algorithm and a plurality of data storage devices, where each of the plurality of data storage devices cannot automatically provide a device present signal. The method detects the presence of each of the plurality of data storage devices, and then provides power to each of the detected data storage devices using the data storage device power-up algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect a fiber channel miscabling event includes a module configured to identify a connection made between first and second unlike devices in a fiber channel topology. If an unlike connection identified to have been made the module enables an upstream port of the second device, leaving a downstream port of the second device disabled. A method to detect a fiber channel miscabling event includes detecting a fiber channel cable connection configuration, determining whether a connection is made between first and second unlike fiber channel units, and enabling an upstream port of the second fiber channel unit while keeping a downstream port of the second fiber channel unit disabled if an unlike connection is determined to have been made.

Abstract: A self-contained backup power source such as a battery is provided for components within an electrically powered device such as a storage controller, photocopier or the like, to maintain diagnostic status data and to power a service indicator aid, or diagnostic indicator, such as an LED. A switch selects the backup power source when a primary power source of the electrically powered device is no longer available to the component, such as when the component is removed from the electrically powered device, the primary power source is disconnected as a safety precaution when servicing or replacing the component, or a higher-level assembly, in which the component is provided, is removed from the electrically powered device. The diagnostic indicator may be powered separately from the data storage device.