Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for configuring an array of storage devices to reduce the probability of data loss due to clustered storage device failures in the array. An example of this method includes identifying all storage devices in a primary set of storage devices and a first mirror set of storage devices in the array of storage devices. This example also includes obtaining data regarding each identified storage device. This example further includes determining if any of the storage devices in the primary set of storage devices has a vital characteristic that is the same as a vital characteristic of any of the storage devices in the first mirror set of storage devices, and if so, indicating an array configuration error, and if not, continuing the configuration.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for storing data in an array of storage devices. An example of the method includes writing a first strip to a first storage device and a second storage device. This example also includes writing a second strip to the second storage device and a third storage device. This example further includes writing a third strip to a third storage device and a fourth storage device.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for configuring an array of storage devices to reduce the probability of data loss due to clustered storage device failures in the array. An example of this method includes identifying all storage devices in a primary set of storage devices and a first mirror set of storage devices in the array of storage devices. This example also includes obtaining data regarding each identified storage device. This example further includes determining if any of the storage devices in the primary set of storage devices has a vital characteristic that is the same as a vital characteristic of any of the storage devices in the first mirror set of storage devices, and if so, indicating an array configuration error, and if not, continuing the configuration.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for configuring an array of storage devices to reduce the probability of data loss due to clustered storage device failures in the array. An example of this method includes identifying all storage devices in a primary set of storage devices and a first mirror set of storage devices in the array of storage devices. This example also includes obtaining data regarding each identified storage device. This example further includes determining if any of the storage devices in the primary set of storage devices has a vital characteristic that is the same as a vital characteristic of any of the storage devices in the first mirror set of storage devices, and if so, indicating an array configuration error, and if not, continuing the configuration.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for storing data in an array of storage devices. An example of the method includes writing a first strip to a first storage device and a second storage device. This example also includes writing a second strip to the second storage device and a third storage device. This example further includes writing a third strip to a third storage device and a fourth storage device.

Abstract: A method for replacing a failed storage device in a storage device array includes detecting that the storage device has failed, and reconstructing data that was stored on the failed storage device. The method also includes commencing writing the reconstructed data on each of a plurality of spare storage devices, without verifying that the reconstructed data is successfully written, and finishing writing the reconstructed data on at least one of the spare storage devices. The method further includes beginning validating that the reconstructed data was successfully written, on each of the spare storage devices that the writing was finished on. A write complete message indicating that the reconstructed data was successfully written is received from at least one of the spare storage devices, and, a spare storage device from which a write complete message was received is accepted into the storage device array to replace the failed storage device.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for providing protection from data loss on a storage device. An example of the method includes designating a number n, and identifying a plurality of groups of strips on the storage device, wherein a number of strips in a plurality of the groups is equal to the number n. This example also includes reserving a respective parity protection strip on the storage device, for a plurality of the groups of strips identified on the storage device. This example further includes calculating a parity value for a plurality of parity protection strips on the storage device, wherein each calculated parity value is a function of information stored in each of the strips in the corresponding group of strips. This example additionally includes storing the calculated parity protection strip parity values, in corresponding parity protection strips.