Abstract: Disclosed is a low power consumption storage array. Read and write cycles are separated so that a multiple disk array can be spun down during periods when there are no write requests. Cooling fans are operated with a pulse-width modulated signal in response to cooling demand to further reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a plurality of storage subsystems a back-end switch connected to each storage subsystem to communicate information about each of the plurality; and a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) volume. Each storage subsystem includes a RAID engine, a storage drive; and a plurality of input ports and output ports. The RAID volume includes the storage drive on a first storage subsystem of the plurality and the storage drive on a second storage subsystem of the plurality. Methods for providing such a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a plurality of storage subsystems a back-end switch connected to each storage subsystem to communicate information about each of the plurality; and a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) volume. Each storage subsystem includes a RAID engine, a storage drive; and a plurality of input ports and output ports. The RAID volume includes the storage drive on a first storage subsystem of the plurality and the storage drive on a second storage subsystem of the plurality. Methods for providing such a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing data and two sets of distributed mirrored data disposed as data stripes which permits data recovery without the necessity of parity calculations, is described. Redundant data are stored in groups of five physical hard drives which are logically segmented into stripe groups, each stripe group having three data stripe sets wherein one data stripe is protected by two distributed mirror stripes in accordance with an algorithm. The present method provides protection for all one- and two-disk failures and certain three-disk drive failures, for each physical five disk group, and retains a usable disk capacity of 33%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving storage reliability comprising receiving an indicator of an impending failure of a first storage device in a RAID group. In response to the indicator, writing data to the first storage device is ceased. A first block of data directed to be written on the first storage device is written to a memory device. Data stored on the first storage device is copied to a second storage device. The first block of data is copied from the memory device to the second storage device. The RAID group is operated with the second storage device functioning in place of the first storage device. Data is read from said second storage device.

Abstract: A method and system of method and system of enhanced RAID level 3 is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes allocating three times a physical storage capacity of a data drive to a dedicated parity drive of a ‘n’ physical drives of a redundant array of independent disks, recovering n?1 physical drive failures of the ‘n’ physical drives through a parity-in-parity technique in which certain number of parities generated during an initial write of data may be physically stored and using an XOR function applied to the stored parities to recreate un-stored parities which enable recovery of the n?1 physical drive failures. The method may include creating a superior read/write access capability and/or a superior parity data redundancy through the mirroring. The method may also include recreating the un-stored parities after a time interval that may be specified by a user.

Abstract: A method for storing data and two sets of distributed mirrored data disposed as data stripes which permits data recovery without the necessity of parity calculations, is described. Redundant data are stored in groups of five physical hard drives which are logically segmented into stripe groups, each stripe group having three data stripe sets wherein one data stripe is protected by two distributed mirror stripes in accordance with an algorithm. The present method provides protection for all one- and two-disk failures and certain three-disk drive failures, for each physical five disk group, and retains a usable disk capacity of 33%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving storage reliability comprising receiving an indicator of an impending failure of a first storage device in a RAID group. In response to the indicator, writing data to the first storage device is ceased. A first block of data directed to be written on the first storage device is written to a memory device. Data stored on the first storage device is copied to a second storage device. The first block of data is copied from the memory device to the second storage device. The RAID group is operated with the second storage device functioning in place of the first storage device. Data is read from said second storage device.

Abstract: A plurality of physical drives is grouped into a physical drive group. The plurality of physical drives comprises at least a first physical drive and a second physical drive. At least the first physical drive and the second physical drive are striped to create at least a first virtual drive and a second virtual drive. The first virtual drive is comprised of storage space residing on the first physical drive and the second virtual drive is comprised of storage space residing on the second physical drive. Storage data is distributed across at least the first virtual drive and the second virtual drive using at least one redundant array of independent disks (RAID) technique to create at least a first virtual volume and a second virtual volume. When a physical drive fails, data from the failed physical drive may be reconstructed using temporary stripes from a virtual drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low power consumption storage array. Read and write cycles are separated so that a multiple disk array can be spun down during periods when there are no write requests. Cooling fans are operated with a pulse-width modulated signal in response to cooling demand to further reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: A method and system of method and system of enhanced RAID level 3 is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes allocating three times a physical storage capacity of a data drive to a dedicated parity drive of a ‘n’ physical drives of a redundant array of independent disks, recovering n?1 physical drive failures of the ‘n’ physical drives through a parity-in-parity technique in which certain number of parities generated during an initial write of data may be physically stored and using an XOR function applied to the stored parities to recreate un-stored parities which enable recovery of the n?1 physical drive failures. The method may include creating a superior read/write access capability and/or a superior parity data redundancy through the mirroring. The method may also include recreating the un-stored parities after a time interval that may be specified by a user.