Abstract: The storage regions under command of a storage controller can be simply enabled and disabled to access to by automatically registering connected host computers. Such system can be achieved by taking a step of acquiring N_Port_Name information included in a login frame from the host computers, and a step of displaying a table of access right of host computers to a logical unit under command of storage controller. A security table for the storage controller can be generated by supervisor's setting the access enable/disable flag information.

Abstract: According to the invention, techniques for detecting and recovering from errors occurring in disk drive subsystems having a controller and drive units connected by a fibre channel loop. Specific embodiments can provide storage subsystems, methods and apparatus for use in information processing environments, for example. Embodiments can determine when each drive is disconnected from the loop in the external storage subsystem structured by using the FC Loop, and thereupon, the FC Loop can be controlled by bridging the communication path using the PBC so that the loop is not broken.

Abstract: A storage system having a plurality of disk controllers for accepting computer access through a SAN, and a plurality of file servers for accepting computer access through a LAN. The disk controllers and file servers are connected through a connection unit to a plurality of disk drive units in a disk pool. A disk pool management unit manages the relationships between the disk controllers and file servers and the disk drive units used by the respective disk controllers and file servers, and sends information identifying the usable disk drive units to the respective disk controllers and file servers. The disk controllers and file servers use the disk drive units based on the received usable disk information.

Abstract: According to the invention, techniques for detecting and recovering from errors occurring in disk drive subsystems having a controller and drive units connected by a fibre channel loop. Specific embodiments can provide storage subsystems, methods and apparatus for use in information processing environments, for example. Embodiments can determine when each drive is disconnected from the loop in the external storage subsystem structured by using the FC Loop, and thereupon, the FC Loop can be controlled by bridging the communication path using the PBC so that the loop is not broken.

Abstract: A backup method for a system including a network attached storage including a primary volume and a secondary volume, and a backup server connected to the network. The network attached storage performs a resynchronization process when a backup request is received at a time point that consistency of a file system can be guaranteed, the resynchronization process making the contents of the primary and secondary volumes coincide with each other, splits the secondary volume from the primary volume and transfers data of the secondary volume to the backup server while an online operation with the primary volume continues. The backup server stores the transferred data in a recording medium. The network attached storage performs again the resynchronization process for making the contents of the primary and secondary volumes coincide with each other, after backup completion.

Abstract: A storage system having a plurality of disk controllers for accepting computer access through a SAN, and a plurality of file servers for accepting computer access through a LAN. The disk controllers and file servers are connected through a connection unit to a plurality of disk drive units in a disk pool. A disk pool management unit manages the relationships between the disk controllers and file servers and the disk drive units used by the respective disk controllers and file servers, and sends information identifying the usable disk drive units to the respective disk controllers and file servers. The disk controllers and file servers use the disk drive units based on the received usable disk information.

Abstract: A diskarray system has a diskarray controller and a plurality of disk devices. Each of the disk devices has a media, a head, and a head position controller. The diskarray controller performs online data check operation, and stops the online data check operation over the disk device at first predetermined timing. After stopping the online data check operation, the diskarray controller issues an unload enable command to the disk device so as to move the head to a position different from positions at which the head reads or writes data from or to the media. The head position controller of the disk device moves the position of the head on the basis of the received unload enable command.

Abstract: The storage regions under command of a storage controller can be simply enabled and disabled to access to by automatically registering connected host computers. Such system can be achieved by taking a step of acquiring N_Port_Name information included in a login frame from the host computers, and a step of displaying a table of access right of host computers to a logical unit under command of storage controller. A security table for the storage controller can be generated by supervisor's setting the access enable/disable flag information.

Abstract: A disk array device comprises: a hard disk drive module including a disk for recording information thereon and having one side that has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the disk; a battery module; an operation module; a fan module having at least one cooling fan; a controller module having a controller; a power supply module provided for supplying power to the modules; a circuit board to which the above-mentioned modules are connected via electrical connectors; and a substantially box-shaped chassis in which the modules and the circuit board are housed. A front surface and a rear surface of the chassis are opened in a rectangular shape. A length of one side of the opened front surface of the chassis is substantially the same length as the one side of the hard disk drive module.

Abstract: The storage regions under command of a storage controller can be simply enabled and disabled to access to by automatically registering connected host computers. Such system can be achieved by taking a step of acquiring N_Port_Name information included in a login frame from the host computers, and a step of displaying a table of access right of host computers to a logical unit under command of storage controller. A security table for the storage controller can be generated by supervisor's setting the access enable/disable flag information.

Abstract: A disk array device comprises: a hard disk drive module including a disk for recording information thereon and having one side that has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the disk; a battery module; an operation module; a fan module having at least one cooling fan; a controller module having a controller; a power supply module provided for supplying power to the modules; a circuit board to which the above-mentioned modules are connected via electrical connectors; and a substantially box-shaped chassis in which the modules and the circuit board are housed. A front surface and a rear surface of the chassis are opened in a rectangular shape. A length of one side of the opened front surface of the chassis is substantially the same length as the one side of the hard disk drive module.

Abstract: A disk array unit connected to a host unit to give information thereto and receive information therefrom. The disk unit includes a plurality of disk units for storing information transmitted from the host unit and a management information recording device, formed by utilizing information storage areas in the disk units, for causing information relating to a logical unit for storing information from the host unit to correspond to information relating to the units. The invention further includes a control unit, when there is no access from the host unit to the logical unit for a predetermined time, for determining the disk units corresponding to the logical unit based on information recorded in the management information recording device and performing power saving of power supply for the disk units.

Abstract: A management display method according to each type of interfaces and devices is provided in an environment where host computers are interconnected with storage apparatuses through plural types of interfaces. The management host computer includes a display apparatus and allows a user to select a physical view for displaying a physical topology between each host and storage subsystems or a logical view for displaying a connecting relation between the devices of the storage subsystem and each host computer. The management host computer operates to collect the information of the Fibre channel interface and the Ethernet interface and the information about an access limitation of each device, included in each host computer and storage subsystem and then to display the connecting relation according to the display method (view) selected by the user, based on the collected information.

Abstract: A disk storage subsystem allocating an equivalent number of hard disk drives to each loop, alternately connecting the connecting bays of hard disk drives to optical fiber channels provided with two or more fiber channel loops for optimizing load balancing.

Abstract: A disk array system of the type that each controller has an independent and dedicated cache. The disk array system can change control of a desired volume between desired controllers without suspending the system. When volumes are taken over between controllers, a switch-source controller de-stages data of a subject volume on the data cache to a storage subject disk to maintain the disk content reflection (coherency). Even if each controller has an independent and dedicated cache, a desired volume can be taken over between desired controllers without suspending the system. Each controller has a configuration manager which stores the controller number of a switch-destination controller to allow automatic volume take-over and automatic control by the original controller.

Abstract: A diskarray system has a diskarray controller and a plurality of disk devices. Each of the disk devices has a media, a head, and a head position controller. The diskarray controller performs online data check operation, and stops the online data check operation over the disk device at first predetermined timing. After stopping the online data check operation, the diskarray controller issues an unload enable command to the disk device so as to move the head to a position different from positions at which the head reads or writes data from or to the media. The head position controller of the disk device moves the position of the head on the basis of the received unload enable command.

Abstract: A disk array unit connected to a host unit to give information thereto and receive information therefrom. The disk unit includes a plurality of disk units for storing information transmitted from the host unit and a management information recording device, formed by utilizing information storage areas in the disk units, for causing information relating to a logical unit for storing information from the host unit to correspond to information relating to the units. The invention further includes a control unit, when there is no access from the host unit to the logical unit for a predetermined time, for determining the disk units corresponding to the logical unit based on information recorded in the management information recording device and performing power saving of power supply for the disk units.

Abstract: The storage regions under command of a storage controller can be simply enabled and disabled to access to by automatically registering connected host computers. Such system can be achieved by taking a step of acquiring N—Port—Name information included in a login frame from the host computers, and a step of displaying a table of access right of host computers to a logical unit under command of storage controller. A security table for the storage controller can be generated by supervisor's setting the access enable/disable flag information.

Abstract: A disk array device comprises: a hard disk drive module including a disk for recording information thereon and having one side that has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the disk; a battery module; an operation module; a fan module having at least one cooling fan; a controller module having a controller; a power supply module provided for supplying power to the modules; a circuit board to which the above-mentioned modules are connected via electrical connectors; and a substantially box-shaped chassis in which the modules and the circuit board are housed. A front surface and a rear surface of the chassis are opened in a rectangular shape. A length of one side of the opened front surface of the chassis is substantially the same length as the one side of the hard disk drive module.

Abstract: A storage control system comprises a plurality of controllers, each of the controllers receiving a data-input/output request inputted via an external communication path and sending a data-input/output command to storage means; and an internal communication path through which the controllers carry out the data-input/output command and data input/output. Each of the controllers comprises means for sending its own operational information towards other ones of the controllers via the internal communication path. The storage control system further comprises means for monitoring an operational state of each of the controllers based on the operational information sent from the sending means of the controllers.