Abstract: A system and method for early detection and reporting of an impending NAND Flash device plane failure. Each time that a data unit is retrieved from a NAND Flash array the number of bits in error and the memory location associated with the errors is observed. if the number of bits in error or the error rate for a memory location exceeds a threshold of the number of bits in error per data, retrieval, or number of bits in error per data unit per unit time, a NAND Flash plane failure Patrol Read operation is performed at the memory location, regardless of where in the cycle the Patrol Read function is in a scrub of the overall NAND Flash device. The NAND Flash plane failure Patrol Read is repeated for a number of cycles on the NAND Flash plane in question.

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: 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 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: 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 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: 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 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.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for predicting storage device failure. A technology descriptor module associates a technology descriptor with a storage device. A failure threshold module sets a predictive failure threshold for the storage device in response to the technology descriptor. In one embodiment, a workload management detection module detects workload management of the storage device. A threshold modification module may modify the predictive failure threshold in response to detecting the workload management of the storage device. A performance detection module detects a storage device error that exceeds the modified predictive failure threshold as a storage device predictive failure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to reconfigure a storage array disposed in a data storage system. The method supplies a data storage system comprising a plurality of data storage devices, wherein each of the plurality of data storage devices is assigned to one of a plurality of data storage arrays, or is assigned as a spare device. The method then detects an unassigned data storage device, and determines if any of the plurality of data storage arrays comprises a degraded data storage array. If the method determines that any of the plurality of data storage arrays comprises a degraded data storage array, then the method determines if the unassigned data storage device can be used to restore the degraded data storage array to optimal reliability, optimal performance, and optimal efficiency.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to assign network addresses in a storage array disposed in a data storage and retrieval system comprising (P) data storage devices disposed in (N) data storage device assemblies. The method configures the (N) data storage device assemblies to comprise a spare data storage device assembly and a first storage array comprising (N?1) active data storage device assemblies, wherein each data storage device configured in the first storage array is assigned a network address, and wherein one of the spare data storage device disposed in the spare data storage device assembly is assigned a network address. In the event the method detects a failed data storage device disposed in the first storage array, then the method forms a second storage array comprising the first storage array, except the failed data storage device, in combination with the (i)th spare data storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to configure, format, and test, a data storage subsystem product. The method supplies a data storage subsystem product comprising one or more host computer ports, a processor, one or more data storage device ports, and one or more data storage devices interconnected to the one or more data storage device ports. The method further supplies a configuration appliance comprising a storage configuration. The method connects the configuration appliance to one of the one or more storage device ports, boots up the data storage subsystem product, discovers the configuration appliance by the data storage subsystem product, imports storage configuration data into the data storage subsystem product, formats the one or more data storage device, and tests the input and output data transfer rates for the data storage subsystem product, wherein the formatting and testing are initiated concurrently.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to reconfigure a storage array. The method supplies a data storage and retrieval system comprising (N) data storage device assemblies, wherein each of those (N) data storage device assemblies comprises (M) data storage devices, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 2, and wherein (M) is greater than or equal to 2. The method configures those (N) data storage device assemblies to comprise a spare data storage device assembly and a first storage array comprising the remaining (N?1) data storage device assemblies. In the event Applicants' method detects a failed data storage device disposed in the first storage array, then the method forms a second storage array comprising the first storage array, except the failed data storage device, in combination with a data storage device disposed in the spare data storage device assembly.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to configure one or more storage arrays. The method supplies a data storage and retrieval system comprising (N) data storage device assemblies, wherein each of said (N) data storage device assemblies comprises (M) data storage devices, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 2, and wherein (M) is greater than or equal to 2. The method configures a first storage array to comprise the (i)th data storage device disposed in two or more of said (N) data storage device assemblies, wherein (i) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (M).

Abstract: A data storage library includes a drive enclosure bay which can be adapted to work with multiple air-flow configuration requirements. This is accomplished by creating air-flow ports in the top and bottom of the drive enclosure bay, by forming drive tray slots and printed circuit board ports in associated drive trays, by creating frame ports and PCB notches in associated interface cards, and replacing traditional connectors with slimmer but longer connectors that provide additional standoff and improved air-flow.

Abstract: Method, device and computer program product for determining a characteristic of an identifiable component. The method includes: receiving identification information representative of an identity of components that belong to a group of components, determining at least one characteristic of an identifiable component in response to the received identification information, and performing at least one characteristic responsive operation. The device includes an identifiable component and a component characteristic determiner. The component characteristic determiner is adapted to receive identification information representative of an identity of components that belong to a group of components and to determine at least one characteristic of the identifiable component in response to a relationship between the received identification information and reference identification information. The device is adapted to perform at least one characteristic responsive information.