Abstract: Provided are a system, computer program, and method for restoring redundancy in a storage group when a storage device in the storage group fails. In response to detecting a failure of a first storage device in a storage group, wherein the storage group stores each of a plurality of extents in the first storage device and a second storage device to provide redundancy, a determination is made whether a spare storage device that has a storage capacity less than that of the storage group. One of the extents in a storage location in the second storage device that is beyond an upper limit of positions in the spare storage device is moved to a new storage location. The spare drive is incorporated into the storage group to provide redundant storage for the storage group, wherein the extents in the storage group are copied to the spare drive.

Abstract: Mechanisms for controlling access to storage volumes on the secondary storage system is provided. A determination is made as to whether a first site computing device has sent a notification of a failure condition of a first site. In response to a determination that the notification of the failure condition of the first site has not been received, secondary workloads of a second site computing device are permitted to access storage volumes on the secondary storage system. In response to a determination that the notification of the failure condition of the first site has been received, a mode of operation of the second site is modified from a normal mode of operation to a failure mode of operation. In the failure mode of operation, the storage system controller of the second site blocks at least a portion of access requests from secondary workloads of the second site computing device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for failover responses to configuration node failures in SVC clusters. An SVC cluster manages a plurality of storage devices and includes a plurality of SVCs interconnected via a network, each SVC acting as a separate node. A storage device event log is saved, with an original configuration node. An entry is made in the storage device event log each time the original configuration node receives storage device events and setting the entry to a negative value indicating a storage device event has not been handled. The entry is set to a positive value indicating the storage device event has been handled after the original configuration node notifies respective subscribed clients about those of the storage device events the original configuration node receives. A new configuration node is activated in response to configuration node failures.

Abstract: A system and method re-stripes one or more data containers across a striped volume set (SVS) that has been modified by the addition of one or more volumes. The SVS is associated with an existing set of striping rules that define a stripe algorithm, a stripe width and an ordered list of volumes distributed across a plurality of nodes interconnected as a cluster. Each node of the cluster includes (i) a disk element (D-blade) adapted to service a volume of the SVS and (ii) a network element (N-blade) adapted to redirect a data access request to any D-blade of the cluster. Notably, the content of each data container is apportioned among the volumes of the SVS to thereby improve the efficiency of storage service provided by the cluster. To that end, the stripe algorithm specifies the manner in which the data container content is apportioned as stripes across the plurality of volumes, while the stripe width specifies the size/width of each stripe.

Abstract: A disk controller for controlling disk devices for storing redundant data distributed thereacross, the disk devices providing a logical volume, the disk devices including pool volumes allocatable to one of the logical volume. The disk controller includes a memory for storing information indicating a relationship between the pool volumes and the logical volume; and a processor for performing data reconstruction in accordance with a failure of the disk devices, a process of the data reconstruction, the processor being configured to detect an error in a part of the pool volumes included in the other disk devices when reading data from the pool volumes included in the other disk devices, determine whether the detected pool volume is allocated to the logical volume in reference to the information, and initialize the part of the detected pool volume when the detected pool volume is unallocated to the logical volume.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for failover responses to configuration node failures in SVC clusters. An SVC cluster manages a plurality of storage devices and includes a plurality of SVCs interconnected via a network, each SVC acting as a separate node. A storage device event log is saved, with an original configuration node. An entry is made in the storage device event log each time the original configuration node receives storage device events and setting the entry to a negative value indicating a storage device event has not been handled. The entry is set to a positive value indicating the storage device event has been handled after the original configuration node notifies respective subscribed clients about those of the storage device events the original configuration node receives. A new configuration node is activated in response to configuration node failures.

Abstract: A storage system has a RAID group configured by storage media, a system controller with a processor, a buffer memory coupled to storage devices and the processor by a communication network, and a cache memory coupled to the processor and the buffer memory by the network. A processor that stores first data, which is related to a write request from a host computer, in a cache memory, specifies a first storage device for storing data before update, which is data obtained before updating the first data, and transfers the first data to the specified first storage device. A first device controller transmits the first data and second data based on the data before update, from the first storage device to the system controller. The processor stores the second data in the buffer memory, specifies a second storage device, and transfers the stored second data to the specified second storage device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reliably updating a data group in a read-before-write data replication environment. The method reliably updates the data group by receiving an updated data group sent from a first storage medium to a second storage medium, comparing the updated data group with a previous data group previously existing on the second storage medium and writing the updated data group to the second storage medium. The read-before-write and differencing method disclosed maintain reliability by storing multiple copies of changes made to the second storage medium during and after the write process.

Abstract: Reduction of data processing capacity attributable to the occurrence of a failure is prevented by promptly identifying the failure location. A storage apparatus includes a plurality of expanders connected to storage media storing data sent from a host system, and a controller for controlling the expanders, wherein the controller sends a failure detection command to the plurality of expanders; the plurality of expanders store the command in their own storage units; and if one expander from among the plurality of expanders detects a failure in another expander immediately following and connected to the one expander, the one expander reads the command stored in a storage unit for the one expander and sends a response including failure detection information corresponding to the command to the controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code. The error indication causes the memory device to remove the received address and prevent a memory operation.

Abstract: A solid state drive includes a first solid state disc controller (SSDC), a second SSDC and a flash array. The flash array includes a first flash port and a second flash port. The first SSDC is configured to connect to the flash array through the first flash port and the second flash array is configured to connect to the flash array through the second flash port.

Abstract: A storage management apparatus manages a plurality of storage apparatuses in a storage system that disperses and stores data that is made redundant so as to have a predetermined redundancy level. The storage management apparatus includes: a patrol process unit that performs, at a patrol speed, a patrol process of confirming that the plurality of storage apparatuses are being operated normally; a relocating process unit that performs, at a relocating process speed, a relocating process of moving the data between the plurality of storage apparatuses; a recovery process unit that performs, at a recovery process speed, a recovery process of recovering the redundancy level of the data when a fault occurs in the plurality of storage apparatuses; and a processing speed control unit that controls the recovery process speed or a sum of the patrol process speed and the relocating process speed to have a predetermined value.

Abstract: A video server has a table generator, a rebuild processor, and a rebuild controller. The table generator generates a management table of content data ID that specifies the content data and the write location of the content data in the storage unit where the content data are recorded. When a problem takes place in at least one of the storage devices, the rebuild processor executes a rebuild process to recover the content data of the troubled storage device. When a rebuild start request is generated by the rebuild processor, the rebuild controller controls the start and stop of the rebuild process by referring to the management table.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fault handling are presented. In one embodiment, a fault handling method includes: performing an error type detection process including determining if an error is a media error or a connectivity error; performing a detachment determination process to establish an appropriate detachment scenario, wherein the appropriate detachment scenario includes not detaching any mirrors if the connectivity error involves all mirrors; and returning an application write with a failure. In one embodiment, the detachment determination process detaches a mirror in accordance with results of a read-write-back process. In one exemplary implementation, the detachment determination process includes a connectivity status inquiry and mirrors are detached in accordance with results of the connectivity status inquiry. In one exemplary implementation, the connectivity status inquiry includes a SCSI connectivity inquiry.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and an apparatus for training a memory signal via an error signal of a memory. The method comprises transmitting from a memory controller a command-address (C/A) signal to a memory module; determining by the memory controller an error in the memory module via an error signal from an error pin of the memory module, the error associated with the C/A signal transmitted to the memory module; and modifying by the memory controller the C/A signal in response to determining an error in the memory module, wherein the error pin is a parity error pin of the memory module, and wherein the memory module comprises a Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4) interface.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for repairing a memory cell in a memory test system. A test device detects a fail address by testing a memory device according to a test command, and temporarily stores the fail address in a fail address memory (FAM). The fail address is transmitted to the memory device according to a fail address transmission mode, is temporarily stored in a temporary fail address storage of the memory device, and is then stored in an anti-fuse array, which is a non-volatile storage device. To secure the reliability of data, stored data can be read to verify the data and a verification result can be transmitted in series or in parallel to the test device.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods of operating and constructing the electronic apparatus and/or systems include an embedded processor disposed in a logic chip to direct, among other functions, self-testing of an electronic device structure in conjunction with a pattern buffer disposed in the logic chip, when the electronic device structure is coupled to the logic chip. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: To provide an array management device that changes criterion for judging whether to execute re-redundancy in accordance with configuration type of communication path. An array management device that executes redundancy on storage devices, and controls access to each storage device includes: a judgment unit judging whether access to each storage device has succeeded or failed; a holding unit holding therein configuration type of communication path to each storage device; a derivation unit, for each storage device, deriving a waiting period in accordance with the configuration type, the waiting period being from failure of access to the storage device to start of redundancy; and a redundancy processing unit, when access to a given storage device is judged to have failed, and then access to the given storage device is not judged to have succeeded within the waiting period, executing redundancy on the storage devices other than the given storage device.

Abstract: An “operate with missing region” feature of this disclosure allows the cluster to continue servicing reads for available regions even when some regions are missing. In particular, upon a given node failure condition, the cluster is placed in an effective read-only mode for all regions. The node failure condition typically is one where there has been a failure of an authoritative region copy and no backup copy is then available. As used herein, “read-only” means that no client write or update requests will succeed while the cluster is in this state. In particular, those requests should fail with an error message (or the like) that indicates failure because of the read-only status. Preferably, such requests are then re-tried. In this mode, all regions are only allowed to perform read operations. During the read-only state, the cluster continues to operate with missing regions, and missing regions are entered on the region map.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of information storage media and an alternative information storage medium record data continuously on tracks, each of a plurality of recording and reproduction devices record data on the information storage medium that is a recording object, of the plurality of information storage media, and the information storage media installed respectively in the plurality of recording and reproduction devices constitute a disk array, and the array controller detects the occurrence of a fault in which the information storage medium installed in any of the plurality of recording and reproduction devices has become unable to perform recording, and the backup recording and reproduction device alternatively records to the alternative information storage medium data that ought to be recorded to a faulty information storage medium where the occurrence of a fault has been detected by the array controller.

Abstract: A method and system for load balancing. The method includes determining that connectivity between a first host and a primary array controller of a storage system has failed. The first host is configured to send input/output messages (I/Os) to a storage system through a storage network fabric. An available host is discovered at a multi-pathing driver of the first host. The available host is capable of delivering I/Os to the primary array controller.

Abstract: Providing heterogeneous recovery in a redundant memory system that includes a memory controller, a plurality of memory channels in communication with the memory controller, an error detection code mechanism configured for detecting a failing memory channel, and an error recovery mechanism. The error recovery mechanism is configured for receiving notification of the failing memory channel, for performing a recovery operation on the failing memory channel while other memory channels are performing normal system operations, for bringing the recovered channel back into operational mode with the other memory channels for store operations, for continuing to mark the recovered channel to guard against stale data, for removing any stale data after the recovery operation is complete, and for removing the mark on the recovered channel to allow the normal system operations with all of the memory channels, the removing based on the removing any stale data being complete.

Abstract: Memory apparatus and methods utilizing multiple bit lanes may redirect one or more signals on the bit lanes. A memory agent may include a redrive circuit having a plurality of bit lanes, a memory device or interface, and a fail-over circuit coupled between the plurality of bit lanes and the memory device or interface.

Abstract: A system for generating test signals to test characteristics of input-output (IO) cells includes a memory and a processor coupled together through an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The IC chip includes a controller configured to exchange signals between the memory and the processor through IO cells of the IC chip. The IC chip further includes a protocol sequence generator for generating test signals for testing characteristics of the IO cells.

Abstract: To provide a disk array control apparatus which enables security of data from a host controller along with prevention of the degradation of process performance during rebuild processing. The disk array control apparatus includes a host interface unit which receives write data from a host controller; a rebuild control unit which controls rebuild processing for creating recovery data writes the created recovery data into a disk medium; and a disk control unit which writes the write data which is received from the host interface unit into the disk medium and writes at least a part of the recovery data which is created based on the control of said rebuild control unit into a write cache.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, featuring generating a plurality of error-correcting code chunks from a plurality of data chunks. The error-correcting code chunks can be used to reconstruct one or more of the data chunks. The data chunks are allocated to a local group of storage nodes. The error correcting code chunks are allocated between the local group of storage nodes and one or more remote groups of storage nodes. Each remote group of storage nodes is allocated one or more unique error-correcting code chunks from the error-correcting code chunks. Any of the error-correcting code chunks not allocated to a remote group of storage nodes are allocated to the local group of storage nodes.

Abstract: A storage device according to the present invention constructs a RAID structure using a plurality of detachable recording mediums. When a first drive device fails to reproduce data from a recording medium, a transport device transports the recording medium to a second drive device different from the first drive device which failed to reproduce the data, and the second drive device attempts to reproduce the data from the recording medium, the data reproduction from which failed. Owing to this, even when faults of a number exceeding the number of faults correctable by the RAID structure occur, the probability that the data is recovered can be improved.

Abstract: Various embodiments for automated error recovery in a computing storage environment by a processor device are provided. In one embodiment, pursuant to performing one of creating a new and rebuilding an existing logical partition (LPAR) operable in the computing storage environment by a hardware management console (HMC) in communication with the LPAR, at least one failure scenario is evaluated by identifying error code. If a failure is caused by an operation of the HMC and a malfunction of a current network connection, a cleanup operation is performed on at least a portion of a current HMC configuration, an alternative network connection to the current network connection is made, and a retry operation is performed.

Abstract: A storage system, method and program product, the system comprising: storage devices; and a controller configured to: provide virtual volumes to a host computer; manage logical units on the storage device and storage pools; allocate, in response to receiving a write request to a virtual volume, a storage region of the storage pools; and store data related to the write request in the storage region allocated, wherein the controller is further configured to: allocate first storage region in first storage pool to first virtual volume based on first size of the first storage region or the first virtual volume; allocate a second storage region in a second storage pool to a second virtual volume of the plurality of virtual volumes based on a second size of the second storage region or the second virtual volume.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for data storage with progressive redundant array of independent drives (“RAID”). A storage request receiver module, a striping module, a parity-mirror module, and a parity progression module are included. The storage request receiver module receives a request to store data of a file or of an object. The striping module calculates a stripe pattern for the data. The stripe pattern includes one or more stripes, and each stripe includes a set of N data segments. The striping module writes the N data segments to N storage devices. Each data segment is written to a separate storage device within a set of storage devices assigned to the stripe. The parity-mirror module writes a set of N data segments to one or more parity-mirror storage devices within the set of storage devices. The parity progression module calculates a parity data segment on each parity-mirror device in response to a storage consolidation operation, and stores the parity data segments.

Abstract: A storage device is communicably connected to a host through a network switch on a network. The storage device includes a disk array having a storage medium storing data, and a plurality of controller units each having a port for connection to the network and controlling I/O process for the disk array. A first controller unit carries out a first setting to send, to the first controller unit, the packets sent by the host to a second controller unit, and a second setting to let the host regard at least part of the packets sent by the first controller unit to the host as are sent by the second controller unit, for the network switch.

Abstract: A cache memory system includes a cache controller and a cache tag array. The cache tag array includes one or more ways, one or more indices, and a cache tag entry for each way and index combination. Each cache tag entry includes an error correction portion and an address portion. In response to an address request for data that includes a first index and a first address, the cache controller compares the first address to the cache tag entries of the cache tag array that correspond to the first index. When the comparison results in a miss, the cache controller corrects cache tag entries with an error that correspond to the first index using the corresponding error correction portions, and stores at least one of the corrected cache tag entries in a storage that is external to the cache tag array. The cache controller, for each corrected cache tag entry, replays the comparison using the least one of the externally stored corrected cache tag entries.

Abstract: A system and method for using failure casting to manage failures in a computer system. In accordance with an embodiment, the system uses a failure casting hierarchy to cast failures of one type into failures of another type. In doing this, the system allows incidents, problems, or failures to be cast into a (typically smaller) set of failures, which the system knows how to handle. In accordance with a particular embodiment, failures can be cast into a category that is considered reboot-curable. If a failure is reboot-curable then rebooting the system will likely cure the problem. Examples include hardware failures, and reboot-specific methods that can be applied to disk failures and to failures within clusters of databases. The system can even be used to handle failures that were hitherto unforeseen—failures can be cast into known failures based on the failure symptoms, rather than any underlying cause.

Abstract: A flash storage device comprises a plurality of channels of flash storage, a system memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to cache, in the system memory, data to be written, to partition the data into a plurality of data portions, to generate error correction information based on the plurality of data portions, to write the error correction information to a first one or more of the plurality of channels of flash storage, and to write each of the plurality of data portions to a different one of the plurality of channels of flash storage other than the first one or more thereof.

Abstract: A power supply control device including: a control unit which controls power supplied from a first device to a disk array unit accessible from host devices through a network device; and a second device which supplies power to the disk array unit and the power supply control device when the power supply from the first device is disconnected, the control unit including: a collecting unit which collects power supply fault information regarding at least one of the host devices and the network device; a starting unit which starts power supply from the second device when power supplied from the first device is disconnected; and a transmitting unit which transmits a notification to the disk array unit in response to collection of power supply fault information after starting the power supply from the second device, the notification indicating that the power supplied from the first device is disconnected.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and a method for optimizing redundancy restoration in distributed data layout environments. The system may include a plurality of storage devices configured for providing data storage. The system may include a prioritization module communicatively coupled to the plurality of storage devices. The prioritization module may be configured for determining a restoration order of at least a first data portion and a second data portion when a critical data failure occurs. The system may include a restoration module communicatively coupled to the plurality of storage devices and the prioritization module, the restoration module configured for restoring at least the first data portion and the second data portion based upon the restoration order.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for failover responses to configuration node failures in SVC clusters. An SVC cluster manages a plurality of storage devices and includes a plurality of SVCs interconnected via a network, each SVC acting as a separate node. A storage device event log is saved, with an original configuration node. An entry is made in the storage device event log each time the original configuration node receives storage device events and setting the entry to a negative value indicating a storage device event has not been handled. The entry is set to a positive value indicating the storage device event has been handled after the original configuration node notifies respective subscribed clients about those of the storage device events the original configuration node receives. A new configuration node is activated in response to configuration node failures.

Abstract: An information handling system includes first and second memories, and first, second, and third servers. The first server includes a first active application for servicing first input/output requests associated with a first disk, and for storing first state information in the first memory. The second server includes a second active application for servicing second input/output requests associated with a second disk, and for storing second state information in the second memory. The third server includes first and second standby applications, and is configured to monitor the first and second active applications, to detect a failure of the first active application, to suspend the second standby application and to activate the first standby application in response to the failure of first active application.

Abstract: A first controller has a first CM area having a plurality of first sub-areas, and a second controller has a second CM area having a plurality of second sub-areas. The first controller stores first data in any of the first sub-areas, and in addition, stores a mirror of the first data (first mirror data) in any of the second sub-areas. The first controller manages a pair (an association relationship) of the storage-destination first sub-area of the first data and the storage-destination second sub-area of the first mirror data. Similarly, the second controller stores second data in any of the second sub-areas, and in addition, stores a mirror of the second data (second mirror data) in any of the first sub-areas. The second controller manages a pair (an association relationship) of the storage-destination second sub-area of the second data and the storage-destination first sub-area of the second mirror data.

Abstract: A mass data storage system including a data storage device comprising block groups each comprising a plurality of data blocks determines when one of the block groups is faulty and the data storage device continues to operate as a partially failed data storage device with respect to the remaining block groups which are not faulty. A striped parity data storage device array comprises data storage devices capable of operating as partially failed data storage devices allows copying of data from the block groups not associated with determined to be faulty of a partially failed data storage device to a spare data storage device which reduces the amount of data that must be rebuilt in the rebuild process, thereby reducing the amount of time the array spends in degraded mode exposed to a total loss of data caused by a subsequent data storage device failure.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first of a plurality of array modules and a second of a plurality of array modules. The first of the plurality of array modules may be configured to connect a first one or more of a plurality of host devices to a first one or more of a plurality of storage arrays. The first array module may comprise a primary controller and a secondary controller. The second of the plurality of array modules may be configured to connect a second one or more of the plurality of host devices to a second one or more of the plurality of storage arrays. The second array module may comprise a primary controller and a secondary controller. Control of access to the storage arrays may be transferred to the secondary controller of the first array module during a failure of the primary controller of the first array module.

Abstract: Memory apparatus and methods utilizing multiple bit lanes may redirect one or more signals on the bit lanes. A memory agent may include a redrive circuit having a plurality of bit lanes, a memory device or interface, and a fail-over circuit coupled between the plurality of bit lanes and the memory device or interface.

Abstract: Performance degradation caused by a failure occurring in a disk array device is suppressed. The disk array device comprises the dual structure controllers which are respectively connected to the host computer through the connection path, and a plurality of physical disks, wherein the controller comprises the failure sensing unit which senses a failure of the device, and the host interface control unit which, in a case where a failure is sensed by the failure sensing unit, when an inquire about a connection path to be preferentially used is made from the host computer, notifies the connection path connected to the other controller as a preferential path.

Abstract: In a system management apparatus, a failure detection unit detects a readout failure in one of blocks constituting distributed data stored in a first RAID disk array. A request unit requests a computer to supplement one of the blocks of the distributed data stored in the first RAID disk array in which a readout failure irrecoverable by use of only the data stored in the first RAID disk array occurs, where the computer has a second RAID disk array storing a duplicate of the distributed data stored in the first RAID disk array. And an overwriting unit receives data corresponding to the one of the blocks from the computer, and overwrites the one of the blocks with the received data.

Abstract: A data storage system and method are described. The system may comprise a data repository to store data, and first and second storage controllers. The first and second storage controllers may be connected via at least one network device to the data repository. One or more clients may be connected to the first storage controller and to the second storage controller to access the data in the data repository via the first and second storage controllers. The second storage controller may be configured to at least partially inhibit network connectivity of the first storage controller if the first storage controller at least partially fails. The system may include a Storage Area Network providing the data repository, each of the first and second storage controllers being connected to the Storage Area Network via switch. Each switch comprises at least one fiber channel gateway and at least two Target Channel Adaptors.

Abstract: A mass storage system and method incorporates a cache memory or a cache management module which handles dirty data using an access-based promotion replacement process through consistency checkpoints. The consistency checkpoints are associated with a global number of snapshots generated in the storage system. The consistency checkpoints are organized within the sequence of dirty data in an invariable order corresponding to storage volumes with the generated snapshots, such that, responsive to destaging a consistency checkpoint the global number of generated snapshots are recorded and then read during recovery of the failed storage system.

Abstract: A solid state disk device comprises a plurality of nonvolatile memories and a controller. The plurality of nonvolatile memories are electrically connected to a plurality of channels, respectively. The controller controls storing, erasing and reading operations of the nonvolatile memories. The controller divides input data into a number of units corresponding to a number of the plurality of channels and stores the divided input data in the nonvolatile memories through the plurality of channels.

Abstract: An FTDC interface with the host or user. The interface can include a command application programming interface (API) or a data storage Command-Line Interface (DS CLI)/Graphical User Interface (GUI). In certain embodiments, the FTDC interface allows a host or user to customize a desired FTDC on a two-tiered system. The first tier is one in which a host/user selects, from a list of conditions, which ones, upon occurrence of those conditions, they would like the controller to perform FTDC. In the second tier a second selection is made such that for each first tier item, the host/user will select the level of FTDC (collection and offloading of logs and/or the forcing and offloading of a statesave).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide backup and restoration functions for a storage device of a PCI-Express (PCI-e) type that support a low-speed data processing speed for a host. Specifically, embodiments of this invention provide backup and restoration functions for one or more (i.e., a set of) semiconductor storage devices (SSDs). In general, the present invention provides an alarm unit and a secondary power supply coupled to a backup controller. The backup controller is coupled to a backup storage device. When a primary power supply is deactivated (e.g., fails), an alarm unit and the secondary power supply is activated. In response to this activation, the backup controller will backup any data stored on any SSDs of the storage system (as well as any data stored in main memory of the storage system or in main memory of any host server connected thereto).

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring network information for a home network system and a method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one slave having means for communicating with an external appliances; a master having means for communicating with the slave, checking a state of the slave, storing state information of the slave, and providing the state information to the slave when the slave is reset; and a home network unit connecting the communication means of the master and the slave to form a network of the master and the slave.