EP0428021A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method for data distribution in a disk array
Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
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Filing: 1990-11-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-11-02
Abstract
Abstract For use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, including a microprocessor controller, a method for the distribution of data within the disk array based upon logical commands issued by the computer system. The disk controller reads a logical command and translates the commands into multiple drive specific commands, including drive physical parameter information such as head, sector and cylinder selection. The calculation of these physical parameters is based upon a number of factors including the operating system installed in the computer system, the type of interleave scheme, if any, specified by the computer system configuration, and disk. specific parameters. The physical drive requests are then placed in a queue and executed by the microprocessor controller. The method also encompasses a method for creating a disk array configuration to be loaded on all disks within the array based on existing valid disk array information and configuration information maintained by the computer system.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen M. Schultz
- 👤 David S. Schmenk
- 👤 E. David Neufeld
- 👤 David L. Grant
- 👤 David L. Flower
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/06; G06F3/0601; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/08; G06F11/10; G06F11/1076; G06F11/1096; G06F3/0602; G06F3/061; G06F3/0613; G06F3/0628; G06F3/0629; G06F3/0632; G06F3/0668; G06F3/0671; G06F3/0683; G06F3/0689; G06F3/0673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
For use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, the disk subsystem having a microprocessor controller, a method for distributing data across the disk array comprising: reading a plurality of logical disk commands; selecting the data distribution scheme for the particular computer system configuration from a set of predefined distribution schemes; calculating physical drive parameters to be used in the distribution of data, including disk cylinder, head and sector information; building of a plurality information packets, including physical disk drive information and disk commands, associated with a single logical disk command; and queueing the information packets for processing by the microprocessor controller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
For use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, the disk subsystem having a microprocessor controller, a method for distributing data across the disk array comprising: reading a plurality of logical disk commands; selecting the data distribution scheme for the particular computer system configuration from a set of predefined distribution schemes; calculating physical drive parameters to be used in the distribution of data, including disk cylinder, head and sector information; building of a plurality information packets, including physical disk drive information and disk commands, associated with a single logical disk command; and queueing the information packets for processing by the microprocessor controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the means of selecting the data distribution scheme includes: determining the type of operating system being utilized by the computer system; and determining the type of interleave scheme, if any, specified by the computer system and stored in the disk array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation of physical drive parameters includes calculating physical parameters based upon a direct logical to physical address mapping technique.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation of physical drive parameters includes calculating physical parameters based upon a standard interleave scheme.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation of physical drive parameters includes calculating physical parameters based upon a multi-sector interleave scheme.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of any preceding claim, wherein the building of an information packet includes: allocating local memory within the disk array controller for the creation of an information packet; reading disk array and disk specific information from reserved sectors on disks within the disk array; loading disk physical parameters and disk specific information into the information packet; and loading selected logical command information into the information packet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
For use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage array subsystem, the disk subsystem having a microprocessor controller, a method for configuring the disk array comprising: determining the number of drives physically installed in the disk array; reading existing drive array and drive information from reserved areas on the disks within the array; determining whether the existing drive array and drive information from each drive is valid; creating a drive array configuration based upon valid drive array and drive information; and writing the drive array and drive configuration to all disk drives within the array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
For use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage array subsystem, the disk subsystem having a microprocessor controller, a method for configuring the disk array comprising: determining the number of drives physically installed in the disk array; reading existing drive array and drive information from reserved areas on the disks within the array; determining whether the existing drive array and drive information from each drive is valid; creating a drive array configuration based upon valid drive array and drive information; and writing the drive array and drive configuration to all disk drives within the array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the method of determining whether disk array and disk drive information read from reserved sectors on the disk includes: reading disk array controller configuration information from reserved sectors from a disk within the disk array; reading disk drive specific information from the'reserved sectors the disk; and determining whether the physical drive parameters specified in the disk array controller information match the drive specific information for the disk; and setting a flag indicating that the information matches, and is therefore valid, or setting the flag indicating a non-valid condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 8, wherein creating a drive array configuration based upon valid drive array and drive information includes using the drive array and drive information for any one drive in the array as a configuration template where the drive array and drive information within the reserved sectors of the selected drive is consistent with information read from all other drive array and drive information read from other drives within the disk array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 8, wherein creating a drive array configuration based upon valid drive array and drive information includes: determining that one or more drives within the array contain valid drive array and drive information within the reserved sectors of the respective disks, thereby making it a valid drive; determining which of the valid drives is most consistent with respect to the disk array and drive information to other valid drives; and selecting the most consistent valid drive to serve as a drive array template for the remaining drives in the disk array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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