US5848230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuously available computer memory systems
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1996-11-26
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Granted: 1998-12-08
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Expires: 2016-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A highly reliable computer memory storage system that is divided into subsystems, each of which is provided in triplicate: a primary subsystem, a backup subsystem and a spare subsystem. Upon detection of a non-recoverable failure in a primary subsystem, the backup subsystem substantially immediately assumes the tasks of the primary subsystem while the spare subsystem is integrated into the operation of the computer memory storage system. The triple replication of all subsystems and mechanisms for detecting failures in at least the primary and secondary subsystems provides an overall memory system which is highly reliable and substantially never requires servicing. In an alternative embodiment, three subsystems can share a load equally, for example a cooling or power supply load requirement. Upon failure, of any one or two of such three redundant subsystems, the remaining subsystems(s) is built with sufficient extra capacity that remaining subsystem(s) can still supply the total power or cooling requirements of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/2053; G06F11/2056; G06F11/2082; G06F11/2058; G06F11/2089; G06F11/2092; G06F11/2094; G06F11/2015; G06F11/2097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A memory system configurable for attachment to a host computer, comprising: first, second and third data storage subsystems; first, second and third controller subsystems, each operatively coupled to the first, second and third data storage subsystems for effecting read/write operations to the storage subsystems; first, second and third cooling subsystems, each disposed to cool the entire memory system; and first, second and third power supply subsystems, each operatively coupled to all of the storage subsystems, the controller subsystems and the cooling subsystems to supply power to the subsystems, wherein upon a failure of one of the three controller subsystems, another one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage systems, and upon a failure of said another one of the three controller subsystems, a remaining one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage subsystems.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A memory system configurable for attachment to a host computer, comprising: first, second and third data storage subsystems; first, second and third controller subsystems, each operatively coupled to the first, second and third data storage subsystems for effecting read/write operations to the storage subsystems; first, second and third cooling subsystems, each disposed to cool the entire memory system; and first, second and third power supply subsystems, each operatively coupled to all of the storage subsystems, the controller subsystems and the cooling subsystems to supply power to the subsystems, wherein upon a failure of one of the three controller subsystems, another one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage systems, and upon a failure of said another one of the three controller subsystems, a remaining one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage subsystems.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The memory system of claim 1, further comprising circuitry, operatively coupled to the first, second and third cooling subsystems for altering the operation of at least one of the cooling subsystems to compensate for the failure of another one of the cooling subsystems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The memory system of claim 1, further comprising circuitry, operatively coupled to the first, second and third power supply subsystems, for altering the operation of at least one of the power supply subsystems to compensate for the failure of another one of the power supply subsystems.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The memory system of claim 1, wherein the first and second data storage subsystems include redundant data storage devices and the third data storage subsystem includes at least one spare storage device and wherein the controller subsystems are capable of causing the at least one spare storage device to assume the storage functions of a redundant data storage device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The memory system of claim 1, wherein all of the subsystems are non-serviceable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The memory system of claim 1, wherein the data storage subsystems are serviceable and all the other subsystems are non-serviceable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The memory system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical isolation device operatively coupled to and forming a part of each controller subsystem and receptive to instructions, wherein upon receipt of an isolation instruction the receiving isolation device electrically isolates the associated controller subsystem from communication with the host computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The memory system of claim 1, wherein the data storage subsystems include magnetic disk drives.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The memory system of claim 1, wherein the data storage subsystems are serviceable and all the other subsystems are non-removable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
153 words
A memory system configurable for attachment to a host computer, comprising: a redundant data storage subsystem; a spare data storage subsystem; first, second and third controller subsystems, each operatively coupled to the redundant data storage subsystem and to the spare data storage subsystem for effecting read/write operations to the storage subsystems; first, second and third cooling subsystems, each disposed to cool the memory system; and first, second and third power supply subsystems, each coupled to all of the data storage subsystems, the controller subsystems and the cooling subsystems to supply power to the subsystems, wherein upon a failure of one of the three controller subsystems, another one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage systems, and upon a failure of said another one of the three controller subsystems, a remaining one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage subsystems.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
A memory system configurable for attachment to a host computer, comprising: a redundant data storage subsystem; a spare data storage subsystem; first, second and third controller subsystems, each operatively coupled to the redundant data storage subsystem and to the spare data storage subsystem for effecting read/write operations to the storage subsystems; first, second and third cooling subsystems, each disposed to cool the memory system; and first, second and third power supply subsystems, each coupled to all of the data storage subsystems, the controller subsystems and the cooling subsystems to supply power to the subsystems, wherein upon a failure of one of the three controller subsystems, another one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage systems, and upon a failure of said another one of the three controller subsystems, a remaining one of the three controller subsystems takes control of read/write operations to the three storage subsystems.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The memory system of claim 10, wherein the redundant data storage subsystem includes a plurality of storage devices operative as a RAID storage system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The memory system of claim 10, wherein the redundant data storage subsystem and the spare data storage subsystem include magnetic disk drives.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The memory system of claim 10, further comprising circuitry, operatively coupled to the first, second and third cooling subsystems for altering the operation of at least one of the cooling subsystems to compensate for the failure of another one of the cooling subsystems.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The memory system of claim 10, further comprising circuitry, operatively coupled to the first, second and third power supply subsystems, for altering the operation of at least one of the power supply subsystems to compensate for the failure of another one of the power supply subsystems.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The memory system of claim 10, wherein the redundant data storage subsystem includes redundant data storage devices and wherein the spare data storage subsystem includes at least one spare data storage device and further wherein the controller subsystems are capable of causing at least one spare data storage device to assume the storage functions of a redundant data storage device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The memory system of claim 10, wherein all of the subsystems are non-serviceable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The memory system of claim 10, wherein the data storage subsystems are serviceable and all of the other subsystems are non-serviceable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The memory system of claim 10, further comprising an electrical isolation device operatively coupled to and forming a part of each controller subsystem and receptive to instructions, wherein upon receipt of an isolation instruction the receiving isolation device electrically isolates the associated controller subsystem from communication with the host computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The memory system of claim 10, wherein the data storage subsystems are serviceable and all the other subsystems are non-removable.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for operating a memory system for a host computer, wherein the memory system includes redundant data storage subsystems, at least one spare data storage subsystem, first, second and third controller subsystems, first, second and third cooling subsystems and first, second and third power supply subsystems, the method comprising the steps of: a. initially operating the memory system under control of the first controller subsystem; b. detecting a failure in the first controller subsystem; c. disabling effective communication between the first controller subsystem and the host computer; d. continuing further communication between the host computer and the second controller subsystem, wherein the memory system is operated under control of the second controller subsystem; e. detecting a failure in the second controller subsystem; f. disabling effective communication between the second controller subsystem and the host computer; and g. continuing further communication between the host computer and the third controller subsystem, wherein the memory system is operated under control of the third controller subsystem.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for operating a memory system for a host computer, wherein the memory system includes redundant data storage subsystems, at least one spare data storage subsystem, first, second and third controller subsystems, first, second and third cooling subsystems and first, second and third power supply subsystems, the method comprising the steps of: a. initially operating the memory system under control of the first controller subsystem; b. detecting a failure in the first controller subsystem; c. disabling effective communication between the first controller subsystem and the host computer; d. continuing further communication between the host computer and the second controller subsystem, wherein the memory system is operated under control of the second controller subsystem; e. detecting a failure in the second controller subsystem; f. disabling effective communication between the second controller subsystem and the host computer; and g. continuing further communication between the host computer and the third controller subsystem, wherein the memory system is operated under control of the third controller subsystem.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20, wherein all of the subsystems are non-serviceable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the data storage subsystems are serviceable and all the other subsystems are non-serviceable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the data storage subsystems include magnetic disks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |