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US 2003/0193733 A1Published application
Disk array unit
AssigneeHitachi, Ltd.
InventorsKazuo Hakamata, Kenichi Takamoto, Masaaki Kobayashi
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AssigneeHitachi, Ltd.
InventorsKazuo Hakamata, Kenichi Takamoto, Masaaki Kobayashi
Estimating the term…
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.
A disk array unit connected to a host unit to give information thereto and receive information therefrom, said disk array unit comprising:
A disk array unit connected to a host unit to give information thereto and receive information therefrom, said disk array unit comprising:
A disk array unit connected to a host unit to give information thereto and receive information therefrom, said disk array unit comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Configuration or reconfiguration of storage systems: by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
Monitoring of peripheral devices: of disk drive devices
Power saving in peripheral device: power saving in hard disk drive
Specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect: power saving in storage systems
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to power saving of computer apparatuses, peripheral devices, and other electronic apparatuses, and in particular to energy saving of a disk array unit connected to a computer apparatus.
The disk array unit is a peripheral device of a computer apparatus, and is used as an external storage unit for storing data of the computer. A plurality of magnetic disk units are mounted on the disk array unit. When the disk array unit and a computer system serving as a host unit of the disk array unit are functioning, all of a plurality of magnetic disk units mounted on the disk array unit are typically operating.
In the specification of the present application, a term “operating” means that a magnetic disk unit is ready to response immediately when control information or data is inputted to the magnetic disk unit from a control unit or a host unit. It is now assumed that the magnetic disk unit is in the so-called sleep mode and a magnetic disk medium is in the still state. When a time required for the magnetic disk medium to be spun up to its ordinary number of revolutions has elapsed, the magnetic disk unit responds. This case is not included in the scope of the term “operating”. Furthermore, the term “operating” does not include the case where the magnetic disk unit is in the power saving mode and it responds after the power saving mode has been canceled.
FIG. 1 is an entire configuration diagram of a disk array unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a management table according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a magnetic disk unit power supply throwing operation flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Hereafter, embodiments of a disk array unit of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the internal configuration of a disk array unit 110 connected to a host unit 101.
The host unit 101 controls information reading and writing, and implements information reading or writing by issuing a command to the disk array unit 110.