System, Method, and computer program product within a data processing system for converting a spare storage device to a defined storage device in a logical volume

A method in a data processing system for increasing data storage performance, the data processing system having a plurality of primary storage devices and a spare storage device, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a logical volume definition that defines a logical volume utilizing said plurality of primary storage devices;
• detecting a failure of one of said plurality of primary storage devices;
• reconstructing, on said spare storage device, data that was stored on said failed one of said plurality of primary storage devices at the time said failure was detected;
• and
• converting said spare storage device in said logical volume definition from a spare storage device to a replacement, primary storage device such that an additional replacement drive for said failed one of said plurality of primary storage devices is unnecessary.

A data processing system for increasing data storage performance, the data processing system having a plurality of primary storage devices and a spare storage device, said system comprising:

• a logical volume definition that defines a logical volume utilizing said plurality of primary storage devices;
• means for detecting a failure of one of said plurality of primary storage devices;
• means for reconstructing, on said spare storage device, data that was stored on said failed one of said plurality of primary storage devices at the time said failure was detected;
• and
• means for reassigning said spare storage device in said logical volume definition such that said spare storage device becomes a primary storage device.

A computer program product in a data processing system for increasing data storage performance, the data processing system having a plurality of primary storage devices and a spare storage device, said computer program product comprising:

• instruction means for establishing a logical volume definition that defines a logical volume utilizing said plurality of primary storage devices;
• instruction means for detecting a failure of one of said plurality of primary storage devices;
• instruction means for reconstructing, on said spare storage device, data that was stored on said failed one of said plurality of primary storage devices at the time said failure was detected;
• and
• instruction means for reassigning said spare storage device in said logical volume definition such that said spare storage device becomes a primary storage device.