Method and system for improved reliability in storage devices

A system for saving data during a power loss, the system comprising:

• a write data interface that supplies data to be written into long term storage media;
• a volatile write buffer for accepting the write data from the data interface;
• a nonvolatile cache to store the write data at least during a power loss;
• an energy storage device for delivering backup power during a loss of a primary power source;
• and
• a controller for detecting a primary power loss, routing backup power to at least the volatile write buffer and nonvolatile cache and transferring the write data such that any write data residing in the volatile write buffer upon primary power loss is moved to the nonvolatile cache.

A method of preventing data loss, the method comprising:

• supplying write data into a write buffer;
• moving the write data into nonvolatile cache upon detection that a target disk storage device has been power cycled off;
• and
• transferring the write data from the nonvolatile cache to the target disk storage device upon detection that the target disk storage device has been power cycled on whereby loss of the write data is prevented during a power cycle event.

A system for protecting data, the system comprising:

• a write data interface that supplies data to be written to a disk storage device;
• a volatile write buffer for accepting the write data from the data interface;
• a nonvolatile cache to store the write data at least during a power cycling of the disk storage device;
• and
• means for:
• detecting at least one of a power cycling off event and presence of write data in the volatile write buffer;
• transferring the write data from the volatile write buffer to the nonvolatile cache;
• and
• detecting a power cycling on event and transferring the write data in the nonvolatile cache to the disk storage device.