Hardware storage device optimization

A computer program product, comprising a computer readable hardware storage device storing a computer readable program code, said computer readable program code comprising an algorithm that when executed by a processor of a hardware device implements a memory device operational improvement method, said method comprising:

• detecting, by said processor via a plurality of sensors, environmental factors affecting an operation of individual hardware storage devices within an array of hardware storage devices;
• determining, by said processor based on results of first analyzing said environmental factors with respect to operational characteristics of said individual hardware storage devices, an expected failure rate for each of said individual hardware storage devices;
• first determining, by said processor based on results of second analyzing array parameters associated with a hardware configuration for said array of hardware storage devices with respect to each said expected failure rate, a risk for data loss with respect to malfunctions of said array of hardware storage devices, an expected rebuild time for each of said individual hardware storage devices, and a number of additional hardware storage devices required for stocking due to said malfunctions;
• receiving, by said processor, data indicating maintenance costs for maintaining said array of hardware storage devices;
• second determining, by said processor, that a value representing a combination of said environmental factors, said data, and said risk for data loss exceeds a specified threshold;
• measuring, by said processor via execution of a pressure sensor, a pressure differential between differing portions of an enclosure housing a disk drive of said array of hardware storage devices;
• and
• modifying, by said processor based on results of said second determining, said third determining, and said measuring, a functionality of said array of hardware storage devices thereby modifying an operation of at least one of said individual hardware storage devices.

A hardware device comprising a computer processor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, said memory unit comprising instructions that when executed by the computer processor implements a memory device operational improvement method comprising:

• detecting, by said processor via a plurality of sensors, environmental factors affecting an operation of individual hardware storage devices within an array of hardware storage devices;
• determining, by said processor based on results of first analyzing said environmental factors with respect to operational characteristics of said individual hardware storage devices, an expected failure rate for each of said individual hardware storage devices;
• first determining, by said processor based on results of second analyzing array parameters associated with a hardware configuration for said array of hardware storage devices with respect to each said expected failure rate, a risk for data loss with respect to malfunctions of said array of hardware storage devices, an expected rebuild time for each of said individual hardware storage devices, and a number of additional hardware storage devices required for stocking due to said malfunctions;
• receiving, by said processor, data indicating maintenance costs for maintaining said array of hardware storage devices;
• second determining, by said processor, that a value representing a combination of said environmental factors, said data, and said risk for data loss exceeds a specified threshold;
• measuring, by said processor via execution of a pressure sensor, a pressure differential between differing portions of an enclosure housing a disk drive of said array of hardware storage devices;
• and
• modifying, by said processor based on results of said second determining, said third determining, and said measuring, a functionality of said array of hardware storage devices thereby modifying an operation of at least one of said individual hardware storage devices.