Expandable modular data storage system having parity storage capability

An expandable modular data storage array for storing and backing up data from a host computer, the expandable modular data storage array comprising:

• a first set of data storage devices, each of the data storage devices including a device power connector, data from a first host computer being storable on the data storage devices, parity data for the stored data being storable on at least one of the data storage devices;
• a second set of data storage devices, each of the data storage devices including a device power connector, data from a second host computer being storable on the data storage devices, parity data for the stored data being storable on at least one of the data storage devices;
• a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, each storage device housing defining a top and a bottom and including an interior power connector, a top power connector and a bottom power connector, the interior power connector being adapted to engage the device power connector of a data storage device received in a storage device housing and the top and bottom power connectors being located such that the top power connector of one storage device housing mates with the bottom power connector of another storage device housing stacked thereon;
• and
• at least one flexible latching member associated with at least one of the storage device housings, the flexible latching member engaging an adjacent storage device housing in response to the positioning of the at least one storage device housing in close proximity to the adjacent storage device housing.

An expandable modular storage system comprising:

• a host computer system;
• a second computer system;
• first and second sets of data storage devices, each of the data storage devices including an input power connector, an output power connector, an input signal connector and an output signal connector, the input signal connector of at least one data storage device of said first and second sets of data storage device being connectable to respective first and second host computer system, data transmitted from the first and second host computer systems being stored on respective data storage devices, parity data for stored data being stored on respective data storage devices, parity data being a function of stored data, and stored data being reconstructable from the parity data and other stored data;
• a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, each storage device housing defining a top and a bottom and at least one hole formed in the top and bottom, the holes being located such that the top hole of one storage device housing is aligned with the bottom hole of another storage device housing stacked thereon;
• mechanical fasteners associated with respective top and bottom hole pairs;
• at least one power connector assembly for connecting the output power connector of one data storage device to the input power connector of another data storage device;
• and
• at least one signal connector assembly for connecting the output signal connector of one data storage device to the input signal connector of another data storage device.

An expandable modular data storage array for storing and backing up data from a host computer, the expandable modular data storage array comprising:

• a first set of data storage devices in communication with a first host computer, data from the first host computer being storable on the first set of data storage devices, parity data for stored data being storable on at least one of the data storage devices of said first set of data storage devices;
• a second set of data storage devices in communication with a second host computer, data from the second host computer being storable on the second set of data storage devices, parity data for stored data being storable on at least one of the data storage devices of said second set of data storage devices;
• a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, each storage device housing defining a top and a bottom;
• and
• mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one storage device housing to the bottom of another storage device housing stacked thereon.

A method for storing and backing up data in data storage system, comprising the steps of:

• connecting first and second host systems to respective first and second expandable modular data storage arrays comprising a plurality of vertically stacked data storage devices;
• storing data transmitted from the first and second host systems on the data storage devices of the first and second storage array, respectively;
• generating parity data as a function of stored data;
• and
• storing the parity data on at least one of the data storage devices.