Method and system for automatically configuring redundant arrays of disk memory devices

An apparatus for autoconfiguring redundant arrays of memory storage devices contained within one or more memory storage device receptacles where said receptacles have one or more slots containing hardware sufficient to accept and electrically communicate with said memory storage devices, said apparatus comprising:

• means for determining said memory storage device receptacle's capacity for accepting said memory storage devices;
• means for defining an initial positioning of one or more memory storage devices in at least one memory storage device receptacle based upon said determined capacity;
• means for defining one or more asymmetrical groupings based upon said determined capacity, and said defined initial positioning, where said defined one or more asymmetrical groupings permit said redundant arrays of memory storage devices to be autoconfigured therefrom;
• and
• means for only adding additional memory storage devices into one or more of said memory storage device receptacles thereafter such that the ability of said defined one or more asymmetrical groupings to permit said redundant arrays to be autoconfigured therefrom is preserved such that redundant arrays of memory storage devices can be autoconfigured from said one or more memory storage devices.

A computer readable medium containing a program product for autoconfiguring redundant arrays of memory storage devices contained within one or more memory storage device receptacles where said receptacles have one or more slots containing hardware sufficient to accept and electrically communicate with said memory storage devices, said program product comprising:

• means for determining said memory storage device receptacle's capacity for accepting said memory storage devices;
• means for defining an initial positioning of one or more memory storage devices in at least one memory storage device receptacle based upon said determined capacity;
• means for defining one or more asymmetrical groupings based upon said determined capacity, and said defined initial positioning, where said defined one or more asymmetrical groupings permit said redundant arrays of memory storage devices to be autoconfigured therefrom;
• and
• means for only adding additional memory storage devices into one or more of said memory storage device receptacles thereafter such that the ability of said defined one or more asymmetrical groupings to permit said redundant arrays to be autoconfigured therefrom is preserved such that redundant arrays of memory storage devices can be autoconfigured from said one or more memory storage devices.