Use of hot spare drives to boost performance during nominal raid operation
AssigneeLSI Logic Corporation
InventorsRodney A. DeKoning, Donald R. Humlicek, Curtis W. Rink
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for increasing performance in a data processing system. The data processing system includes a plurality of storage devices and a backup storage device. The backup storage device is configured as a log device. Data is logged to the backup storage device after the backup storage device has been configured as a log device. In response to a failure of a storage device within the plurality of storage devices, the backup storage device is reconfigured to be used as a replacement for the failed storage device.
Claims32
A method in a data processing system for increasing data storage performance, the data processing system having a plurality of storage devices and a backup storage device, the method comprising the steps of:
- configuring the backup storage device as a temporary storage device to temporarily store data such that the performance of the plurality of storage devices increased;
- storing the data in the backup storage device while the storage device is configured as a temporary storage device;
- and
- in response to a failure of a storage device within the plurality of storage devices, reconfiguring the backup storage device to replace the failed storage device.
A data processing system having increased data storage performance, the data processing system comprising:
- a plurality of storage devices;
- a backup storage device;
- means for configuring the backup storage device as a temporary storage device to temporarily store data;
- means for storing the data in the backup storage device while the storage device is configured as a temporary storage device;
- and
- means for reconfiguring the backup storage device to replace the failed storage device in response to a failure of a storage device within the plurality of storage devices.
A method of increasing performance in a data processing system having a plurality of storage devices and a backup storage device, the method comprising:
- configuring the backup storage device as a log device;
- logging data to the backup storage device after the backup storage device has been configured as a log device;
- and
- in response to a failure of a storage device within the plurality of storage devices, reconfiguring the backup storage device to replace the failed storage device.
A data processing system comprising:
- a plurality of storage devices;
- a backup storage device;
- configuration means for configuring the backup storage device as a log device;
- logging means for using the backup device to perform logging operations;
- and
- reconfiguration means, responsive to a failure of a storage device within the plurality of storage devices, for reconfiguring the backup storage device to replace the failed storage device.
A data processing system comprising:
- a plurality of storage devices;
- and
- a backup storage device, wherein the data processing system includes a plurality of modes of operation including:
- a first mode of operation in which the data processing system configures the backup storage device as a log device;
- a second mode of operation in which the data processing system uses the backup device to perform logging operations;
- and
- a third mode of operation in which the data processing system reconfigures the backup storage device to replace the failed storage device in response to a failure of the storage device within the plurality of storage devices.
A program storage device readable by a data processing system, the program storage device comprising:
- first instruction means for configuring the backup storage device as a log device;
- second instruction means for using the backup device to perform logging operations;
- and
- third instruction means, responsive to a failure of a storage device within the plurality of storage devices, for reconfiguring the backup storage device to replace the failed storage device, wherein the instruction means are activated when the program storage device is connected to the data processing system.
A method in a data processing system for increasing data storage performance, the data processing system having a plurality of storage devices and a backup storage device, the method comprising steps of:
- configuring the backup storage device as a temporary storage device to temporarily store data;
- storing the data in the backup storage device while the storage device is configured as a temporary storage device;
- and
- in response to failure of a storage device within the plurality of storage devices, allocating at least a portion of the backup storage device for use to replace the failed storage device within the plurality of storage devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.