Advanced hardware and software encapsulation of RAID solutions to facilitate data protection
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorHenry P Gabryjelski
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Abstract
Systems and methodologies that enable restoration of data by software solutions and in the absence of a hardware RAID adapter, via encapsulation of a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent/or Inexpensive Disks) format, by employing a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) Partition Table (GPT). Third party vendors can employ proprietary data recovery software to access the raw data in case of malfunction of an associated RAID adapter. Moreover, the subject invention can facilitate inter-operability among a plurality of RAID adapters, to move array sets from one controller type to another.
Claims20
A system that facilitates data recovery in Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Drive (RAID) array configurations, comprising:
- a RAID storage medium that includes a Globally Uniquely Identifier Partition Table (GPT) entity, the GPT entity references an encapsulated RAID format;
- and
- a data recovery component that employs the encapsulated RAID format to programmatically access raw data stored on the RAID storage medium, in absence of hardware RAID adapter(s).
A computer implemented method of facilitating data recovery for a Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Drive (RAID) array comprising:
- identifying a segment on a RAID configuration;
- and
- encapsulating a RAID format within a partition referenced by a Globally Uniquely Identifier Partition Table (GPT) entity associated with the RAID configuration, to facilitate data restoration via software solutions.
A system that facilitates data recovery in Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Drive (RAID) array configurations, comprising:
- means for encapsulating a RAID format as part of a RAID array;
- and
- means for recovering data in a raw format via the means for encapsulating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.