Universal RAID class driver

#The present invention relates to the field of data storage devices. Computers often store large quantities of data, including data such as music, video, games, applications, and other valuable information, on hard disk drives and other data storage devices, which are referred to herein generally as “disks”. As users' storage needs increase and the price of disks fall, computers often employ multiple disks to meet their storage needs.

#To improve performance, reliability, and efficiency in using multiple disks for data storage, two or more disks can be combined into a single “logical” disk. One common disk architecture for combining multiple disks is RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). Although RAID systems can provide improved disk performance and/or reliability, RAID systems are complicated to set up and configure. Additionally, RAID systems typically require specialized disk controllers and driver software. Thus, RAID systems are typically too expensive and too difficult for use by most computer users.

#Additionally, because some current RAID systems require specialized disk controllers, they are limited in the number and type of disks that can be combined. For example, it is virtually impossible for current RAID systems to combine an EIDE disk and a SCSI disk in the same RAID system. In other RAID systems, the computer operating systems combines disk partitions, rather than the underlying disk itself, to create the RAID system. Because disk partitions are defined by the operating system, the disk partitions, and hence the entire RAID system, are inaccessible until the operating system has loaded. Thus in these implementations, the computer cannot be booted from the RAID system.

#The invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system suitable for implementing an embodiment of the invention;

#FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate example RAID system implementations that may be created by an embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system 100, such as a personal computer, video game console, personal digital assistant, or other digital device, suitable for practicing an embodiment of the invention. Computer system 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 105 for running software applications and optionally an operating system. In an embodiment, CPU 105 is actually several separate central processing units operating in parallel.

#CPU 105 is connected with Northbridge 110 via CPU bus 112. The Northbridge 110 passes data between the CPU 105 and the memory 115 via memory bus 117, and between CPU 105 and graphics processing subsystem 120 via graphics bus 122. Buses 112, 117, and 122 may be implemented as any type of data transport bus, including proprietary processor and memory buses, and AGP, PCI, PCI-X, and Hypertransport buses. In an alternate embodiment, CPU 105 includes a memory controller that interfaces with memory 115 directly, bypassing Northbridge 110.

#The graphics subsystem 120 includes a graphics processing unit and optionally graphics memory for storing pixel data associated with output images. The graphics subsystem 120 periodically outputs pixel data for an image to a display device. Display device is any device capable of displaying visual information in response to a signal from the computer system 100, including CRT, LCD, plasma, and OLED displays. Computer system 100 can provide the display device with an analog or digital signal. In an alternate embodiment, the graphics processing subsystem is integrated with other computer system components, such the Northbridge 110.