Method for auto-correction of errors in a RAID memory system

A method for auto-correction of errors in an array of a plurality of disk storage devices having a fault tolerance for a loss of at least two of said plurality of disk storage devices, said array being arranged in a plurality of disk storage channels, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. performing a read operation from said array, said read operation including respectively transferring data read from each said plurality of disk storage channels to a corresponding disk channel memory;
• b. reading said data in said disk channel memories and determining whether said data is valid, and if said data is valid transferring said valid data to a processor requesting said data;
• and
• c. if said data is invalid, determining which of said disk storage channels is in error, said step of determining which of said disk storage channels is in error includes:
• sequentially excluding data from a different one of said plurality of disk channel memories and determining if data from remaining disk channel memories provide valid data;
• and,
• if valid data is obtained, designating a disk storage channel corresponding to said disk channel memory from which data was excluded as said disk storage channel in error, and transferring said valid data to the processor requesting said data.

A method for auto-correction of errors in a disk storage array, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a disk storage array formed by a plurality of disk storage channels, said plurality of disk storage channels being formed with at least two parity storage disk drives and a multiplicity of data disk drives;
• b. providing a disk channel memory corresponding to each of said plurality of disk storage channels for temporary storage of data to be written thereto and data read therefrom;
• c. performing a read operation from said disk storage array, said read operation including respectively transferring data read from each said disk storage channel to said corresponding disk channel memory;
• d. transferring said data from said plurality of disk channel memories to a buffer memory and determining if said data is valid, and if valid transferring said data from said buffer memory to a processor requesting said data;
• e. if said data is invalid, then:
• i.) repeating step d.;
• and
• ii.) if said data is invalid after repeating step d. and the disk storage channel in error is unidentified, then determining which of said disk storage channels is in error by repeatedly transferring said data from said disk channel memories while sequentially excluding data from a different one of said plurality of disk channel memories and determining if data from remaining disk channel memories provide valid data.