# US 8,151,046 B2 · Disk array apparatus and method for controlling the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,151,046 B2 - Document ID: US8151046B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/370,846 - Filed: 2009-02-13 - Published: 2009-06-11 - Granted: 2012-04-03 - Earliest claimed: 2003-05-22 - Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd. - Inventors: Katsuyoshi Suzuki; Akihisa Hirasawa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8151046B2 ## CPC - H05K 7/20836: {Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control} - G06F 3/0607: {by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device} - G06F 3/0625: {Power saving in storage systems} - G06F 3/0658: {Controller construction arrangements} - G06F 3/0661: {Format or protocol conversion arrangements} - G06F 3/0689: {Disk arrays, e.g. RAID, JBOD} - G11B 27/002: {Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; (transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22)} - G11B 27/34: Indicating arrangements {(indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D)} - G11B 27/36: Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing {(for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06)} - G11B 33/144: {by detection, control, regulation of the temperature} - G11B 2220/415: Redundant array of inexpensive disks [RAID] systems - Y02D 10/00: Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract The disk array apparatus includes a controller having a communication control unit for accepting a data input/output request, a disk controller unit for controlling a plurality of disk drives, and a cache memory for temporarily storing data transferred between the communication control unit and the disk controller unit. A plurality of cooling fans are provided for cooling the plurality of disk drives. In response to receiving a request, the controller controls the rotational speed of a first cooling fan related to a first disk drive, which is related to the request, and changes an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the request such that the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A disk array apparatus, comprising: a controller having a communication control unit for accepting a data input/output request, a disk controller unit for controlling a plurality of disk drives, and a cache memory for temporarily storing data transferred between said communication control unit and said disk controller unit; the plurality of disk drives being connected to the disk controller unit to communicate with the disk controller unit, the plurality of disk drives including a first disk drive; and a plurality of cooling fans cooling the plurality of disk drives, the plurality of cooling fans including a first cooling fan related to the first disk drive, wherein in response to receiving a backup request, the controller controls the rotational speed of the first cooling fan and changes an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the backup request such that the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed from a first mode of not storing data related to the backup request to a second mode of storing data related to the backup request. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The disk array apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is increased based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The disk array apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is changed from a low-power-consumption mode to a normal mode based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The disk array apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the rotational speed of the first cooling fan is reduced based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a ready mode to a power off mode. ### Claim 5 A disk array apparatus, comprising: a controller controlling a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) function; a plurality of disk drives including a first disk drive; and a cooling fan related to the first disk drive, wherein in response to receiving a backup request, the controller controls the rotational speed of the cooling fan and changes an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the backup request such that the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed from a first mode of not storing data related to the backup request to a second mode of storing data related to the backup request. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The disk array apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The disk array apparatus according to the claim 5, wherein: the rotational speed of the cooling fan is changed from a low-power-consumption mode to a normal mode based on the change in operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The disk array apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the rotational speed of the cooling fan is reduced based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a ready mode to a power off mode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The disk array apparatus according to the claim 5, wherein: the controller is included in a first housing, and the plurality of disk drives and the cooling fan are included in a second housing outside of the first housing. ### Claim 10 A control method for a disk array apparatus having a controller, a plurality of disk drives, including a first disk drive, and a cooling fan related to the first disk drive, the control method comprising: controlling, by the controller, a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) function; changing, in response to receiving a backup request, the rotational speed of the cooling fan and changing an operational mode of the first disk drive related to the backup request such that the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased before the operational mode of the first disk drive is changed from a first mode of not storing data related to the backup request to a second mode of storing data related to the backup request. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The control method according to the claim 10, wherein: in the changing step, for changing the rotational speed of the cooling fan, the rotational speed of the cooling fan is increased based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The control method according to the claim 10, wherein: in the changing step, for changing the rotational speed of the cooling fan, the rotational speed of the cooling fan is changed from a low-power-consumption mode to a normal mode based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a power off mode to a ready mode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The control method according to the claim 10, wherein: in the changing step, for changing the rotational speed of the cooling fan, the rotational speed of the cooling fan is reduced based on the change in the operational mode of the first disk drive from a ready mode to a power off mode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The control method according to the claim 10, wherein: the controller is included in a first housing, and the plurality of disk drives and the cooling fan are included in a second housing outside of the first housing.