Automatic and on-demand testing of non-volatile storage devices
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMichael S. Allison, Nathan J. Hughes, Stephen J. Silva, John A. Strange
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for testing non-volatile storage devices are disclosed that provide functionality to control when testing of the non-volatile storage device is performed. In one embodiment, information stored in persistent memory indicates whether testing is enabled or disabled. For example, the testing information may indicate that testing is to be performed upon a first initialization of a non-volatile storage device, but not in connection with subsequent power-up events. Furthermore, functionality is disclosed for re-running and/or bypassing testing of the non-volatile storage device.
Claims14
A method of testing a non-volatile storage system comprising a non-volatile storage medium and a controller, the method comprising:
- determining whether execution of a test is enabled by accessing a value stored on the non-volatile storage medium, the value indicating whether the test is to be executed again regardless of a prior successful execution of the test;
- when execution of the test is enabled:
- performing a second execution of the test, the second execution of the test occurring at a point in time after a first execution of the test, wherein the first execution of the test comprises a successful execution of the test;
- and
- determining whether the second execution of the test has been performed successfully;
- and
- when the second execution of the test has been performed successfully, modifying the value, as stored on the non-volatile storage medium, to indicate that execution of the test is disabled to prevent the test from being executed on a subsequent power-up cycle of the non-volatile storage system.
A method of managing the testing of a non-volatile storage system comprising a non-volatile storage medium and a controller, the method comprising:
- receiving a command from a host system in operative communication with the non-volatile storage system;
- setting a value stored on the non-volatile storage medium in response to receiving the command, the value indicating whether a test is to be executed again regardless of a prior successful execution of the test;
- and
- using the value to determine whether to execute the test on a subsequent power-up cycle of the non-volatile storage system, wherein the test is performed successfully in a prior time period,
- wherein said method is performed by the non-volatile storage system.
A non-volatile storage system comprising:
- a non-volatile storage medium;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- access a value stored on the non-volatile storage medium that indicates whether a test is to be executed again regardless of a prior successful execution of the test;
- when execution of the test is enabled:
- perform a second execution of the test, the second execution of the test occurring at a point in time after a first execution of the test, wherein the first execution of the test comprises a successful execution of the test;
- and
- determine whether the second execution of the test has been performed successfully;
- and
- when the second execution of test has been performed successfully, modify the value to indicate that execution of the test is disabled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.