Checking for proper locations of storage devices in a storage device array
US5751936A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1415
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A determination is made as to whether or not storage devices of a storage array are positioned in their proper physical locations in the array. To make the determination, a device identifier for each of the storage devices is utilized, together with a generated logical identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the device identifier is the serial number for the storage device and the logical identifier includes a combination of all the device identifiers for a particular logical volume of the storage array. Preferably, the logical identifier also includes system status information for use in enhancing fault tolerance. The logical identifier is written or updated upon the occurrence of predetermined events or conditions. Using the device identifiers and the logical identifier, an indication can be provided whenever the proper storage devices are not found in the logical volume whereby corrective action can be taken to avoid improper distribution to or reassembly of data from the logical volume.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.