Method and system for upgrading drive firmware in a non-disruptive manner
US6907504B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/656
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a method and system for upgrading drive firmware on a drive within a distributed data storage system in a manner that is transparent and non-disruptive to the host system operations. The method and system allow for normal read and write operations to occur during the firmware upgrade process, even while the primary disk drive is off-line, through alteration of the controller read and write policies. A mapping file is created on a temporary storage device to reduce the necessary time period of the upgrade process. This time period is further reduced in a mirrored storage system or in a system having a spare drive, where a logging file is created to store the data diverted from the primary disk drive during the upgrade process. An advantage is the ability to maintain storage system redundancy during the upgrade process. The upgrade process in general is also simplified because the drive upgrade module is compatible with legacy equipment and may reside in the storage system controller firmware.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.