JP2013125451A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, even when a data transfer speed of one of a plurality of storage devices under striping decreases, capable of continuing the execution of job processing by restoring the transfer speed of the striping without any necessity of expansion or replacement of a storage device, and to provide a program.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes three or more storage devices capable of performing RAID0 (striping), causes two or more storage devices at least excluding one storage device to perform striping, and uses other storage devices for other purposes. When a data transfer speed of a storage device which is not performing striping is faster than a data transfer speed of a storage device, the data transfer speed of which is the slowest in the storage devices performing striping, the storage device with the faster data transfer speed is used as a substitute storage device for the storage device with the slow data transfer speed and striping is continued.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus control method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and a program for controlling the image forming apparatus using RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks).

  Conventionally, a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is mounted on an image forming apparatus or the like. There is an upper limit on the data transfer speed by one HDD, and there are cases where the data transfer speed for maximizing the performance of the image forming apparatus is not reached. Therefore, a method called RAID 0 (level 0 RAID) has been proposed that uses a plurality of HDDs in parallel and enables high-speed data transfer.

  RAID 0 is a method that allows data to be read and written at high speed by distributing data to a plurality of HDDs that are driven in parallel. RAID is a technology that uses a plurality of HDDs to achieve functions that cannot be performed by a single HDD, and exhibits different effects for each level. As a method of a level other than level 0, for example, there is RAID 1 (level 1), which is a method of increasing the fault tolerance by writing the same data to a plurality of HDDs.

  The transfer speed of the HDD may decrease due to a sector failure, head pain, motor aging failure, or the like. In RAID 0 (striping), the transfer speed of the slowest HDD among the plurality of HDDs driven in parallel is multiplied by the number of HDDs to obtain the overall transfer speed. As the transfer rate decreases, the transfer rate of the entire RAID 0 is greatly reduced. For example, if you configure RAID0 (striping) with three HDDs with a data transfer rate of 100MB / s, each unit performs data transfer of 100MB per second, resulting in a total of 300MB for RAID0. Data transfer at / second (100 MB × 3 = 300 MB) is possible (see FIG. 6A). However, if the data transfer speed of one HDD among the three HDDs constituting RAID 0 decreases to 80 MB / sec, the data transfer speed of RAID 0 as a whole is 240 MB / sec (Min (80 MB, 100 MB ) × 3 = 240 MB) (see FIG. 6B).

  When the data transfer rate decreases, for example, the print engine of the image forming apparatus waits until a necessary amount of data is transferred before performing printing. The slower it is, the lower the productivity. Replacing an HDD with a reduced data transfer rate will restore the data transfer rate for RAID 0 as a whole, but HDDs are often replaced when service maintenance is performed. In many cases, gender cannot be recovered.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, if the transfer speed of the entire RAID 0 is less than the specified value, a request for addition of a new removable HDD is requested, and when a new removable HDD is connected, the newly connected removable A method has been proposed in which RAID0 is reconfigured in all HDDs including HDDs to increase the transfer speed of the entire RAID0 (Patent Document 1). In this method, for example, in the case of the above example, the number of HDDs constituting RAID 0 is increased to four, so that Min (80 MB, 100 MB) × 4 = even if the data transfer rate per unit is 80 MB / second. With 320 MB, the entire RAID 0 can transfer data at 320 MB / sec.

JP 2006-121438 A JP 2006-253946 A

  In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, there are problems in labor and cost associated with the addition of a new HDD. In addition, it is not desirable from the viewpoint of efficiency that other HDDs continue to suppress the performance in accordance with the HDD whose transfer rate has decreased.

  A method in which the HDD is divided into a plurality of areas, the transfer speeds of each area are stored, and the areas are allocated according to the transfer speed necessary for job execution (the transfer speed is controlled according to the job) ( There is a patent document 2), but this method only describes an efficient use method of the area in one HDD, and does not deal with the problem that the transfer rate of the HDD itself decreases.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem. When the transfer speed of any storage device constituting RAID 0 is reduced, the entire RAID 0 is not required to be added or replaced. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus and a program that can continue operation while recovering the transfer speed.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper based on image data;
M (M is an integer of 2 or more) storage devices constituting RAID 0 in which image data transferred to the image forming unit is striped and stored;
N storage devices (N is an integer of 1 or more) used for other purposes other than RAIDO;
A measuring unit for measuring a data transfer rate of the storage device;
When the data transfer rate of any of the storage devices constituting RAID 0 is lower than a predetermined rate, the storage device having the reduced data transfer rate and the N storage devices used in the other applications A controller that reconfigures the RAID 0 by switching the use with a storage device having a data transfer speed selected from among the above-mentioned predetermined speeds;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

  The image forming apparatus of the invention according to [1] and [8] below stores M (M is an integer of 2 or more) units of RAID 0 in which the image data transferred to the image forming unit is striped and stored. And N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1) storage devices used for other purposes other than RAIDO. The storage device is an HDD or an SDD. When high-speed transfer of large-capacity data is required, such as transfer of image data from the storage device to the image forming unit, the storage device configuring RAID 0 performs data transfer. When the data transfer rate of one of the storage devices constituting the RAID 0 is equal to or lower than a predetermined rate, the RAID 0 is reconfigured so that only the storage device having a data transfer rate exceeding the predetermined rate is configured. As a result, even if the transfer rate of one storage device constituting RAID 0 is reduced, it is possible to continue operation without extremely reducing productivity without requiring addition or replacement of the storage device. Can do. Note that the predetermined speed is desirably a transfer speed that is at least required for quick execution of a job. In order to obtain a speed at which the transfer speed of RAID 0 allows a job to be executed quickly, it is desirable that there are three or more storage devices constituting the entire RAID 0.

[2] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein one of the other uses is storage of data relating to rasterization processing for converting print data into image data.

  In the invention according to the above [2] and [9] below, a storage device that does not constitute RAID0 in a process that does not require high-speed data transfer, such as when RIP (Raster image processor) is performed on print data to image data Will process.

[3] The control unit selects a storage device from all the storage devices in descending order of data transfer rate and reconfigures the RAID 0. Either one of [1] or [2] The image forming apparatus described in 1.

  In the inventions according to the above [3] and [10] below, storage devices with a high data transfer rate are selected in order and RAID 0 is reconfigured. Thereby, RAID 0 that enables the fastest data transfer at that time is reconfigured.

[4] The control unit transfers data at or above a predetermined data transfer rate required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the fastest speed among all the storage devices. The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] and [2], wherein a storage device having a speed is preferentially selected to reconfigure the RAID0.

  In the inventions according to the above [4] and [11] below, in order for the image forming unit to perform image formation at the fastest speed, the HDD is selected from HDDs having a transfer rate higher than the data transfer rate required for each storage device configuring RAID0. Thus, RAID 0 is configured. As a result, the image forming apparatus can perform image formation without reducing productivity.

[5] The predetermined speed is a data transfer speed required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the fastest speed. [1] to [3 ] The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

  In the invention according to [5] and [12] below, the data transfer rate required for each storage device in order for the image forming unit to perform image formation at the fastest transfer rate among the storage devices constituting RAID0. RAID0 is reconfigured when there is a storage device below this value.

[6] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the measurement unit measures a data transfer speed of the storage device when the image forming apparatus is activated.

  In the invention according to [6] and [13] below, when the image forming apparatus is activated, the data transfer speed of the storage device is measured. When the image forming apparatus is activated, the image forming apparatus is switched from a power-off state to a power-on state. At that time, sample data is transferred in each storage device to obtain an actual measurement value.

[7] Any one of [1] to [6], wherein the measurement unit measures a data transfer rate of a storage device constituting the RAID 0 when the image forming unit is performing image formation. The image forming apparatus according to one.

  In the inventions according to [7] and [14] below, when image formation is performed, the transfer speed of each storage device is measured from the measured value of the transfer rate of data transferred from the storage device.

[8] An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper based on the image data;
M (M is an integer of 2 or more) storage devices constituting RAID 0 in which image data transferred to the image forming unit is striped and stored;
N storage devices (N is an integer of 1 or more) used for other purposes other than RAIDO;
A measuring unit for measuring a data transfer rate of the storage device;
An image forming apparatus having
When the data transfer rate of any of the storage devices constituting RAID 0 is lower than a predetermined rate, the storage device having the reduced data transfer rate and the N storage devices used in the other applications A program that operates to reconfigure RAID0 by switching the use with a storage device having a data transfer rate selected from among the above-mentioned predetermined rates or more.

[9] The program according to [8], wherein one of the other uses is storage of data relating to rasterization processing for converting print data into image data.

[10] The image forming apparatus is
The storage device according to any one of [8] and [9], wherein a storage device is selected from all the storage devices in descending order of data transfer speed and the RAID0 is reconfigured. program.

[11] The image forming apparatus is
Among all the storage devices, a storage device having a data transfer rate higher than a predetermined data transfer rate required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the highest speed is given priority. The program according to any one of [8] and [9], wherein the program is operated so as to reconfigure the RAID0.

[12] The predetermined speed is a data transfer speed required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the fastest speed. [8] to [11] ] The program as described in any one of.

[13] The image forming apparatus is
The program according to any one of [8] to [12], wherein the measurement unit is operated to measure a data transfer speed of the storage device when the image forming apparatus is activated.

[14] The image forming apparatus is
Any one of [8] to [13], wherein the measurement unit operates to measure a data transfer rate of a storage device constituting the RAID 0 when the image forming unit is performing image formation. A program according to any one of the above.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the program according to the present invention, even if the transfer speed of one storage device constituting RAID 0 is reduced, transfer of the entire RAID 0 is not required without the need to add or replace the storage device. The speed can be recovered and the operation can be continued.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which five HDD is working. Of the HDDs that are configured as RAID0 with two units used alone, RAID0 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when RAID0 is reconfigured as the transfer rate of the HDDs configuring RAID0 decreases. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state at the time of reconfiguring RAID0 with the fall of the transfer speed of HDD which comprises RAID0 among the HDD which comprises RAID1 by two units and comprises RAID0. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process which reconfigures RAID0. It is explanatory drawing which shows the influence which acts on the whole RAID0 when the transfer rate of HDD which comprises RAID0 falls.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 connected to the CPU 11 through a bus 24, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13. A storage unit 15 including a nonvolatile memory 14, five HDDs (HDD 1, HDD 2, HDD 3, HDD 4, HDD 5), a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, a measurement unit 18, and a network I / F unit 19. , A scanner unit 20, an image processing unit 21, a printer unit 22, and a facsimile communication unit 23.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, on which middleware and application programs are executed. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 such as job execution is realized by the CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs. The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a rewritable memory (flash memory) that can retain memory even when the power is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 14 stores device-specific information and various setting information.

  The storage unit 15 includes a plurality of HDDs that are large-capacity nonvolatile storage devices. The HDD stores an OS program, various application programs, print data, image data, job history, setting history, and the like. In the present invention, five HDDs (HDD1, HDD2, HDD3, HDD4, and HDD5) are provided, and a RAID0 system (striping) using three HDDs is employed.

  The display unit 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 17 has a function of accepting various operations such as job input and setting from the user. The operation unit 17 includes a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit 16 and detects a pressed coordinate position, and includes a numeric keypad, a character input key, a print start start button, and the like.

  The measurement unit 18 functions to measure the data transfer rate of each HDD included in the storage unit 15.

The network I / F unit 19 communicates with other external devices connected through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The scanner unit 20 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 20 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is prepared for.

  The image processing unit 21 performs rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression and expansion processing, in addition to processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation.

  The printer unit 22 has a function of forming an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and the like, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. Is configured as a so-called laser printer (printer engine). The image formation may be an ink jet method or other methods.

  The facsimile communication unit 23 controls operations related to facsimile transmission and reception.

  The image forming apparatus 10 employs a RAID 0 (striping) system configured with three HDDs. Striping is to read and write data in a distributed manner on a plurality of HDDs, and the processing speed (transfer rate) can be increased. The two HDDs that do not constitute RAID 0 perform functions different from RAID 0, respectively. If any of the HDDs constituting RAID 0 has a data transfer rate lower than a predetermined speed, the image forming apparatus 10 re-selects three HDDs from the five built-in HDDs, and RAID 0 again. “RAID0 reconfiguration function” is performed. As a result, when RAID 0 is reconfigured, one of the HDDs that constitute RAID 0 that has a reduced transfer rate and one of the two HDDs that do not constitute RAID 0. The function that the stand plays is swapped. In the present embodiment, the HDD constituting RAID 0 plays a role (function) for transferring image data to the printer unit 22 (see FIG. 2). Since the image data transferred from the HDD to the printer unit 22 at the time of printing is bitmap data, the capacity is very large, and if this image data transfer takes a long time, the printing productivity is reduced. This is because high-speed data transfer is required to maintain productivity. An HDD that does not constitute RAID 0 is used when print data is RIPed (converted into image data) (see FIG. 2). Since RIP does not require high-speed data transfer, the data transfer rate of the HDD alone is sufficient.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the image forming apparatus 10 reconfigures RAID0. Here, since HDD1, HDD2, and HDD3 constitute RAID0 and HDD4 and HDD5 are used singly, the data transfer rate of HDD3 is reduced. Therefore, RAID0 is reconfigured, and as a result, HDD3 and HDD4 are switched. ing.

  4 shows that when the HDD 4 and HDD 5 that do not constitute RAID 0 constitute RAID 1 (duplicate storage method (mirroring) in which data is duplicated and stored in a plurality of HDDs), the image forming apparatus 10 reconfigures RAID 0. The case where it comprises is shown. Here, since the data transfer speed of the HDD 3 has decreased, RAID 0 is reconfigured. Here, the configuration of RAID1 is canceled, and three of the five HDDs are selected to reconfigure RAID0. In addition, RAID 1 is also reconfigured by the HDD that is not used for the reconfigured RAID 0 (the final result is that HDD 3 and HDD 4 are switched).

  FIG. 5 shows a process flow until the image forming apparatus 10 (hereinafter, also described as a process flow and also referred to as an MFP in the drawing) reconfigures the RAID 0 configuration. First, the MFP checks whether or not it is at the time of activation (step S501). The MFP is activated when the MFP is switched from the power OFF state to the power ON state. For example, if the user presses the power button when the MFP is in the power OFF state, the MFP starts to start. When it is time to start the MFP (step S501; Yes), the process proceeds to step S503. If the MFP is not activated (step S501; No), the process waits for printing to start (step S502; No). If printing starts (step S502; Yes), the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, the transfer rates of all the HDDs constituting RAID 0 at that time are measured. If printing is in progress, the transfer speed is measured when the print data is RIPed during the printing process, and if it is not during printing, the transfer speed is measured by reading and writing sample data. Thereafter, if there is an HDD whose transfer speed is lower than the predetermined transfer speed among the HDDs whose transfer speed is measured in step S503 (step S504; Yes), the process proceeds to step S505. If there is no HDD having a transfer rate lower than the predetermined transfer rate (step S504; No), the process ends. Here, the predetermined transfer speed is the minimum transfer speed required for the HDD constituting RAID 0 in order for the printer unit 22 to perform printing at the maximum speed. For example, when the data transfer speed required for printing at the maximum speed of the printer unit 22 (printer engine) is 104 MB / sec, in order to configure RAID 0 that can support this speed with three HDDs, (104 ÷ 3 = 34, 6666 ...) A transfer rate of about 34, 7 MB / sec or more is required for each HDD. The predetermined transfer speed may be a transfer speed at which a printing speed of 90% of the maximum speed of the printer unit 22 is achieved.

  In step S505, the transfer speed of the HDD other than the HDD whose transfer speed is measured in step S503 is measured. If printing is in progress, RIP processing is performed. If the MFP is activated, the transfer speed is measured by reading and writing sample data. If the RAID 0 can be reconfigured with only the HDD having a transfer rate equal to or higher than the predetermined rate (step S506; Yes), the process proceeds to step S508. Here, if the upper three of the transfer rates of the five HDDs measured in steps S503 and S505 are all equal to or higher than the predetermined transfer rate, RAID 0 can be reconfigured only with the HDD having the transfer rate equal to or higher than the predetermined rate. It is judged that. If the number of HDDs having a transfer rate of a predetermined speed or higher is less than three, that is, if reconfiguration of RAID 0 is impossible only with HDDs having a transfer speed of a predetermined speed or higher (step S506; No), a message to that effect is given to the user. Notification is made (step S507), and the process is terminated. An HDD replacement instruction or the like may be added to the notification to the user.

  In step S508, RAID 0 is reconfigured using only HDDs having a transfer rate equal to or higher than a predetermined rate. If there is a job (such as printing) that is still being executed at this time, the RAID 0 is reconfigured after the execution of the job is completed. Thereafter, the user is notified that RAID 0 has been reconfigured (step S509), and the process ends. When the transfer speed of RAID 0 is measured when the MFP is activated (step S501; via Yes), the processing may be continued after returning to step S502.

  When reconfiguring RAID0, three HDDs may be selected in order of increasing transfer speed. Priorities are assigned to each HDD, and it is checked whether or not a predetermined value is higher than the highest priority. If a predetermined value or higher is selected, and if three units are selected, they can be reconfigured. .

  Further, when performing RAID 0 reconfiguration, three HDDs may be selected in order, giving priority to HDDs with a low transfer speed among HDDs with a transfer speed of a predetermined speed or higher. For example, of the four HDDs excluding the storage device with the fastest transfer speed, three HDDs whose transfer speed exceeds a predetermined speed and one HDD whose transfer speed is lower than the predetermined speed (the slowest HDD) If so, the RAID 0 is configured with the three units whose transfer rate exceeds a predetermined rate, and the HDD with the fastest transfer rate and the HDD with the slowest transfer rate are used alone. By making it possible to use the HDD with the fastest transfer speed as a single unit, it is possible to perform quick processing even in the processing of jobs that do not use RAID0.

  The present invention includes four or more HDDs that can perform striping, so that even if the transfer rate of one of the three HDDs that configure striping (which constitutes RAID 0) decreases, the HDD RAID 0 is reconfigured with the three HDDs excluding. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 can be used by recovering the transfer speed of the entire RAID 0 without adding or replacing HDDs.

  Since the process performed when recovering the transfer rate is a process of switching the usage of the HDD having a reduced transfer rate and the HDD not configuring RAID 0, it is not necessary to provide a spare HDD for recovering the transfer rate. It should be noted that the use of HDDs that do not constitute RAID 0 is preferably such that the transfer speed is not a problem.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, all three HDDs are reselected when the transfer rate of any one of the three HDDs constituting RAID 0 falls below a predetermined speed. HDDs other than the HDD whose transfer speed is lower than the predetermined speed are left as members of RAID 0 as they are, and the transfer speed used for other purposes and the HDD whose transfer speed is lower than the predetermined speed are set. It may be configured to perform only replacement with a HDD having a predetermined speed or higher.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, RAID0 is reconfigured when the transfer rate of one of the HDDs constituting RAID0 falls below a predetermined rate. However, the transfer rates of all HDDs are measured and RAID0 is measured. If the transfer rate of one of the HDDs that make up the HDD is lower than the transfer rate of the HDD that does not configure RAID0 at that time, three HDDs are selected in order of increasing transfer rate, and RAID0 is reconfigured. You may make it do. As a result, the transfer speed of the entire RAID 0 can be maintained in the fastest state under the conditions at that time.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 includes five HDDs, and three of them configure RAID 0. However, the number of HDDs included in the image forming apparatus 10 and the number of HDDs configuring RAID 0 are described. Is not limited to this. Three or more HDDs are provided, and RAID0 may be configured by two or more except one of them. For example, eight HDDs may be provided, and four of them may constitute RAID0.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary storage medium (storage device) provided in the storage unit 15 is an HDD, but may be another auxiliary storage medium as long as striping is possible. For example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be used. A combination of HDD and SSD may be used. Any other storage device that can use RAID may be used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the measurement of the transfer rate of the HDD constituting RAID 0 is performed when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated and during printing, but this is not restrictive. Other timings may be used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the transfer rates of the HDDs constituting RAID 0 are measured first, and then the transfer rates of other HDDs are measured. However, the transfer rates of all HDDs may be measured at one time.

10. Image forming apparatus (MFP)
11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
14: Non-volatile memory 15: Storage unit (HDD1, HDD2, HDD3, HDD4, HDD5)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Display part 17 ... Operation part 18 ... Measurement part 19 ... Network I / F part 20 ... Scanner part 21 ... Image processing part 22 ... Printer part 23 ... Facsimile communication part 24 ... Bus

Claims (14)

An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper based on image data;
M (M is an integer of 2 or more) storage devices constituting RAID 0 in which image data transferred to the image forming unit is striped and stored;
N storage devices (N is an integer of 1 or more) used for other purposes other than RAIDO;
A measuring unit for measuring a data transfer rate of the storage device;
When the data transfer rate of any of the storage devices constituting RAID 0 is lower than a predetermined rate, the storage device having the reduced data transfer rate and the N storage devices used in the other applications A controller that reconfigures the RAID 0 by switching the use with a storage device having a data transfer speed selected from among the above-mentioned predetermined speeds;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the other uses is storage of data related to rasterization processing for converting print data into image data. The image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a storage device from all the storage devices in descending order of data transfer speed and reconfigures the RAID 0. Forming equipment. The control unit has a data transfer rate equal to or higher than a predetermined data transfer rate required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the fastest speed among all the storage devices. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the RAID 0 is reconfigured by preferentially selecting a storage device. 4. The data transfer speed according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed is a data transfer speed required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the fastest speed. 5. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit measures a data transfer speed of the storage device when the image forming apparatus is activated. The said measurement part measures the data transfer rate of the memory | storage device which comprises the said RAID0, when the said image formation part is performing image formation. The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus. An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper based on image data;
M (M is an integer of 2 or more) storage devices constituting RAID 0 in which image data transferred to the image forming unit is striped and stored;
N storage devices (N is an integer of 1 or more) used for other purposes other than RAIDO;
A measuring unit for measuring a data transfer rate of the storage device;
An image forming apparatus having
When the data transfer rate of any of the storage devices constituting RAID 0 is lower than a predetermined rate, the storage device having the reduced data transfer rate and the N storage devices used in the other applications A program that operates to reconfigure RAID0 by switching the use with a storage device having a data transfer rate selected from among the above-mentioned predetermined rates or more. The program according to claim 8, wherein one of the other uses is storage of data related to rasterization processing for converting print data into image data. The image forming apparatus;
The program according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein a storage device is selected from all the storage devices in descending order of data transfer speed and the RAID0 is reconfigured. The image forming apparatus;
Among all the storage devices, a storage device having a data transfer rate higher than a predetermined data transfer rate required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the highest speed is given priority. The program according to claim 8, wherein the program is operated so as to reconfigure the RAID 0. 12. The data transfer speed according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined speed is a data transfer speed required for each storage device constituting the RAID 0 in order for the image forming unit to form an image at the fastest speed. Program described in 1. The image forming apparatus;
The program according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the measurement unit is operated to measure a data transfer rate of the storage device when the image forming apparatus is activated. The image forming apparatus;
14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the measurement unit operates to measure a data transfer rate of a storage device configuring the RAID 0 when the image forming unit is performing image formation. Program described in 1.