CN101625623A

CN101625623A - Methods for implementation of data formats on a removable disk drive storage system

Info

Publication number: CN101625623A
Application number: CN200810126872A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马修·D·邦杜兰特; S·克里斯多佛·阿莱莫; 克莉丝·梅恩
Original assignee: Prostor Systems Inc
Current assignee: Prostor Systems Inc
Priority date: 2008-02-01
Filing date: 2008-07-10
Publication date: 2010-01-13

Abstract

The invention provides for an archiving system including one or more removable disk drives embedded in removable disk cartridges, referred to simply as removable disk drives. The removable disk drives allow for expandability and replacement such that the archiving system need not be duplicated to add new or more storage capacity. In embodiments, the removable disk drives store metadata that contain information about the data stored on the removable disk drive. The metadata allows the system to retrieve the correct data from the random access memory and establishes controls on the data stored on the removable disk drive. In embodiments, the metadata is stored in two locations, such that, if the metadata in one location is corrupted, the second copy of the metadata may be retrieved.

Description

Be used on removable disk drive storage system, realizing the method for data formatting

The application continues part, and it requires in the exercise question that on July 10th, 2007 submitted to is the common unsettled common transfer U.S. Patent application the 60/959th of " method that is used for realizing data formatting on removable disk drive storage system ", No. 056 rights and interests, it is whole openly to be hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

Technical field

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to storage system, more specifically, relate to (but being not limited to) archive storage system.

Background technology

The archive storage system is used by one or more application programs or application server, to store for more time data (for example, 1 year).Government and its hetero-organization often need carry out long-term storage with the data of some type.For example, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may need financial records was kept three months or more of a specified duration.Therefore, the entity that must satisfy these storage demands consider long-term storage and adopt filing system with data storage to medium.

General, store data during being organized in a period of time in several periods.Because data are stored, so that the data that before had been written into may become is discarded.During fetching subsequently, new data but not legacy data are obtained again.In order to obtain new data again, storage system usually sequentially the position that writes at last of storage data and seeking to obtain data again.But the storage of order has hindered use better, more effective medium, and has hindered the use of the storage means of other types.

Consider these and other NM in this article reason, can look forward to embodiment of the present disclosure.

Summary of the invention

Embodiment of the present disclosure provides a kind of uniqueness and novel filing system.These embodiment comprise a kind ofly having the filing system that is embedded in the movably hard disk drive in the disk cartridge movably, and these embodiment are called movably disk drive simply.These movably disk drive consider extendability and replacement, make filing system not need to be replicated to increase new or more storage capacity.In addition, in an embodiment, because by random access but not sequential access is stored and obtain data again, so movably disk drive provides the advantage of speed and data access aspect.In an embodiment, movably disk drive storage comprises metadata about the information that is stored in the data on the disk drive movably.Metadata makes system can obtain correct data again from random access memory, and sets up being stored in the control of the data on the disk drive movably.In an embodiment, metadata store in two positions, if make that metadata is destroyed in a position, then can be obtained the triplicate of metadata again.

Description of drawings

Embodiment of the present disclosure is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of the embodiment of magnetic tape cassette storage system movably;

Fig. 2 is the hardware block diagram of embodiment that comprises the filing system of one or more movably magnetic tape cassette storage systems;

Fig. 3 is the functional block diagram of the embodiment of filing system;

Fig. 4 has two or more movably hardware block diagrams of the embodiment of the modular event driven device seat (drive bay) of disk drive;

Fig. 5 is the functional block diagram of the embodiment of modular event driven device seat;

Fig. 6 is the block diagram that is stored in the embodiment of the information word in the disk drive movably;

Fig. 7 is the process flow diagram that is used for the embodiment of the method for storing metadata on disk drive movably; And

Fig. 8 is the process flow diagram that obtains the embodiment of metadata from disk drive movably again.

In the accompanying drawings, similarly parts and/or feature can have identical reference number.In addition, can distinguish each parts that second label of like is distinguished same type by after reference number, adding dash and being used to.If only used first reference number in this manual, then this description can be applicable to have any in the like of identical first reference number, and irrelevant with second reference number.

Embodiment

Following description only provides (a plurality of) exemplary embodiment, and is not intended to limit scope, applicability or the configuration of possible embodiment.More properly, the following description of (a plurality of) exemplary embodiment can provide the description of realization example embodiment to those skilled in the art.Should understand, under the situation of the spirit and scope that do not deviate from the possible embodiment that claims illustrate, can carry out various changes the function and the arrangement of element.

The embodiment of the movably disc system 100 that the long term archival data storage is provided has been shown among Fig. 1.Movably disk drive 102 provides memory capacity for disc system 100 movably.In an embodiment, movably disk drive 102 comprises data tape box 108 and in-line memory 104, and this in-line memory can be embedded hard disc driver (HDD), solid-state disk (SSD), solid-state drive or flash memory.HDD or flash memory 104 provide random access memory to be used for the store archive data.

In-line memory 104 is communicated by letter with connector 106 and/or is electrically connected to connector.In one embodiment, connector is Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) connector.In other embodiments, connector is USB (universal serial bus) (USB) connector and trip link actuator, Firewire connector or other connectors.In an embodiment, in-line memory 104 and connector 106 physically all are connected on the data tape box 108, and in certain embodiments, by 108 sealings of data tape box, protection, connection or integrated embedded storer and connector.In other embodiments, in-line memory 104 and connector 106 are physically integrated parts, and connector 106 is outstanding from data tape box 108.In an embodiment, data tape box 108 provides firm container for in-line memory 104, and when exchanging movably disk drive 102 in disc system 100 movably, the data tape box also plays easy exchange box.

In an embodiment, in-line memory 104 is not easy physically to be destroyed, and if the data in the storer be removed, wipe, revise or change, in-line memory is reusable.For example, movably disk drive 102 is the hard disk drives that comprise magnetic medium.If the data on the magnetic medium are physically destroyed, then need or physically destroy in other devices of medium and remove or destroy magnetic medium at industrial comminutor.But the data on the hard disk drive can be modified, and make hard disk drive storage to be re-used, and can not obtain data again.Therefore, can be in the random site of archives (but not continuous position) be provided with data storage, so movably disc system 100 can obtain data again from correct position.

In an embodiment, movably disc system 100 comprises driver port 110, this driver port comprises one or more data cartridge port ones 12, and each data cartridge port all has data cartridge connector 114 to accept movably disk drive 102.Data cartridge connector 114 and the electric connector 106 of disk drive 102 are movably combined closely and are electrically connected and/or communicate by letter with the in-line memory 104 in the disk drive 102 movably to provide to disk drive 102 movably.The same with electric connector 106, data cartridge connector 114 can be the connector of SATA connector or other types.In any case data cartridge connector 114 can physically and/or electricly be connected with electric connector 106.

If desired, data cartridge port one 12 allows easily to insert and remove the movably data tape box 108 of disk drive 102.In an embodiment, driver port 110 comprise two or more data cartridge port ones 12 with consider to use, control and with two or more communicating by letter of disk drive 102 movably.In an embodiment, each driver port 110 by addressable respectively to consider to being connected to each movably special use control of disk drive 102 of each data cartridge port one 12.Therefore because driver port 110 but not movably dish drive 102 and be addressed, so replacing under the situation of disk drive 102 movably, identical control can be applied to the movably disk drive 102 of new insertion.

Can read and use in-line memory 104 by the firmware 116 of driver port 110.Firmware 116 can be to reside in being used in the driver port 110 to control the movably hardware and/or the software of disk drive 102.In an embodiment, firmware 116 comprises essential software and/or hardware to power up to disk drive 102 movably, the plate of trying to get to the heart of a matter in the in-line memory 104 (disk platter) rotation is quickened, read and write to in-line memory, reads, writes and process metadata etc. from in-line memory 104.For example, firmware 116 can read in-line memory 104 to discern movably disk drive 102 and the collection information relevant with its content.

In an embodiment, movably disc system 100 is operated to receive the one or more movably disk drives 102 in one or more driver ports 110.The electrical connection that electric connector 106 physically is connected or is coupled and with formation driver port 110 is communicated by letter with in-line memory 104 with data cartridge connector 114.116 pairs of in-line memorys 104 of firmware power up, and begin any initialization process (for example, safe handling, identification process, read and/or write etc.).In an embodiment, the driver port 110 with network service receives archive data from other devices or system on one or more servers, application program or the network.Firmware 116 is written to the in-line memory 104 of disk drive 102 movably with archive data with archive data.

The embodiment of the hardware configuration of filing system 200 has been shown among Fig. 2.In an embodiment, filing system 200 comprises by the network store system 202 of network 204 with one or more system communications.In an embodiment, the system that communicates by letter with network store system 202 comprise application program, application server, other servers, peripherals, with other devices and the other system of data archiving to the network store system 202.For example, application server 1206 and/or application server 2208 store archive data on the network store system 202 into.Application server 206 or application server 208 can be application program, peripheral unit, system, network components or other software functions or hardware unit that can the store archive data.Hereinafter, all functions, system, program, hardware unit that can the store archive data will be called as application program or application server.Hereinafter, application server 1206 and application server 2208 will be used to describe the function of filing system 200, but and not mean that the exemplary embodiment that this description is defined as herein to be set forth.

Network store system 202 comprises one or more parts, it can be included in the single physical arrangement, and perhaps it is made up of discrete parts.In an embodiment, network store system 202 one or more movably disk drives 224 of comprising filing system equipment 210 and being connected or communicating by letter with driver port 222.In optional embodiment, modular event driven device seat 212 and/or modular event driven device seat 214 comprise two or more driver ports 222, and each driver port all links to each other with disk drive 224 movably.Therefore, owing to the movably disk drive 224 that can use 210 insertions of identical filing system equipment and visit, so modular event driven device seat 212 and modular event driven device seat 214 provide the memory capacity of increase more than one.In addition, in an embodiment, each the driver port 222 in modular event driven device seat 212 and the modular event driven device seat 214 is organized one or more movably disk drives 224 more by addressable is configured to the movably disk drive 224 in modular event driven device seat 212 and the modular event driven device seat 214 with permission filing system equipment 210 respectively.In an embodiment, comprise two or more modular event driven device seats 212 and modular event driven device seat 214 in the network store system 202, it is with suspension points 218 expressions.Therefore, because the data storage capacity that needs is big more, then will there be many more modular event driven device seats 212 or modular event driven device seat 214 to be added into network store system 202.

Exemplary hardware configuration among Fig. 2 provides near unlimited capacity, because more movably disk drive 224 is added into existing modular event driven device seat 212 or modular event driven device seat 214, hold all possible movably disk drive 224 up to modular event driven device seat 212 or modular event driven device seat 214.Next, more modular event driven device seat 212 and modular event driven device seat 214 are joined network store system 202.In addition, disk drive 224 movably can be substituted by movably disk drive 224 near its memory capacity.In an embodiment, movably disk drive 224 is physically stocked, and if the data on disk drive 224 movably need be obtained again.If movably the data on the disk drive 224 need be obtained again, then will be movably disk drive 224 be inserted among in the driver port 222 of modular event driven device seat 212 and modular event driven device seat 214 one, and from the movably disk drive 224 that is connected, obtain information again.

In an embodiment, filing system equipment 210 is the servers that are operating as file system.Filing system equipment 210 can be to have processor, storer, and can operate computing system with any kind of finishing function described herein.An example that can be used in the server among the embodiment described herein is the PowerEdge that the Dell Incorporated ofAustin by Texas is provided ^TM2950 servers.The file system of carrying out on server can be that it can finish function described herein such as the file system of any kind of NT file system (NTFS).

In an embodiment, each two or more modular event driven device seats 212 and/or modular event driven device seat 214 that all has one or more movably disk drives 224 that are inserted into forms movably disk array (RDA) 232.Filing system equipment 210 can be configured to RDA 232 one or more independently file system.The view that can provide RDA 232 to each application server 206 or the application server 208 of archive needed data is as one or more independently file system.In an embodiment, filing system equipment 210 is logically divided RDA 232, and logically one or more driver ports 222 is associated with each application layer division.Therefore, comprise that one or more movably disk drives 224 that application layer divides are as file system independently.

In another embodiment, filing system equipment 210 is for application server 1206 and interface is provided application server 2208 so that application server 206 and application server 208 can be sent to archive data filing system equipment 210.In an embodiment, where filing system equipment 210 is determined and how data storage is arrived one or more movably disk drives 224.For example, application server 1206 stores archive data in the first application layer driver (such as three that begin most disk drives movably) into.In an embodiment, application layer being divided present to application server 206 and application server 208 as the application layer driver, wherein, is at one in a plurality of application servers to the permission of reading and write of any application layer driver.Similarly, network store system 202 uses identical hardware configuration to provide a plurality of and file system independently to each application server 206 and application server 208.In an embodiment, archive data also is called as information word, and can include, but is not limited to the data of file, memory sector, data structure, table or other types or form.

In optional embodiment, network store system 202 also comprises read-only storage 216.Read-only storage 216 can be the storer or the storage medium of filing system equipment any kind 210 inside or that be configured to discrete system.For example, read-only storage 216 is such as the raid-array (RAID) from the Xtore XJ-SA12-316R-B of the AIC in Taiwan.Read-only storage 216 provides a kind of movable file store (active archive) that is used for storing in short time some data, the access data more easily at this place.In an embodiment, filing system equipment 210 copies to read-only storage 216 with archive data and movably in the disk drive 224.If need data in a short time, then filing system equipment 210 obtains data again from read-only storage 216.

Filing system equipment 210 can also be configured to the movable file store in the read-only storage 216 the one or more independently file system the same with RDA 232.The view of a file system in two or more separate file system can be provided to each application server as explained above.Each independently file system can comprise that application layer among the RDA 232 is divided and read-only storage 216 in the related application layer divide.In an embodiment, filing system equipment 210 is divided read-only storage 216 and each application layer in the read-only storage 216 is divided the application layer that is associated that is associated with among the RDA 232 divide.

As explained above, in an embodiment, where filing system equipment 210 is determined and how data storage is arrived one or more movably disk drives 224.For example, application server 1206 stores archive data in the first application layer driver into, and it can comprise that storing archive data in the read-only storage 216 application layer is used for more easily access archive data in dividing.In addition, in an embodiment, the application layer driver is presented to application server 206 and application server 208, wherein, the permission of writing and read of any application layer driver is at one in a plurality of application servers.Similarly, network store system 202 uses identical hardware configuration to provide a plurality of and file system independently to each application server 206 and application server 208.

In operation, in original storage 228, this original storage can be local disk drive or other storeies to application server 1206 with original data storage.After some scheduled events, application server 1206 reads former data, sends to network store system 202 to be filed with the form that is used for transmission on network 204 with data encapsulation and with archive data from original storage 228.Filing system equipment 210 receives archive data, and determines where archive data should be stored in.In an embodiment, next, archive data is sent to during related application layer among read-only storage 216 and the RDA 232 divides, it can comprise the one or more movably disk drives 224 in one or more driver ports 222.Be written to archive data movably that disk drive 224 is used for longer-term storage, and with archive data be written to read-only storage 216 be used for short-term, the storage of access easily.In another embodiment, application server 2208 is written to original storage 230 with raw data, and archive data is sent to network store system 202.In certain embodiments, because the archive data from application server 2208 relates to different application programs, therefore relate to different application layers divide relevant, so the archive data of self-application server 2208 stores the different piece of different movably disk drive 224 and read-only storage 216 in the future.

The block diagram of filing system 300 has been shown among Fig. 3.In an embodiment, filing system 300 has one or more functional parts, and these functional parts comprise the network store system 302 of communicating by letter with network 304.Network 304 can be the communications infrastructure of any kind, for example, but is not limited to one or more in wide area network (WAN), Local Area Network, WLAN, the Internet etc.Network store system 302 can be communicated by letter with the one or more other systems that are coupled to, are connected to or communicate by letter with network 304.For example, network store system 302 is communicated by letter with application server 306.Communication between a plurality of systems on the network 304 can take place by any agreement or form (for example, TCP (TCP/IP), hypertext transmission communication agreement (HTTP) etc.).

In an embodiment, network store system 302 comprises one or more functional parts that are included in hardware and/or the software.In one embodiment, network store system 302 comprises the filing system 312 of communicating by letter with one or more (it is represented by suspension points 323) driver port 322, and these driver ports and one or more (they are represented by suspension points 325) movably disk drive 324 are communicated by letter.Driver port 322 and movably disk drive 324 on function with driver port described in conjunction with Figure 1 with movably disk drive is similar.The function of the one or more driver ports 322 of filing system 312 control, and archive data is written to one or more predetermined movably disk drive 324 in one or more driver ports 322.

In another embodiment, network store system 302 comprises archive management system 310.Archive management system 310 receives data from the one or more systems on the network 304 and is used for filing.In addition, archive management system 310 determine should with data archiving to which system or movably disk drive 324, should and how to be network store system 302 with which kind of form preservation data provide safety.In an embodiment, archive management system 310 provides the file of division, so that network store system 302 is rendered as independently file system for the application server 306 of each separation, still is that a plurality of application servers 306 keep filing.Therefore, archive management system 310 with network store system 302 management for a plurality of, independently file system is used for one or more application servers 306.In an embodiment, archive management system 310 and filing system 312 are functional parts of filing system equipment 210 (Fig. 2).

In an embodiment, archive management system 310 is saved in archive data in filing system 312 and the movable file store 314.In an embodiment, movable file store 314 is controlled, is read and be written in one or more read-only storages from one or more (it is by suspension points 317 expressions) read-only storage 316, and these read-only storages allow the easier access to archive data.In an embodiment, read-only storage 316 is similar to read-only storage 216 (Fig. 2) on function.Movable 314 pairs of filing systems 312 of file store rather than fixed-storage device 316 are carried out similar function.In an embodiment, movable file store 314 and fixed-storage device 316 are parts of fixed in hardware storage system 216 (Fig. 2).In optional embodiment, movable file store 314 is divided read-only storage 316 and is divided with the application layer that reflection in RDA 320 is associated.(a plurality of) application layer in the movable file store 314 is divided can have the border (boundary) that is associated with storage address in the read-only storage 316.

Archive management system 310 can also provide intelligent memory capacity.The every class data that send to network store system 302 can have different demands and control.For example, some tissue such as SEC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Union etc. has different demands for some data of how filing.SEC may need Financial Information was preserved seven (7) years, and FDA may need clinical testing data was preserved 30 (30) years.Data storage requirement can comprise unchangeability (data are not by the demand of overwrite), encryption, predetermined data format, retention period (data will keep how long filing) etc.The data storage requirement that archive management system 310 can set up according to the user applies control to different piece and the movable file store 314 of RDA 320.In one embodiment, archive management system 310 creates a plurality of application layers and divides in archive repository, and it crosses over one or more parts of one or more movably disk drives 324 and read-only storage 316.All data in any application layer is divided to be stored can have identical demand and control.Therefore, will be applied to the different driver port 222 (Fig. 2) in modular event driven device seat 212 and the modular event driven device seat 214 (Fig. 2) and be applied to the movably disk drive of stocking in those driver ports 222 (Fig. 2) 224 (Fig. 2) to the demand of data storer.In addition, similarly these demands are applied to the different piece of the read-only storage 316 in the movable file store 314.In an embodiment, if replace movably disk drive, then owing to its position in controlled driver port 322, so identical storage demand is applied to the movably disk drive 324 of replacement.Similarly, even archive management system 310 can use different control also to keep the data set that separates individually in different movably disk drives 324.

Network store system 302 can also comprise the database 318 of communicating by letter with archive management system 310.In an embodiment, database 318 is the storeies that are used to store the information relevant with the data of being filed.Database 318 can comprise other storeies of HDD, ROM, RAM or network store system 302 and/or archive management system 310 inside, or is separated into 310 addressable discreet components by the archive management system.In an embodiment, the information in the database 318 of being stored in comprises (but being not limited to) Data Identification, application server identifier, storage time, movably disk drive sign, data layout, encryption key, application layer are divided one or more in the tissue etc.

In an embodiment, network 304 connect, communicating by letter between coupling or same one or more other systems of permission and the network store system 302.For example, application server 306 is connected to network store system 302 by network 304.Application server 306 can be software application (for example, electronic mail software programs), hardware unit or other network componentses or system.In an embodiment, the memory communication that acts on of application server 306 and the original storage 308 that plays application server.In an embodiment, original storage 308 is HDD, RAM, ROM or other storeies that are arranged in application server 306 or addressable separation point position.

In an embodiment, application server 306 arrives original storage 308 with information stores.Afterwards, application server 306 sends to network store system 302 so that data are filed with data at some scheduled events (expiring such as a period of time).Application server 306 can send to data network store system 302 by any procotol (such as TCP/IP, HTTP etc.) on network 304.Receive data at archive management system 310 places.In an embodiment, archive management system 310 sends in movable file store 314 and/or the filing system 312 with data or both are to be filed.

The embodiment of the hardware/firmware 400 of modular event driven device seat 212 and modular event driven device seat 214 (Fig. 2) has been shown among Fig. 4.In an embodiment, hardware/firmware 400 is with identical or similar in conjunction with hardware/firmware 116 that Fig. 1 explained.In an embodiment, hardware/firmware 400 comprises first interface (interface #1) 406, processor 402, storer 404 and second interface (interface #2) 408.In an embodiment, first interface 406 receives archive data and is used for storing into movably disk drive 412 and/or will sends to main frame 410 from the data of disk drive 412 movably from main frame 410.In an embodiment, movably disk drive 412 is identical or similar with movably disk drive described in conjunction with Figure 1 102.First interface 406 can be the interface that can operate with any kind of communicating by letter with main frame 410.In an embodiment, main frame 410 is filing system equipment 210 (Fig. 2) and/or filing system 312 (Fig. 3).First interface 406 can be Firewire, USB, SATA or other interfaces.

Processor 402 can be operated with execution and be stored in software or firmware in the storer 404, is used for storage or obtains archive data again from disk drive 412 movably.In an embodiment, processor 402 is any processors that are used to carry out function described herein that are known in the art.For example, processor 402 is Intel Pentium, ASIC, FPGA or other devices.Processor 402 links to each other with first interface 406 and is used for storage to receive archive data, and data are sent to main frame 410.Processor 402 also links to each other with second interface 408 data being sent to movably disk drive 412, and from disk drive 412 reading of data movably.Storer 404 can be the storer that includes, but is not limited to any kind of RAM, ROM, disk drive etc.Storer can be stored data or metadata, and links to each other with processor 402.

In an embodiment, second interface 408 obtains archive data sending to main frame 410 again from disk drive 412 movably, and sends to archive data movably that disk drive 412 is used for storage.Second interface 408 can be the interface that can operate with any kind of communicating by letter with disk drive 412 movably.Second interface 408 can be Firewire, USB, SATA or other interfaces.

The functional block diagram of embodiment of the hardware/firmware 500 of modular event driven device seat has been shown among Fig. 5.In an embodiment, hardware/firmware 500 is with identical or similar in conjunction with hardware/firmware 116 or hardware/firmware described in conjunction with Figure 4 400 that Fig. 1 explained.In an embodiment, hardware/firmware 500 representatives performed software in hardware/firmware 400 (Fig. 4).In an embodiment, hardware/firmware 500 comprises interface selection module 508, access control module 502, metadata data warehouse 504, order transmission module 506 and/or disk drive interface 510.

In an embodiment, interface selects module 508 to receive request from main frame 512 with storage or obtain archive data again.Main frame 512 can send the request of the presumptive address with archive data.Interface selects module 508 can extract storage that receives from main frame 512 or the address that obtains archive data again.In an embodiment, this address is offered access control module 502.

Access control module 502 can be operated to read metadata from metadata data warehouse 504.In an embodiment, access control module 502 makes up metadata data warehouse 504 by reading to store into the form of table or other data structures from the metadata of one or more movably disk drives 514 with this metadata in the metadata data warehouse 504.In an embodiment, metadata data warehouse 504 provide the first available block address with data storage in disk drive 514 movably.Access control module 502 uses the first available block address to determine from where beginning storage or obtain data again.Can in processor 402 (Fig. 4), carry out access control module 502.

In an embodiment, order is transmitted module 506 order is sent to movably disk drive 514.For example, if are reading of data from the request of main frame 512, then order is transmitted module 506 and is carried out on disk drive 514 movably and read.The request command that is sent from main frame 512 can be a kind of form or the agreement of observing a kind of file system.Order is transmitted module 506 and this order can be changed into by movably disk drive 514 accessible orders.In another embodiment, access control module 502 transmits module 506 to order provides the first available block address to transmit module 506 with the correct address place of data storage in the disk drive 514 movably to guarantee order.

In an embodiment, disk drive interface 510 is disk drives or makes order transmit other softwares that module 506 links to each other with disk drive 514 movably.Therefore, disk drive interface 510 can be disk drive 514 conversion commands movably.

The embodiment that is stored in such as the archive repository 600 of the one or more parts with archive data and metadata in the movably disk drive of disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) movably has been shown among Fig. 6.In an embodiment, archive repository 600 is movably expressions of the storer in the disk drive.In example shown in Figure 6, existence can have the archive data 602 of one or more parts, its expression file or be stored in " information word " in the archive repository 600.Can have than the more file of file shown in the exemplary archive repository 600.File data 602 can comprise the archive data that is sent from application server 306 (Fig. 3).File data 602 can be by overwrite or unmodifiable.Unchangeability means that in a single day data are written to movably in the disk drive 514 (Fig. 5), are not replaced even data are updated it yet.More definite, store new, amended copy, and the pointer that will point to data is adjusted into the data that sensing is newly duplicated.In certain embodiments, file data 602 is protected by the control that the write-once that does not allow overwriting data repeatedly reads (WORM).In other embodiments, file data 602 only is written to the next available LBA (Logical Block Addressing) on the removable driver, but not the previous data of preserving of overwrite do not need control to force this ablation process.

In an embodiment, file structure 600 can comprise one or more parts of metadata.In an embodiment, metadata 604 and metadata 606 comprise information or the attribute about data 602.For example, metadata 604 and metadata 606 can include, but is not limited to one or more in following: file size, document location, file date saved and time, file creation date and time, document creation person etc.In an embodiment, metadata 604 and metadata 606 are stored in two replication regions 604 and 606.First's metadata store in first area 604, and is stored into second portion metadata (it is the copy of first's metadata) in the second area 606.If first group metadata 604 is destroyed, then hardware/firmware 116 (Fig. 1) can failover to second group metadata 606.In an embodiment, metadata 604 comprise stored verification and.If the verification that calculates and with the verification of being stored and inequality, then metadata is destroyed as can be known.In other embodiments, will be from the verification of first's metadata 604 with the verification of second portion metadata 606 with whether destroyedly compare to determine metadata.

In an embodiment, first area 604 and second area 606 are logical blocks of the predetermined quantity that keeps for metadata.Therefore, first area 604 and second area 606 can comprise the metadata in the first of utilogic piece, and do not write data into the second portion of utilogic piece.Because metadata is updated, so can use the not use part of utilogic piece.

In one embodiment, metadata 604 comprises root (root) the metadata portion 608 of the one or more parts with metadata.Root metadata 608 can comprise permanent metadata (for example, disk drive sign).Root metadata 608 also comprises the link or the pointer of a part of pointing to the metadata 610 that connects.In an embodiment, the metadata 610 of connection comprises or the multinomial data that can be updated.For example, if the data in the data field 602 are updated, then the metadata 610 of Lian Jieing can comprise the new address of data.The original address in the root metadata 608 will be replaced in new address in the metadata 610 that connects.Change if data have been carried out another, then can create metadata portion such as one or more other connections of the metadata 612 that connects.

Metadata 604 can have storage from the initial root metadata 608 of first LBA (Logical Block Addressing) 614.Next, the metadata 610 that connects and/or the metadata 612 of connection are sequentially stored in the logical block.For metadata 606, store root metadata 608 into largest logical block address 616 places.Next, the metadata 610 with each connection subsequently stores in the logical block of front with the metadata 612 that is connected.Therefore, in an embodiment, metadata 606 is rendered as the mirror image of metadata 604.

Illustrated among Fig. 7 and be used for the embodiment of data storage to the method 700 of the movably disk drive of filing system.In an embodiment, method 700 starts from START operation 702 usually, and ends at END operation 716.In computer system, the step shown in the method 700 can be performed as a set of computer-executable instructions.Though figure 7 illustrates logical order, in some cases, shown in can carrying out with the different order of the order shown in being different from herein or described step.

Beamhouse operation 704 provides driver.In an embodiment, movably disk drive 102 (Fig. 1) is inserted in the driver port 110 (Fig. 1) of RDA 232.Can inciting somebody to action movably by user or operator, disk drive 102 (Fig. 1) be placed in the driver port 110 (Fig. 1).Provide the step of disk drive 102 (Fig. 1) also to comprise to be used for initialization disk drive 102 (Fig. 1) in steps in order to the institute that uses.

Determine whether operation 706 definite drivers are empty.The filing system 312 (Fig. 3) of filing system equipment 210 (Fig. 2) determines that disk drive is new or had before used.In an embodiment, if do not have data storage on disk drive 102 (Fig. 1) movably, then movably disk drive 102 (Fig. 1) is new.Access control module 502 (Fig. 5) can determine movably whether disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) is empty.If movably disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) is empty, then method 700 flows through YES to creation operation 707.If movably disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) is not empty, then method 700 flows to NO to receiving operation 708.

Creation operation 707 is created the root metadata.In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) is created root metadata 608 (Fig. 6).Root metadata 608 can include, but is not limited at least one in following: magnetic tape cassette verify data, write-protect control, read protection control, magnetic tape cassette are made position and size, form control, magnetic tape cassette information (sequence number, manufacturer etc.), use information or the control information (error correction control, compression, encryption etc.) that data, user data are divided.Access control module 502 (Fig. 5) can receive the one or more metadata items from filing system 312 (Fig. 3).In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) storage root metadata 608 (Fig. 6).In one embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) stores the copy of root metadata 608 (Fig. 6) on the disk drive into, stores the first authentic copy into the reference position of first LBA (Logical Block Addressing) 614 (Fig. 6) and the reference position that triplicate is stored into largest logical block address 616 (Fig. 6).

Receive operation 708 and receive data.In an embodiment, filing system equipment 210 (Fig. 2) receives the data from application server 306 (Fig. 3).In an embodiment, send data from archive management system 310 (Fig. 3) to be stored in one or more movably disk drives 324 (Fig. 3) by filing system 312 (Fig. 3).Next, filing system 312 (Fig. 3) can send to data interface #1406 (Fig. 4) and is used for processor 402 (Fig. 4) and stores movably disk drive 412 (Fig. 4) into.The access control module 502 (Fig. 5) of processor 402 (Fig. 4) can extract from the metadata 604 (Fig. 6) of disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) movably.Use metadata 604 (Fig. 6) to come the position of specified data.For example, data storage is arrived next available logical address piece place.

The data that storage operation 710 storages receive.In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) sends to order transmission module 506 (Fig. 5) with data and memory command, and this order transmission module is changed order and data are sent to movably disk drive 514 (Fig. 5).Disk drive interface 510 (Fig. 5) with data storage to disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) movably.

Creation operation 712 is created the metadata that connects.In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) is created the new metadata that connects.The metadata 610 (Fig. 6) that connects can comprise Data Identification and the data position on disk drive.In another embodiment, the metadata 610 (Fig. 6) of connection also comprises and is provided for main frame 512 memory location that is associated with actual physical location data (Fig. 5).

The metadata that storage operation 714 storages connect.In an embodiment, metadata 610 (Fig. 6) that access control module 502 (Fig. 5) will newly connect and memory command send to order and transmit module 506 (Fig. 5), and this order transmission module is changed order and the metadata 610 (Fig. 6) that connects is sent to movably disk drive 514 (Fig. 5).Disk drive interface 510 (Fig. 5) stores the metadata 610 (Fig. 6) that connects into the movably disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) in the next Free Region of the reserve area that is used for metadata 604 (Fig. 6) of disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) movably.In another embodiment, the movably dish that also triplicate of the metadata 610 (Fig. 6) that connects stored in the next Free Region in second reserve area 606 (Fig. 6) of disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) movably of disk drive interface 510 (Fig. 5) drives on 514 (Fig. 5).

The embodiment that is used for the method 800 of reading of data from the movably disk drive of filing system has been shown among Fig. 8.In an embodiment, method 800 begins and ends at END to operate 814 from START operation 802 usually.In computer system, the step shown in the method 800 can be performed as a set of computer-executable instructions.Though figure 8 illustrates logical order, in some cases, shown in can carrying out with the different order shown in this article or described step.

Receive operation 804 and receive the request that is used for data.In an embodiment, filing system equipment 210 (Fig. 2) receives the request from application server 306 (Fig. 3).In an embodiment, should ask to send to filing system 312 (Fig. 3) from one or more movably disk drives 324 (Fig. 3), to obtain data again from archive management system 310 (Fig. 3).Next, filing system 312 (Fig. 3) can send to this request interface #1406 (Fig. 4) and is used for processor 402 (Fig. 4) and obtains requested data again from disk drive 412 (Fig. 4) movably.

Extract operation 806 and from request, extract the address.In an embodiment, the access control module 502 (Fig. 5) of processor 402 (Fig. 4) can extract the address from the request that receives.For example, this request provides the position of the file in obtaining again asking.

Read operation 808 reads metadata.Access control module 502 (Fig. 5) can be from movably reading metadata 604 (Fig. 6) the disk drive 514 (Fig. 5).Metadata 604 (Fig. 6) temporarily can be stored in the metadata data warehouse 504 (Fig. 5).

Determine whether operation 809 definite metadata are destroyed.In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) be defined as verification that metadata 604 calculated with whether be stored in metadata 604 in verification and identical.If verification and comparison, then metadata 604 is not destroyed, and method 800 flows to NO to associative operation.

Again obtain operating 810 triplicates that obtain metadata again.In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) obtains and reads the triplicate of metadata 606 again.

Associative operation 811 is interrelated with the physical location of the data in the address of extracting and the disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) movably.In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) is associated to determine the physical location of requested date by address relevant in the location of will be extracted and metadata 604 or the metadata 606 (Fig. 6).In an embodiment, metadata 604 or metadata 606 have the table of the physical location relevant with the address that is provided for main frame 512 (Fig. 5).

Read operation 812 reading of data.In an embodiment, access control module 502 (Fig. 5) request of will reading sends to order and transmits module 506 (Fig. 5), and this order is transmitted module converts order and from disk drive reading of data movably.Disk drive interface 510 (Fig. 5) obtains the data on the disk drive 514 (Fig. 5) movably again.

According to top description, many advantages of the present disclosure are easily apparent.For example, can be by the mode working medium (it can be HDD or other random accesses and reusable medium) of the write access of simulation order, it prevents that data are by overwrite.Similarly, network store system can keep medium, also protects the copy of older data simultaneously effectively.In addition, network store system can also guarantee that data can not be deleted.Further, metadata can be remained the data on the medium and not allow older metadata by overwrite.At last, store into movably by two copies and prevent that metadata is destroyed on the disk drive metadata.

In description, provided specific details, so that the thorough understanding of these embodiment to be provided.But it will be understood by those skilled in the art that not to have realizing these embodiment under the situation of these specific detail.For example, can obscure embodiment to avoid unnecessary details in loop shown in the block diagram.In other examples, can well-known loop, step, algorithm, structure and technology be shown under the situation that unnecessary details is not shown, with these embodiment that avoid confusion.Computing system can be used to carry out any task or operation described herein.In an embodiment, computing system comprises storer, processor, and can operate with execution and be stored in definition on the computer-readable medium step described herein or the computer executable instructions of operation.

Equally, should be noted that and these embodiment can be described as the processing described as procedure chart, process flow diagram, data flowchart, structural drawing or block diagram.Though procedure chart can be described as sequential processes with operation, a plurality of operations can walk abreast or carry out simultaneously.In addition, can rearrange the order of these operations.When its operation was finished, processing finished, and can have other steps that do not comprise among the figure but handle.Processing can be corresponding to method, function, program, subroutine, subroutine etc.When handling corresponding to function, its terminal is corresponding to function being turned back to call function or principal function.

In addition, as disclosed herein, one or more devices of data can be represented to be used to store in term " storage medium ", comprising: ROM, RAM, magnetic RAM, magnetic core storage, magnetic disk storage medium, optical storage medium, flash memory device and/or be used for the other machines computer-readable recording medium of canned data.Term " machine readable media " includes but not limited to portable or fixed-storage device, optical storage, wireless channel and can store, holds or carry various other media of (a plurality of) instruction and/or data.

In addition, can realize embodiment by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or its any combination.When realizing these embodiment, carry out the program code of necessary task or code segment and can be stored in the machine readable media such as storage medium with software, firmware, middleware or microcode.(a plurality of) processor can be carried out necessary task.Code segment can be represented any combination of process, function, subroutine, program, routine, subroutine, module, object, software package, class or instruction, data structure or program statement.Can code segment be connected to another code segment or hardware circuit by transmission and/or reception information, data, independent variable, parameter or memory contents.Can be by any suitable method transmission, forwarding or transmission information, independent variable, parameter, data etc., this suitable method comprises memory sharing, message transmission, token transmission, Network Transmission etc.

Although described principle of the present disclosure above in conjunction with particular device and method, to understand with should be understood that, this description only is as an example, not as limitation of the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. modular event driven device seat that in network store system, is used for archive data, described modular event driven device seat comprises:

One or more movably disk drives, described one or more movably disk drive can be operated with the store archive data, described one or more movably disk drive can be operated so that data are remained immutable, each movably disk drive comprise:

The data tape box;

Connector;

In-line memory, described in-line memory physically is connected to described data tape box, described in-line memory is electrically connected to described connector, and described in-line memory can be operated with the store archive data, and described in-line memory can be operated to guarantee that archive data is not by overwrite;

Modular event driven device seat, described modular event driven device seat comprises:

Two or more driver ports, each driver port all comprises the data cartridge connector of combining closely and communicating by letter with described in-line memory with described connector; And

Hardware/firmware, described hardware/firmware and one or more application server communication, described hardware/firmware receives the request that writes that is associated with archive data from described one or more application servers, described hardware/firmware can operate with metadata store in the described in-line memory for access to the described archive data in the described in-line memory.

2. modular event driven device seat according to claim 1, wherein, described hardware/firmware comprises:

First interface, described first interface can be operated to receive the said write request from main frame;

Second interface, described second interface can be operated the said write request is sent to described one or more movably disk drives at place, address;

Storer, described storer can be operated to store one or multinomial metadata, and at least one metadata provides the pointer that points to first storage block that is not used; And

Processor, with described first interface, described second interface and described memory communication, described processor can be operated described address is associated with described pointer and produces the write command that sends to described one or more movably disk drives.

3. modular event driven device seat according to claim 2, wherein, described processor comprises executable software module, described software module comprises:

Interface is selected module, and described interface selects module to receive the said write request;

The metadata data warehouse, one or multinomial metadata that described metadata data warehouse storage is read from described one or more movably disk drives, described metadata comprises described pointer; And

Access control module, select module and described metadata data warehouse to communicate by letter with described interface, described access control module receives the said write request, the definite address that is associated with the pointer of first data block that is not used of described access control module, described access control module produces the write command that is addressed to the address that is associated with described pointer.

4. modular event driven device seat according to claim 3 also comprises the order transmission module of communicating by letter with described access control module, and described order is transmitted module and received described address and carry out the said write request at place, described address.

5. modular event driven device seat according to claim 4, wherein, described order is transmitted module and can be operated so that two or more data blocks are write described in-line memory, and wherein, described order is transmitted module and is write described two or more data blocks continuously by the order of selecting module to receive by described interface.

6. modular event driven device seat according to claim 4, wherein, described order is transmitted module and can be operated so that two or more data blocks are write described in-line memory, wherein, whether described access control module can be operated with one or more in the described data block of determining to be received is to upgrade for the one or more data blocks that are stored in the described in-line memory, and wherein, if one or more in the described data block upgrade, then described order is transmitted module and can be operated institute's data updated piece write the one or more storage blocks that are not used in the described in-line memory and to upgrade described metadata to point to institute's data updated piece.

7. modular event driven device seat according to claim 2, wherein, the described hardware/firmware that writes that described network store system can not the described one or more data blocks of access control.

8. the archive repository in the in-line memory of the movably disk drive of a filing system, described in-line memory is stored immutable data, and described archive repository comprises:

One or more data blocks, described one or more data block comprises the data that are stored in the described in-line memory, if described one or more data block is by random access and read and access, then data are offered described filing system, described one or more data blocks comprise immutable data;

One or more storage blocks that are not used are write fashionablely when described one or more storage blocks that are not used by described filing system, then described one or more storage blocks that are not used are accepted archive data;

The root metadata, described metadata comprise characteristic about described movably disk drive, about the characteristic of described in-line memory or about the static data of a characteristic in the characteristic of described data block, described metadata also comprises the pointer of the metadata of pointing at least one connection; And

The metadata that connects, the metadata of described connection comprises pointer, described pointer is associated with the address of first storage block that is not used that can accept archive data, described pointer prevents that described filing system is written to the described one or more data blocks before described pointer, and the metadata of described connection also comprises the metadata pointer that points to the new metadata portion that connects.

9. archive repository according to claim 8, wherein, at the after date that writes subsequently, the metadata store that newly connects is arrived the metadata portion of described new connection, and the metadata of the described new connection of described metadata pointed in the metadata of described connection then.

10. archive repository according to claim 8 wherein, writes described one or more data block continuously by the order that is received by described filing system, and wherein, after writing each data block, the new metadata that connects of storage.

11. archive repository according to claim 8, wherein, one or more data blocks are recombinated by described filing system and are stored writing in the phase, and wherein, store the new metadata that connects after the phase in said write.

12. archive repository according to claim 8 also comprises the second portion of the metadata that is stored in the maximum block address place, the second portion of described metadata has and described metadata and the identical metadata of the described metadata that is connected.

13. archive repository according to claim 12 wherein, if the metadata of described metadata or described connection is destroyed, then obtains described metadata from the second portion of described metadata again.

14. whether archive repository according to claim 13 wherein, compares the metadata of described metadata and described connection and the second portion of described metadata, destroyed with the metadata of determining described metadata or described connection.

15. one kind executable in computer system is used for obtaining again the movably method of the data of the in-line memory of disk drive, described method comprises:

Reception is used for the request of reading of one or more data blocks;

From described in-line memory, read metadata;

From the definite pointer that points to first data block of the described one or more data blocks the described in-line memory of described metadata; And

Read described one or more data blocks of the described pointer that originates in the described in-line memory.

16. method according to claim 15 wherein, reads described one or more data block continuously.

17. method according to claim 15 also comprises:

From the described address of extracting described one or more data blocks the request of reading; And

Make the described pointer in described address and the described metadata interrelated.

18. method according to claim 15 also comprises:

Determine last data block; And

Read described data up to described last data block.

19. method according to claim 18 wherein, determines that described pointer comprises:

Read the root metadata to determine to point to the pointer of the metadata that connects;

From the metadata of described connection, read described pointer.

20. method according to claim 19, wherein, the metadata of described connection comprises second pointer that points to the new metadata that connects, and described pointer is read from the metadata of described new connection.