FR2942892A1 - Computing data storage system, has computing data exchanging interface for connecting storage medium to computing data source located outside fire-proof enclosure, and cooling device for cooling air in enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (10) has a storage medium e.g. hard disk, placed inside a fire-proof enclosure (12) for storing computing data to be protected. A computing data exchanging interface (14) e.g. wireless fidelitytype wireless interface, connects the storage medium to a computing data source located outside the enclosure. A cooling device (28) cools the air in the enclosure. The storage medium is placed in contact with a heat dissipator. An electronic device e.g. server, is placed inside the enclosure.

Description

SYSTEM FOR STORING COMPUTER DATA

The present invention relates to a computer data storage system.

More particularly, the invention relates to a computer data storage system for preserving computer data stored against fires. It is already known from US Patent 6,158,833 an enclosure within which is disposed a hard disk. The heat produced by the hard disk, when data is recorded on the hard disk in particular, is evacuated by convection of the proximity of the hard disk, while remaining inside the enclosure. Therefore, to have sufficient thermal inertia to compensate for the heat released by the hard disk, the volume of the enclosure must be high. In addition, the convective heat dissipation is slow, in particular slower than by conduction with a heat sink. It has been found that it is difficult to ensure reliable operation of the hard disk. even in the short term, in a device of this type. Furthermore, EP 1 475 803 describes an internal system for the secure backup and archiving of computer data stored in the memory of a computer, a server or a similar device under the control of a backup software installed. on the computer. This system includes a box in which there is a backup hard disk connected to the computer or server or similar device and for backing up the computer data under the control of the backup software, and a heat sink radiator in contact with the disk hard, the housing being placed inside a fireproof enclosure.

Although it actually improves the cooling of the hard disks present in the enclosure, this system nevertheless has the disadvantage that the average temperature in the enclosure increases due to the heating of the hard disks. This problem is particularly critical when a large number of hard disk drives (in particular eight) of large capacity (in particular one terabyte each) are arranged in the enclosure. Indeed, it has been found that it is not possible to ensure reliable operation of these hard drives in the enclosure, even in the short term. Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a storage system not having the aforementioned drawbacks. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a computer data storage system adapted to withstand a fire and to store the data in a safe manner, that is to say, in particular, avoiding any risk of data loss. A: ABrevetsv29700v29735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 1/14 05/03/2009 10:15:16 due to a failure of the storage media on which the data are stored. To this end, the present invention proposes a storage system comprising: a fireproof enclosure; a computer data storage medium to be protected, the support being placed inside the fireproof enclosure; a computer data exchange interface adapted to connect the storage medium, disposed inside the fireproof enclosure, to a source of computer data, disposed outside the fireproof enclosure; and a cooling device adapted to cool the air in the enclosure. According to preferred embodiments, the invention comprises one or more of the following features: the storage medium is chosen from at least one hard disk, at least one optical storage medium, at least one flash memory and a combination of these ; the storage system comprises eight hard disks, each hard disk having a storage capacity of at least one terabyte; the storage system comprises at least one hard disk, the hard disk being in contact with a heat sink; - the fireproof enclosure is waterproof; the cooling device comprises a circuit for circulating a heat-transfer gas extending both inside and outside the fireproof enclosure; the circuit comprises, outside the fireproof enclosure: a compressor for condensing the heat transfer gas, a condenser for transferring part of the heat of the liquefied heat transfer gas to the external environment of the condenser, and an expander to vaporize the liquefied heat transfer gas; - The storage system further comprises means for creating an air flow inside the fireproof enclosure, between the storage medium and the cooling device; the interface for exchanging computer data is a wireless interface, in particular of the Wi-Fi type; - the interface is arranged outside the fireproof enclosure: R: ABrevets \ 29700`29735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 2/14 05/03/2009 10:15:16 - the interface of exchange of computer data is disposed outside the insulated enclosure, the interface comprising at least one means of connection to a computer data source and being connected to the storage medium by means of at least one computer cable traversing the wall through a hole provided in the fireproof enclosure; - A thermosetting seal is formed in the space between the electric cable and the wall of the hole. - The storage system further comprises an electronic device disposed within the fireproof enclosure; the electronic device is chosen from: a server; - a network switch; a private telephone exchange; - a combination of these. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawing. Figures 1 and 2 schematically show a storage system for three-quarter front and three-quarter rear, respectively. FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents the storage system of FIGS. 1 and 2 from the front, the enclosure being open. FIG. 4 schematically represents a detail of FIG. 3. FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically represent a first part of a cooling device. FIG. 7 schematically represents a second part of a cooling device, complementary to the first part shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. According to the invention, the storage system comprises a fireproof enclosure, a computer data storage medium to protect, the carrier being disposed within the fireproof enclosure, a computer data exchange interface adapted to connect the storage medium, disposed within the fireproof enclosure, to a data source computer, arranged outside the fireproof enclosure, and a cooling device adapted to cool the air in the enclosure. Thus, the fireproof enclosure protects the storage medium, especially in case of fire, so that the data saved on this storage medium are also preserved. A: 4Brevets' \ 29700 \ 29735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 3/14 05'03'2009 10:15:16 According to an additional feature, the enclosure is further sealed, to preserve the data saved on the support storage of a flood. Moreover, it has been found that the recording of the data on the storage medium (for example a hard disk or an optical medium) causes a heating of the air inside the enclosure. This heating of the air inside the enclosure may damage the storage media and, as a result, may result in the loss of data stored on this media. To remedy this problem and extend the life of the storage medium, an air cooling device is provided in the enclosure.

According to a preferred feature, this cooling device comprises a circulation of a heat transfer fluid, the circulation of this fluid extending both inside the chamber, to cool the air in the chamber in there capturing the calories, and outside the enclosure, to evacuate the calories recovered by the fluid inside the enclosure.

In order for the circuit also to extend outside the enclosure, the circuit passes through the wall of the enclosure through two holes. Drilling the speaker appears contrary to the purpose of the invention to protect the storage medium disposed within the enclosure. Indeed, pierced such a hole forms a thermal bridge which is detrimental to the thermal insulation of the enclosure. Thus, the skilled person was in no way encouraged to multiply the holes in the enclosure. However. in this case, to avoid the disadvantages of holes drilled in the wall of the enclosure, the space between the wall of these holes and the circuit is filled with a thermosetting resin. This resin makes the enclosure perfectly waterproof and limits the effects of the thermal bridge between the inside and the outside of the enclosure.

To further improve the cooling of the air in the enclosure, are formed in the circuit of the heat transfer gas, outside the enclosure, a compressor for condensing the heat transfer gas, a condenser to transfer a portion of the heat of the liquefied heat transfer gas to the external environment of the condenser, and a pressure regulator for vaporizing the liquefied heat transfer gas.

This combination of a compressor, a condenser and a pressure reducer allows a particularly efficient cooling of the air inside the enclosure. Such a combination thus makes it possible to place in the enclosure storage media such as high capacity hard disks, including up to eight hard disks of a terabyte each, although these hard disks are likely to heat up significantly. In addition, this remarkable cooling of the air inside the enclosure also makes it possible to operate inside the enclosure of the devices.

R: ABrevets \ 29700 \ 29735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 4/14 05/03/2009 10:15:16 electronic yet likely to heat up significantly (especially burners when the storage medium used is a medium optical). This cooling of the air in the enclosure is such that it is possible to have inside the enclosure, in addition to the storage media, electronic devices such as network switches and / or similar devices which can thus be preserved inside the enclosure in case of fire or flood. As represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the storage system 10 comprises a fireproof enclosure 12, a storage medium for computer data to be protected, in this case hard disks, arranged inside the fireproof enclosure, a computer data exchange interface 14 adapted to connect the storage medium disposed inside the fireproof enclosure 12 to a computer data source (not shown) disposed outside the fireproof enclosure , and a cooling device adapted to cool the air in the enclosure 12.

In this case, the fireproof enclosure 12 is made in the form of a safe provided with a code 16 controlling the opening of the door 18 of the enclosure 12. Of course, other control means of the opening of the door 18 may be provided, either in place of the digital code 14, or in combination with this digital code.

So. a lock, a fingerprint, voice or iris recognition device or even a combination lock may be provided in combination or separately to ensure that the safe can only be opened by the authorized person or persons. The trunk thus provides a good protection against theft.

Otherwise. the trunk 12 have in this case external dimensions of the order of 460 mm x 450 mm x 491 mm (width x length x height) and internal dimensions of the order of 350 mm x 330 mm x 300 mm (Width x length x height). This box is made of a thin layer of a hard and shock-resistant material, such as high density polyethylene, lined inside a flame retardant material preferably in two layers. An inner layer is composed of a flame retardant material 4 cm thick and an outer layer made of a flame retardant material 3 cm thick. The flame retardant material comprising the inner and outer layers is preferably composed of Portland cement and capable of withstanding fire. The chest 12 can thus withstand a temperature of 927 ° C for one hour. In addition. the trunk 12 is made in a sealed manner, allowing in particular immersion under 1 meter of water for 8 hours without the water penetrating R: \ Brevets'29700`29735--090302 dde tq deposited.doc 5/14 05 / 03/2009 10:15:16 inside the trunk. Finally, the trunk 12 is, in this case, in compliance with the UL Class 350 1 Hr fire-rated safety standards of Underwriters Laboratories. However, according to another embodiment, the outer layer comprises refractory sand curing under the effect of heat, including a better protection against fire. Likewise, it is particularly advantageous to use a cooling material for the composition of the inner layer. This material is used to cool the inside of the trunk. This material may in particular have a physical or chemical structure that changes above 50 ° C., this modification resulting in a drop in temperature and thus making it possible to cool the space, and therefore the air, inside the trunk 12 This cooling material may in particular be a moisture-laden grit which diffuses its humidity above 50 ° C. In this case, it is advantageous to place in the trunk 12, preferably near the hard disks, a bag filled with a moisture-absorbing material to preserve the hard disk against excessive humidity of the air present in the trunk 12. As shown in Figure 3, the interface 14 is in the form of a computer server adapted to be connected to a computer network (not shown) for example through a conventional RJ 45 cable. The server 14 also comprises computer cables adapted to connect the SATA type hard disks.

However, according to other examples, the interface may include one or more wireless network cards, for example of the WIFI, Bluetooth or infrared type. Depending on the case, the interface can be connected wirelessly to the computer network from which the data to be saved to the storage media and / or to the storage media to transfer the data to be saved.

In addition, the interface 18 may include a controller card for managing RAID storage media, in particular of type 1, 5 or 10. These different assemblies of the hard disks make it possible to keep the data in copy on several hard disks. . The preservation of the saved data is thus better ensured.

In this case, the interface 14 for exchanging computer data is disposed outside the fireproof box 12. This assembly allows easy access to the interface. However, the interface can also be mounted inside the trunk 12 so that the interface is also protected against the risk of fire and flood. As can be seen in FIG. 2, in particular, the cables connecting the interface 14 to the hard disks pass through the wall of the trunk 12. These cables make it possible for both the data transfer and the power supply of the hard disks. To do this. the trunk is pierced with a hole traversed by these cables. To assure

The tightness of the trunk 12 and its thermal insulation, despite the hole and the thermal bridge formed by this trunk, is the same as that of the trunk 12. hole, a layer of thermosetting refractory mastic is injected into the hole drilled in the trunk, between the wall of the hole and the cables, which preferably fills the hole completely.

The interface 14 may further include data encryption software when these are saved on the hard drives, so as to make them illegible. Thus, if a malicious person seizes one or more hard drives, he can not read the information therein. As can be seen more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the system 10 comprises, in this case, eight hard disks with a capacity of one terabyte each. These eight hard drives form the storage medium. These hard drives are of the SATA type and have a rotation speed of 7200 rpm. However, other types of hard drives such as IDE, SCSI, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), or even SSD (Solid State Drive) disks can be implemented in the system 10. In addition, of course, the speed of rotation of these hard drives is not limiting. In this case, on each hard disk is fixed a heat sink, or radiator, for example of dimensions 150 mm x 108 mm x 14 mm (Width x length x height) and thermal resistance 2.35 ° C / W.

The heat sink can be made of aluminum or copper to ensure good thermal conductivity. In order to improve the surface area of the contact surface between each hard disk and the heat sink and thus to improve the thermal exchange of the hard disk towards this dissipator, a thermal paste layer, approximately 1 mm thick, of high thermal conductivity ( of the order of 8 w / mK) is inserted between the hard disk and the heatsink. The hard disk and the dissipator are placed in an aluminum casing 230 mm x 145 mm x 40 mm (width x length x height) and thickness 1 mm. The thermal paste used is preferably a so-called Peltier paste. This type of paste does not contain silicone and is composed of several types of thermal conductors, including aluminum oxide, boron nitride and zinc oxide which gives better performance than basic thermal greases. The heat sink is fixed in the housing 20, for example by means of screws. In order to improve heat exchange of the heat sink to the housing, it is also possible to add a second layer of thermal paste. approximately 1 mm thick, between the heat sink and the housing. A fan can also be mounted on the hull to ensure air circulation in the housing.

In this case, the housings 20 further include an alarm system and monitor the temperature of the disk. In this case, the housings 20 further comprise an alarm system and monitoring the temperature of the disk. placed inside each of these. The housings 20 shown also include a temperature display device allowing a visual control of the temperature of the disks by a user who can open the door 18 of the trunk 12. Particularly interesting results have been obtained using housings consisting of a aluminum die casting type of aluminum alloy LM24. The housings 20 are preferably fixed on a U-shaped support 22, itself fixed on a support plate 24. The attachment on the U-shaped supports 22 makes it possible to maintain a distance between the housings 20. This distance between the housings 20 ensures a flow of air between the housings 20, as will be discussed below, and thus a more efficient cooling of the housings 20 and therefore the hard disks. Of course, other storage media than hard disks can be implemented in the backup system. Thus, in particular, flash memory devices can also be implemented. It is also possible to use one or more optical storage media, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM for storing the data to be saved. To do this, the writing devices of the support used are then placed inside the box 12 and engrave on the medium the data to be saved. It should be noted here that the use of storage devices for storage of the optical type is possible only because of the cooling of the air inside the enclosure. Indeed, without this cooling of the air in the enclosure, the writing device would have a very short life that would make the storage system inefficient. To achieve this cooling, the storage system 10 thus comprises a cooling device which in this case is made in the form of a plate 26, placed inside the box 12 and visible in Figures 5 and 6, and a set 28, placed outside the trunk 12 and visible in Figures 1, 2 and 7 in particular.

The plate 26 contains a conduit 30 for circulating a heat transfer fluid, in this case a heat transfer gas such as freon. The duct 30 extends by snaking in the plate 26 so as to increase the path traveled by the heat transfer gas inside the plate 26. This increases the heat exchange between the heat transfer gas and the air at room temperature. inside the trunk. To further improve these heat exchanges, the conduit 30 is in contact with a radiator 32 formed of metal platelets with high thermal conductivity which increase the heat exchange surface between the air and the heat transfer gas.

In addition, two fans 34, 36 are formed in the plate 26 so as to be arranged close to each other. a wall of the trunk 12 when the plate 26 is installed inside the trunk 12. Thus, these fans, once actuated, create an air flow inside the trunk 12, between the hard disks and the radiator 32, which further improves the heat exchange between the interior of the trunk 12 and the heat transfer gas. The circulation of air between the hard disks is possible in particular because the central branch of the U-shaped supports 22 and the support plate 24 have holes which allow the air to pass through these surfaces. In addition, the efficiency of this circulation of air near the discs is improved because a space is provided between the discs, fixed on the U-shaped supports 22. The duct 30 also extends inside. of the assembly 28. To do this, the conduit 30 passes through one or, preferably, two holes formed in the wall of the box 12 and filled with a refractory mastic as seen previously to ensure the sealing and thermal insulation of the chest 12.

The assembly 28 comprises a compressor 38 for condensing the heat transfer gas leaving the plate 26, a condenser 40 for transferring part of the heat of the liquefied heat transfer gas to the external environment of the condenser, and an expander 42 for vaporizing the heat transfer gas liquefied. In this way, the gas is cooled before returning to the interior of the trunk.

Optionally, the storage system may, in addition to the storage medium, comprise an electronic device disposed inside the trunk. This electronic device may for example be chosen from: - a server; - a network switch; - a private telephone exchange; - a combination of these. The storage system 10 can be implemented as follows. The user saves the computer data of his computer or server on the hard disk on a regular basis, preferably daily, for example by using backup software previously installed and set in the server 14 or in the computer of the computer. user. A control and warning software can also be installed on the server 18. As a non-limiting example, the NETWOCO software can equip the devices according to the invention. This software analyzes the SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) attributes of hard disks regularly, for example every hour. to prevent possible hard disk failures.

The SMART attributes are well known to those skilled in the art and may in particular include, but not be limited to, the rate of cure. hardware error reading the disk surface or the total number of incorrect read / write errors in a sector. In the case where the server 18 is provided with a connection to the Internet or the local network, the control and alert software can send the data from each hard disk to servers. The data stored on the servers can then be checked and, in the event of an alert, it can be proceed to send an electronic message (e-mail or sms for example) for example to a technical service responsible for the maintenance of the system storage. The e-mail message can in particular indicate the nature of the failure. Alternatively or in addition, an alert message can also be displayed on a local console, that is to say disposed near the storage system. This software can also take into account the temperature inside the enclosure that can be measured by a thermal probe placed inside the enclosure. In addition, if this probe is particularly interesting in combination with the control software and alert, it can also be provided in the storage system even if it is not equipped with a software control and alert. In the latter case, the information measured by the probe may, according to a first alternative, be directly displayed outside the enclosure. According to another alternative, administrators can access this information via, for example, a local network or the Internet. In addition. other software, or possibly the same software, can check if the backup has been done. Via an Internet connection of the server 18, this software also makes it possible to automatically inform at least one user by sending an electronic message via an appropriate server, backup information such as the date and the time, the number of files backed up, the compression ratio, and the remaining available space on the hard disk. No information about the contents of the backup is available.

Via a website and / or server 18, the user can himself choose a list of people to inform about the backup. If no message reaches the user (or users) within the 24 hour period, an alert message is automatically sent to the user by the server. This control software has the advantage of being able to inform the remote users of the state of the backups made without it being possible, at any time, to have access to the contents of the backup. A: A3revets`2970029735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 10/14 05/03/2009 10:15:16 Thanks to the cooling device of the storage system, the information can be saved regularly and even an electronic device such as a switch The system can be integrated inside the trunk 12. In fact, it has been found that the cooling device makes it possible to maintain a temperature inside the trunk, closed, of between 10 and 50.degree. C., preferably between 30.degree. and 35 ° C, even in the case where eight high-capacity hard disks and a network switch are contained inside the trunk 12. Such a temperature range ensures the proper operation of the disks and reduces the risk of breakdowns. It has also been found that the range of 30 to 35 ° C allows a conventional operation of hard drives including in particular cycles on / off. Furthermore, in case of flood, the safe being sealed, the computer data stored in one of the hard drives inside the safe are preserved. In case of fire, the purpose of the storage system is not to continue to operate. but preserve the data saved on the hard drives. Thus, in case of fire, all electrical wires and cables passing through a wall of the trunk will melt quickly. As a result, the refractory mastic used to seal the holes made in the walls of the trunk to pass the various cables, will extend and completely plug the holes in the wall. In doing so, the holes are clogged and the thermal insulation of the trunk is ensured. So. the trunk 12 is substantially thermally insulated from the outside. In addition, the hard drives, which are no longer electrically powered, stop working. As a result, the hard drives no longer heat inside the trunk. The temperature inside the trunk stagnates. Hard disks are preserved and the data stored on them. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples and to the embodiment described and shown, but it is capable of numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art. R: \ Patents \ 29700 \ 29735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 11/14 05/03/2009 10:15:16

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. A storage system (10) comprising: a fireproof enclosure (12); a computer data storage medium to be protected, the support being placed inside the fireproof enclosure (12); an interface (14) for exchanging computer data suitable for connecting the storage medium disposed inside the fireproof enclosure (12) to a source of computer data disposed outside the enclosure flame retarded (12); and a cooling device (26, 28) adapted to cool the air in the enclosure. 2. Storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is selected from at least one hard disk, at least one optical storage medium, at least one flash-type memory and a combination thereof. 3. Storage system according to claim 2 comprising eight hard disks, each hard disk having a storage capacity of at least one terabyte. 4. Storage system according to claim 2 or 3, comprising at least one hard disk, wherein the hard disk is in contact with a heat sink. 5. Storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fireproof enclosure (12) is sealed. A storage system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device comprises a circuit (30) for circulating a heat transfer gas extending both inside and outside the fireproof enclosure (12). 7. Storage system according to claim 6, wherein the circuit comprises, outside the fireproof enclosure (12): - a compressor (38) for condensing the heat transfer gas, - a condenser (40) for transferring a heat transfer gas part of the heat of the liquefied heat transfer gas to the external environment of the condenser, and R: 1Brevets'.29700 \ 29735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 12/14 05/03/2009 10: 15: 16an expansion valve (42) to vaporize the liquefied heat transfer gas. A storage system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means (34; 36) for creating an air flow within the fireproof enclosure (12) between the storage medium and the cooling device. The storage system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the computer data exchange interface is a wireless interface, particularly of the Wi-Fi type. 10. Storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface (14) is disposed outside of the fireproof enclosure (12). 1.5 11. Storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the computer data exchange interface is disposed outside the insulated enclosure (12), the interface comprising at least one means connecting to a computer data source and being connected to the storage medium by means of at least one computer cable passing through the wall through a hole provided in the fireproof enclosure (12). The storage system of claim 11, wherein a thermosetting seal is formed in the gap between the electrical cable and the wall of the hole. 13. Storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic device disposed within the fireproof enclosure (12). 30 The storage system of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is selected from: a server - a network switch; - a private telephone exchange; A combination thereof. A: ABrevets \ 29700 \ 29735--090302 dde tq filed.doc 13/14 05/03/2009 10:15:16 2.5