JP2007141264A - Storage device system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a storage device system corresponding to computer system scale or requirements so as to easily achieve improvement in extension, reliability of the storage device system in future. <P>SOLUTION: A storage device system 1 includes a storage device for holding data, a plurality of subsets 10 having a controller for controlling the storage device, and a switch device 20 disposed between the subsets 10 and a host 30. The switch device 20 includes a management table holding management information for managing the configuration of the storage device system 1, and address information contained in frame information outputted by the host 30 in accordance with the management information is converted to distribute the frame information to the subsets 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for realizing a disk control system for controlling a plurality of disk devices, and more particularly, to a method for speeding up, reducing costs, and improving cost performance of a disk control system.

  As a storage device system used in a computer system, there is a disk array system that controls a plurality of disk devices. The disk array system is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, for example.

  The disk array is a technology that realizes higher speed than a storage system using a single disk device by operating a plurality of disk devices in parallel.

  As a method of interconnecting a plurality of disk array systems with a plurality of hosts, there is a method using Fabric of Fiber Channel. An example of a computer system to which this method is applied is shown in Non-Patent Document 2.

  In the computer system disclosed herein, a plurality of host computers (hereinafter simply referred to as hosts) and a plurality of disk array systems are each connected to a fabric device via a fiber channel. The fabric device is a fiber channel switch, and connects a transfer path between arbitrary devices connected to the fabric device. The fabric device is transparent to the transfer of “frames” which are Fiber Channel packets, and the host and the disk array system communicate between two points without being aware of the fabric device.

David A. Patterson and two other authors, “A Case for Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)”, USA, Inc. ACM SIGMOD), June 1988, p.109-116 “Serial SCSI is finally on the market”, Nikkei Electronics, no.639, July 3, 1995, page 79

  In a conventional disk array system, increasing the number of disk units for higher capacity and realizing a controller with performance that matches the number of units for higher performance would limit the performance limit of the internal bus of the controller and transfer control. The performance limit of the processor to perform becomes obvious. In order to cope with such a problem, an internal bus is expanded to increase the number of processors. However, such a method of handling leads to a complicated controller configuration due to a large number of bus controls, a complicated control software due to exclusive control of shared data between processors, and an increase in overhead. For this reason, the cost is greatly increased, and the performance reaches a peak, resulting in a deterioration in cost performance. In addition, such a device can achieve performance commensurate with its cost in a large-scale system, but it is not suitable for a system that is not so large, expandability is limited, development period increases and development There is a problem that the cost increases.

  By arranging a plurality of disk array systems and interconnecting them by a fabric device, it is possible to increase the capacity and performance of the entire system. However, with this method, there is no relationship between the disk array systems, and even if access is concentrated in a specific disk array system, it cannot be distributed to other devices, so that high performance in practical use can be achieved. Cannot be realized. Further, since the capacity of a logical disk device (referred to as a logical unit) viewed from the host is limited to the capacity of one disk array system, it is not possible to increase the capacity of the logical unit.

  When attempting to make the entire disk array system highly reliable, a mirror configuration with two disk array systems can be realized using the mirroring function provided by the host, but the control overhead for mirroring by the host is reduced. There is a problem that the system performance is limited. Further, when a large number of disk array systems exist individually in the system, the load for management by the system administrator increases. For this reason, management costs increase, such as requiring maintenance costs for a large number of maintenance personnel and multiple units. Furthermore, since the plurality of disk array systems and fabric devices are independent devices, various settings need to be performed by different methods for each device. For this reason, the operation cost increases with the training of the manager and the increase in the operation time.

  The object of the present invention is to solve these problems in the prior art, and to construct a storage system that meets the scale and requirements of the computer system, and to easily cope with future expansion of the storage system and improvement of reliability. An object of the present invention is to realize a storage device system that can be used.

  A storage device system of the present invention includes a plurality of storage device subsystems having a storage device having a storage medium for holding data and a control device for controlling the storage device, and data held in the plurality of storage device subsystems. A first interface node connected to a computer to be used, a plurality of second interface nodes each connected to one of the storage subsystems, and a first interface node and a plurality of second interface nodes connected to each other And a transfer means for transferring a frame between the first interface node and the plurality of second interface nodes.

  Preferably, the first interface node analyzes the frame in response to the configuration management table storing the configuration information of the storage system and the frame sent from the computer, and stores the configuration in the configuration management table. Based on the information, information about the transfer destination of the frame is converted and transferred to the transfer means.

  Further, when transferring a frame, the first interface node adds node address information of a node that should receive the frame to the frame. The transfer means transfers the frame according to the node address information added to the frame. The second interface node removes the node address information from the frame received from the transfer means, re-forms the frame, and transfers it to the target storage subsystem.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the storage device system has a management processor connected to the transfer means. The management processor sets configuration information in the configuration management table in accordance with an instruction from the operator. The configuration information includes information that restricts access from the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a storage device system that can easily realize expansion, improvement of reliability, etc. of the storage device system in accordance with the scale and requirements of the computer system.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a computer system using a disk array system to which the present invention is applied.

  1 is a disk array system, and 30 is a host computer (host) to which the disk array system is connected. The disk array system 1 includes a disk array subset 10, a disk array switch 20, a disk array system configuration management means 70 for managing the settings of the entire disk array system, between the disk array switch 20 and the disk array system configuration management means 70, and The disk array subset 10 has a communication interface (communication I / F) 80 with the disk array system configuration management means 70. The host 30 and the disk array system 1 are connected by a host interface (host I / F) 31, and the host I / F 31 is connected to the disk array switch 20 of the disk array system 1. In the disk array system 1, the disk array switch 20 and the disk array subset 10 are connected by a disk array interface (disk array I / F 21).

  Although four hosts 30 and four disk array subsets 10 are shown in the figure, there are no restrictions on the number of hosts 30 and disk array subsets 10. The number of hosts 30 and disk array subsets 10 may be different. Further, the disk array switch 20 is duplexed as shown in the present embodiment. Each host 30 and each disk array subset 10 are connected to both a separate host I / F 31 and a disk array switch 20 that is duplicated by a disk array I / F 21. Even if one of the disk array switch 20, host I / F 31 or disk array I / F 21 fails, the other can be used to access the disk array system 1 from the host 30 and realize high availability. It is to do. However, such duplication is not always essential and can be selected according to the reliability level required for the system.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the disk array subset 10. 101 is a host adapter that interprets commands from the host system (host 10) and performs cache hit / miss determination, and controls data transfer between the host system and the cache, 102 is a cache for speeding up disk data access, and , A shared memory (hereinafter referred to as a cache / shared memory) for storing shared data among multiprocessors, and 104 are a plurality of disk units stored in the disk array subset 10. Reference numeral 103 denotes a lower adapter that controls the disk unit 104 and controls data transfer between the disk unit 104 and the cache. Reference numeral 106 denotes a disk array subset configuration management means, which communicates with the disk array system configuration management means 70 for managing the entire disk array system 1 via the communication I / F 80, and manages configuration parameter settings, failure information notification, and the like. I do.

  The upper adapter 101, the cache / shared memory 102, and the lower adapter 103 are duplicated. The reason for this is to realize high availability, as in the case of duplication of the disk array switch 20, and is not essential. Further, each disk unit 104 can be controlled from any of the duplicated lower level adapters 103. In the present embodiment, the same memory means is shared between the cache and the shared memory from the viewpoint of cost reduction, but it is of course possible to separate them.

  The host adapter 101 includes a host MPU 1010 that controls the host adapter 101, a disk array I / F controller 1011 that controls the disk array I / F 21 that is a connection I / F to the host system, that is, the disk array switch 20, cache cache An upper bus 1012 that performs communication and data transfer between the shared memory 102, the upper MPU 1010, and the disk array I / F controller 1011 is included.

  Although one disk array I / F controller 1011 is shown for each upper adapter 101 in the figure, a plurality of disk array I / F controllers 1011 may be provided for one upper adapter.

  The lower adapter 103 includes a lower MPU 1030 that controls the lower adapter 103, a disk I / F controller 1031 that controls a disk I / F that is an interface with the disk 104, a cache / shared memory 102, a lower MPU 1030, and a disk I / F. A lower level bus 1032 that performs communication and data transfer with the controller 1031 is included.

  In the figure, four disk I / F controllers 1031 are shown for each lower adapter 103, but the number thereof is arbitrary, and can be changed according to the configuration of the disk array and the number of connected disks.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the disk array switch 20. Reference numeral 200 denotes a management processor (MP) which is a processor for controlling and managing the entire disk array switch, 201 denotes a crossbar switch constituting an n × n mutual switch path, and 202 denotes a disk array I provided for each disk array I / F 21. / F node, 203 is a host I / F node provided for each host I / F 31, and 204 is a communication controller that performs communication with the disk array system configuration management means. 2020 is a path connecting the disk array I / F node 202 and the crossbar switch 201, 2030 is a path connecting the host I / F node 203 and the crossbar switch 201, and 2040 is connected to another disk array switch 20 to form a cluster. The inter-cluster I / F 2050 is a path for connecting the MP 200 and the crossbar switch 201.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the structure of the crossbar switch 201. Reference numeral 2010 denotes a switching port (SWP) that is a port connecting the paths 2020, 2030, and 2050 connected to the crossbar switch 201 and the inter-cluster I / F 2040. All of the SWPs 2010 have the same structure and perform switching control of a transfer path from one SWP to another SWP. Although the transfer path is shown for only one SWP in the figure, a similar transfer path exists between all SWPs.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the host I / F node 203. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a fiber channel is used for both the host I / F 31 and the disk array I / F 21 for specific explanation. Of course, an interface other than the fiber channel can be applied as the host I / F 31 and the disk array I / F 21. By using the same interface for both the host I / F node 203 and the disk array I / F node 202, both can be made to have the same structure. In this embodiment, the disk array I / F node 202 is configured in the same manner as the host I / F node 203 shown in the figure. Hereinafter, the host I / F node 203 will be described as an example.

  2021 is a search processor (SP) that searches to which node the received Fiber Channel frame (hereinafter simply referred to as a frame) is transferred, and 2022 is the host 30 (in the case of the disk array I / F node 202, the disk array subset 10). The interface controller (IC) 202 transmits / receives a frame to / from the switching controller (SC) 2022 converts the frame received by the IC 2023 based on the result of the search performed by the SP 2021, and the other 2024 converts the frame converted by the SC 2021 A packet generation unit (SPG) that packetizes into a format that can pass through the crossbar switch 201 for transfer to a node in the network, 2025 a frame buffer (FB) that temporarily stores received frames, and 2026 a disk from one host A An exchange table (ET) for managing an exchange number for identifying an exchange (Exchange) that is a plurality of frame sequences corresponding to an access request command (hereinafter simply referred to as a command), and 2027 is a configuration of a plurality of disk array subsets 10 It is a disk array configuration management table (DCT) for storing information.

  It is desirable in terms of performance that each component of the disk array switch 20 is configured by hardware logic. However, if the required performance can be satisfied, the functions of SP2021 and SC2022 can be realized by program control using a general-purpose processor.

  Each disk array subset 10 manages each disk unit 104 as one or a plurality of logical disk units. This logical disk unit is called a logical unit (LU). The LU does not need to correspond to the physical disk unit 104 on a one-to-one basis, and a plurality of LUs are configured in one disk unit 104, or one LU is configured by a plurality of disk units 104. I do not care.

  When viewed from the outside of the disk array subset 10, one LU is recognized as one disk device. In this embodiment, the disk array switch 20 further configures a logical LU, and the host 30 operates to access this LU. In this specification, when one LU recognized from the host 30 is configured by one LU, an LU recognized by the host 30 is an independent LU (ILU), and one LU recognized from the host 30 by a plurality of LUs. When an LU is configured, an LU recognized by the host 30 is referred to as an integrated LU (CLU).

  FIG. 12 shows a correspondence relationship of address spaces between tiers in the case where one integrated LU is composed of four disk array subset LUs. In the figure, as an example, 1000 is the address space in one integrated LU of the disk array system 1 viewed from the host “# 2”, 1100 is the address space of the LU in the disk array subset 10, and 1200 is the disk unit 104 (here , Only the disk array subset “# 0” is shown).

  Here, the LU of each disk array subset 10 is configured as a RAID 5 (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks Level 5) type disk array by four disk units 104 here. Each disk array subset 10 has LUs having capacities of n0, n1, n2, and n3, respectively. The disk array switch 20 integrates the address spaces of these four LUs into an address space having a capacity of (n0 + n1 + n2 + n3), thereby realizing an integrated LU recognized by the host 30.

  In this embodiment, for example, when the host # 2 accesses the area A1001, the access request specifying the area A1001 is a request for accessing the area A′1101 of the LU of the disk array subset # 0 by the disk array switch 20 And transferred to disk array subset # 0. The disk array subset # 0 is accessed by further mapping the area A′1101 to the area A ″ 1201 on the disk unit 104. The mapping between the address space 1000 and the address space 1100 is performed by the disk array switch 20. This processing is performed based on the configuration information held in the DCT 207. The details of this processing will be described later, and the mapping in the disk array subset is a well-known technique, and will be described in detail in this specification. Is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the DCT 207 includes a system configuration table and a subset configuration table. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the system configuration table, and FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the subset configuration table.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the system configuration table 20270 includes a host LU configuration table 20271 that holds information indicating the configuration of the host LU, and the connection between the disk array I / F node 202 of the disk array switch 20 and the disk array subset 10. It has a disk array I / F node configuration table 20272 showing the relationship.

  The host LU configuration table 20271 indicates, for each LU viewed from the host 30, the Host-LU No. that is a number for identifying the LU, the LU Type indicating the attribute of the LU, the CLU Class, the CLU Stripe Size, and the state of the host LU. Condition that is information to indicate, and LU information (LU Info.) That is information related to the LU of the disk array subset 10 constituting the host LU.

  LU Type is information indicating the type of LU, such as whether this host LU is a CLU or an ILU. CLU Class is information indicating whether the class is “Joined”, “mirrored”, or “Striped” when the LU Type indicates that this host LU is a CLU. “Joined” indicates that a CLU having one large storage space is configured by connecting several LUs as described with reference to FIG. “Mirrored” indicates that the LU is duplicated by two LUs as described later in the sixth embodiment. “Striped” indicates that the LU is composed of a plurality of LUs and data is distributed and stored in the plurality of LUs as described later in the seventh embodiment. CLU Stripe Size indicates the striping size (the size of a block serving as a unit of data distribution) when the CLU Class indicates “Striped”.

  There are four states indicated by Condition: “Normal”, “Warning”, “Fault”, and “Not Defined”. “Normal” indicates that this host LU is in a normal state. “Warning” indicates that a degenerate operation is being performed, for example, because a failure has occurred in any of the disk units corresponding to the LU constituting the host LU. “Fault” indicates that the host LU cannot be operated due to a failure of the disk array subset 10 or the like. “Not Defined” indicates that the host LU of the corresponding Host-LU No. is not defined.

  LU Info includes information specifying the disk array subset 10 to which the LU belongs, information indicating the LUN in the disk array subset, and the size of the LU constituting the host LU. When the host LU is an ILU, information regarding only one LU is registered. When the host LU is a CLU, information on each LU is registered for all the LUs constituting the host LU. For example, in the figure, the Host-LU whose Host-LU No. is “0” is the LUN “0” of the disk array subset “# 0”, the LUN “0” of the disk array subset “# 1”, and the disk array subset. It can be seen that the CLU is composed of four LUs of LUN “0” of “# 2” and LUN “0” of the disk array subset “# 3”, and the CLU class is “Joined”.

  The disk array I / F node configuration table 20272 includes information indicating which disk array I / F node 202 of which disk array switch 20 is connected for each port of the disk array subset 10 to which the disk array I / F 21 is connected. Hold.

  Specifically, the Subset No. that identifies the disk array subset 10, the Subset Port No. that identifies the port, the Switch No. that identifies the disk array switch 20 connected to the port, and the disk array of the disk array switch 20 It has an I / F Node No. that identifies the I / F node 202. When the disk array subset 10 has a plurality of ports, information is set for each port.

  The subset configuration table has a plurality of tables 202720 to 202723 corresponding to each disk array subset 10, as shown in FIG. Each table includes a RAID group configuration table 202730 that holds information indicating the configuration of a RAID group built in the disk array subset 10, and an LU configuration that holds information indicating the configuration of an LU built in the disk array subset 10. Includes table 202740.

  The RAID group configuration table 202730 includes a Group No. indicating a number added to the RAID group, a Level indicating the level of the RAID group, Disks which is information indicating the number of disks constituting the RAID group, and the RAID group is RAID. In the case of a striped configuration such as level 0, 5, etc., Stripe Size indicating the stripe size is included as information. For example, in the table shown in the figure, the RAID group “0” is a RAID group composed of four disk units, the RAID level is 5, and the stripe size is S0.

  The LU configuration table 202740 includes an LU number indicating the number (LUN) added to the LU, a RAID Group indicating which RAID group this LU is configured in, a condition indicating the LU status, and a size of this LU ( The information includes a size indicating (capacity), a port indicating from which port of the disk array subset 10 this LU can be accessed, and an Alt. Port indicating an alternative port. There are four states indicated by Condition: “Normal”, “Warning”, “Fault”, and “Not Defined”, as in the condition for the host LU. The port specified by the information set in Alt. Port is used when a failure occurs in the port specified by the information set in Port, but simply to access the same LU from multiple ports. It can also be used.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a frame in the fiber channel. The fiber channel frame 40 includes an SOF (Start Of Frame) 400 indicating the head of the frame, a frame header 401, a frame payload 402 which is a part storing actual data of transfer, and a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy) which is a 32-bit error detection code. Check) 403 and EOF (End Of Frame) 404 indicating the end of the frame. The frame header 401 has a structure as shown in FIG. 9. The frame transfer source ID (S_ID), the frame transfer destination ID (D_ID), the exchange activation source, and each exchange ID specified by the response destination ( OX_ID, RX_ID), an ID (SEQ_ID) of a sequence specifying a frame group being exchanged, and the like are stored.

  In this embodiment, an ID assigned to the host 30 as S_ID and an ID assigned to the port of the disk array switch 20 as D_ID are used for the frame issued by the host 30. One pair of exchange IDs (OX_ID, RX_ID) is assigned to one host command. When it is necessary to issue a plurality of data frames to the same exchange, the same SEQ_ID is assigned to all the data frames, and each is identified by a sequence count (SEQ_CNT). The maximum length of the frame payload 402 is 2110 bytes, and the content stored for each frame type is different. For example, in the case of an FCP_CMD frame to be described later, as shown in FIG. 10, a SCSI Logical Unit Number (LUN), a Command Description Block (CDB), and the like are stored. The CDB includes a command byte necessary for disk (disk array) access, a transfer start logical address (LBA), and a transfer length (LEN).

  Hereinafter, the operation of the disk array system of this embodiment will be described.

  Prior to using the disk array system, it is necessary to set the configuration information of the disk array subset 10 for the disk array switch 20. The system administrator acquires configuration setting information of all the disk array subsets 10 and the disk array switches 20 from the management terminal 5 through the disk array system configuration means 70. The administrator inputs setting information necessary for various settings, such as logical unit configuration settings, RAID level settings, and alternate path settings when a failure occurs, from the management terminal 5 so as to obtain a desired system configuration. The disk array system configuration management means 70 receives the setting information and transfers the setting information to each disk array subset 10 and the disk array switch 20. The input of setting information in the management terminal 5 will be described separately in the fifth embodiment.

  In the disk array switch 20, the communication controller 204 acquires setting information, and configuration information such as address space information of each disk array subset 10 is set by the MP 200. The MP 200 distributes the configuration information of the disk array subset 10 to each host I / F node 203 and disk array I / F node 202 via the crossbar switch 201.

  When the nodes 203 and 202 receive this information, the SP2021 stores the configuration information in the DCT 2027. In the disk array subset 10, the disk array subset configuration management means 106 acquires setting information and stores it in the shared memory 102. Each of the upper MPU 1010 and the lower MPU 1030 refers to setting information on the shared memory 102 and performs configuration management of each.

  The operation when the host “# 2” issues a read command to the disk array system 1 will be described below. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a sequence of frames transferred through the fiber channel during a read operation from the host, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation in the host I / F node 203 of the disk array switch at this time.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the host “# 2” accesses the storage area A1001 in FIG. It is assumed that the actual storage area A ″ corresponding to the storage area A1001 exists in the address space of the disk unit # 2 constituting the LU of LUN = 0 of the disk array subset “# 0”. It is assumed that “CLU” is set in the LU Type and “Joined” is set in the CLU Class in the host LU configuration table 20271 that defines the LUs constituting the.

  At the time of reading data, the host 30 issues a command frame “FCP_CMD” storing the read command to the disk array switch 20 (arrow (a) in FIG. 11). The host I / F node “# 2” of the disk array switch 20 receives the command frame “FCP_CMD” via the host I / F 31 by the IC 2023 (step 20001). The IC 2023 transfers the command frame to the SC 2022. The SC 2022 temporarily stores the received command frame in the FB 2025. At this time, the SC 2022 calculates the CRC of the command frame and checks whether the received information is correct. If there is an error in the CRC check, the SC 2022 notifies the IC 2023 to that effect. Upon receiving the error notification from the SC 2022, the IC 2023 reports a CRC error to the host 30 via the host I / F 31. (Step 20002).

  If the CRC is correct, the SC 2022 reads the frame held in the FB 2025, recognizes that it is a command frame, and analyzes the frame header 401 (step 20003). The SC 2022 then instructs the SP 2021 to register exchange information such as S_ID, D_ID, and OX_ID in the ET 2026 (step 20004).

  Next, the SC 2022 analyzes the frame payload 402 and acquires the LUN and CDB specified by the host 30 (step 20005). The SP 2021 searches the DCT 2027 according to an instruction from the SC 2022 and obtains configuration information of the disk array subset 10. Specifically, the SP 2021 searches the host LU configuration table 20271 and finds information having a Host-LU No. that matches the LUN stored in the received frame payload 402. The SP 2021 recognizes the configuration of the host LU from the information set in the LU Type and CLU Class, and based on the information held in the LU Info., The disk subset 10 to be accessed, the LUN of the LU in the LU, and this LU The LBA is determined. Next, the SP 2021 refers to the LU configuration table 202740 of the subset configuration table 202720, confirms the connection port of the target disk array subset 10, and the disk array I connected to that port from the disk array I / F node configuration table 20272. The node number of the / F node 202 is obtained. The SP 2021 reports the conversion information such as the number, LUN, and LBA for identifying the disk array subset 10 obtained in this way to the SC 2022. (Step 20006).

  Next, the SC 2022 converts the LUN of the frame payload 402 and the LBA in the CDB using the acquired conversion information. Further, the D_ID of the frame header 401 is converted into the D_ID of the host I / F controller 1011 of the corresponding disk array subset 10. At this time, S_ID is not rewritten (step 20007).

  The SC 2022 transfers the converted command frame and the disk array I / F node number connected to the target disk array subset 10 to the SPG 2024. The SPG 2024 generates a packet in which a simple extension header 601 as shown in FIG. 14 is added to the received command frame after conversion. This packet is called a switching packet (S Packet) 60. The extension header 601 of S Packet 60 additionally includes a transfer source (own node) number, a transfer destination node number, and a transfer length. The SPG 2024 transmits the generated S Packet 60 to the crossbar switch 201 (step 20008).

  The crossbar switch 201 receives the S Packet 60 by the SWP 2010 connected to the host I / F node “# 2”. The SWP 2010 refers to the extension header 601 of the S Packet 60, establishes a path by performing switch control to the SWP to which the transfer destination node is connected, and transfers the S Packet 60 to the transfer destination disk array I / F node 202 (here, To the disk array I / F node “# 0”). The SWP 2010 establishes a path each time the S Packet 60 is received, and releases the path when the transfer of the S Packet 60 is completed. In the disk array I / F node “# 0”, the SPG 2024 receives the S Packet 60, removes the extension header 601, and passes the command frame portion to the SC 2022.

  The SC 2022 writes its own ID in the S_ID of the frame header of the received command frame. Next, the SC 2022 instructs the SP 2021 to register the exchange information such as S_ID, D_ID, and OX_ID of the command frame and the frame transfer source host I / F node number in the ET 2026, and transfers the command frame to the IC 2023. The IC 2023 transfers the command frame to the disk array subset 10 to be connected (here, disk array subset “# 0”) according to the information in the frame header 401 (arrow (b) in FIG. 11).

  The disk array subset “# 0” receives the converted command frame “FCP_CMD” by the disk array I / F controller 1011. The upper MPU 1010 acquires the LUN and CDB stored in the frame payload 402 of the command frame, and recognizes that the command reads LEN length data from the LBA of the designated logical unit.

  The upper MPU 1010 refers to the cache management information stored in the shared memory 102 and performs cache hit miss / hit determination. If there is a hit, data transfer from the cache 102 is performed. In the case of a miss, since it is necessary to read data from the disk unit, address conversion based on the configuration of RAID 5 is performed to secure a cache space. Then, processing information necessary for the read processing from the disk unit 2 is generated, and the processing information is stored in the shared memory 102 in order to take over the processing to the lower MPU 1030.

  The lower MPU 1030 starts processing when the processing information is stored in the shared memory 102. The lower MPU 1030 identifies an appropriate disk I / F controller 1031, generates a read command for the disk unit 2, and issues the command to the disk I / F controller 1031. The disk I / F controller 1031 stores the data read from the disk unit 2 at the specified address of the cache 102 and notifies the lower MPU 1030 of the end report. The lower MPU 1030 stores the process end information in the shared memory 102 so as to notify the upper MPU 1010 that the process has been correctly completed.

  The host MPU 1010 resumes processing when the processing end information is stored in the shared memory 102 and notifies the disk array I / F controller 1011 of read data preparation completion. The disk array I / F controller 1011 issues “FCP_XFER_RDY”, which is a data transfer ready frame in the fiber channel, to the disk array I / F node “# 0” of the disk array switch 20 (FIG. 11 arrow (c )).

  In the disk array I / F node “# 0”, when the data transfer ready frame “FCP_XFER_RDY” is received, the SC 2022 acquires the response destination exchange ID (RX_ID) received from the disk array subset 20, and S_ID, D_ID, and OX_ID. Is designated, and the SP 2021 is instructed to register the RX_ID in the exchange information of the ET 2026. The SC 2022 acquires the host I / F node number of the transfer destination (command frame transfer source) of the data transfer preparation completion frame. The SC 2022 invalidates the S_ID of this frame and transfers it to the SPG 2024. The SPG 2024 generates S Packet as described above, and transfers it to the target host I / F node “# 2” via the crossbar switch 201.

  In the host I / F node “# 2”, when the SPG 2024 receives the S Packet of the data transfer ready frame, it removes the S Packet extension header and reproduces “FCP_XFER_RDY” and passes it to the SC 2022 (step 2001). The SC 2022 instructs the SP 2021 to search the ET 2026 and identify the corresponding exchange (step 20012).

  Next, the SC 2022 checks whether or not the frame is “FCP_XFER_RDY” (step 20013). If it is “FCP_XFER_EDY”, the SC 2022 instructs the SP 2021 to update the response destination exchange ID (RX_ID) of the ET 2026. As the response destination exchange ID, the value added to this frame is used (step 20014). The SC 2022 converts the S_ID and D_ID of the frame header 401 into appropriate values using the ID of the host I / F node 203 and the ID of the host 30 (step 20001). By these processes, the frame header 401 is converted into a frame for the host “# 2”. The IC 2023 issues this data transfer preparation completion frame “FCP_XFER_RDY” to the host “# 2” (arrow (d) in FIG. 11: step 20016).

  The disk array I / F controller 1011 of the disk array subset “# 0” generates a data frame “FCP_DATA” and transfers the data frame “FCP_DATA” to the disk array switch 20 (arrow (e) in FIG. 11). Since the transfer length of the frame payload is limited, the maximum data length that can be transferred in one frame is 2 KB. If the data length exceeds this, the required number of data frames are generated and issued. All data frames are assigned the same SEQ_ID. Issuing data frames is the same as for data transfer ready frames except that multiple frames are generated for the same SEQ_ID (ie, SEQ_CNT changes).

  The disk array switch 20 performs conversion of the frame header 401 of the data frame “FCP_DATA” in the same manner as the data transfer preparation completion frame processing. However, in the case of data frame transfer, since RX_ID has already been established, the processing of step 20014 in the processing of the data transfer preparation complete frame is skipped. After the conversion of the frame header 401, the disk array switch 20 transfers the data frame to the host “# 2” (arrow (f) in FIG. 11).

  Next, the disk array I / F controller 1011 of the disk array subset “# 0” generates a status frame “FCP_RSP” and issues it to the disk array switch 20 to transfer the end status (arrow (g )). In the disk array switch 20, the SPG 2024 removes the extension header from the S Packet, reproduces the “FCP_RSP” status frame (step 20021), and searches the ET 2026 by the SP 2021 to acquire the exchange information in the same manner as the data transfer preparation completion frame processing. (Step 20022). The SC 2022 converts the frame based on the information (Step 20023). The converted frame is transferred to the host “# 2” by the IC 2023 (arrow (h) in FIG. 11: step 20024). Finally, the SP 2021 deletes the exchange information from the ET 2026 (Step 20025).

  As described above, the read processing from the disk array is performed. The write processing for the disk array system 1 is also performed in the same manner as the above-described read processing, only the data frame transfer direction is reversed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the disk array switch 20 includes an inter-cluster I / F 2040 in the crossbar switch 201. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, the inter-cluster I / F 2040 is not used. The disk array switch 20 of this embodiment can be connected to other disk array switches as shown in FIG. 15 by using the inter-cluster I / F 2040.

  In the present embodiment, the disk array switch 20 alone can connect only up to a total of eight hosts 30 and disk array subsets 10, but a host that can interconnect and connect a plurality of disk array switches using an inter-cluster I / F 2040. 10 and the number of disk arrays can be increased. For example, in the system shown in FIG. 15, up to 32 hosts 30 and disk array subsets 10 can be connected in total using four disk array switches 20, and data can be transferred between them.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number of connected disk array subsets and hosts can be increased in accordance with the necessity of disk capacity and performance. Further, since the host-disk array system can be connected using the host I / F corresponding to the necessary transfer bandwidth, the capacity, performance, and expandability of the number of connected devices can be greatly improved.

  According to the embodiment described above, even if the performance of one disk array subset is limited by an internal MPU or an internal bus, a host and a disk array subset are used by a disk array switch using a plurality of disk array subsets. Can be interconnected. Thereby, it is possible to realize high performance as the total disk array system. Even if the performance of the disk array subset is relatively low, high performance can be realized by using a plurality of disk array subsets. Accordingly, it is possible to connect only a required number of low-cost disk array subsets according to the scale of the computer system, and it is possible to construct a disk array system at an appropriate cost according to the scale.

  Further, when it is necessary to increase disk capacity or improve performance, it is sufficient to add as many disk array subsets as necessary. In addition, since any number of hosts and disk array subsets can be connected using multiple disk array switches, the capacity, performance, and number of connected devices can be greatly improved, resulting in a highly scalable system. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since a reduction device of the conventional disk array system itself can be used as a disk array subset, large-scale control software assets that have already been developed can be used as they are, and development costs can be reduced. The development period can be shortened.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the host I / F node of the disk array switch converts only the frame header 401 and does not operate the frame payload 402, and the disk array switch, host I / F, and disk array I / F are duplicated. This is different from the first embodiment in the configuration. Therefore, the configuration of each part is not significantly different from that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 16, each disk array subset 10 is composed of a plurality of logical units (LUs) 110. Each LU 110 is configured as an independent LU. In general, LUNs assigned to LUs 110 in each disk array subset 10 are sequential numbers starting from 0. For this reason, when the LUNs of all the LUs 110 in the disk array system 1 are continuously displayed to the host 30, it is necessary to convert the LUN field of the frame payload 402 as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the LUN of each disk array subset 10 is shown to the host 30 as it is, so that the conversion of the frame payload 402 is unnecessary and the control of the disk array switch is simplified.

  It is assumed that the disk array switch 20 of this embodiment can access a specific disk array subset 10 for each host I / F node 203. In this case, when one host I / F 31 is used, only the LU 110 in one disk array subset 10 can be accessed. When it is desired to access the LU 110 of the plurality of disk array subsets 10 from one host, the host is connected to the plurality of host I / F nodes 203. In addition, when making it possible to access the LU 110 of one disk array subset 10 from a plurality of hosts 30, a plurality of hosts 30 are connected to the same host I / F node 203 using a loop topology or a fabric topology. To do. With this configuration, when one LU 110 is accessed from one host 30, the disk array subset 10 is determined for each D_ID of the host I / F node 203. 30 can be shown.

  In the present embodiment, for the reason described above, the LUN of the LU 110 in each disk array subset 10 is shown to the host 30 as it is to the host 30, so that LUN conversion in the disk array switch 20 is not necessary. For this reason, when receiving a frame from the host 30, the disk array switch 20 converts only the frame header 401 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and transfers the frame payload 402 to the disk array subset 10 without conversion. Since the operation of each unit in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except that the frame payload 402 is not converted, detailed description thereof is omitted here. According to this embodiment, development of the disk array switch 20 can be facilitated.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, only the frame header is converted in the host I / F node of the disk array switch, but in the third embodiment described below, a mode in which frame conversion is not performed including the frame header will be described. To do. The computer system of this embodiment is configured in the same manner as the computer system in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the first and second embodiments, the internal configuration of the disk array system 1 such as the number of disk array subsets 10 and the configuration of the LU 110 is concealed from the host 30. For this reason, the disk array system 1 appears to the host 30 as a single storage device as a whole. In contrast, in this embodiment, the disk array subset 10 is disclosed to the host 30 as it is, and the host 30 can directly use the ID of the port of the disk array subset as the D_ID of the frame header. Thus, the disk array switch only needs to control frame transfer according to the information of the frame header, and a switch device equivalent to the fiber channel fabric device in the prior art can be used in place of the disk array switch 20.

  The disk array system configuration management unit 70 communicates with the communication controller 106 of the disk array subset 10 and the communication unit 204 of the disk array switch 20 to acquire configuration information of each disk array subset 10 and disk array switch 20, or Set.

  The disk array switch 20 basically has the same configuration as the disk array switch in the first embodiment shown in FIG. However, in this embodiment, since frame transfer information is controlled using the frame header information issued by the host 30 as it is, the host I / F of the disk array switch 20 in the first embodiment or the second embodiment is used. The conversion function such as the frame header realized by the DCT 2027, the SC 2022, the SPG 2024, etc. included in the node 203 and the disk array I / F node 202 becomes unnecessary. The crossbar switch 201 included in the disk array switch 20 transfers a fiber channel frame between the host I / F node 203 and the disk array I / F node 202 according to the information of the frame header.

  In this embodiment, in order to collectively manage the configuration of the disk array system by the disk array system configuration management means 70, a disk array management table (hereinafter also referred to as DCT) is used as the disk array system configuration management means 70. Prepare for. The DCT included in the disk array system configuration management means 70 includes two table groups, a system configuration table 20270 and subset configuration tables 202720 to 202723 shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, since all host LUs are configured as ILUs, all LU Types in the host LU configuration table 20271 are “ILU”, and CLU Class and CLU Stripe Size do not make sense.

  The administrator operates the management terminal 5 to communicate with the disk array system configuration management means 70, obtains information such as the disk capacity of the disk array subset 10 and the number of disk units, and sets the LU 110 of the disk array subset 10. Set the RAID level. Next, the administrator communicates with the disk array system configuration management means 70 via the management terminal 5 and controls the disk array switch 20 to set the relationship information between each host 30 and the disk array subset 20.

  With the above operation, the configuration of the disk array system 1 is established, and the LU 110 can be seen from the host 30 as desired by the administrator. The disk array configuration management means 70 stores the above setting information, and can confirm the configuration or change the configuration in accordance with an operation from the administrator.

  According to the present embodiment, once the disk array system 1 is configured, the administrator does not recognize the existence of the disk array switch 20, and a plurality of disk array subsystems are handled in the same manner as a single disk array system. be able to. Further, according to the present embodiment, the disk array switch 20 and the disk array subset 10 can be operated uniformly in the same operation environment, and the configuration confirmation and configuration change are facilitated. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when replacing the disk array system used conventionally with the disk array system in the present embodiment, the configuration of the disk array system 1 is used so far without changing the setting of the host 30. It is possible to match the configuration of the disk array system that has been used and maintain compatibility.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments described above, a fiber channel is used for the host I / F. In the embodiment described below, a mode in which interfaces other than the fiber channel are mixed will be described.

  FIG. 17 shows a configuration example of the IC 2023 inside the host I / F node 203 when the host I / F is a parallel SCSI. 20230 is a SCSI protocol controller (SPC) that performs parallel SCSI protocol control, 20233 is a Fiber Channel protocol controller (FPC) that performs Fiber Channel protocol control, and 20231 is a protocol conversion processor that performs protocol conversion between parallel SCSI and Fiber Channel serial SCSI. (PEP), 20232 is a buffer (BUF) for temporarily storing data during protocol conversion.

  In this embodiment, the host 30 issues a SCSI command to the disk array I / F node 203. In the case of a read command, the SPC 20230 stores this in the BUF 20232 and reports reception of the command to the PEP 20231 by an interrupt. The PEP 20231 uses a command stored in the BUF 20232, converts it to a command for the FPC 20233, and sends it to the FPC 20233. When the FPC 20233 receives this command, it converts it into a frame format and delivers it to the SC 2022. At this time, the exchange ID, sequence ID, source ID, and destination ID are added by the PEP 20231 so that the subsequent processing is possible. The subsequent command processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  When data preparation is completed, the disk array subset 10 issues a data transfer preparation completion frame, data transfer, and a status frame after normal completion. Between the disk array subset 10 and the IC 2023, various frames are transferred while the frame header 401 and the frame payload 402 are converted as necessary. The FPC 20233 of the IC 2023 receives the data transfer preparation completion frame, subsequently receives the data and stores it in the BUF 20232. If the transfer is completed normally, the FPC 20233 receives the status frame, interrupts the PTP 20231, and receives the data. Report completion of transfer. When receiving the interrupt, the PTP 20231 activates the SPC 20230 and instructs the host 30 to start data transfer. When the SPC 20230 transmits data to the host 30 and confirms the normal end, it reports the normal end to the PTP 20231 by interruption.

  Here, parallel SCSI is shown as an example of a host I / F other than Fiber Channel, but it can be similarly applied to other interfaces such as ESCON which is a host I / F to a mainframe. It is. As the host I / F node 203 of the disk array switch 20, for example, a host I / F node corresponding to Fiber Channel, parallel SCSI, and ESCON is provided, so that one disk array system 1 has a main frame and a personal It is possible to connect a mixture of both so-called open systems such as computers and workstations. In this embodiment, a fiber channel is used as the disk array I / F as in the first to third embodiments. However, any I / F may be used for the disk array I / F. Is possible.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a configuration management method for the disk array system 1 will be described as a fifth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a system configuration diagram of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, four hosts 30 are provided. The I / F 30 between the hosts “# 0” and “# 1” and the disk array system 1 is a fiber channel, and between the host “# 2” and the disk array system 1 is a parallel SCSI (Ultra SCSI), the host “# 3” And the disk array system 1 are connected by parallel SCSI (Ultra2 SCSI).

  Connection to the parallel SCSI disk array switch 20 is performed in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment. The disk array system 1 has four disk array subsets 30. The disk array subset “# 0” includes four independent LUs, and the disk array subset “# 1” includes two independent LUs. The disk array subsets “# 2” and “# 3” constitute one integrated LU. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the disk array subset 10 is concealed from the host 30 and the fiber channel frame is converted. There are seven LUNs, LUN = 0, 1, 2,... 6 in order from the LU of the disk array subset “# 0”.

  FIG. 19 is an example of a screen displayed on the display screen of the management terminal 5. The figure is a logical connection configuration screen showing the correspondence between the host I / F 31 and each logical unit (LU).

  The logical connection configuration screen 50 displays information 3100 related to each host I / F 31, information 11000 related to each LU 110, the relationship between the disk array subset 10 and the LU 110, and the like. Information relating to the host I / F 31 includes I / F type, I / F speed, status, and the like. Information relating to the LU 110 includes a storage subset number, LUN, capacity, RAID level, status, information, and the like. The administrator can easily manage the configuration of the disk array system 1 by referring to this screen.

  On the logical connection configuration screen 50, a line drawn between the host I / F and the LU indicates the LU 110 that can be accessed via each host I / F 31. An LU 110 that is not drawn from the host I / F cannot be accessed from the host 30 connected to the host I / F. Since data formats to be handled and users are different depending on the host 30, it is indispensable to provide appropriate access restrictions in order to maintain security. Therefore, an administrator who configures the system uses this screen to restrict access depending on whether or not to grant access permission between each LU 110 and the host I / F. In the figure, for example, the LU “# 0” can be accessed from the host I / Fs “# 0” and “# 1”, but cannot be accessed from the host I / Fs “# 2” and “# 3”. The LU “# 4” can be accessed only from the host I / F “# 2”.

  In order to realize such access restriction, access restriction information is transmitted from the disk array system configuration management means 70 to the disk array switch 20. The access restriction information sent to the disk array switch 20 is distributed to each host I / F node 203 and registered in the DCT 2027 of each host I / F node 203. When the host issues an LU existence check command for an LU whose access is restricted, each host I / F node 203 checks the DCT 2027 and does not respond to the check command or returns an error. As a result, the LU is not recognized by the host. In the case of the SCSI protocol, a test unit ready command or an inquiry command is generally used as a check command for the presence / absence of an LU. Since reading / writing is not performed without this inspection, it is possible to easily limit access.

  In this embodiment, access restriction is applied to each host I / F 31. By extending this, access restriction can be easily applied to each host 30. In addition, the host I / F 31, the host 30, or the address space is specified, and access restrictions are applied according to the type of command, such as read only, write only, read / write enabled, read / write disabled. You can also In this case, the host I / F number, host ID, address space, restriction command, etc. are designated as access restriction information to set restrictions on the disk array switch 20.

  Next, addition of a new disk array subset 10 will be described. When newly adding the disk array subset 10, the administrator connects the disk array subset 10 to be added to the vacant disk array I / F node 202 of the disk array switch 20. Subsequently, the administrator operates the management terminal 5 and presses a “reflect latest state” button 5001 displayed on the logical connection configuration screen 50. In response to this operation, a picture representing an unconfigured disk array subset is displayed on the screen (not shown). When this picture of the disk array subset is selected, a disk array subset setting screen appears. The administrator performs various settings for the newly added disk array subset on the displayed setting screen. Items set here include the LU configuration, RAID level, and the like. Subsequently, when switching to the screen of the logical connection configuration diagram of FIG. 19, a new disk array subset and LU appear. Thereafter, when the access restriction for each host I / F 31 is set and the “execute setting” button 5002 is pressed, the access restriction information, the disk array subset, and the LU information are transferred to the disk array switch 20 and the setting is executed. Is done.

  The procedure for adding the LU 110 to each disk array subset 10 is also performed according to the procedure described above. Also, the disk array subset and LU deletion are performed in substantially the same procedure. The difference is that the administrator selects each deletion part on the screen, presses a “delete” button 5003, and is executed after appropriate confirmation is performed. As described above, by using the management terminal 70, the administrator can manage the entire disk array system in an integrated manner.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, mirroring processing by the disk array switch 20 will be described as a sixth embodiment. The mirroring described here is a method of supporting dual writing by two independent LUs of two disk array subsets, and is duplexing including the controllers of the disk array subsets. Therefore, the reliability is different from the duplication of only the disk.

  The system configuration in the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1” have exactly the same LU configuration, and these two disk array subsets appear to the host 30 as one disk array. To do. For convenience, the number of the mirrored disk array subset pair is referred to as “# 01”. Further, a mirroring pair is formed by LU “# 0” and LU “# 1” of each disk array subset, and this LU pair is called LU “# 01” for convenience. As information for managing LU # 01 on the host LU configuration table 20271 of the DCT 2027, “Mirrored” is set in CLU Class, and information on LU # 0 and LU # 1 is set as LU Info. The configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The operation of each part in the present embodiment is substantially the same as in the first example. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described focusing on the operation of the host I / F node 203 of the disk array switch 20. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a sequence of frames transferred during a write operation in the present embodiment, and FIGS. 21 and 22 are flowcharts showing a processing flow by the host I / F node 203 during the write operation.

  During the write operation, the write command frame (FCP_CMD) issued by the host 30 is received by the IC 2023 (arrow (a) in FIG. 20: step 21001). The write command frame received by the IC 2023 is processed in the same manner as Step 20002 20005 during the read operation described in the first embodiment (Step 21002 to 21005).

  The SC 2022 searches the DCT 2027 using the SP 2021 and recognizes that it is a write access request to the LU “# 01” of the mirrored disk array subset “# 01” (step 21006). The SC 2022 creates a copy of the received command frame on the FB 2025 (step 21007). The SC 2022 converts the command frame based on the configuration information set in the DCT 2027, and creates separate command frames for both LU “# 0” and LU “# 1” (step 21008). Here, LU “# 0” is called a main LU, LU “# 1” is called a sub-LU, and command frames are also called a main command frame and a sub-command frame, respectively. Then, the exchange information is separately stored in the ET 2026, and the created command frames are issued to the disk array subset “# 0” and the disk array subset “# 1” (arrows (b0) and (b1) in FIG. 20: step). 21009).

  Each of the disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1” receives the command frame and independently transmits a data transfer preparation completion frame (FCP_XFER_RDY) to the disk array switch 20 (arrows (c0) and (c1 in FIG. 20). )). In the disk array switch 20, the host I / F node 203 processes a data transfer preparation completion frame transferred by the same processing as the read operation steps 200111 20013 in the first embodiment (steps 21011 to 21013).

  When the data transfer ready frames from each disk array subset are ready (step 21014), the SC 2022 performs conversion on the main data transfer ready frames (step 21015), and the IC 2023 converts the converted frames to the host 30. Transmit (arrow (d) in FIG. 20: step 21015).

  After receiving the data transfer preparation completion frame, the host 30 transmits a data frame (FCP_DATA) to the disk array switch 20 for transmission of write data (arrow (e) in FIG. 20). When the data frame from the host 30 is received by the IC 2023 (step 21031), the data frame is stored in the FB 2025 in the same manner as the read command frame and the write command frame, and CRC check and frame header analysis are performed (steps 21032 and 21033). ). Based on the analysis result of the frame header, the ET 2026 is searched by the SP 2021 to obtain exchange information (step 21034).

  The SC 2022 creates a replica in the same manner as in the write command frame (step 21035), one of them in the LU “# 0” in the disk array subset “# 0” and the other in the disk array subset “# 1”. Transmission is performed toward LU “# 1” (arrows (f0) and (f1) in FIG. 20: step 21037).

  Each of the disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1” receives the data frame, writes it to the disk unit 104, and transmits a status frame (FCP_RSP) to the disk array switch 20.

  When the SC 2022 receives status frames from the disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1”, the SC 2022 removes the extension header from the status frames, reproduces the frame header, and obtains exchange information from the ET 2026 (step 21041, 21042).

  When the status frames from both disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1” are prepared (step 21043), the status is confirmed to be normal completion, and the conversion to the main status frame from LU “# 0” is performed. (Step 21044), and the sub status frame is deleted (step 21045). Then, the IC 2023 transmits a command frame for reporting the normal end to the host (arrow (h) in FIG. 20: step 21046). Finally, the SP 2021 deletes the exchange information of the ET 2026 (Step 21047).

  This completes the write process in the mirroring configuration. The read processing for the mirrored LU “# 01” is performed in the same manner as the write processing described above except that the data transfer direction is different. Unlike the write, a read command is issued to two disk array subsets. There is no need to issue a command frame to either one. For example, command frames may always be issued to the main LU, but it is effective to distribute the load by issuing command frames alternately to both the primary and secondary LUs for speedup. .

  In the above-described processing, in Step 21014 and Step 21043, the response of the two disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1” is waited for, and the processing proceeds with the two synchronized. In such control, the processing proceeds after confirming the success of the processing in both disk array subsets, so that it is easy to cope with an error. On the other hand, since the overall processing speed depends on the slower response, there is a disadvantage that the performance is lowered.

  To solve this problem, the disk array switch proceeds to the next process without waiting for the response of the disk array subset, or proceeds to the next process when there is a response from one of the disk array subsets. It is also possible to control the “type”. An example of a frame sequence when asynchronous control is performed is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG.

  In the frame sequence indicated by the dashed arrow, the data transfer preparation completion frame transmission to the host performed in step 21016 is performed without waiting for the data transfer preparation completion frame from the disk array subset 10 after the processing of step 21009. The In this case, the data transfer preparation completion frame transmitted to the host is generated by the SC 2022 of the disk array switch 20 (broken line arrow (d ′)).

  From the host 30, the data frame is transferred to the disk array switch 20 at the timing indicated by the dashed arrow (e ′). In the disk array switch 20, this data frame is temporarily stored in the FB 2025. In response to receiving the data transfer ready frame from the disk array subset 10, the SC 2022 transfers the data frame held in the FB 2025 to the disk array subset 10 to which the data transfer ready frame has been sent (dashed line). Arrows (f0 '), (f1')).

  The end report from the disk array switch 20 to the host 30 is made when there is a report (broken arrows (g0 ′), (g0 ′)) from both disk array subsystems 10 (broken arrows (h ′)). ). By such processing, it is possible to shorten the processing time by the time Ta shown in FIG.

  When an error occurs during frame transfer between the disk array switch 20 and the disk array subset 10, the following processing is performed.

  If the process being executed is a write process, a retry process is performed on the LU in which an error has occurred. If the retry is successful, the process continues. When a predetermined number of retries set in advance fail, the disk array switch 20 prohibits access to the disk array subset 10 (or LU) and registers information indicating this in the DCT 2027. Further, the disk array switch 20 notifies the disk system configuration means 70 via the MP 200 and the communication controller 204.

  The disk system configuration means 70 issues an alarm to the management terminal 5 in response to this notification. As a result, the administrator can recognize that a trouble has occurred. Thereafter, the disk array switch 20 continues to operate using the normal disk array subset. The host 30 does not recognize that an error has occurred and can continue processing.

  According to this embodiment, since the mirror configuration can be realized by two disk array subsystems, the fault tolerance of the disk can be increased. Further, the fault tolerance of the disk array controller, the disk array I / F, and the disk array I / F node can be improved, and the reliability of the entire disk array system can be improved without duplicating the internal bus. .

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a method of integrating three or more disk array subsets 10 to form one logical disk array subset group will be described. In this embodiment, data is distributed and stored in a plurality of disk array subsets 10. As a result, access to the disk array subset is distributed, and concentration of access to a specific disk array subset is suppressed, thereby improving the total throughput. In this embodiment, such a striping process is performed by a disk array switch.

  FIG. 23 is an address map of the disk array system 1 in this embodiment. The address space of the disk array subset 10 is striped with a stripe size S. The address space of the disk array system 1 viewed from the host is distributed to the disk array subsets “# 0”, “# 1”, “# 2”, and “# 3” for each stripe size S. The size of the stripe size S is arbitrary, but it is better not to be too small. If the stripe size S is too small, there is a possibility that overhead occurs in the processing when the data to be accessed strides over a stripe belonging to a plurality of stripes. Increasing the stripe size S is preferable for improving performance because the probability of stripe straddling is reduced. The number of LUs can be set arbitrarily.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the host I / F node 203 in the present embodiment will be described by focusing on differences from the first embodiment with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. In this embodiment, in the DCT 2027 host LU configuration table 20271, “Striped” is set as the CLU Class of the information related to the striped host LU, and the stripe size “S” is set as the CLU Stripe Size.

  When the host 30 issues a command frame, the disk array switch 20 receives this at the IC 2023 of the host I / F node 203 (step 22001). The SC 2022 receives this command frame from the IC 2023, and uses the SP 2021 to execute the DCT 2027. Recognize that it needs to be searched and striped (step 22005).

  Next, the SC 2022 searches the DCT 2027 using the SP 2021, obtains the stripe number of the stripe to which the data to be accessed belongs from the configuration information including the stripe size S, and in which disk array subset 10 the stripe is stored. Specify (step 22006). At this time, there is a possibility that stripe straddling may occur. The processing in this case will be described later. If no stripe straddling occurs, the SC 2022 converts the command frame based on the calculation result of the SP 2021 (step 22007), and stores the exchange information in the ET 2026 (step 22008). Thereafter, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.

  When stripe straddling occurs, the SP 2021 generates two command frames. This generation is performed, for example, by copying a command frame issued by the host 30. The frame header, frame payload, etc. of the command frame to be generated are newly set. As in the sixth embodiment, it is possible to perform conversion after creating a copy of the command frame in SC2022, but here it is assumed that it is newly created by SP2021. When two command frames are generated, the SC 2022 transmits them to each disk array subset 10.

  Thereafter, data transfer is performed as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment or the sixth embodiment, it is necessary to transfer the data itself between one host 30 and two disk array subsets 10. For example, in the case of read processing, all data frames transferred from the two disk array subsets 10 need to be transferred to the host 30. At this time, the SC 2022 adds the appropriate exchange information to the data frame transferred from each disk array subset 10 according to the exchange information registered in the ET 2026 in an appropriate order and transmits the data frame to the host 30.

  In the case of the write process, as in the case of the command frame, it is divided into two data frames and transferred to the corresponding disk array subset 10. Note that the order control of the data frames is not essential if the host or the disk array subset supports an out-of-order process called an out-of-order function.

  Finally, when all the data transfer is completed and the disk array switch 20 receives two status frames from the disk array subset 10, the SP 2021 (or SC 2022) creates a status frame for the host 30, and this is transmitted by the IC 2023. Send to host 30.

  According to this embodiment, since access can be distributed to a plurality of disk array subsets, throughput can be improved as a whole, and access latency can be reduced on average.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Next, creation of a replica between two disk array systems (or disk array subsets) will be described as an eighth embodiment. In the system as described here, one of the two disk array systems is arranged at a remote location, and has resistance against the failure of the other disk array system due to natural disasters or the like. Such a countermeasure against disaster is called disaster recovery, and the creation of a copy performed with a remote disk array system is called remote copy.

  In the mirroring described in the sixth embodiment, the disk array I / F 21 may be a fiber channel because the mirror is configured by the disk array subsets 10 installed at almost the same geographical location. However, when a disk array (disk array subset) that performs remote copy is installed in a remote place exceeding 10 km, it is not possible to transfer a frame by fiber channel without relay. When used for disaster recovery, the distance between each other is usually several hundred km or more. Therefore, it is practically impossible to connect disk arrays by fiber channel. A high-speed public line or satellite communication is used.

  FIG. 25 is a configuration example of the disaster recovery system in the present embodiment.

  81 is a site A, 82 is a site B, and both sites are installed in geographically remote places. 9 is a public line through which ATM packets pass. Site A 81 and site B 82 each have a disk array system 1. Here, the site A 81 is a regular site that is normally used, and the site B 82 is a remote disaster recovery site that is used when the site A 81 is down due to a disaster or the like.

  The contents of the disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1” of the disk array system 10 at site A81 are copied to the remote copy disk array subsets “# 0” and “# 1” of the disk array system 10 at site B82. The Of the I / F nodes of the disk array switch 20, those connected to the remote site are connected to the public line 9 using ATM. This node is called an ATM node 205. The ATM node 205 is configured in the same manner as the host I / F node shown in FIG. 5, and the IC 2023 performs ATM-fiber channel conversion. This conversion is realized by the same method as the SCSI-fiber channel conversion in the fourth embodiment.

  The remote copy process in this embodiment is similar to the mirroring process in the sixth embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the mirroring process in the sixth embodiment will be described.

  When the host 30 issues a write command frame, the disk array system 10 at the site A 81 performs frame duplication as in the sixth embodiment, and transfers one of the frames to its own disk array subset 10. The other frame is converted from a fiber channel frame into an ATM packet by the ATM node 205 and sent to the site B 82 via the public line 9.

  At the site B 82, the ATM node 205 of the disk array switch 20 receives this packet. The IC 2023 of the ATM node 205 reproduces the fiber channel frame from the ATM packet and transfers it to the SC 2022. The SC 2022 performs frame conversion in the same manner as when a write command is received from the host 30, and transfers it to the disk array subset for remote copy. Thereafter, remote copy can be realized by performing fiber channel-ATM conversion in the ATM node 205 in all of the data transfer ready frame, data frame, and status frame, and performing similar frame transfer processing.

  When the host 30 issues a read command frame, the disk array switch 20 transfers the command frame only to the disk array subset 10 at its own site and reads data only from the disk array subset 10 at its own site. The operation at this time is the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, user data is backed up in real time, and it is possible to provide resistance against a site failure due to natural disasters or a disk array system failure.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, integration of a plurality of LUs included in one disk array subset 10 will be described. For example, in the mainframe disk device, the maximum value of the size of the logical volume is set to 2 GB in order to maintain compatibility with the past system. When such a disk array system is shared even in an open system, the LU is subject to the limitation of the logical volume size as it is, and many small-sized LUs can be seen from the host. Such a method causes a problem that operation becomes difficult when the capacity increases. Therefore, it is considered that the logical volume (that is, LU) is integrated by the function of the disk array switch 20 to form one large integrated LU. In this embodiment, the integrated LU is created by the disk array switch 20.

  LU integration in the present embodiment is the same as creation of an integrated LU by a plurality of disk array subsets 10 in the first embodiment. The only difference is the integration by multiple LUs in the same disk array subset 10. The operation as a disk array system is exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

  In this way, by integrating a plurality of LUs included in the same disk array subset 10 to create one large LU, it is not necessary to manage a large number of LUs from the host, resulting in excellent operability and management costs. Can be constructed.

[Tenth embodiment]
Next, an alternate path setting method by the disk array switch 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration of each part in the computer system shown in FIG. 26 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the two hosts 30 are configured to access the disk array subset 10 using different disk array I / Fs 21. In the figure, only the number of disk array subsets, host I / F nodes 203 and disk array I / F nodes 202 of the disk array switch 20 necessary for the description here are shown.

  The disk array subset 10 has the same configuration as in FIG. 2, and each of the two disk array I / F controllers is connected to one disk array switch 20. An alternate path of the disk array I / F 21 is set in the DCT 227 of each node of the disk array switch 20. The alternate path is an alternative path that is provided so as to be accessible even when a failure occurs in a certain path. Here, the replacement path of the disk array I / F “# 0” is set as the disk array I / F “# 1”, and the replacement path of the disk array I / F “# 1” is set as the disk array I / F “# 0”. Keep it. Similarly, alternate paths are set for the upper adapters, the cache / alternate memory, and the lower adapters in the disk array subset 10.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 26, it is assumed that the disk array I / F 21 connected to the host adapter “# 1” of the disk array subset 1 is disconnected and a failure has occurred, and the alternate path setting operation will be described. . At this time, the host “# 1” using the failed disk array I / F 21 cannot access the disk array subset 10. The disk array switch 20 detects an abnormality in frame transfer with the disk array subset 10 and recognizes that a failure has occurred in this path when recovery is not performed even if retry processing is performed.

  When a path failure occurs, the SP 2021 registers in the DCT 2027 that a failure has occurred in the disk array I / F “# 1”, and registers that the disk array I / F “# 0” is used as an alternate path. . Thereafter, the SC 2022 of the host I / F node 203 operates to transfer a frame from the host “# 1” to the disk array I / F node 202 connected to the disk array I / F “# 0”.

  The host adapter 101 of the disk array subset 10 takes over and processes the command from the host “# 1”. Further, the disk array switch 20 notifies the disk array system configuration management means 70 of the occurrence of the failure, and the disk array system configuration management means 70 notifies the administrator of the occurrence of the failure.

  According to the present embodiment, switching to an alternate path when a failure occurs in a path can be performed without causing the host side to recognize, and the alternate process setting on the host side can be made unnecessary. Thereby, the availability of the system can be improved.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the disk array system using all disk devices as storage media has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not limited to the disk device as the storage medium, and can be similarly applied to the case where an optical disk device, a tape device, a DVD device, a semiconductor storage device, or the like is used.

It is a block diagram of the computer system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the disk array subset of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the disk array switch of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the crossbar switch of the disk array switch in 1st Embodiment. 3 is a configuration diagram of a host I / F node of a disk array switch in the first embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram of a system configuration table. It is a block diagram of a subset structure table. It is a block diagram of a fiber channel frame. It is a block diagram of a fiber channel frame header. It is a block diagram of the frame payload of a fiber channel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sequence of the frame transferred through a fiber channel at the time of read operation from a host. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a host LU, an LU of each disk array subset, and each disk unit. It is a flowchart of the process in the host I / F node at the time of a write process. It is a block diagram of a switching packet. 1 is a configuration diagram of a disk array system in which a plurality of disk array switches are cluster-connected. It is a block diagram of the computer system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the interface controller of the disk array switch in 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the computer system in 5th Embodiment. It is a screen block diagram which shows the example of a display of a logical connection structure screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the frame sequence in 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process in the host I / F node at the time of the mirroring write process of 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process in the host I / F node at the time of the mirroring write process of 6th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a host LU and an LU of each disk array subset in the seventh embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the host I / F node in 7th Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the disaster recovery system in 8th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing about the setting of an alternate path | pass.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Disk array system 5 ... Management terminal 10 ... Disk array subset 20 ... Disk array switch 30 ... Host computer 70 ... Disk array system configuration management means 200 ... Management processor 201 ... Crossbar switch 202 ... Disk array I / F node 203 ... Host I / F node 204 ... communication controller

Claims (25)

A storage system,
A plurality of storage subsystems each including a control unit and a storage medium controlled by the control unit;
In response to the configuration information of the storage system connected to the computer and including information on a plurality of storage areas in the storage system, and the frame transmitted from the computer, the frame is analyzed, and based on the configuration information A first interface node having a switching controller for converting the frame;
A plurality of second interface nodes each connected to any one of the storage subsystems;
Storage comprising: switching means connected to the first interface node and the plurality of second interface nodes, for executing frame transfer between the first interface node and the plurality of second interface nodes. system. The storage system of claim 1, wherein:
The first interface node has a packet generation unit that outputs a frame including node address information of the second interface;
Also here
The storage system, wherein the switching means executes frame transfer between the first node and the plurality of second nodes based on the node address information. The storage system according to claim 2, wherein:
In response to the write command frame from the computer, the first interface node generates a plurality of copies of each of the write command frame and the data frame received from the computer. Here, each copy of the write data and the command frame has different node address information, and transfers the copy frame to the switching means, whereby the write command frame and the data are transferred. A storage system for transferring a frame to at least two storage subsystems. The storage system according to claim 3, wherein:
The first interface node generates a plurality of copies of the read command frame in response to a read command frame from the computer that instructs to read data, wherein each of the copies of the read command frame is A storage system having different node address information and transferring the duplicate frame to the switching means, thereby transferring the read command frame to at least two storage subsystems. 5. The storage system according to claim 4, wherein:
The first interface node receives data frames transferred from at least two of the storage subsystems in response to the read command frame, and receives a plurality of data frames from the at least two storage subsystems to the computer A storage system characterized by selecting and transferring one of them. 6. The storage system according to claim 5, wherein:
The first interface node is accompanied by node address information of the second interface node connected to a predetermined storage subsystem in response to a read command frame sent from the computer and instructing data reading. A storage system for transferring the read command frame to the switching means. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein
Here, the frame includes a frame header having an identifier characterizing a transfer destination and a transfer source, a frame payload having data to be transferred, and
Here, the switching controller sets the transfer destination identifier included in the frame header based on the configuration information of the storage system to the storage destination that is the transfer destination of the frame converted from the one representing the first interface node. A storage system characterized by converting to a subsystem representation. The storage system according to claim 7, wherein
Here, the frame has first logical address information recognized from the computer, and the switching controller determines the first logical address information based on the configuration information of the storage system. The storage system is converted to second logical address information managed in the storage subsystem. The storage system according to claim 1, further comprising:
A management processor connected to the switching means;
Here, the management processor receives the setting information for setting the configuration of the storage system input by an operator, and the configuration information based on the received setting information in response to the input of the setting information. A storage system that is set as a first interface node. The storage system of claim 9, wherein:
The input configuration information includes information for restricting access from the computer to the plurality of storage subsystems. The storage system of claim 1, wherein:
The information of the plurality of storage areas includes logical unit information of the plurality of storage subsystems. 12. A storage system according to claim 11, wherein:
The logical unit information includes information on a logical unit including at least two storage areas in a plurality of different storage subsystems. A storage switch connected between the computer and a plurality of storage subsystems each including a control unit and a storage medium controlled by the control unit;
Here, a storage system is composed of the plurality of storage subsystems and the storage switch,
In response to the configuration information for the storage system connected to the computer and including information on a plurality of storage areas in the storage system and the frame transferred from the computer, the frame is analyzed, and the storage A first interface node having a switching controller that converts the frame based on configuration information for the system;
A plurality of second interface nodes each connected to any one of the storage subsystems;
A switch connected to the first interface node and the plurality of second interface nodes, and having switching means for executing frame transfer between the first interface node and the plurality of second interface nodes . The storage switch according to claim 13, wherein the first interface node includes a packet generation unit that outputs a frame including node address information of the second interface,
Also here
The storage switch, wherein the switching means executes frame transfer between the first node and the plurality of second nodes based on the node address information. 15. The storage switch according to claim 14, wherein:
In response to the write command frame from the computer, the first interface node generates a plurality of copies of each of the write command frame and the data frame received from the computer. Here, each copy of the write data and the command frame has different node address information, and transfers the copy frame to the switching means, whereby the write command frame and the data are transferred. A storage switch characterized by transferring a frame to at least two storage subsystems. The storage switch according to claim 15, wherein:
The first interface node generates a plurality of copies of the read command frame in response to a read command frame from the computer that instructs to read data, wherein each of the copies of the read command frame is A storage switch having different node address information, and transferring the duplicate frame to the switching means, thereby transferring the read command frame to at least two storage subsystems. The storage switch of claim 16, wherein:
The first interface node receives data frames transferred from at least two of the storage subsystems in response to the read command frame, and receives a plurality of data frames from the at least two storage subsystems to the computer A storage switch characterized by selecting and transferring one of them. The storage switch according to claim 15, wherein:
The first interface node is accompanied by node address information of the second interface node connected to a predetermined storage subsystem in response to a read command frame sent from the computer and instructing data reading. A storage switch, wherein the read command frame is transferred to the switching means. The storage switch according to claim 13,
Here, the frame includes a frame header having an identifier characterizing a transfer destination and a transfer source, a frame payload having actual data to be transferred, and
Here, the switching controller sets the transfer destination identifier included in the frame header based on the configuration information of the storage system to the storage sub that is the transfer destination of the frame converted from the one representing the first interface node. A storage switch characterized by converting it into something that represents the system. The storage switch according to claim 19, wherein
Here, the frame has first logical address information recognized from the computer in the frame payload,
In addition, here, the switching controller converts the first logical address information into second logical address information managed in the storage subsystem that is the frame transfer destination based on the configuration information of the storage system. Storage switch characterized by converting. The storage switch according to claim 13, further comprising:
A management processor connected to the switching means;
Here, the management processor receives the setting information for setting the configuration of the storage system input by an operator, and the configuration information based on the received setting information in response to the input of the setting information. A storage switch that is set as a first interface node. 14. A storage switch according to claim 13, wherein:
The storage switch characterized in that the information of the plurality of storage areas includes logical unit information of the plurality of storage subsystems. 23. A storage switch according to claim 22, wherein:
The logical unit information includes information on a logical unit including at least two storage areas in a plurality of storage subsystems different from each other. A storage system,
A plurality of storage subsystems each having a control unit and a storage medium controlled by the control unit;
A first interface node connected to the computer;
A plurality of second interface nodes each connected to any of the plurality of storage subsystems;
Switching means connected to the first interface node and the plurality of second interface nodes to execute frame transfer between the first interface node and the plurality of second interface nodes; and
A management processor connected to the switching means and having setting information including information on a plurality of storage areas of the storage system input by an operator;
here,
The storage system, wherein the management processor manages the configuration of the storage system based on the setting information. A storage system,
A plurality of storage subsystems each having a control unit and a storage medium controlled by the control unit;
A plurality of first interface nodes each connected to a computer; a plurality of second interface nodes each connected to any one of the plurality of storage subsystems; the plurality of first interface nodes; A switch having switching means connected to the second interface node of
Here, the switch has configuration information of the storage system including information on a plurality of storage areas of the storage system.

Images