JP2008210081A - Replacement system and replacement method for failure hard disk - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly and easily perform replacement of a failure hard disk by a hot swap system. <P>SOLUTION: When a key switch DISKA, DISKB corresponding to the failure hard disk is turned on, a hard disk replacement unit 4 cuts off power output to the failure hard disk from a power source unit 3 to cut off the failure hard disk, generates a control signal in a CPU 1B to stop mirroring, supplies power to a new hard disk from the power source unit when the key switch is turned off after replacement completion of the new hard disk from the failure hard disk, and generates a control signal in the CPU to permit a restart of the mirroring. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing system with a mirroring function using two hard disks, and more particularly to a replacement method and a replacement method for replacing a failed hard disk while a data processing apparatus is powered on when one hard disk fails.

  The mirroring function protects against loss of important data by storing a copy of data processed by a data processing device such as a personal computer in another location in real time.

  In mirroring with two hard disks, the same data is simultaneously recorded on the two hard disks from the data processing device. FIG. 3 shows a data processing system having a mirroring function. The personal computer 1 is equipped with a serial ATA interface 1A (for example, Intel chipset ICH7MD), two SATA hard disks 2A and 2B are prepared, and the CPU 1B The processed data is simultaneously recorded on the two hard disks 2A and 2B through the interface 1A.

  The hard disks 2A and 2B may be mirroring hard disk devices provided in a single housing. The power supply unit 3 supplies 12V / 5V power to the hard disks 2A and 2B. The power supply unit 3 is a DC power supply installed in the personal computer 1 or a dedicated external power supply.

  In such a data processing apparatus having a mirroring function, the mirroring function is lost when a failure occurs in the hard disk. The occurrence of a hard disk failure is notified by displaying an error status of the failed hard disk on the operation screen of the data processing apparatus or by lighting a lamp such as an LED on the panel surface of the hard disk.

  When a hard disk failure is displayed, the execution of the data processing apparatus is interrupted and the failed hard disk is replaced. In this case, there is a method of replacing the failed hard disk by temporarily turning off the power of the data processing apparatus. In this method, when the data processing apparatus is turned off, it may not be possible to confirm which one of the failed hard disks will be, so there is also a method that prints data that can identify the failed hard disk with a printer or the like (for example, Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, with the data processing device turned on, the failed hard disk is disconnected from the data processing device, a new hard disk is connected to the data processing device to rebuild the hard disk (hot swap), and the mirroring function is resumed. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-227684 A JP 2007-4485 A

  In order to replace a failed hard disk with the data processing device turned on, power supply from the power supply unit 3 to the failed hard disk is stopped, and then the connection cable between the failed hard disk and the data processing device 1 is disconnected. Then, a new hard disk is connected to the data processing device 1 by a cable, and a setting operation is performed so that the CPU 1B of the data processing device 1 recognizes that the new hard disk has been inserted by software.

  As described above, replacement of a failed hard disk by the hot swap method requires many work procedures. If this procedure is mistaken, there is a risk of causing a new malfunction to a healthy hard disk or a new hard disk. There is also a risk of causing it. In addition, if the data processing device side needs to be restarted or the like, the hot swap fails, and if the data processing device performs real-time processing, the function is lost during that time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a failed hard disk replacement method and replacement method that reliably and easily replace a failed hard disk by a hot swap method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention automatically performs power supply / shutdown and application of control signals to the data processing apparatus necessary for replacement of a failed hard disk only by key operation. Characterized by method and exchange method.

(1) The data processing device has a mirroring function for simultaneously recording the processed data on two hard disks. When a failure occurs in the hard disk, the data processing device remains powered on and the failed hard disk is replaced with a new hard disk. A replacement method for a failed hard disk to be replaced,
The hard disk replacement unit
A power supply / shut-off unit that can supply / shut off the power output of the power supply unit that supplies power to the hard disk individually, and control for notifying the hard disk to the CPU of the data processing device separately for both hard disks It has a signal generator and two key switches for each hard disk,
When the key switch corresponding to the failed hard disk is turned off, the power output from the power supply unit to the failed hard disk is cut off so that the failed hard disk can be disconnected and a control signal is sent from the control signal generator to the CPU. Occur and stop mirroring,
After the replacement of the failed hard disk with a new hard disk, when the key switch is turned on, the power supply unit supplies power to the new hard disk and generates a control signal from the control signal generator to the CPU. And resuming mirroring.

(2) The data processing apparatus has a mirroring function for simultaneously recording the processed data on two hard disks, and when a failure occurs in the hard disk, the data processing apparatus remains powered on and the failed hard disk is replaced with a new hard disk. A method of replacing a failed hard disk to be replaced,
When the key switch corresponding to the failed hard disk is turned off, the power output from the power supply unit for the hard disk to the failed hard disk is cut off, so that the failed hard disk can be disconnected, and the CPU generates a control signal for mirroring. Stop,
After the replacement of the failed hard disk with a new hard disk, when the key switch is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply unit to the new hard disk and a control signal is generated to the CPU to allow resumption of mirroring. It is characterized by doing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, power supply / shutdown necessary for replacement of a failed hard disk and application of a control signal to the data processing apparatus are automatically performed only by key operation. Replacement is sure and simple.

  FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram of a data processing system showing an embodiment of the present invention. 3 differs from FIG. 3 in that a hard disk replacement unit 4 is provided.

  The hard disk replacement unit 4 is integrally mounted as a circuit attached to the power supply unit 3 or the hard disks 2A, 2B, a circuit that can individually supply / shut off the power output of the power supply unit 3 to the hard disks 2A, 2B, and the data processing device 1. And a control signal generating circuit for notifying the CPU 1B that the hard disk is connected to the CPU 1B. These circuits are activated in response to the operation of key switches DISKA and DISKB for each hard disk.

  FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of the hard disk replacement unit 4. As shown in the circuit configuration of the power supply / cutoff unit 11, the power supply / cutoff units 11 and 12 introduce + 5V and + 12V from the power supply unit 3 into the input terminal 11A as power inputs, and switch the power FETs 11B and 11C. In operation, + 5V and + 12V are taken out to the output terminal 11D. Power is supplied / shut off from the output terminal 11D to the hard disk 2A. The terminal 11E takes in the operation signals of the external key switches DISKA and DISKB, and turns off the power FETs 11B and 11C (power is cut off) when the key switch DISKA is turned off. The photocoupler 11F takes out the on / off operation state of the power FET 11C and generates a power supply / shutdown detection signal to the hard disk 2A. The circuit configuration up to this point is the same for the power supply / cutoff unit 12.

  The buffers 13 and 14 serve as a control signal generator that applies waveform control and current amplification to the detection signal output from the photocoupler 11F and applies the control signal DISK_IN1 * (* indicates negative logic) to the CPU 1B of the data processing apparatus 1. Similarly, the buffers 15 and 16 waveform-shape and current-amplify the detection signal output of the power supply / shut-off unit 12 and apply the control signal DISK_IN2 * (* indicates negative logic) to the CPU 1B of the data processing apparatus 1.

  In the above configuration, for example, when the hard disk 2A has failed and is replaced with a new hard disk, the key switch DISKA is turned off, so that the power supply / shut-off unit 11 is powered off, and the failed hard disk 2A is safely secured. Can be separated. At this time, a power-off control signal is applied to the CPU 1B through the buffers 13 and 14, and the CPU 1B automatically recognizes that it is being replaced and stops mirroring.

  Next, after the new hard disk is connected to the data processing device 1, the key switch DISKA is turned on to start the power supply of the power supply / shut-off unit 11, and the control signal for the power supply is sent through the buffers 13 and 14 to the CPU 1B. The data processing apparatus 1 allows the mirroring function by the new hard disk to be safely restarted.

  Therefore, when replacing a failed hard disk, you only need to know which hard disk has failed from the data processor screen or the lamp on the panel of the failed hard disk, and turn off the key switch corresponding to the failed hard disk. The failed hard disk can be safely disconnected by shutting off the power supply and automatically applying a control signal to the data processing apparatus. Then, after switching to a new hard disk, the power supply is automatically supplied to the new hard disk simply by turning on the key switch, and the control signal is automatically applied to the data processing device to safely resume the mirroring function.

The principal part block diagram of the data processing system which shows embodiment of this invention. The circuit block diagram of a hard-disk exchange unit. The principal part block diagram of the conventional data processing system which has a mirroring function.

Explanation of symbols

1 Data processing device 1A Serial ATA interface 1B CPU
2A, 2B Hard disk 3 Power supply unit 4 Hard disk replacement unit

Claims (2)

The data processing device has a mirroring function for simultaneously recording the processed data on two hard disks, and the failure of replacing the failed hard disk with a new hard disk while the data processing device is powered on when the hard disk fails A hard disk replacement method,
The hard disk replacement unit
A power supply / shut-off unit that can supply / shut off the power output of the power supply unit that supplies power to the hard disk individually, and control for notifying the hard disk to the CPU of the data processing device separately for both hard disks It has a signal generator and two key switches for each hard disk,
When the key switch corresponding to the failed hard disk is turned off, the power output from the power supply unit to the failed hard disk is cut off so that the failed hard disk can be disconnected and a control signal is sent from the control signal generator to the CPU. Occur and stop mirroring,
After the replacement of the failed hard disk with a new hard disk, when the key switch is turned on, the power supply unit supplies power to the new hard disk and generates a control signal from the control signal generator to the CPU. The replacement method of the failed hard disk, which allows the resumption of mirroring. The data processing device has a mirroring function for simultaneously recording the processed data on two hard disks, and the failure of replacing the failed hard disk with a new hard disk while the data processing device is powered on when the hard disk fails A hard disk replacement method,
When the key switch corresponding to the failed hard disk is turned off, the power output from the power supply unit for the hard disk to the failed hard disk is cut off, so that the failed hard disk can be disconnected, and the CPU generates a control signal for mirroring. Stop,
After the replacement of the failed hard disk with a new hard disk, when the key switch is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply unit to the new hard disk and a control signal is generated to the CPU to allow resumption of mirroring. A method for replacing a failed hard disk.

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