JP2009252187A - Disk array device, control method of disk array device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disk array device that reduces power consumption more. <P>SOLUTION: A controller 111 determines whether the time that a RTC 113 clocks falls within a time zone set in time zone information 115. When the controller 111 determines that the time reaches the time zone, the controller transfers all data from a first storage device 120 to a second storage device 130, and stops the first storage device 120. Until the time goes out of this set time zone, the controller 111 makes the second storage device 130 be accessed with respect to an access request from a host device 200. When it is determined that the time goes out of this set time zone, the controller 111 transfers all data from the second storage device 130 to the first storage device 120, and stops the second storage device 130. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a disk array device having a plurality of disk devices having different performances.

  The disk array device is connected to a host device such as a super computer or a server device. Then, the disk array device stores data in a storage device inside the disk array device in accordance with an instruction from the host device, or reads data requested from the host device from the storage device and transmits it to the host device.

  In general, in order to cope with a failure of a storage device, a disk array device includes a plurality of storage devices inside, for example, a certain storage device is mainly operated, and backup data is stored in another storage device.

Thus, if a plurality of storage devices are always operated, power consumption increases. A control method capable of solving this problem is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2007-164738 A

  The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 stores large data such as image data in the first hard disk device, and stores small data such as system data in the second hard disk device for efficiency. During normal operation, both hard disks are set to energy saving mode. Then, when there is an instruction to write to or read from the disk device, the second hard disk device is activated to determine the type of data, and if it is image data, the first hard disk device is activated to write the data. Or read.

  In this method, when the instruction to write or read the image data continues, the second hard disk device that is not always used is in operation, which is not efficient operation control from the viewpoint of power consumption. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a disk array device capable of further suppressing power consumption.
Another object of the present invention is to suppress power consumption while maintaining processing efficiency.

In order to achieve the above object, a disk array device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A disk array device having a plurality of disk devices connected to a host device and having different performance from each other,
Timekeeping means,
Time zone storage means for storing information defining a time zone assigned to each of the plurality of disk devices;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the time measured by the time measuring means falls within a range of any time zone stored by the time zone storing means;
When the discriminating means discriminates that any time zone has been reached, the disk device corresponding to the time zone is operated, the storage data of the operating disk device is transferred to the newly operated disk device, and transferred. Control means for stopping the operating disk device after the completion;
In accordance with a request from the host device, access means for accessing the disk device in operation by the control means;
It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the above object, a disk array device control method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes:
A time zone storage step for storing information defining a time zone assigned to each of the plurality of disk devices;
A determination step of determining whether or not the time is in any time zone defined by the information stored in the time zone storage step;
When it is determined in the determination step that any time zone has been reached, the disk device corresponding to the time zone is operated, and the storage data of the operating disk device is transferred to the newly operated disk device, A control step of stopping the operating disk device after the transfer,
It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the third aspect of the present invention provides:
To a computer connected to a host device and having a plurality of disk devices with different performances,
Timekeeping function,
A time zone storage function for storing information defining a time zone assigned to each of the plurality of disk devices;
A determination function for determining whether or not the time measured by the timekeeping function is in any time zone range stored by the time zone storage function;
When the discriminating function determines that one of the time zones has been reached, the disk device corresponding to the time zone is operated, and the storage data of the operating disk device is transferred to the newly operated disk device and transferred. A control function for stopping the operating disk device after completion;
An access function for accessing a running disk device in accordance with a request from the host device;
Is realized.

  According to the present invention, the power consumption of the disk array device can be reduced as compared with the conventional art.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the disk array device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a determination unit 12, a time measuring unit 13, a time zone information storage unit 14, and an access control unit 15. And a first storage device 20 and a second storage device 30.

  The first storage device 20 and the second storage device 30 are HDD (Hard Disc Drive) devices that can store data. The first storage device 20 and the second storage device 30 have different performance, and the first storage device 20 has higher processing performance and higher power consumption than the second storage device 30.

  The timer 13 measures the current time and outputs “year”, “month”, “day”, “hour”, “minute”, and “second” as data.

  The time zone information storage unit 14 stores information defining a time zone in which the first storage device 20 or the second storage device 30 operates. In particular, the information stored in the time zone information storage unit 14 is information for specifying a time zone in which the load of the disk array device 10 is relatively large in one day. That is, information that defines a time zone in which the first storage device 20 with high processing performance operates during a time zone when the load on the disk array device 10 is heavy is stored in the time zone information storage unit 14.

  For example, the time zone information storage unit 14 stores a time zone A in which the first storage device 20 operates and a time zone B in which the second storage device 30 operates as shown in FIG. .

  The determination unit 12 determines whether or not the time measured by the time measuring unit 13 is in any range of the time zone specified by the information stored in the time zone storage unit 14.

  The access control unit 15 is connected to the host device 50, the first storage device 20, and the second storage device 30. The access control unit 15 writes the write data provided from the host device 50 to the first storage device 20 or the second storage device 30 in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 11 that has received the write instruction from the host device 50. Further, according to the instruction of the control unit 11 that has received the read instruction from the host device 50, the data is read from the first storage device 20 or the second storage device 30 and transmitted to the host device 50.

  When the control unit 11 determines that any time zone has been reached, the control unit 11 sets the first or second storage device corresponding to the time zone specified by the information stored in the time zone storage unit 14. Make it work. Then, the control unit 11 transfers the storage data stored in the operating storage device to the newly operating storage device, and stops the operating storage device after the transfer is completed.

  Next, an operation in which the disk array device 10 having the above configuration switches the operation of the first or second storage device will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the disk switching process shown in FIG. 3 is started, the determination unit 12 determines whether the time measured by the time measuring unit 13 is any time zone specified by the information stored in the time zone information storage unit 14. Is discriminated (step S101). Then, the determination unit 12 repeats this until it determines that the time is in any time zone.

When the determination unit 12 determines that the time is any time zone specified by the information stored in the time zone information storage unit 14 (Yes in step S101),
The control unit 11 operates the storage device corresponding to the time zone (step S102).

  Then, the control unit 11 transfers the storage data of the operating disk device to the newly operated storage device (step S103). After the transfer is completed, the control unit 11 stops the active storage device that is the data movement source (step S104).

  After the storage device is stopped, the process returns to step S101 again, and the determination by the determination unit 12 is repeated whether or not the time is switched to a new time zone.

  Thus, each storage device operates according to the time allocated to the first storage device and the second storage device. Then, in accordance with a request from the host device 20, the access control unit 15 accesses the operating storage device.

  Next, as an example for specifically implementing the first embodiment, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Second embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the disk array device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an adapter unit 110, a first storage device 120, and a second storage device 130.

  The adapter unit 110 includes a control unit 111, an interface unit 112, an RTC 113, and a RAM 114.

  The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit, and the like, and controls the overall operation of the disk array device 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit.

  The interface unit 112 is connected to the host device 200, the first storage device 120, and the second storage device 130. The interface unit 112 writes the write data provided from the host device 200 to the first storage device 120 or the second storage device 130 in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 111 that has received the write instruction from the host device 200. Further, according to the instruction of the control unit 111 that has received the read instruction from the host device 200, the data is read from the first storage device 120 or the second storage device 130 and transmitted to the host device 200.

  An RTC (Real Time Clock) 113 measures the current time and outputs “year”, “month”, “day”, “hour”, “minute”, and “second” as data.

A RAM (Rondom Access Memory) 114 stores various data, for example, time zone information 115 shown in FIG.
The time zone information 115 is information for specifying a time zone in which the load of the disk array device 100 is relatively large in one day. Specifically, the time zone information 115 is information indicating a time zone in which the first storage device 120 is operated. is there. The time zone information 115 may specify a plurality of time zones or specify a specific date and time. In the time zone other than the time zone specified by the time zone information 115, the second storage device 130 is operated. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when information specifying two time zones of 10: 00-17: 00 and 18: 30-19: 00 is set as the time zone information 115, 10: In the two time zones of 00-17: 00 and 18: 30-19: 00, the first storage device 120 is operated (the second storage device 130 is stopped), and other times are 17: 00-18: 30. And 19: 00-10: 00 specify that the second storage device 130 (the first storage device 120 is stopped) is operated.
The time zone information 115 is appropriately set by the user via the operation unit 116.

  The operation unit 116 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and inputs various information according to a user operation, and transmits the input information to the control unit 111.

  The first storage device 120 and the second storage device 130 are HDD (Hard Disc Drive) devices, and store various data.

  The first storage device 120 is a disk device having relatively high data processing performance (access amount per unit time) but high power consumption, such as an FC (Fibre Channel) storage device or a SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) device. Composed. The second storage device 130 is composed of a disk device with relatively low data processing capability but low power consumption, such as a SATA (Serial ATA) storage device.

  The host device 200 is composed of an information processing device such as a supercomputer, mainframe, server device, or PC (Personal Computer). The host device 200 is connected to the adapter unit 110 of the disk array device 100, and instructs the disk array device 100 to write instructions, write target data, the start address of the write position, etc., and read instructions The start address of the reading position, the amount of data, etc. are indicated.

Next, the operation of the disk array device 100 having the above configuration will be described.
For easy understanding, it is assumed that data is stored in the first storage device 120 in the initial state.

  When the disk array device 100 is powered on, the disk switching process shown in FIG. 6 starts.

  First, the control unit 111 turns on the power of the first storage device 120 and the second storage device 130, determines which storage device stores the data, and selects the storage device that does not store the data. Stop (step S301).

  Next, the control unit 111 obtains current time information from the RTC 113 (step S302).

  Then, the control unit 111 refers to the time zone information 115 stored in the RAM 114 and determines whether or not the current time is within the time zone set in the time zone information 115 (step S303). ).

  If the current time is within the range of the time zone set in the time zone information 115 (Yes in step S303), the control unit 111 keeps the current time from the RTC 113 until the current time is out of the time zone. Acquisition (step S302) and time zone determination (step S303) are repeated.

  When the control unit 111 determines that the acquired current time is out of the range of the time zone set in the time zone information 115 (No in step S303), the control unit 111 stores all the information stored in the first storage device 120. Data is read out and stored in the second storage device 130 (step S304).

  Then, the control unit 111 stops the first storage device 120 (step S305).

  Next, the control unit 111 acquires the current time from the RTC 113 (step S306), and determines whether or not the current time is within the time zone set in the time zone information 115 (step S307). .

  If the current time is outside the time zone set in the time zone information 115 (No in step S307), the control unit 111 acquires the current time from the RTC 113 until the current time falls within the time zone. (Step S306) and time zone determination (Step S307) are repeated.

  When determining that the acquired current time is within the time zone set in the time zone information 115 (Yes in step S307), the control unit 111 determines all the times stored in the second storage device 130. Data is read out and stored in the first storage device 120 (step S308).

And the control part 111 stops the 2nd memory | storage device 130 (step S309),
The process returns to the step of acquiring the current time in step S302 again.

  As described above, the control unit 111 operates the disk device corresponding to the time zone specified by the time zone information 115 out of the first storage device 120 and the second storage device 130, and stores the operating disk device. Data is transferred to a newly operated disk device, and after the transfer is completed, the operating disk device is stopped.

  On the other hand, the control unit 111 executes general disk access processing in parallel with the disk switching processing, accesses the operating storage device 120 or 130 indicated by the operating flag, and reads the data. Data provided to the host device 200 or supplied from the host device 200 is written.

  As in the above embodiment, the present invention suppresses power consumption by operating only the second storage device with low performance but low power consumption in a time zone when the host device 200 has few accesses to the disk array device 100. . Since there are not many accesses to the second storage device in the time zone with few accesses, the access performance can be maintained in the total time zone.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment when the number of storage devices in the disk array device is increased to three will be described.

In the above embodiment, one day is divided into a high load time zone and a low load time zone, but one day can be divided into an arbitrary number according to the load.
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in which one day is divided into three time zones of large, medium and small loads.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, an interface unit (not shown) of the adapter unit 110 in the disk device 100 includes a host device 200, a first storage device 120, a second storage device 130, A third storage device 140 is connected.

  Of the three storage devices, the first storage device 120 has the highest processing performance but consumes the most power. The third storage device 140 has the lowest processing performance but the lowest power consumption. The second storage device 130 has medium processing performance and power consumption.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the time zone information 115 defines a plurality of time zones according to the load, and designates a storage device to be driven in each time zone.

  The storage device item shown in FIG. 8 stores the type of the storage device that is driven in the set time zone corresponding to the first to third storage devices. Hereinafter, a time zone for driving the first storage device 120 is a first time zone, a time zone for driving the second storage device 130 is a second time zone, and a time zone for driving the third storage device 130 is a third time zone. To do.

  Next, an operation after the disk array device 100 is turned on will be described.

  When the disk array device 100 is powered on, the disk switching process shown in FIG. 9 starts. For easy understanding, it is assumed that data is stored in the first storage device 120 in the initial state.

  First, the control unit 111 drives the first storage device 120 (step S601). The control unit 111 obtains time information from the RTC 113 (step S602), refers to the time zone information 115, and if it is the first time zone (Yes in step S603), obtains time information (step S602). The determination as to whether or not it is in one hour (step S603) is repeated.

  If the current time is not in the first time zone (No in step S603), the control unit 111 determines whether the current time is in the second time zone (step S604) and is within the second time zone. If this is the case (Yes in step S604), the data of the disk device being driven is moved to the second storage device 130 (step S605), and the data storage source storage device is stopped (step S606).

  Then, the control unit 111 obtains time information from the RTC 113 (step S607), and obtains time information (step S607) until the current time is out of the second time zone. The determination of whether or not (step S608) is repeated.

  When the control unit 111 determines that the time is out of the second time zone (No in step S608), the control unit 111 determines whether the time is in the third time zone (step S609), and if the time is in the third time zone ( In step S609, the data in the storage device being driven is moved to the third storage device 140 (step S610), and the data storage source storage device is stopped (step S611).

  Then, the control unit 111 obtains time information from the RTC 113 (step S612), and obtains time information (step S612) until the current time is out of the third time zone. The determination of whether or not (step S613) is repeated.

  When the control unit 111 determines that the time is out of the third time zone (No in step S613), the control unit 111 determines whether the time is in the second time zone (step S614), and within the second time zone. If present (Yes in step S614), the process proceeds to step S605.

  On the other hand, if it is not within the range of the second time zone (No in step S614), the data in the storage device being driven is moved to the first storage device 120 (step S615), and the data storage source storage device is stopped. (Step S616). And it returns to the step which acquires the time of step S602 again.

  The control unit stored in the host adapter 110 executes a disk access process in parallel with the disk switching process, accesses the operating storage device 120, 130, or 140, reads the data, and reads the host device 200. Or the data supplied from the host device 200 is written.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the host adapter 110 divides one day into three time zones according to the processing load, and operates the first storage device during the time zone when the processing load is high. The first storage device is operated and accessed during a time zone when the processing load is medium, and the third storage device is operated and accessed during a time zone when the processing load is low. Thereby, provision of processing according to the processing load and suppression of power consumption can be achieved.

  As in the third embodiment, the number of storage devices having different performances can be increased to a plurality.

  The time zone information 115 not only indicates the time zone of the day, but also the specific time zone of a specific day (for example, 13: 00-14: 00 on March 20), The time (date and time) zone (December 28 to 31) is arbitrary. Further, the time zone information 115 may set only the time zone on weekdays.

  In this embodiment, one host device is connected to the disk array device, but a plurality of host devices may be used.

Note that a plurality of storage devices having the same performance may be provided for redundancy.
Further, during switching of the recording device, access to all the disks may be prohibited.

  In order to facilitate understanding, in the initial state, the data is stored in the first storage device, but once all storage devices are activated, the storage device in which the data is stored is specified. Subsequently, the data may be transferred to a storage device corresponding to the time zone.

1 is a block diagram of a disk array device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the time slot | zone information which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the disk switching process which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a disk array device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the time slot | zone information which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the disk switching process which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the disk array apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the time slot | zone information which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the disk switching process which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Disk array apparatus 11 Control part 12 Discriminating part 13 Timekeeping part 14 Time zone information storage part 15 Access control part 20 First storage apparatus 30 Second storage apparatus 50 Host apparatus 100 Disk array apparatus 110 Adapter part 111 Control part 112 Interface part 113 RTC
114 RAM
115 Time zone information 116 Operation unit 120 First storage device 130 Second storage device 200 Host device

Claims (5)

A disk array device having a plurality of disk devices connected to a host device and having different performance from each other,
Timekeeping means,
Time zone storage means for storing information defining a time zone assigned to each of the plurality of disk devices;
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the time measured by the clocking unit falls within any time zone defined by the information stored in the time zone storage unit;
When the discriminating means discriminates that any time zone has been reached, the disk device corresponding to the time zone is operated, the storage data of the operating disk device is transferred to the newly operated disk device, and transferred. Control means for stopping the operating disk device after the completion;
In accordance with a request from the host device, access means for accessing an operating disk device;
A disk array device characterized by the above. The plurality of disk array devices include a first disk device and a second disk device having higher processing performance and higher power consumption than the first disk device,
The time zone includes a first time zone and a second time zone having a larger processing load than the first time zone,
The first disk device is associated with the first time zone and the second disk device is associated with the second time zone;
The disk array device according to claim 1.   3. The disk array device according to claim 1, further comprising a time zone setting unit that stores information defined in a time zone of a specific date and time in the time zone storage unit. A time zone storage step for storing information defining a time zone assigned to each of the plurality of disk devices;
A determination step of determining whether or not the time is in any time zone defined by the information stored in the time zone storage step;
When it is determined in the determination step that any time zone has been reached, the disk device corresponding to the time zone is operated, and the storage data of the operating disk device is transferred to the newly operated disk device, A control step of stopping the operating disk device after the transfer,
A method for controlling a disk array device, comprising: On the computer,
Timekeeping function,
A time zone storage function for storing information defining a time zone assigned to each of several disk devices;
A determination function for determining whether or not the time measured by the timekeeping function is in any time zone range stored by the time zone storage function;
When the discriminating function determines that one of the time zones has been reached, the disk device corresponding to the time zone is operated, and the storage data of the operating disk device is transferred to the newly operated disk device and transferred. A control function for stopping the operating disk device after completion;
An access function for accessing a running disk device in accordance with a request from the host device;
A program that realizes

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