JP2014154042A - Information processing device and method for replacing storage unit thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable users to easily replace a storage unit of an information processing device.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a SATA control circuit 11 that performs reading and writing processes on multiple storage units 2 connected to multiple SATA connection terminals 18 through multiple SATA ports 110 that are connected to the SATA connection terminals, respectively; a connection detection circuit 16 that detects that a new storage unit 2B has been connected to a SATA connection terminal B; and a connection switching circuit 15 that switches a connection so that the SATA connection terminal B and a SATA port A are connected. The device performs an installation process on the storage unit 2B through the SATA port A and also transfers data from the storage unit 2A to the storage unit 2B.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of easily exchanging a storage device and an exchange processing method for the storage device.

  In recent years, storage devices such as SSD (Solid State Drive) using a non-volatile memory such as a NAND flash memory have been increasingly used in electronic devices and have become widespread in a wide range of fields. In the information processing apparatus, various types of storage devices are being integrated, and at that time, replacement with a nonvolatile memory is under consideration. However, it is known that the nonvolatile memory has a limit on the number of times of writing, and when the writing process cannot be performed, it is necessary to replace the storage device using the nonvolatile memory as having reached the end of its life. .

  In addition, the information processing apparatus employs a port compliant with SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), which is an interface standard for connecting a storage device or the like, and a plurality of such SATA ports are provided. A storage device is connected. The connected storage device is used to install a program related to an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”), and is stored in an internal memory such as a NOR flash memory at the time of startup processing. An installation program is read from an external storage device by a startup program, and an OS installation process is performed on a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory connected to a SATA port set in the installation program.

  In addition, as described above, in the information processing apparatus, it is necessary to replace the storage device when the non-volatile memory has reached the end of its life. However, when the information is replaced with a new storage device, information is stored in the old storage device. If left unattended, it can be misused. For this reason, it is required to move information stored in the storage device to the new storage device as it is when exchanging it so that no information remains in the old storage device. However, the storage device may be subjected to storage information encryption processing so that the stored information cannot be accessed from an external device and data rewrite processing can be performed. The current situation is that it cannot be easily performed.

  In Patent Document 1, in an information device having a plurality of storage devices, in order to switch a storage device to be booted at the time of startup, is booting performed in accordance with a priority set in advance based on device information of the storage device by a boot program? Describes a method for selecting a storage device most suitable for a user by setting a priority order for each port and performing booting.

As described above, when the lifetime of the nonvolatile memory or the like used for the storage device is reached, it is necessary to replace the storage device with a new one. In the replacement process of a storage device in which an OS or the like is installed, it is necessary to construct an environment similar to that when an old storage device is connected to a new storage device.
In a conventional information processing apparatus, a setting process is performed in advance at the time of factory shipment, and the OS is installed in a storage device connected to a specific connection terminal of the SATA port in the OS installation process. Therefore, when the life of the non-volatile memory has come and the storage device needs to be replaced, the new storage device is connected to a specific connection terminal of the SATA port, the OS is reinstalled, and the old storage device There is a problem that a lot of procedures such as processing to move the information stored in is required. Furthermore, if the information processing apparatus is set so as to be able to move information stored using other external devices, there is a risk of information leakage or the like. For this reason, it is common to protect the storage device against information movement processing, and it is difficult for information storage devices other than the information processing apparatus main body to perform information movement processing when replacing the storage device.

In Patent Document 1, the problem that the storage device of the installation destination must be switched is solved. However, when recognizing the connection of the storage device, device information is described in a startup program stored in a NOR flash memory or the like. The problem that it is necessary to change the boot program when changing the device, and the problem that it is necessary to newly define the switching of processing at the time of software installation at the time of factory shipment and replacement of the storage device It has not been solved.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to make it easy to perform storage device replacement processing in an information processing apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a connection detection unit that detects that a new storage device is connected, a port to which an existing storage device is connected based on a connection detection signal from the connection detection unit, and a new Connection switching means for switching to connect the storage device, and control for performing an installation process on the new storage device via the port and a data migration process from the existing storage device to the new storage device Means.

  With the above configuration, the present invention can easily perform storage device replacement processing in an information processing device.

It is a circuit block diagram regarding the information processing apparatus which is embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram regarding operation | movement of a connection switching circuit. It is a schematic block diagram regarding the specific example of a memory | storage device. It is a circuit block diagram which shows an example of a detection signal generation circuit. It is a functional block block diagram regarding information processing apparatus. It is a flow related to installation processing. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the key used for the encryption process of the data in information processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram relating to an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus includes a main control circuit 1 that controls the entire apparatus, a storage device 2 that stores programs and data necessary for information processing, and a display device 3 that displays information processing results and the like. In this example, the storage device 2 includes two storage devices 2A and 2B connected to the main control circuit 1. Examples of such a storage device include a storage device including a nonvolatile memory and a conventional HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The display device 3 is used as a notification means for the user. The display device 3 is not limited as long as the user can confirm the notification content such as a character string. For example, a known device such as a liquid crystal display can be used.

The main control circuit 1 includes a central processing circuit 10, a SATA control circuit 11, an external storage medium control circuit 12, an internal memory 13, a main power supply circuit 14, a connection switching circuit 15, and a connection detection circuit 16. The main control circuit 1 is also provided with an external storage medium connection terminal 17 for connecting an SD (Secure Digital) memory card 4, a SATA connection terminal 18 for connecting the storage device 2, and an external power supply terminal 19. The central processing circuit 10 performs necessary information processing for the overall control based on the programs and data stored in the storage device 2, the internal memory 13 and the SD memory card 4, and when the storage device 2 is replaced as will be described later. This process is also performed. In this example, the central processing circuit 10, the SATA control circuit 11, and the external storage medium control circuit 12 correspond to control means, the connection switching circuit 15 corresponds to connection switching means, and the connection detection circuit 16 corresponds to connection detection means. .
The SATA control circuit 11 directly controls the storage device 2 connected to the SATA connection terminal 18, and performs information read processing and write processing on the storage device 2 based on a command from the central processing circuit 10. In this example, two SATA connection terminals 18 are provided, and two storage devices 2A and 2B are connected to each SATA connection terminal 18. However, three or more storage devices can also be connected. In addition, the SATA control circuit 11 can be configured by a one-chip integrated circuit, but can also have a circuit configuration other than one-chip.
The external storage medium control circuit 12 is connected to an external storage medium connection terminal 17 into which an SD memory card 4 as an external storage medium is inserted, and performs information read processing and write processing on the SD memory card 4. . In this example, the OS is stored in the SD memory card 4, and the OS is read out by the external storage medium control circuit 12 when the central processing circuit 10 is activated, and the storage device is connected via the SATA control circuit 11. An OS is installed in 2A or 2B. As an external storage medium for storing the OS, a storage medium other than the SD memory card can be used.
The internal memory 13 stores a startup program. At startup, the central processing circuit 10 accesses the internal memory 13 to perform startup processing, and performs processing to install the OS stored in the SD memory card in the storage device 2. . In the startup program, an external storage medium connected to the main control circuit 1 can be specified, and an external storage medium for starting the installation program can be set as necessary. The main power supply circuit 14 supplies necessary power to the storage devices 2A and 2B via the external power supply terminal 19.

The connection switching circuit 15 performs processing for switching the connection between the SATA port 110 provided in the SATA control circuit and the SATA connection terminal 18 based on a detection signal from the connection detection circuit 16. In this example, a process of switching the connection between the two SATA ports A and SATA and the two SATA connection terminals A and SATA is performed. In this example, connection switching processing is performed with two connection patterns. The first connection pattern is a connection pattern in which SATA port A and SATA connection terminal A are connected, and SATA port B and SATA connection terminal B are connected. The second connection pattern is a connection pattern in which the SATA port A and the SATA connection terminal B are connected and the SATA port B and the SATA connection terminal A are connected. Even when three or more SATA ports 110 and SATA connection terminals 18 are provided, a connection switching process between necessary connection patterns can be performed based on the combination of the SATA port 110 and the SATA connection terminal 18.
The connection detection circuit 16 detects a connection signal transmitted from the storage device 2 via the external power supply terminal 19 and transmits a connection detection signal to the connection switching circuit 15. In addition, when it is detected that the storage device 2 is not connected, a function of stopping power supply to the external power supply terminal 19 is also provided. In this example, the connection detection circuit 16 is connected to the external power supply terminal B on the storage device 2B side, and a signal indicating the connection transmitted from the storage device 2B is detected. The connection detection circuit 16 may be connected to a connection terminal other than the external power supply terminal to perform connection detection.

The SATA connection terminal 18 is connected to the connection switching circuit 15 and enables transmission / reception between the storage device 2 and the SATA control circuit 11 based on the SATA standard. The SATA connection terminals 18 include not only known connection connectors and connection cables but also card edge connection connectors based on the CEM (Card Electro Mechanical) standard.
The external power supply terminal 19 is directly connected to the main power supply circuit 14 or connected via the connection detection circuit 16 and supplies power to the connected storage device 2. A known power cord or device can be connected to the external power terminal 19. In that case, it is possible to cope with this problem by using a line serving as a ground line in order to transmit a signal indicating connection to the connection detection circuit 16.

2A and 2B are schematic diagrams relating to the operation of the connection switching circuit. FIG. 2A shows the connection relationship before the connection switching process, and FIG. 2B shows the connection relationship after the connection switching process. Before the connection switching process, the SATA port A and the SATA connection terminal A, the SATA port B, and the SATA connection terminal B are connected. When the connection detection signal is transmitted, connection switching processing is performed, and the SATA port A and SATA connection terminal B, and the SATA port B and SATA connection terminal A are connected.
It is assumed that the OS installation process is performed on the storage device 2 connected from the SATA port A to the SATA connection terminal A by the SATA control circuit 11 before the connection switching process. In this case, after the connection switching process, the OS installation process can be performed from the SATA port A to the storage device 2 connected to the SATA connection terminal B without changing the installation process.
Assume that a new storage device 2B (with a non-volatile memory) is connected to the SATA port B when an existing storage device 2A in which an OS is installed is connected to the SATA port A. When the connection detection circuit 16 detects that the storage device 2B is connected, the SATA port A and the SATA connection terminal B are switched as described above. By such connection switching processing, a new storage device is connected to the SATA port A, and the OS installation destination when executing the startup processing from the external storage medium without changing the startup program is the new storage device 2B. Can be changed. Also, encrypted user data can be transferred from the existing storage device 2A connected to the SATA port B to the new storage device 2B connected to the SATA port A using the installation program. Therefore, the OS can be installed in the new storage device 2B, and user data of the existing storage device 2A can be transferred to replace the storage device.

3A and 3B are schematic configuration diagrams relating to a specific example of the storage device 2, and illustrate a storage device using a nonvolatile memory (FIG. 3A) and a storage device including an HDD (FIG. 3B). A storage device using a nonvolatile memory includes a memory control circuit 20 and a SATA connection terminal 21. By connecting the SATA connection terminal 21 to the SATA connection terminal 18, the memory control circuit 20 is connected to the SATA control circuit 11. Send and receive data between them. As the SATA connection terminal 21, a cable connection connector or a card edge connection connector can be used, and a SATA connection device can also be used.
The memory control circuit 20 is connected to a plurality of memories 22 composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a NAND flash memory, and a read process and a write process are performed on the memory 22. By using a plurality of nonvolatile memories, the storage capacity can be increased and the processing speed can be increased. However, it is known that the nonvolatile memory has a lifetime because it deteriorates by repeating the erasing operation or the like, and it is necessary to replace the storage device in accordance with the arrival of the lifetime of the nonvolatile memory.
Further, the storage device is provided with a power supply terminal 23 and a power supply circuit 24, and power is supplied from the main power supply circuit 14 to the power supply circuit 24 by connecting the power supply terminal 23 to the external power supply terminal 19. The power supply circuit 24 supplies power to each circuit in the storage device 2. In this example, the detection signal generation circuit 25 is connected to one of the plurality of GND pins provided at the power supply terminal 23, and when the storage device is connected, the connection detection signal is transmitted via the power supply terminal 23. It is supposed to be sent.

The detection signal generation circuit 25 generates a signal for detecting the type of the storage device connected on the apparatus main body side. The connection detection signal may be any signal that can identify a plurality of types of storage devices by changing the voltage level, period, frequency, and the like. FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating an example of the detection signal generation circuit. In this example, the storage device type is set to be identified by changing the voltage level. The detection signal generation circuit 25 is grounded by connecting a resistor R in series to the ground line of the power supply terminal 23.
Since the detection line for detecting the connection of the external power supply terminal 19 connected to one of the plurality of ground lines set for the power supply terminal 23 is normally pulled up on the apparatus body side. When the storage device is not connected, the voltage level is high. Therefore, if this high voltage level is set to the “HIGH” level, it is possible to detect that the storage device is not connected in the connection detection circuit 16 on the apparatus body side. When a storage device using the above-described nonvolatile memory is connected, pull-down processing is performed. For this reason, the resistor R of the detection signal generation circuit 25 is connected to the power supply terminal 23 so that the pulled-up voltage applied to the external power supply terminal 19 is divided to generate a voltage level lower than the “HIGH” level. become. The lowered voltage level is set to the “MIDDLE” level, and the connection detection circuit 16 on the apparatus body side detects that a storage device using a nonvolatile memory is connected.

3B, the magnetic disk recording circuit 26 is connected to the SATA connection terminal 21, and data storage processing using a known magnetic disk is performed. Since the ground line of the power supply terminal 23 is connected to the ground circuit 27 and is at the ground potential, when a storage device comprising an HDD is connected, the detection line for detecting the connection of the external power supply terminal 19 is provided. Grounded. Therefore, the grounded voltage level is set to the “LOW” level, and the connection detection circuit 16 on the apparatus main body side detects that a storage device other than the storage device using the nonvolatile memory is connected.
As described above, the voltage level to be detected can be set according to the state in which the storage device using the non-volatile memory is connected and the state in which the other storage device is connected. The connection detection circuit 16 can accurately detect which connection state it is. As described above, by providing the detection signal generation circuit in a specific storage device, it is possible to accurately identify that the specific storage device is connected.

FIG. 5 is a functional block configuration diagram regarding the information processing apparatus. The main control circuit 1 includes a main calculation unit 100, a SATA control unit 101, a connection switching unit 102, a connection detection unit 103, a character information notification unit 104, a power supply unit 105, an external storage medium control unit 106, and an internal memory unit 107. Yes. The storage device 2 includes a recording unit 200, a power supply unit 201, and a detection signal generation unit 202.
The main arithmetic unit 100 realizes a function of performing an apparatus installation process and a process of installing an OS in a storage device connected to the SATA port A of the SATA control unit 101. In addition, when a connection switching process is performed by the connection detection unit 103, a function of performing a migration process of transferring user data from the storage device 2A connected to the SATA port B to the storage device 2B connected to the SATA port A is realized. To do. In this case, the user data can be easily transferred even when the user data stored in the storage device is encrypted.
The SATA control unit 101 controls a connected storage device based on a command from the main calculation unit 100 and realizes a function of transferring data. The connection switching unit 102 realizes a function of switching the connection relationship between the SATA port 110 and the SATA connection terminal 18 based on the detection signal transmitted from the connection detection unit 103.

The connection detection unit 103 realizes a function of pulling up a connection detection signal line to set a predetermined voltage level and a function of detecting the connection state of the storage device based on the voltage level. A function of transmitting a signal for switching connection to the connection switching unit 102 when a state in which a storage device using a nonvolatile memory is connected is detected based on a voltage level and a state in which the storage device is not connected In this case, the function of stopping the power supply is realized.
The character information notification unit 104 realizes a function of displaying a message indicating that the storage device has reached the end of its life on the display device 3 and notifying the user. The power supply unit 105 realizes a function of supplying power to the main control circuit 1 and the storage device 2 connected to the power supply terminal. The external storage medium control unit 106 realizes a function of reading the installation program from an external storage medium such as a connected SD memory card. The internal memory unit 107 realizes a function of storing a start program for starting the apparatus.
The recording unit 200 of the storage device 2 realizes a function of performing data reading processing and writing processing based on a command from the SATA control unit 101. The power supply unit 201 realizes a function of supplying the power supplied from the power supply unit 105 to the recording unit 200. The detection signal generation unit 202 is connected to a part of the ground line of the power supply terminal to realize a function of generating a connection detection signal and transmitting it to the main control circuit 1 side.

FIG. 6 is a flow related to the installation process. First, the information processing apparatus is activated in the OS installation mode to start the installation process. Examples of the method for shifting to the OS installation mode include, but are not limited to, a method of performing switching on a board and a setting on software at the time of final activation.
First, it is determined whether or not the storage device 2B is connected to the SATA port B (S1). If it is determined that the storage device 2B is connected (S1; YES), the connected storage device 2B is a non-volatile memory. It is determined whether the storage device uses (S2). If it is determined that the connected storage device 2B does not use a non-volatile memory (S2; NO), it is determined that a storage device comprising an HDD is connected (S3), and the SATA port A The OS is installed in the storage device 2A connected to (S4). If it is determined in step S1 that the storage device 2B is not connected (S1; NO), the process proceeds to step S4, and similarly, the OS is installed in the storage device 2A (S4). After installing the OS in the storage device 2A, the power is turned off (S5), and the installation process is terminated.
If it is determined in step S2 that a storage device using a nonvolatile memory is connected (S2; YES), processing for switching the connection relationship between the SATA port and the SATA connection terminal is performed (S6). . By the connection switching process, the storage device 2B connected to the SATA port B is connected to the SATA port A, and the storage device 2A connected to the SATA port A is connected to the SATA port B. become.

Then, the OS is installed in the storage device 2B connected to the SATA port A (S7). In this case, as in step S4, the installation process is performed on the storage device connected to the SATA port A, so there is no need to change the installation program. After the OS is installed, the user data stored in the storage device 2A connected to the SATA port B is transferred to the storage device 2B connected to the SATA port A (S8). If installation of the OS is unnecessary, step S7 can be omitted and data including the OS can be migrated in step S8.
In the data migration process, the data area designated in advance by the installation program is also migrated. Even when the user data is encrypted, the encrypted data stored in the storage device 2A is once decrypted and encrypted again, and then the data is written to the storage device 2B. As described above, in the information processing apparatus, even when encryption processing is performed using a key based on one or both of information in the main control circuit 1 and device-specific information in the storage device 2, the information is once decrypted and encrypted. Thus, the data migration process can be performed correctly.
Then, after the data migration processing is completed, the data stored in the storage device 2A is completely erased (S9). Since the storage device 2A is removed and there is a risk of unauthorized use when stored data remains, it needs to be completely erased. A method of completely erasing data is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a process of writing dummy data in the entire storage area. After the above processing is completed, the user is notified that the storage device 2A is removed and the storage device 2B needs to be connected to the SATA port A (S10). The message notification method to the user may be any means capable of notifying character information, and includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal panel, a real-time debug log output to a personal computer, and the like. After the message is notified to the user as character information, the apparatus is turned off and the installation process is terminated. When the processing in the operation mode is started after the installation processing, if the processing notified in step S10 has not been performed, a system error is notified and a message prompting the user to connect the storage device 2B to the SATA port A is displayed. To inform.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a key used for data encryption processing in the information processing apparatus. In the information processing apparatus, encryption processing is performed in order to prevent other information processing apparatuses from performing data read processing and data write processing. In the encryption process, a key may be generated based on information about a device connected to the information processing apparatus. Specifically, as information used for encryption of the main control circuit or the storage device, information stored in a storage medium mounted on each of the information or device-specific setting information is used.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when replacing a storage device such as a non-volatile memory in which an OS is installed in the information processing apparatus, the new storage device is connected to another SATA connection terminal, so The main storage device to be activated can be switched. At this time, there is no need to perform a switching process using a startup program stored in the internal memory. Further, the OS installation process by the installation program of the external storage medium can be performed for a new storage device to be exchanged. Then, even the encrypted data can be read from the existing storage device and decrypted by the installation program, and the data can be transferred after being encrypted corresponding to the new storage device. At that time, by copying the data in the user area or the like, the data stored in the existing storage device can be completely erased and the storage device can be easily replaced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control circuit, 2 ... Memory | storage device, 3 ... Display apparatus, 4 ... SD memory card.

Japanese Patent No. 4635092

Claims (7)

  Connection detecting means for detecting that a new storage device is connected, and a port connected to the existing storage device and the new storage device are connected based on a connection detection signal from the connection detection means. An information processing apparatus comprising: connection switching means for switching; and control means for performing installation processing on the new storage device via the port and performing data migration processing from the existing storage device to the new storage device .   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection detection unit detects a connection detection signal transmitted from a detection signal generation circuit provided in the new storage device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection signal generation circuit generates a connection detection signal according to a type of the storage device.   The connection detection unit is connected to a power supply terminal that supplies power to the storage device, and stops power supply to the power supply terminal when the storage device is not connected. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs migration processing by copying data including a data area from the existing storage device to the new storage device.   6. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the control unit decrypts the encrypted data stored in the existing storage device, encrypts the encrypted data in the new storage device, and performs migration processing. 7. apparatus.   Detects that a new storage device is connected, switches to connect the port to which the existing storage device is connected and the new storage device, and installs to the new storage device via the port A storage device replacement processing method for performing processing and performing data migration processing from an existing storage device to a new storage device.

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