JP2020067717A - Information processing apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus which reads out data from an appropriate external storage device when reading out the data.SOLUTION: Information of each of a plurality of storages having a mirror configuration is acquired, and switching is performed so that a storage which satisfies a condition among the acquired information becomes a storage which is to be accessed more frequently.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device and a control method for controlling access to a storage.

  The information processing device is equipped with a non-volatile external storage device for storing processing data and the like. A hard disk drive (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) or a solid state drive (SSD: Solid State Drive) is often selected as the external storage device. In addition, in order to improve redundancy in the event of failure of the external storage device, a configuration (RAID) may be adopted in which a plurality of external storage devices are mounted and simultaneously accessed. In the case of the RAID1 system, since the same data is held in a plurality of external storage devices, the data is read from one of the constituent external storage devices. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a master side is selected from the viewpoint of life in a RAID 1 system in which a plurality of same SSDs are mounted.

JP, 2018-49455, A

  In a configuration in which a plurality of external storage devices such as RAID 1 are used in parallel, the performances of the external storage devices connected in parallel do not have to be the same, so individual performance differences may occur. When reading data, one of them is read, but if a low-speed external storage device is selected as the reading source, the performance as the information processing device cannot be exhibited.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such conventional problems. In view of the above points, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing device and a control method for reading data from an appropriate external storage device when reading data.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires a plurality of storages having a mirror configuration, a control unit that controls access to the plurality of storages, and information of each of the plurality of storages. An acquisition unit, and the control unit switches the storage satisfying the condition among the information acquired by the acquisition unit to a storage having a larger number of accesses.

  According to the present invention, when reading data, the data can be read from an appropriate external storage device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the block configuration of an I / O processor. It is a flow chart which shows storage decision processing. It is a flow chart which shows storage decision processing. It is a flow chart which shows storage decision processing. It is a flow chart which shows storage decision processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the present embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solving means of the present invention. . In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 100. The information processing apparatus 100 has a controller 101 including a plurality of storages having a mirror configuration. In FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 is shown as an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) including an image forming unit of a printer 125 and a scanner 126. Information processing device may be used.

  The controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 includes a main CPU 110, a main memory 111, a boot ROM 112, an I / O processor (input / output processor) 113, and a storage α114 and a storage β115 as external storage devices. The main CPU 110 centrally controls the entire information processing apparatus 100, and an operation system (OS) and data for overall control are stored in the boot ROM 112 and the main memory 111. The main CPU 110 also controls devices such as the printer 125, the scanner 126, and the UI unit 127 included in the information processing apparatus 100 via the external bus. Note that the device may include blocks other than those shown in FIG. 1, and, for example, a facsimile or the like may be connected as a device to the controller 101.

  The I / O processor 113 is connected to the main CPU 110 via a storage control signal 116, and controls the storage α 114 and the storage β 115 in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 110. The I / O processor 113 is configured between the storage α 114 and the storage β 115 and the main CPU 110. With such a configuration, the I / O processor 113 does not show the subordinate storage α 114 and the storage β 115 to the main CPU 110, but makes the main CPU 110 make the I / O processor 113 itself be one external storage device. The above storage control can be simplified. It is assumed that the storage α 114 and the storage β 115 have different performances, but they may have the same performance. The UI unit 127 is connected to the main CPU 110 via the UI unit I / F 123, has a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like, and presents the user with the status of the information processing apparatus 100 and displays various user interface screens. , And as an input device from the user.

  The printer I / F 121 connects the printer 125 and the main CPU 110. The printer 125 executes print processing based on image data to be printed received from an external device via the network or image data read and generated by the scanner 126. The printer 125 may employ various recording methods such as an inkjet recording method and an electrophotographic method. The scanner I / F 122 connects the scanner 126 and the main CPU 110. The scanner 126 optically reads a document to generate image data. The image data generated by the scanner 126 may be printed by the printer 125 according to the function of the information processing apparatus 100. The network I / F 124 connects to the network and executes communication with devices on the network. The network I / F 124 has a configuration corresponding to a communication medium such as wired or wireless, and short-range wireless communication. The network I / F 124 may be directly connected to an external PC or the like by a USB cable or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the I / O processor 113. The I / O processor 113 includes an I / O-CPU 201, a RAM 202, a FLASH memory 203, a Read selector 204, and a Write Devider 206.

  The I / O-CPU 201 is a dedicated CPU for controlling the external storage device, has dedicated firmware, and operates independently of the main CPU 110. The FLASH memory 203 holds the firmware for the I / O-CPU 201, and the I / O-CPU 201 operates by loading the firmware loaded from the FLASH memory 203 into the RAM 202. The Read selector 204 is a multiplexer that operates according to an instruction from the I / O-CPU 201, and can set a data line at the time of data read (Read) to the storage α114 or the storage β115. Further, the Write Divider 206 divides the data line transmitted from the I / O-CPU 201 at the time of writing data (Write) into the storage α 114 and the storage β 115. With such a configuration, it is possible to read from one side of the storage α114 or the storage β115 at the time of data read and write to both at the time of data write. In other words, the storage set as the read source has a larger number of accesses after the storage is set than the storage not set as the read source. Note that the Read selector 204 and the Write Divider 205 only perform system control related to the data line, and sideband signals such as commands are not shown in the figure, but are directly connected to both the I / O-CPU 201 and the storage α114 and storage β115. It is connected.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a storage determination process according to this embodiment. The operation of the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 that changes the data read source according to the type of the external storage device will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 is activated, the I / O-CPU 201 in the I / O processor 113 reads out the firmware from the FLASH memory 203, expands it in the RAM 202, and activates it as the I / O processor 113 (S301). After that, the I / O-CPU 201 issues an IDENTIFY-DEVICE command to the storage α 114 and the storage β 115 to identify the storage type of the connected external storage device (S302), and a response is sent from each storage. It is received (S303). This response includes storage type information.

  The I / O-CPU 201 refers to the content of the response and determines whether the type of the storage α114 is SSD (S304). When it is determined that the type of the storage α114 is SSD, the I / O-CPU 201 sets the Read selector 204 to the storage α114 (S305), and then ends the processing of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S304 that the type of the storage α114 is not SSD, the I / O-CPU 201 determines whether the type of the storage β115 is SSD (S306). When it is determined that the type of the storage β115 is SSD, the I / O-CPU 201 sets the Read selector 204 to the storage β115 (S307), and then ends the processing of FIG.

  When it is determined in S306 that the type of the storage β115 is not SSD, the I / O-CPU 201 determines that the storage types of the storage α114 and the storage β115 are the same, and sets the Read selector 204 to the storage α114 (S305. ), After that, the processing of FIG. 3 is terminated.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the read destination is switched according to whether the type of the connected external storage device is SSD. As a result, it is possible to increase the chances that the read source is the SSD side, and it is possible to speed up the data read. Further, in the processing of FIG. 3, since the main CPU 110 and the OS are not involved in the switching control thereof, high-speed reading can be realized even before the OS is started. It should be noted that the description has been given by taking the activation of the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 as an example, but it may also be performed when the information processing apparatus 100 is returned from the power saving state or when the attachment of a new external storage device is detected. The execution timing of access control to the device is not limited to the description in this embodiment. For example, in S301, the recovery process from the power saving state, the mounting process of the external storage device, and the copy process for mirroring the data are performed, and when each process is completed, the processes in S302 and the subsequent steps may be performed. Further, it may be settable on the setting screen displayed on the UI unit 127 so as to execute the determination criterion in S304. In that case, for example, the fact that the setting content is confirmed on the setting screen may be acquired in S301, and the processing from S302 may be performed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, generally, assuming that the SSD has a high-speed read performance, the data read source is switched depending on whether the type is SSD or not. However, the connected external storage devices may be of the same type (all SSDs, etc.) or the SSDs may be deteriorated. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment in the case of switching the data read source according to the transfer speed will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a storage determination process according to this embodiment. The operation of the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 that measures the transfer rate of the external storage device and switches the data read source according to the result will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 is activated, the I / O-CPU 201 reads the firmware from the FLASH memory 203, loads the firmware into the RAM 202, and activates it as the I / O processor 113 in the I / O processor 113 (S401). After S401, the I / O-CPU 201 executes data read of a predetermined size from the beginning (LBA0) of the logical address (LBA: Logical Block Address) of the storage α114, and sets the time required for data read in the RAM 202 as a variable t_a. Save (S402). Then, similarly, the I / O-CPU 201 executes data read of a predetermined size from LBA0 of the storage β115, and stores the time required for data read in the RAM 202 as a variable t_b (S403).

  Next, the I / O-CPU 201 compares t_a with t_b and determines whether t_a <t_b (S404). When it is determined that t_a <t_b, that is, when the transfer rate from the storage α114 is faster, the I / O-CPU 201 sets the Read selector 204 to the storage α114 (S405), and then, in FIG. The process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that t_a> t_b, that is, if the transfer rate from the storage β115 is faster, the I / O-CPU 201 sets the Read selector 204 to the storage β115. (S406), and thereafter, the processing of FIG. 4 ends. When it is determined in S404 that t_a = t_b, the I / O-CPU 201 sets the Read selector 204 in the storage α114 (S405), and thereafter ends the processing in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when changing the read destination, the read destination is switched by measuring the transfer rate. As a result, the read destination can be switched according to the transfer capacity of the external storage device, so that when the external storage device has failed, the SSD has deteriorated and becomes slow, or an unknown external storage device is connected. Even in the case of being performed, the reading source can be appropriately switched. It should be noted that the description was given with the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 being started up as an example, but it is also possible to perform the access control to the external storage device at the time of returning from the power saving state or when a new external storage device is attached. The timing is not limited to the description in this embodiment. For example, in S401, a process of returning from the power saving state, a process of mounting an external storage device, and a process of copying for mirroring data are performed, and when each process is completed, the process of S402 and subsequent steps may be performed. Further, it may be settable on the setting screen displayed on the UI unit 127 so as to execute the determination criterion in S404. In that case, for example, the fact that the setting content has been confirmed on the setting screen may be acquired in S401, and the processes in and after S402 may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, even if there are a plurality of external storage devices operating in the same information processing device, the access ratio for data varies in each external storage device, and the read source is statically determined. Unlike the configuration, appropriate switching control is realized.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the switching of the data read source is performed according to the performance of the external storage device. However, in a configuration in which the external storage device has a large-capacity cache memory, it is assumed that the external storage device can be read at high speed only under a specific condition even if the external storage device is originally slow. For example, when necessary data exists in the cache memory, high-speed reading is possible even in an external storage device which is originally low in speed. In the present embodiment, differences from the first and second embodiments in the case of switching the data read source depending on whether or not the data to be read may cause a cache hit will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the storage determination process in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, a cache hit of the external storage device is determined according to whether the logical address of the data to be actually read matches the logical address written immediately before, and the read destination is set. The operation of the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 to be switched will be described.

  When the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 is activated, the I / O-CPU 201 in the I / O processor 113 reads out the firmware from the FLASH memory 203, expands it in the RAM 202, and activates it as the I / O processor 113 (S501). After S501, the I / O-CPU 201 issues an IDENTIFY-DEVICE command to each of the storage α114 and the storage β115 (S502), and receives a response from each storage (S503). This response includes information about the cache size, and the I / O-CPU 201 acquires the cache size of the storage α114 and the storage β115.

  Next, the I / O-CPU 201 determines whether the Read command or the Write command has been received from the main CPU 110 (S504). This determination is executed until it is determined that the Read command or the Write command is received (that is, the command standby state).

  When it is determined that the Read command or the Write command is received, the I / O-CPU 201 determines whether the received command is the Write command (S505). When it is determined that the received command is the Write command, the I / O-CPU 201 performs the Write process on the LBA designated by the main CPU 110 (S506). After that, the written LBA is overwritten and stored in the "previous LBA variable" secured in the RAM 202 (S507), and the command waiting state of S504 is returned to.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the command received in S505 is the Read command, the I / O-CPU 201 reads the “previous LBA variable” on the RAM 202 (S508), and the LBA held in the “previous LBA variable”. Then, it is determined whether or not the LBA designated by this Read command and the LBA designated this time match each other (S509). When it is determined that the LBA held in the “previous LBA variable” and the LBA of this Read command match each other, the I / O-CPU 201 determines that the cache size of the storage α114 and the storage β115 is larger. When it is determined that there is a high possibility that a cache hit will occur, the read selector 204 is set (S510), the read process for the LBA is performed (S511), and then the process returns to the standby state for a Read command or Write command from the main CPU 110.

  When it is determined in S509 that the LBA held in the “previous LBA variable” and the LBA of the current Read command do not match each other, the I / O-CPU 201 does not change the Read selector 204 and Read processing is performed (S511), and then the process returns to the standby state for a Read command or Write command from the main CPU 110.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the LBA to be read is the same as the LBA written immediately before, the storage having the larger cache size is switched as the read source. As a result, it can be expected that data remains in the cache memory, and faster reading can be performed. In FIG. 5, the operation of confirming the content of the previous command for each command has been described. However, from the viewpoint of whether or not it remains in the cache memory, it may be after execution of a plurality of commands, and the execution timing of this access control to the external storage device is not limited to the description in this embodiment. Therefore, even in the case of a plurality of external storage devices operating in the same information processing device, the access ratio for data varies in each external storage device.

  Further, although the case where the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 is activated has been described as an example, it may be possible to perform the access control to the external storage device when returning from the power saving state or when a new external storage device is attached. The timing is not limited to the description in this embodiment. For example, in S501, a process of returning from the power-saving state, a process of mounting an external storage device, and a process of copying data for mirroring are performed. When each process is completed, the process of S502 and the subsequent steps may be performed. Further, the setting screen displayed on the UI unit 127 may be set so as to execute the determination criterion in S510. In that case, for example, the fact that the setting content is confirmed on the setting screen may be acquired in S501, and the processing in S502 and thereafter may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, even if there are a plurality of external storage devices operating in the same information processing device, the access ratio for data varies in each external storage device, and the read source is statically determined. Unlike the configuration, appropriate switching control is realized.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments, it has been described that the I / O processor 113 operates independently of the main CPU 110 to independently switch the data read source. However, the data read source may be changed according to the user's instruction or the judgment of the main CPU 110. In the present embodiment, differences from the first to third embodiments in the case where the I / O processor 113 switches the data read source according to an instruction from the main CPU 110 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the storage determination processing according to this embodiment. The operation of the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 that switches the data read source according to an instruction from the user will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 is activated, the I / O-CPU 201 reads the firmware from the FLASH memory 203, loads the firmware into the RAM 202, and activates it as the I / O processor 113 in the I / O processor 113 (S601). After S601, the I / O-CPU 201 issues an IDENTIFY-DEVICE command to each of the storage α114 and the storage β115 (S602), and receives a response from each storage (S603).

  Next, the I / O-CPU 201 determines whether the Read command or the Write command has been received from the main CPU 110 (S604). When it is determined that the Read command or the Write command is received from the main CPU 110, the I / O-CPU 201 processes the received command (S605) and repeats the processing from S604.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S604 that the Read command or the Write command from the main CPU 110 has not been received, the I / O-CPU 201 determines whether or not there has been a switching notification from the main CPU 110 (S606). The switching notification is, for example, when the user operates the UI unit 127 to instruct the main CPU 110 to switch the read destination. In that case, the main CPU 110 notifies the I / O processor 113 of the switching of the data read source.

  When it is determined in S606 that the switching notification is sent from the main CPU 110, the I / O-CPU 201, upon receiving the switching notification from the main CPU 110, communicates with the main CPU 110 and receives the switching instruction (S607). After that, the I / O-CPU 201 switches the data read source of the Read selector 204 according to the switching instruction (S608). After S608, the processing from S604 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S606 that there is no switching notification from the main CPU 110, the processing from S604 is repeated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data read source can be switched at any timing. As a result, for example, when the external storage device is to be removed by hot plugging, the removal target can be maintained in a safe state. Further, in the above example, the user instruction is described as an example. However, by using the instruction of the OS or software instead of the user instruction, the OS or a specific application that cannot be executed by the resource of the I / O processor 113 is used. It is possible to realize sophisticated selection control of the external storage device.

  Further, the processes of S606 to S608 may be executed when it is determined in S504 of FIG. 5 that the Read command or the Write command from the main CPU 110 is not received.

  Further, although the case where the controller 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 is activated has been described as an example, it may be possible to perform the access control to the external storage device when returning from the power saving state or when a new external storage device is attached. The timing is not limited to the description in this embodiment. For example, in S601, a process of returning from the power saving state, a process of mounting an external storage device, and a process of copying data for mirroring are performed. When each process is completed, the processes of S602 and the subsequent steps may be performed. Further, it may be settable on the setting screen displayed on the UI unit 127 so as to execute the determination criterion in S606. In that case, for example, the fact that the setting content is confirmed on the setting screen may be acquired in S601, and the processing in S602 and thereafter may be performed.

  Any of the determination criteria described in each of the above embodiments may be selectable. For example, one of the determination criteria in each embodiment may be selectably accepted on the setting screen displayed on the UI unit 127.

  Each of the above embodiments is an example, and various modifications can be made to the combination of each of the constituent elements and the determination criteria, and even if general constituent elements not illustrated are added, the present invention It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the ranges are ranges.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. It can also be realized by the processing. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  100 Information processing device: 101 Controller: 110 Main CPU: 113 I / O processor: 114 Storage α: 115 Storage β: 127 UI unit

Claims (16)

Multiple storages configured as mirrors,
Control means for controlling access to the plurality of storages;
An acquisition unit for acquiring information on each of the plurality of storages,
The control means switches the storage satisfying the condition among the information acquired by the acquisition means to a storage having a larger number of access times.
An information processing device characterized by the above.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the switching by a multiplexer.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information on a storage type of each of the plurality of storages.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit performs the switching so that a faster storage is targeted for the access based on the storage type information. A read means for reading a predetermined size of data from each of the plurality of storages;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a time required for the reading unit to read the data of the predetermined size as information of each of the plurality of storages.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit performs the switching so that a storage that takes a shorter time to read the data of the predetermined size is targeted for the access.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the cache size of each of the plurality of storages as information of each of the plurality of storages. When data is written to any of the plurality of storages, a storage unit that stores the address of the write destination is further provided.
When reading data as the access, if the read destination address is the write destination address previously stored in the storage unit, the control unit sets the storage having a larger cache size to the access unit. The above-mentioned switching is performed so that the target
The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: Further comprising determination means for determining whether or not a command for reading the data has been received,
When the determination unit determines that the command has been received and the read destination address is the write destination address previously stored in the storage unit, the control unit determines that the cache size The switching is performed so that a large storage is targeted for the access,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein A second determination means for determining whether or not the storage to be accessed among the plurality of storages is designated when the command for access is not received,
When the second determination unit determines that the storage to be accessed is designated, the control unit performs the switching according to the designation without using the information acquired by the acquisition unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls access to the plurality of storages at a predetermined timing.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit executes control of access to the plurality of storages when the information processing apparatus is activated, as the predetermined timing.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit executes control of access to the plurality of storages when the information processing apparatus returns from a power saving state as the predetermined timing. .   12. The control unit executes control of access to the plurality of storages when detecting attachment of a storage as at least one of the plurality of storages as the predetermined timing. The information processing device according to 1.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an image forming unit that forms an image. A control method executed in an information processing device including a plurality of storages configured as a mirror,
A control step of controlling access to the plurality of storages,
An acquisition step of acquiring information of each of the plurality of storages,
In the control step, the storage satisfying the condition among the information acquired in the acquisition step is switched to a storage having a larger number of accesses.
A control method characterized by the above.

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