JP2020173550A - Information processor, control method thereof and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processor that can reduce the risk of failure if one of HDDs used for mirroring fails.SOLUTION: A video forming device 100 writes the same contents of data to each of different plural storage areas of an HDD 135 when the HDD 135 that is running without failure when an HDD 134 fails is a non-verification compliant product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method thereof, and a program.

An information processing device including an HDD is known. The information processing device uses the HDD as, for example, a storage destination for image data and setting data used in a print job. The information processing device executes a verification process for determining whether or not the data has been normally written to the HDD (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the verification process, the information processing apparatus reads, for example, the data written in the HDD, and determines a match between the read data and the data immediately before being written in the HDD (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As a result, the reliability of the data written in the HDD can be improved.

In addition, the information processing device performs mirroring to write the same data to the two mounted HDDs. Thereby, for example, even if one HDD fails, the image data backed up in the other HDD can be read out and the print job can be processed without delay.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-99279 JP-A-2007-122772

However, in the past, if one HDD used for mirroring fails and the other HDD that operates without failure is a non-verify product that does not support verification processing, the data will not be backed up and the HDD will not be backed up. The reliability of the written data is reduced. As a result, there arises a problem that the risk of failure increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a control method, and a program capable of reducing a failure risk when one of the HDDs used for mirroring fails.

In order to achieve the above object, the information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device including two storage devices, one of which is a non-verify product that does not support verification processing, and has the same contents in each of the storage devices. When the write control means for controlling the writing of the data of the above is provided and the other storage device that operates without failure when one of the storage devices fails is a non-verify product, the write control means It is characterized in that the control of writing the same content data to a plurality of different storage areas of the other storage device is performed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the risk of failure when one of the HDDs used for mirroring fails.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the software structure of the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the flag initialization processing executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the HDD state table managed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the table update processing executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the verification correspondence product ID list information managed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the protection flag setting process executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data writing process executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image formation apparatus which includes HDD which is a verification command product. It is a figure which shows an example of the HDD state table managed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the verification command product ID list information managed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the modification of the protection flag setting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the modification of the data writing process of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus. For example, the present invention may be applied to a communication device such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal that performs mirroring using a plurality of mounted storage devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101, an operation unit 111, an ADF 114, a scanner 117, a printer 120, a LANI / F 122, and a fax unit 124. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of, for example, two HDDs 134 and HDDs 135. The control unit 101 is connected to the operation unit 111, the ADF 114, the scanner 117, the printer 120, the LANI / F122, the fax unit 124, the HDD 134, and the HDD 135.

The image forming apparatus 100 has a mirroring function and writes data having the same contents to the HDD 134 and the HDD 135. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 writes the image data used for the image forming process into both the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 by the mirroring function. As a result, for example, even if the HDD 134 fails, by reading the image data from the HDD 135, the image forming process using the image data can be executed without delay.

The control unit 101 includes a CPU 102, a RAM 104, a ROM 105, a power supply control unit 106, a power supply unit 108, a motion sensor 109, an operation unit I / F110, an ADFI / F113, a scanner I / F116, an image processing unit 118, and a printer I / F119. It includes a LAN controller 121, FAXI / F123, a disk array control unit 130, HDDI / F132, HDDI / F133, and a data storage unit 136. ADF is an abbreviation for Auto Document Feeder. CPU 102, RAM 104, ROM 105, power supply control unit 106, motion sensor 109, operation unit I / F 110, ADFI / F 113, scanner I / F 116, image processing unit 118, printer I / F 119, LAN controller 121, FAX I / F 123, and The disk array control unit 130 is connected to each other via the system bus 137. The power supply unit 108 is connected to the power supply control unit 106. The HDDI / F132, the HDDI / F133, and the data storage unit 136 are connected to the disk array control unit 130.

The CPU 102 includes a SATA (Serial ATA) controller 103. The CPU 102 comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The SATA controller 103 communicates with the disk array control unit 130. SATA is used as a communication standard between the CPU 102 and the disk array control unit 130. The RAM 104 is used as a work area of the CPU 102 and as an area for temporarily storing data. The ROM 105 stores a startup program of the image forming apparatus 100, various setting data, and the like.

The power supply control unit 106 controls the supply of electric power to each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The power supply control unit 106 controls the supply of electric power from the power supply unit 108 connected to the power supply 107 to each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The motion sensor 109 detects a person approaching the image forming apparatus 100. When the user approaches the image forming apparatus 100 in the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode.

The operation unit I / F 110 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 111 to the control unit 101. The operation unit 111 includes a plurality of hard keys including a power saving key 112 and a liquid crystal panel (not shown). The operation unit 111 receives an instruction input from the user and displays various setting screens of the image forming apparatus 100.

The ADFI / F113 is an interface for connecting the ADF 114 to the control unit 101. The ADF 114 includes a document detection unit 115. The ADF 114 automatically conveys documents one by one from the placed document bundle to the scanner 117. The document detection unit 115 detects that the document has been placed on the ADF 114. Further, the document detection unit 115 is connected to the power supply control unit 106 via the ADFI / F113. When the document detection unit 115 detects a document in the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts from the power saving mode to the standby mode.

The scanner I / F 116 is an interface for connecting the scanner 117 to the control unit 101. The scanner 117 reads the image of the conveyed document and generates image data. The image processing unit 118 performs image processing for outputting the image data generated by the scanner 117 to the printer 120. The printer I / F 119 is an interface for connecting the printer 120 to the control unit 101. The printer 120 performs printing processing based on the image data that has undergone image processing. The LAN controller 121 controls communication with an external device (not shown) connected via the LANI / F 122.

The FAXI / F123 is an interface for connecting the FAX unit 124 to the control unit 101. The FAX unit 124 includes a modem 126, a CPU 127, a RAM 128, and a ROM 129. The modem 126, the CPU 127, the RAM 128, and the ROM 129 are connected to each other via the bus 138. The FAX unit 124 performs FAX communication with an external device via the telephone line 125. The modem 126 modulates the FAX unit 124 for performing FAX communication. The CPU 127 controls the entire FAX unit 124. The RAM 128 is used as a work area of the CPU 127 and as an area for temporarily storing each data. The ROM 129 stores a startup program of the FAX unit 124, various setting data, and the like. In this embodiment, the CPU 127, the RAM 128, and the ROM 129 may be provided by the control unit 101 instead of the fax unit 124.

The disk array control unit 130 includes a SATA controller 131. The disk array control unit 130 controls to write data to the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 based on the instruction received from the CPU 102, or controls to read the data from the HDD 134 and the HDD 135. Further, the disk array control unit 130 controls to write the same data to the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 by the mirroring function. The SATA controller 131 controls communication with the CPU 102.

The HDDI / F132 is an interface for connecting a primary storage device, for example, HDD134, to the control unit 101. The HDDI / F133 is an interface for connecting a secondary storage device, for example, the HDD 135, to the control unit 101. In the present embodiment, the same data is written to the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 by the mirroring function, but when the data is read, the data is read from the HDD 134 which is the primary storage device. The HDD 134 is a non-volatile storage device and functions as a primary storage device of the image forming apparatus 100. The HDD 134 stores a program executed by the CPU 102, image data used for the image forming process, setting data of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like. The HDD 135 is a non-volatile storage device and functions as a secondary storage device of the image forming apparatus 100. The HDD 135 stores data having the same contents as the HDD 134. The data storage unit 136 is, for example, an SRAM. The data storage unit 136 stores various data used in mirroring, for example, data indicating the types of HDD 134 and HDD 135, and data indicating the number of HDD 134 and HDD 135.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an application 201, a Linux 202, and a SATA driver 203 as modules. The processing of each module in FIG. 2 is performed by the CPU 102 executing a program stored in the ROM 105 or the like. In this embodiment, the processing of each module of FIG. 2 may be performed by the CPU 102 executing the program acquired via the LANI / F 122.

The application 201 is a module for realizing each function of the image forming apparatus 100 such as a copy function, a scan function, and a print function. For example, the application 201 transmits a write request and a read request of image data necessary for realizing the print function to the Linux 202. The Linux 202 transfers the request received from the application 201 to the SATA driver 203. The SATA driver 203 controls the data read / write process in the hardware module 204 based on the request received from the Linux 202. The hardware module 204 includes a disk array control unit 130, HDDI / F132, HDDI / F133, HDD134, and HDD135.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the flag initialization process executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. The process of FIG. 3 is performed by the CPU 102 executing a program stored in the ROM 105 or the like. The process of FIG. 3 is executed when the CPU 102 is started or when any failure of the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 (hereinafter, referred to as “degrade”) is detected.

In FIG. 3, the CPU 102 clears TBLFLG indicating the update presence / absence status of the HDD status table 400 in FIG. 4A to 0 (step S301).

The HDD status table 400 is created when the CPU 102 is started and is stored in the ROM 105 or the like. The HDD status table 400 includes a mirroring function value 401, a mirroring status value 402, a primary status value 403, a primary ID 404, a primary W + V value 405, a secondary status value 406, a secondary ID 407, and a secondary W + V value 408.

The mirroring function value 401 is a set value indicating ON / OFF of the mirroring function. For example, when the mirroring function is set to ON, "1" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the mirroring function value 401. When the mirroring function is set to OFF, "0" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the mirroring function value 401.

The mirroring state value 402 is a set value indicating a mirroring operation state. For example, when a normal mirroring operation is performed, "1" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as a mirroring status value 402. When the primary storage device has failed, "2" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the mirroring status value 402. When the secondary storage device has failed, "3" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the mirroring status value 402.

The primary state value 403 is a set value indicating whether or not the primary storage device has failed. For example, when the primary storage device has not failed, "1" indicating that the primary storage device is in the normal state is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the primary status value 403. When the primary storage device has failed, "0" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the primary status value 403. The primary ID 404 is an identifier uniquely assigned to the primary storage device.

The primary W + V value 405 is a set value indicating whether or not the primary storage device is a verify-compatible product that supports verification processing. The verification process is a process of determining whether or not data has been normally written to the storage device. When data is written to the verification-compatible storage device, a match determination is performed between the data read from the storage device and the data immediately before being written to the storage device. For example, when the primary storage device is a verify compatible product, "1" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the primary W + V value 405. When the primary storage device is a non-verify product that does not support verification processing, "0" indicating this is recorded in the HDD status table 400 as the primary W + V value 405.

The secondary status value 406 is a set value indicating whether or not the secondary storage device has failed. The secondary ID 407 is an identifier uniquely assigned to the secondary storage device. The secondary W + V value 408 is a set value indicating whether or not the secondary storage device is a verify compatible product.

Returning to FIG. 3, the CPU 102 clears the determination completion FLG indicating the execution / non-execution status of the protection flag setting process of FIG. 7, which will be described later, to 0 (step S302), and ends this process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the table update process executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. The process of FIG. 5 is performed by the CPU 102 executing a program stored in the ROM 105 or the like. The process of FIG. 5 is continuously executed when the flag initialization process of FIG. 3 is completed.

In FIG. 5, the CPU 102 acquires a mirroring state value indicating a mirroring operation state (step S501). In step S501, the CPU 102 operates as the SATA driver 203 to access the hardware module 204 and acquire the mirroring state value from the hardware module 204. The CPU 102 has, as the mirroring state value, for example, a value indicating that a normal mirroring operation is being performed, a value indicating that the primary storage device has failed, or a value indicating that the secondary storage device has failed. Gets the value that indicates. Next, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 matches the mirroring state value 402 of the HDD state table 400 (step S502). When the execution timing of the table update process is when the CPU 102 is started, the HDD status table 400 is not created. Therefore, in step S502, the CPU 102 determines that the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 does not match the mirroring state value 402 of the HDD state table 400.

As a result of the determination in step S502, when the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 does not match the mirroring state value 402 in the HDD state table 400, the CPU 102 performs the process in step S503. In step S503, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 indicates a degradation indicating failure of either HDD 134 or HDD 135.

As a result of the determination in step S503, when the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 indicates degradation, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S504. In step S504, the CPU 102 updates the HDD status table 400 to a set value indicating degradation based on the mirroring status value acquired in step S501. For example, when the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 indicates a failure of the HDD 134 which is the primary storage device, the mirroring state value 402 is updated to “2” and the primary state value is updated as shown in FIG. 4B. 403 is updated to "0". On the other hand, when the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 indicates a failure of the HDD 135 which is the secondary storage device, the mirroring state value 402 is updated to "3" and the secondary state value is updated as shown in FIG. 4C. 406 is updated to "0". Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S506, which will be described later.

As a result of the determination in step S503, when the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 does not indicate degradation, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S505. In step S505, the CPU 102 updates the HDD status table 400 to a set value indicating a normal status based on the mirroring status value acquired in step S501. Specifically, the CPU 102 updates the mirroring state value 402, the primary state value 403, and the secondary state value 406 to "1" indicating a normal state. Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S506, which will be described later.

As a result of the determination in step S502, when the mirroring state value acquired in step S501 matches the mirroring state value 402 in the HDD status table 400, the CPU 102 acquires the ID of the primary storage device (step S506). In step S506, the CPU 102 operates as a SATA driver 203 to access the hardware module 204 and acquire the ID of the HDD 134, which is the primary storage device, from the hardware module 204. Next, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the ID acquired in step S506 matches the primary ID 404 of the HDD status table 400 (step S507).

As a result of the determination in step S507, when the ID acquired in step S506 does not match the primary ID 404, the CPU 102 updates the primary ID 404 of the HDD status table 400 to the ID acquired in step S506. Next, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the primary storage device is a verification-compatible product (step S508). Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the ID acquired in step S506 is included in the verify-compatible product ID list information 600 of FIG. 6, which manages the ID information of the verification-compatible product storage device. In the present embodiment, the verify compatible product ID list information 600 may be updated periodically. In step S508, when the verification-compatible product ID list information 600 includes the ID acquired in step S506, the CPU 102 determines that the primary storage device is a verification-compatible product. On the other hand, when the ID list information 600 for the verify-compatible product does not include the ID acquired in step S506, the CPU 102 determines that the primary storage device is not the verify-compatible product.

As a result of the determination in step S508, when the primary storage device is a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 updates the primary W + V value 405 of the HDD status table 400 to "1" (step S509), and performs the process of step S511 described later. ..

As a result of the determination in step S508, when the primary storage device is not a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 updates the primary W + V value 405 of the HDD status table 400 to "0" (step S510), and performs the process of step S511 described later.

As a result of the determination in step S507, when the ID acquired in step S506 matches the primary ID 404, the CPU 102 acquires the ID of the secondary storage device (step S511). In step S511, the CPU 102 operates as a SATA driver 203 to access the hardware module 204 and acquire the ID of the HDD 135, which is a secondary storage device, from the hardware module 204. Next, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the ID acquired in step S511 matches the secondary ID 407 (step S512).

As a result of the determination in step S512, when the ID acquired in step S511 does not match the secondary ID 407, the CPU 102 updates the secondary ID 407 of the HDD status table 400 to the ID acquired in step S511. Next, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the secondary storage device is a verify-compatible product based on the verify-compatible product ID list information 600.

As a result of the determination in step S513, when the secondary storage device is a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 updates the secondary W + V value 408 of the HDD status table 400 to "1" (step S514), and performs the process of step S516 described later. ..

As a result of the determination in step S513, when the secondary storage device is not a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 updates the secondary W + V value 408 of the HDD status table 400 to "0" (step S515), and performs the process of step S516 described later.

As a result of the determination in step S512, when the ID acquired in step S511 matches the secondary ID 407, the CPU 102 sets the TBLFLG to "1" indicating that the update of the HDD status table 400 is completed (step S516). This process ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the protection flag setting process executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. The process of FIG. 7 is performed by the CPU 102 executing a program stored in the ROM 105 or the like. The process of FIG. 7 is executed when it is detected that the TBLFLG has transitioned from "0" to "1". The detection of the transition of TBLFLG is performed by interrupt or polling.

In FIG. 7, the CPU 102 acquires the HDD status table 400 (step S701), and determines whether or not the mirroring function is ON based on the HDD status table 400 (step S702).

As a result of the determination in step S702, when the mirroring function is not ON, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S704 described later. As a result of the determination in step S702, when the mirroring function is ON, the CPU 102 determines whether or not it is degraded based on the HDD status table 400 (step S703).

As a result of the determination in step S703, when the HDD is degraded, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the HDD operating without failure is a verification compatible product (step S704).

As a result of the determination in step S704, when the HDD operating without failure is not a verify-compatible product, that is, a non-verify-compatible product, the CPU 102 sets DoubleBackup as a protection control setting. When DoubleBackup is executed, the same data is written to a plurality of different storage areas of one HDD as a storage destination. Next, the CPU 102 sets the protection FLG to "1" indicating that the protection control is to be performed (step S705). That is, in the present embodiment, when one HDD used for mirroring fails and the other HDD operating without failure is a non-verify product, it is stored in a plurality of different storage areas of the other HDD. Data with the same content is written. Next, the CPU 102 sets the determination completion FLG to "1" indicating that the protection flag setting process has been performed (step S706), and ends this process.

As a result of the determination in step S703, when it is not degraded, the CPU 102 determines whether or not at least one of the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 is a verify compatible product (step S707).

As a result of the determination in step S707, when neither HDD 134 nor HDD 135 is a verify compatible product, that is, when neither HDD 134 nor HDD 135 is a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 performs the processes after step S705.

As a result of the determination in step S707, when at least one of the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 is a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 sets the protection FLG to "0" indicating that the protection control is not performed (step S708). Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S706.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of data writing processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. The process of FIG. 8 is performed by the CPU 102 executing a program stored in the ROM 105 or the like.

In FIG. 8, when the CPU 102 receives, for example, a write request for image data used for a print job from the application 201 (step S801), the CPU 102 determines whether or not the protection FLG is “1” (step S802). ..

As a result of the determination in step S802, when the protection FLG is "1", the CPU 102 converts the write command (step S803). Specifically, the CPU 102 converts the write command into a write command that executes DoubleBackup. Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S805 described later.

As a result of the determination in step S802, when the protection FLG is not "1", the CPU 102 does not convert the write command (step S804). Next, the CPU 102 controls data writing based on the writing command (step S805). In step S805, for example, the CPU 102 writes the same data to a plurality of different storage areas of the HDD operating without failure based on the converted write command. The verify process is not executed in the write control by the converted write command. On the other hand, the CPU 102 writes data to the storage area of the operating HDD without executing DoubleBackup based on the unconverted write command. In write control using an unconverted write command, verification processing is executed. After that, the CPU 102 ends this process.

In the above-described embodiment, when the HDD 135 that operates without failure when the HDD 134 fails is a non-verify product, the same data is written to a plurality of different storage areas of the HDD 135. As a result, data can be backed up to different storage areas of the HDD 135 in a situation where mirroring cannot be performed, and thus the risk of failure when one of the HDDs used for mirroring fails can be reduced.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus for storing image data used for image forming processing in the HDD 134 and the HDD 135. As a result, even if one of the HDDs used for mirroring fails, the image forming process can be performed without delay.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 does not have to include the disk array control unit 130. In such a configuration, the SATA controller 103 of the CPU 102 controls to write data to HDD 134 and HDD 135, and controls to read data from HDD 134 and HDD 135.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, PATA (Parallel ATA) may be used as the communication standard between the CPU 102 and the disk array control unit 130 instead of SATA. When PATA (Parallel ATA) is used, the CPU 102 and the disk array control unit 130 each include a PATA controller corresponding to PATA.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the present invention may be applied to the image forming apparatus 900 including the HDD 901 which is a verify command product. The verify command product is an HDD that performs a verify operation only when a W + V command is received. An HDD that performs a verify operation for all writes is called a built-in verify product. In the present embodiment, the verify command product and the verify built-in product are collectively referred to as a verify compatible product. In the following, HDDs that do not correspond to verify-compatible products, including verify command products and verification built-in products, will be referred to as non-verify products. The image forming apparatus 900 includes the HDD 901 instead of the HDD 134 as the primary storage device, and other configurations are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when the image forming apparatus 900 including the HDD 901 which is a verify command product as the primary storage device executes the table update process of FIG. 5 described above, "1" is recorded in the primary W + V value 405 of the HDD status table 400. Further, the ID of the HDD 901 is recorded in the primary ID 404 of the HDD status table 400 (see, for example, FIGS. 10A to 10C). Whether or not the HDD 901 is a verify command product is determined based on the verify command product ID list information 1100 of FIG. 11 that manages the ID information of the storage device of the verify command product.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a modification of the protection flag setting process of FIG. 7. The process of FIG. 12 is performed by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus 900 executing a program stored in the ROM 105 or the like.

In FIG. 12, the CPU 102 performs the processes of steps S701 to S703. When the result of the determination in step S703 is degradation, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S704.

As a result of the determination in step S704, when the HDD operating without failure is not a verify-compatible product, that is, a non-verify-compatible product, the CPU 102 sets DoubleBackup as a data protection control setting. That is, in the present embodiment, even in the image forming apparatus 900 including the HDD 901 which is a verification command product, one HDD used for mirroring fails and the other HDD operating without failure fails to support verification. If, the same data is written to a plurality of different storage areas of the other HDD. The CPU 102 sets the protection FLG to "1" and further sets the WVFLG to "0" indicating that the W + V command is not generated (step S1201). Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S706.

As a result of the determination in step S704, when the HDD operating without failure is a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 sets a W + V command as a data protection control setting. The CPU 102 sets the protection FLG to "1" and further sets the WVFLG to "1" indicating that a W + V command is generated (step S1202). Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S706.

As a result of the determination in step S703, when it is not degraded, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S707. As a result of the determination in step S707, when both the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 are non-verify compatible products, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S1201.

As a result of the determination in step S707, when at least one of the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 is a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 determines whether or not both the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 are verify compatible products (step S1203).

As a result of the determination in step S1203, when both the HDD 134 and the HDD 135 are verification-compatible products, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S1202. As a result of the determination in step S1203, when either HDD 134 or HDD 135 is a verify compatible product, the CPU 102 sets the protection FLG to "0" and further sets the WVFLG to "1" indicating that a W + V command is generated. Is set to (step S1204). Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S706.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a modification of the data writing process of FIG. The process of FIG. 13 is performed by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus 900 executing a program stored in the ROM 105 or the like.

In FIG. 13, the CPU 102 performs the processes of steps S801 and S802. As a result of the determination in step S802, when the protection FLG is not "1", the CPU 102 performs the processes after step S804. As a result of the determination in step S802, when the protection FLG is "1", the CPU 102 determines whether the WVFLG is "0" or "1" (step S1301).

As a result of the determination in step S1301, when WVFLG is "0", the CPU 102 performs the processes after step S803. As a result of the determination in step S1301, when WVFLG is "1", the CPU 102 generates a W + V command (step S1302). Next, the CPU 102 performs the process of step S805. As described above, the image forming apparatus 900 including the HDD 901, which is a verify command product, can also achieve the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment.

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

100 Image forming apparatus 102 CPU
134, 135 HDD

Claims (5)

An information processing device including two storage devices, at least one of which is a non-verify product that does not support verification processing.
A write control means for controlling the writing of the same data to each of the storage devices is provided.
When the other storage device that operates without failure when one of the storage devices fails is a non-verify product, the write control means is applied to a plurality of different storage areas of the other storage device. An information processing device characterized in that it controls writing data of the same content. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is an image forming device that stores image data used in an image forming process in the storage device. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage device is an HDD. A control method for an information processing device including two storage devices, one of which is a non-verify product that does not support verification processing.
It has a write control step that controls writing the same content of data to each of the storage devices.
When the other storage device that operates without failure when one of the storage devices fails is a non-verify product, the write control step is performed in a plurality of different storage areas of the other storage device. A control method for an information processing device, which controls writing data of the same content. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for an information processing device having two storage devices, at least one of which is a non-verify product that does not support verification processing.
The control method of the information processing device is
It has a write control step that controls writing the same content of data to each of the storage devices.
When the other storage device operating without failure when one of the storage devices fails is a non-verify product, the write control step is performed in a plurality of different storage areas of the other storage device. A program characterized by controlling the writing of data having the same contents.

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