JP6644753B2 - Storage device and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage device and an information processing device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a storage device that backs up information stored in a main storage unit is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1 JP 2005-339215 A

  A more convenient storage device is desirable.

  In a first aspect of the present invention, a main storage unit, a backup storage unit for backing up information stored in the main storage unit, and connected to the main storage unit and the backup storage unit, to the main storage unit and the backup storage unit. And a control unit for controlling access to the backup storage unit.The control unit shuts off access to the backup storage unit from upstream of the control unit, and stores information stored in the main storage unit at a preset timing in a backup storage And a storage device to be backed up.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a host and a storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  The above summary of the present invention is not an exhaustive listing of all features of the present invention. Further, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

1 shows an outline of a configuration of an information processing apparatus 200 according to a first embodiment. 9 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment. 4 shows an example of a backup method by the backup storage unit 30. 4 shows an example of a backup method by the backup storage unit 30. 4 shows an example of a differential backup by the backup storage unit 30. 4 shows an example of an incremental backup by the backup storage unit 30. 13 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing device 200 according to a third embodiment. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the storage device 100 during normal operation. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the storage device 100 during a recovery operation. 4 shows an example of a flowchart of an operation executed by the storage device 100. 1 shows an example of an external appearance of an information processing apparatus 200.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of a configuration of an information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment. The information processing device 200 includes a storage device 100 and a processing unit 120.

  The information processing device 200 has a general-purpose arithmetic device such as a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit). For example, the information processing device 200 is a personal computer or a server. When the information processing device 200 is a personal computer, it may be a desktop personal computer or a notebook personal computer.

  The processing unit 120 is a general-purpose arithmetic processing unit included in the information processing device 200. The processing unit 120 controls access to the storage device 100 in accordance with a command input to the information processing device 200. For example, the processing unit 120 executes writing and reading to the storage device 100 based on an instruction from the user input to the information processing device 200.

  The storage device 100 includes a control unit 10, a main storage unit 20, and a backup storage unit 30. The storage device 100 is housed in the housing 110 together with the processing unit 120.

  The control unit 10 is connected to the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30. The control unit 10 controls access to the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30. For example, the control unit 10 permits access to the main storage unit 20 from upstream of the control unit 10 and blocks access to the backup storage unit 30. Blocking access to the backup storage unit 30 from the upstream of the control unit 10 indicates that the backup storage unit 30 and the upstream of the control unit 10 are logically separated. That is, the control unit 10 performs control so that the backup storage unit 30 cannot be recognized from upstream of the control unit 10. For example, the control unit 10 always blocks access to the backup storage unit 30 except when restoring from the backup storage unit 30 to the main storage unit 20.

  The main storage unit 20 stores predetermined information. In one example, the main storage unit 20 stores a system program and other data. The information stored in the main storage unit 20 may include data for booting an operating system (OS). For example, the main storage unit 20 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) or a solid state drive (SDD: Solid State Drive).

  The backup storage unit 30 backs up information stored in the main storage unit 20. The backup storage unit 30 in this example is a storage device such as an HDD or an SDD. The backup storage unit 30 may have a capacity equal to or larger than the capacity of the main storage unit 20. When the backup storage unit 30 has a larger capacity than the main storage unit 20, the backup storage unit 30 can back up information of a plurality of generations of the information stored in the main storage unit 20.

  The control unit 10 backs up the information stored in the main storage unit 20 to the backup storage unit 30 at a preset timing. In one example, the control unit 10 causes the backup storage unit 30 to periodically execute the backup operation. For example, the storage device 100 periodically backs up after a day's work. Thus, even when the information stored in the main storage unit 20 becomes unusable, the storage device 100 can restore the state up to the previous day based on the information backed up the previous day. Further, the control unit 10 may appropriately execute a backup operation based on an instruction from the processing unit 120. Note that the information stored in the main storage unit 20 becomes unusable, for example, when the main storage unit 20 is infected with a virus.

  The storage device 100 of the present example includes the single wiring 12, the built-in wiring 22, and the built-in wiring 32. Thus, the storage device 100 and the processing unit 120 are provided in the same device without a network. That is, the information processing apparatus 200 does not have the storage device 100 and the processing unit 120 connected by a network such as a local area network (LAN: Local Area Network). Similarly, in the storage device 100, the control unit 10, the main storage unit 20, and the backup storage unit 30 are not connected by a network such as a LAN.

  The single wiring 12 is a single connector wiring connected to the control unit 10. Further, the single wiring 12 connects the control unit 10 and a terminal external to the storage device 100. The single wiring 12 of this example connects the control unit 10 and the processing unit 120. The single wiring 12 is built in the housing 110. That is, the single wiring 12 is not exposed outside the housing 110.

  The built-in wiring 22 connects the control unit 10 and the main storage unit 20. The built-in wiring 22 connects the control unit 10 and the main storage unit 20 without using a network cable such as a LAN. The built-in wiring 22 of the present example transmits non-redundant data between the control unit 10 and the main storage unit 20. The internal wiring 22 is an example of a first internal wiring section.

  The internal wiring 32 connects the control unit 10 and the backup storage unit 30. The built-in wiring 32 connects the control unit 10 and the backup storage unit 30 without using a network cable such as a LAN. The internal wiring 32 of the present example transmits data that is not redundant between the control unit 10 and the backup storage unit 30. The internal wiring 32 is an example of a second internal wiring section.

  The built-in wiring 22 and the built-in wiring 32 are built in the housing 110. That is, the internal wiring 22 and the internal wiring 32 are not exposed to the outside of the housing 110. In one example, the single wiring 12, the built-in wiring 22, and the built-in wiring 32 function as a storage device interface. For example, the single wiring 12, the built-in wiring 22, and the built-in wiring 32 are formed of SATA (that is, Serial ATA), e-SATA (that is, Extreme-SATA), PCI, SAS (that is, Serial Attached SCSI), Thunderbolt, and USB ( That is, a distribution cable such as Universal Serial Bus).

  Since the storage device 100 of the present embodiment blocks access to the backup storage unit 30, even if the main storage unit 20 is infected with a virus, it is possible to prevent the backup storage unit 30 from being infected. The storage device 100 can restore at least the state at the time of backup by restoring the information backed up in the backup storage unit 30 to the main storage unit 20.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. The storage device 100 of the present example includes a plurality of main storage units 20 and one backup storage unit 30. The storage device 100 of this example includes n main storage units 20 (1) to 20 (n).

  The n main storage units 20 (1) to 20 (n) are connected to the control unit 10 by the n internal wirings 22 (1) to 22 (n), respectively. In this case, the control unit 10 may store one data in the plurality of main storage units 20 by the RAID function. For example, the control unit 10 may perform mirroring on the plurality of main storage units 20 in the RAID-1 mode, or may perform striping on the plurality of main storage units 20 in the RAID-0 mode.

  The storage device 100 of the present example includes one backup storage unit 30 for a plurality of main storage units 20. However, the storage device 100 may include a plurality of main storage units 20 and a plurality of backup storage units 30. Even in this case, the plurality of main storage units 20 and the plurality of backup storage units 30 are connected to the outside of the storage device 100 via the control unit 10.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a backup method by the backup storage unit 30. The main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 of the present example have the same capacity. For example, the main storage unit 20 stores predetermined data (for example, 100 GB). The backup storage unit 30 stores the first generation information (for example, 100 GB) of the main storage unit 20. However, the backup storage unit 30 may store a part of the data stored in the main storage unit 20. In this example, for simplicity of description, the case where the main storage unit 20 stores 100 GB of data has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a backup method by the backup storage unit 30. The backup storage unit 30 of this example has a larger capacity than the main storage unit 20. The hatched portions in the figure indicate data to be backed up in the backup storage unit 30.

  During the backup operation, the control unit 10 can store information of a plurality of generations in the main storage unit 20 in the backup storage unit 30. The backup storage unit 30 of this example performs a full backup of the information stored in the main storage unit 20. For example, when the main storage unit 20 stores 100 GB of data, the backup storage unit 30 stores the information of the first generation to the n-th generation at 100 GB each. In this case, the storage device 100 can easily restore the backed up information from the backup storage unit 30 to the main storage unit 20. In this example, the case where the main storage unit 20 stores data of the same capacity from the first generation to the n-th generation has been described, but data of different capacities may be stored in the first generation to the n-th generation. For example, the capacity of data stored in the main storage unit 20 increases as generations progress.

  At the time of the recovery operation, the control unit 10 selects any one of the information of the plurality of generations backed up and recovers the information to the main storage unit 20. In one example, the control unit 10 temporarily restores an arbitrary generation, and after determining that the generation can be used, permanently restores that generation. For example, the control unit 10 selects a generation to be provisionally restored according to a command from the processing unit 120. The generation to be temporarily restored from the backup storage unit 30 may be selected by a user using a physical switch. Then, the control unit 10 permanently restores the generation selected in the temporary restoration and determined to be usable to the main storage unit 20. Note that the control unit 10 may select the generation selected by the temporary recovery and determined to be usable by using a command from the processing unit 120 or a physical switch, and perform the main recovery.

  Further, the backup storage unit 30 backs up information for booting the OS from the main storage unit 20 at a block level as information of a plurality of generations. That is, when the backup storage unit 30 performs a full backup of the information of the main storage unit 20, each of the first to nth generations includes information for booting the OS. In other words, the control unit 10 stores the information for booting the OS (that is, the information of the address 0) at an intermediate address of the backup storage unit 30. Therefore, the control unit 10 may select an intermediate address in which the information for booting the OS is stored in the backup storage unit 30, and boot the selected intermediate address as the start address at the time of booting. Note that the control unit 10 may select an intermediate address using a physical switch.

  As described above, in the storage device 100 of the present embodiment, information for booting the OS is stored in the backup storage unit 30 in the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 incorporated in the housing 110. As a result, even when the information stored in the main storage unit 20 becomes unusable, the storage device 100 recovers immediately using the OS boot information backed up in the backup storage unit 30. You can start working. In this specification, the restoration work may include a main restoration work and a temporary restoration work.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a differential backup by the backup storage unit 30. The hatched portions in the figure indicate data to be backed up in the backup storage unit 30.

  In the case of a differential backup, the backup storage unit 30 stores an initial full backup (100 GB). Next, the backup storage unit 30 stores the difference between the nth generation and the first full backup. For example, the backup storage unit 30 stores a difference between the first generation information and the first full backup. Similarly, the backup storage unit 30 stores the difference between the second generation information and the first full backup. The backup storage unit 30 backs up the information stored in the main storage unit 20 in the same manner for the third and subsequent generations.

  This eliminates the need for the storage device 100 to duplicately back up the information that was backed up during the initial full backup, so that the efficiency of the backup operation to the backup storage unit 30 can be improved. Further, since the storage device 100 can be restored by combining the first full backup and the information of each generation, it is possible to suppress the performance degradation due to the restoration work.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of an incremental backup by the backup storage unit 30. The hatched portions in the figure indicate data to be backed up in the backup storage unit 30.

  In the case of an incremental backup, the backup storage unit 30 stores an initial full backup (100 GB). Next, the backup storage unit 30 stores the difference between the nth generation and the (n-1) th generation, respectively. For example, the backup storage unit 30 stores the difference between the first generation and the first full backup (that is, the 0th generation). Similarly, the backup storage unit 30 stores a difference between the second generation and the first generation. The backup storage unit 30 backs up the information stored in the main storage unit 20 in the same manner for the third and subsequent generations.

  This eliminates the need for the storage device 100 to back up the information backed up at the time of the first full backup and the information of the (n-1) th generation redundantly, so that the efficiency of the backup operation to the backup storage unit 30 is improved. it can. In the storage device 100, the recovery operation may be more complicated in the incremental backup than in the full backup. However, as described later, the recovery operation can be performed without interrupting the normal operation by the user. Little effect.

  FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment. The information processing device 200 of the present example includes a switching unit 40.

  The switching unit 40 switches the operation mode of the control unit 10. In one example, the switching unit 40 switches whether to connect the control unit 10 to the main storage unit 20 or to connect the control unit 10 to the main storage unit 20. The control unit 10 permits access to a storage device connected by the switching unit 40 among the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30. The switching unit 40 of this example is attached to the housing 110. However, the switching unit 40 may be provided inside the housing 110 or outside the housing 110. For example, the switching unit 40 is a physical switch that can be switched by a user. When the switching unit 40 is a physical switch, the switching unit 40 is preferably provided at a position that is easier for the user to handle.

  Further, the switching unit 40 may have a function of selecting a generation to be restored when the storage device 100 is restored. For example, the switching unit 40 is a physical switch that allows a user to select a predetermined generation from a plurality of generations in the temporary recovery. Thus, the user can determine which generation is to be permanently restored by temporarily restoring a predetermined generation and operating.

  Note that the control unit 10 does not control access to the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 in response to an instruction from the switching unit 40, but instead responds to a command from the processing unit 120. Access to the backup storage unit 30 may be controlled. In one example, the control unit 10 switches the connection to the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 according to a command from the processing unit 120. Further, the control unit 10 may permanently restore the information backed up from the backup storage unit 30 to the main storage unit 20 in response to a command from the processing unit 120. For example, in response to a command from the processing unit 120, the control unit 10 selects a generation to be provisionally restored from the backup storage unit 30 to the main storage unit 20, and performs a permanent restoration of a generation determined to be usable.

  Here, the information backed up by the backup storage unit 30 may be infected with a virus. In this case, the control unit 10 restores, to the main storage unit 20, a non-infected generation among a plurality of generations stored in the backup storage unit 30. For example, the control unit 10 provisionally recovers the information stored in the backup storage unit 30 sequentially from the new generation, and determines whether or not the information is infected. The control unit 10 restores the latest generation from the non-infected generations to the main storage unit 20.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a configuration of the storage device 100 during a normal operation. During normal operation, the control unit 10 permits the processing unit 120 to access the main storage unit 20. For example, the control unit 10 permits writing and reading of the main storage unit 20 by the processing unit 120. On the other hand, the control unit 10 blocks access to the backup storage unit 30 by the processing unit 120. Thereby, the storage device 100 prevents the backup storage unit 30 from being infected with a virus.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the storage device 100 at the time of recovery work. At the time of the recovery work, the control unit 10 controls the access to the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 by the processing unit 120, thereby realizing the normal work by the user even at the time of the recovery work.

  The control unit 10 permits access to the backup storage unit 30 when the information stored in the main storage unit 20 is unavailable. When the information stored in the main storage unit 20 becomes unusable, the control unit 10 starts a recovery operation using the backed up information. The control unit 10 of this example permits access to the backup storage unit 30 from the start of the recovery operation from the backup storage unit 30 to the main storage unit 20 to the end of the recovery operation. For example, the control unit 10 permits writing to the main storage unit 20 and reading from the backup storage unit 30 from the start of the recovery work from the backup storage unit 30 to the main storage unit 20 to the end of the recovery work. .

  As described above, in the storage device 100 of the present example, the control unit 10 controls access to the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30. This eliminates the need for the storage device 100 to physically replace the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 for recovery work.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a flowchart of the operation executed by the storage device 100. In step S100, the storage device 100 is operating normally.

  Here, the main storage unit 20 may be infected with a virus because access from outside the storage device 100 is permitted (step S110). When the main storage unit 20 is infected with the virus, the storage device 100 starts the recovery operation of the main storage unit 20 (Step S120). The storage device 100 of the present example permits a read operation and a write operation by a user even during a recovery operation.

  When the user performs the read operation, the control unit 10 determines whether there is information to be read in the main storage unit 20 (Step S130). When there is information to be read in the main storage unit 20, the control unit 10 executes reading from the main storage unit 20 (step S140). On the other hand, when there is no information to be read in the main storage unit 20, the control unit 10 permits access to the backup storage unit 30 and executes reading from the backup storage unit 30 (step S150). Accordingly, the storage device 100 allows a user to perform a read operation based on information from the main storage unit 20 or the backup storage unit 30 without waiting for the end of the recovery operation of the storage device 100. When the information stored in the main storage unit 20 is unusable, the control unit 10 reads the information from the backup storage unit 30 without determining whether the main storage unit 20 has information to be read. May be executed.

  On the other hand, when the user performs the writing operation, the control unit 10 permits writing to the main storage unit 20 (step S160). In this case, the control unit 10 may manage the address to be written to the main storage unit 20 by managing the update information of the main storage unit 20 using a table. For example, the control unit 10 stores, in a table, whether or not each area of the main storage unit 20 has been updated with the information backed up in the backup storage unit 30. The control unit 10 restores the information backed up in the backup storage unit 30 to an unupdated area of the main storage unit 20.

  When the recovery operation ends (Step S170), the storage device 100 may shift to the normal operation (Step S180). For example, the control unit 10 blocks access to the backup storage unit 30 and permits access to the main storage unit 20 after the end of the recovery work. Thereby, the storage device 100 shifts to the normal operation.

  In this manner, the storage device 100 can permit the user to perform normal work without having to wait for the end of the recovery operation of the storage device 100. That is, the storage device 100 can make it appear to the user that the recovery work is unnecessary, and can easily execute the recovery work. The storage device 100 of the present example does not require difficult operations and settings such as backup software. In addition, since the storage device 100 of the present embodiment does not use backup software, there is no problem such as competition with the OS or other applications.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the external appearance of the information processing apparatus 200. In the information processing apparatus 200 of the present example, a main storage unit 20 and a backup storage unit 30 are arranged on the front surface of a housing 110. The main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 may be physically exchanged by a user. The main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 can be easily replaced simply by replacing the wiring with the control unit 10.

  It is preferable that the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 have different characteristics so that the user can identify them. For example, the main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 are easily distinguished from each other by the user by changing the color or shape of the main body. The main storage unit 20 and the backup storage unit 30 may have respective names added to the main body.

  Further, since the storage device 100 is connected to the processing unit 120 by the single wiring 12, it is not necessary to modify the information processing device 200 (for example, a desktop personal computer). In one example, the storage device 100 can be easily mounted on the information processing device 200 by replacing the HDD with the information processing device 200. Therefore, the information processing device 200 does not need to prepare a driver to mount the storage device 100. Further, the mounting of the storage device 100 does not require an array card required when an external disk array is provided. As described above, the storage device 100 of the present example is highly convenient for the user.

  As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the description of the appended claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of processes such as operations, procedures, steps, and steps in the apparatuses, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “before”. It should be noted that they can be realized in any order as long as the output of the previous process is not used in the subsequent process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, the specification, and the drawings is described using “first,” “second,” or the like for convenience, it means that it is essential to perform the operation in this order. Not something.

10 control unit, 12 single wiring, 20 main storage unit, 22 internal wiring, 30 backup storage unit, 32 internal wiring, 40 switching Unit, 100 storage device, 110 housing, 120 processing unit, 200 information processing device

Claims (15)

A processing unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a storage device connected to the processing unit by a single wiring unit that is a single connector wiring;
The storage device,
A main storage unit,
A backup storage unit for backing up information stored in the main storage unit;
A control unit connected to the main storage unit and the backup storage unit, and controlling access to the main storage unit and the backup storage unit;
The control unit blocks access to the backup storage unit from upstream from the control unit, and at a preset timing, backs up information stored in the main storage unit to the backup storage unit ,
The control unit includes:
Backing up the information stored in the main storage unit over a plurality of generations in the backup storage unit,
In response to the input command, select one of the generations of the information of the plurality of generations backed up and restore it to the main storage unit,
The backup storage unit backs up boot information of the OS at a block level from the main storage unit as the information of the plurality of generations,
The information processing device , wherein the control unit selects an intermediate address in which the boot information is stored in the backup storage unit, and boots the selected intermediate address as a start address at the time of booting . The backup storage unit has a capacity larger than a capacity of the main storage unit,
The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the backup storage unit to store information of a plurality of generations in the main storage unit. It further comprises a switching unit that switches whether to connect the control unit and the main storage unit or whether to connect the control unit and the backup storage unit,
Wherein the control unit, the main storage unit and out of the backup storage unit, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 to allow access to the connected storage unit by the switching unit. Wherein, in response to the input command, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 switches the connection to the main storage unit and the backup storage unit. Wherein, in response to the input command, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for recovering the information the backed up in the main storage unit from said backup memory unit. Wherein, and when it can not access the stored in the main storage unit information, when the main storage unit is infected with a virus, any one of claims 1 to 5 to allow access to the backup storage unit An information processing device according to claim 1. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the control unit permits access to the backup storage unit from the start of the recovery operation from the backup storage unit to the main storage unit until the end of the recovery operation. The information processing device according to item. The control unit permits writing to the main storage unit and reading from the backup storage unit during a period from the start of the recovery operation from the backup storage unit to the main storage unit to the end of the recovery operation. Item 8. The information processing device according to item 7 . The information processing device according to claim 8 , wherein the control unit blocks access to the backup storage unit and permits access to the main storage unit after the end of the restoration work. The control unit includes:
For each area of the main storage unit, stored in a table whether or not updated with the information backed up in the backup storage unit,
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein information backed up in the backup storage unit is restored in an unupdated area of the main storage unit. The control unit performs a read operation for reading predetermined information in the main storage unit, and when the predetermined information is not stored in the main storage unit, The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the read operation is performed. Connected to the control unit, the single wiring unit for connecting the control unit and a terminal external to the storage device,
A first wiring unit for connecting the control unit and the main storage unit;
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , further comprising: a second wiring unit for connecting the control unit and the backup storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein each of the single wiring unit, the first wiring unit, and the second wiring unit includes any one of SATA, e-SATA, PCI, SAS, Thunderbolt, and USB. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the processing unit and the storage device are provided in the same device without a network. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 comprising a housing further accommodating the processing unit and the storage device.

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