JPH04358362A - Disk array alternate processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten alternate processing time by temporarily recording alternating conditions in a specified area and afterwards totally recording them in an alternate area when the alternating conditions are generated. CONSTITUTION:A write processing with verify is executed to user areas 11-1-11-3 in recording media 10-1-10-3 of disk devices generating the alternating conditions. When data not to be correctly recorded are generated, the data are temporarily and successively recorded in a back-up area 15 of a hot standby device from the head sector. In this case, the alternating destination sector of the disk device generating the alternating condition is calculated and the address of the area 15 is investigated and totally stored in an alternate table 16. When the write processing with verify is completed and any other processing is not executed, the data in the area 15 are totally stored in a buffer and recorded in the corresponding alternating destination sector of the table 16. Thus, no time is needed to record the alternated data, and the alternate processing time can be shortened.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disk array replacement processing method in a disk array device for OA use or for accessing large-capacity data such as image processing data and audio data at high speed.

0002

[Prior Art] In recent years, disk array devices have been used as external storage devices for OA systems, computers, etc.
Furthermore, it is attracting attention as a medium for recording and reproducing large amounts of data such as image processing data and audio data at high speed.

[0003] A conventional disk array device replacement processing method will be described below. FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a conventional disk array device. In FIG. 11, 10
1-1 to 101-3 are disk devices, 102-1 to 10
2-3 is a disk subcontroller, 103 is a disk array controller, and 104 is a host computer. The disk array controller 103 analyzes the command received from the host computer 104 and sends each disk subcontroller 1 connected in parallel to each other.
The processing is shared with 02-1 to 102-3. The disk subcontrollers 102-1 to 102-3 cause the disk devices 101-1 to 101-3 to execute the assigned processing. Each of the disk devices 101-1 to 101-3 operates independently, and
-1 to 101-3 complete the processing, and then perform the next processing.

In the operation of the disk devices 101-1 to 101-3, the recording medium in this type of disk device generally has a recording area composed of concentric tracks, and these tracks are divided into a plurality of sectors in the circumferential direction. has been done. The disk devices 101-1 to 101-3 are composed of a plurality of recording media stacked on the same rotation axis, and heads for recording and reproducing on the surface of each storage medium face each other. When recording and reproducing, when the recording and reproducing of one track on the same cylinder (a collection of all tracks located at the same distance from the rotation axis) is completed, the head is switched and the next track is recorded and reproduced.

[0005] In the recording medium of this type of disk device, there are sectors in which recording and playback cannot be performed due to manufacturing defects or defects that occur during use. , has a replacement area for recording the same data again if data is not correctly recorded in this user area.

As shown in FIG. 12, a conventional disk array replacement processing method in a disk array device records data in an empty area of a user area 81 of a recording medium 80 and then reproduces the data to detect the address of the reproduced data. So-called write processing with verification is executed to verify whether data has been correctly recorded in the user area 81, depending on whether the data can be recorded correctly and whether an abnormality in the ECC (error correction code) of the reproduced data is detected. do. As a result, if data cannot be recorded correctly in the user area 81, check whether data is recorded in the primary replacement area 82 closest to the current head position. After recording data, it is played back and verified, and the primary replacement area 82
If data cannot be recorded correctly in the primary spare area 82, or if data has already been recorded in the primary spare area 82, switch the head to the secondary spare area 83, search for empty sectors in order from the first sector, and write data to that sector. Perform write processing with verification of the same data and confirm that it was correctly recorded in the exchange area. If it is not recorded correctly, write processing with verification is executed as long as there is free space in the replacement area. A replacement table 84 is created that holds logical block addresses where replacement has occurred and addresses where replacement data is recorded, and replacement processing during playback is performed with reference to this table.

As described above, in the conventional disk array replacement processing method, even if a defective sector occurs in the recording medium due to a manufacturing defect or a defect that occurs during use, recording is performed in the replacement area until the recording is completed correctly. At the same time, since a replacement table indicating the replacement destination is created, data can be recorded and reproduced correctly.

[0008]

However, in the conventional disk array replacement processing method described above, in order to perform replacement processing within each disk device, the rotational waiting time and recording time to the primary replacement area, the secondary Processing time is required, such as the time to switch the head to the spare area and search for an empty sector from the first sector, and the time to return to the original recording/playback position after the completion of the spare process. In a disk array device that operates by connecting multiple disk devices in parallel, one
There is a problem in that a slow disk device that performs disk replacement processing causes waiting time for other disk devices.

The present invention solves these conventional problems, and utilizes the fact that disk devices are connected in parallel and their rotations are synchronized so that all the connected disk devices can be treated as one disk device. An object of the present invention is to provide a disk array replacement processing method that can shorten replacement processing time by handling and sharing replacement data.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a backup area on a hot standby disk device prepared for backing up the disk device, and stores the backup area there during write processing with verification or formatting. Data that could not be recorded correctly (replacement data) that has occurred is sequentially recorded, and a replacement table is temporarily created that holds replacement destination sectors and backup area addresses for each disk device. Then, when each disk device is not performing any processing, the data in the backup area is collectively recorded in the spare area of each disk device according to the spare table information.

The present invention also provides a spare area on the inner or outer periphery of a recording medium of a hot standby disk device prepared for backup of a disk device, and records are sequentially recorded in the spare area when replacement occurs. A table is created that holds the generated logical block address and the address of the replacement area where the replacement data is recorded, and during playback, the replacement data is transferred to the buffer in advance and then replacement processing is executed. .

[0012] The present invention also stores replacement data in a non-volatile memory, and also stores the logical block address where the replacement occurred and the address on the non-volatile memory where the data to be recorded is stored. A table is created, and the replacement process is performed by always referring to this replacement table, which is sorted in ascending order of logical block addresses. In addition, when the nonvolatile memory becomes full, replacement data is recorded in the primary replacement area and secondary replacement area, and a table is created that holds the logical block address where replacement occurred and the replacement address. It is designed to be processed.

The present invention also provides the above invention with a counter for counting the number of accesses to the non-volatile memory, and when the non-volatile memory is running low, logical block addresses that have been accessed less frequently are allocated to the primary replacement area on the recording medium. and a secondary replacement area.

The present invention also provides the above invention with a function of storing the access date of the non-volatile memory, and when the non-volatile memory is low, the address of a logical block that has not been accessed recently (logical block with an old date) is stored. address) is recorded in a primary replacement area and a secondary replacement area on the recording medium.

The present invention also provides one spare disk device, and when a plurality of disk devices connected in parallel are rotating synchronously, the spare data generated in each disk device is transferred from the first sector of the spare disk device. In addition to sequential recording, a table is created that holds the logical block address where replacement occurred and the address of the replacement disk device where replacement data is recorded, and the replacement process is performed by referring to the replacement table. It is.

[0016] The present invention also provides one replacement disk device, and when a plurality of disk devices connected in parallel are rotating synchronously, the replacement disk device has the same cylinder and the same head as the disk device in which replacement has occurred. In addition to sequentially recording replacement data from the first sector of It is designed to perform processing.

[0017]

[Operation] Therefore, according to the present invention, a backup area is provided on the hot standby disk device, and during execution of write processing with verification, data is temporarily saved to the backup area without recording to the primary replacement area and the secondary replacement area. , by recording data in the backup area on the disk device when there is no other processing to be executed after write processing with verification is completed, the replacement processing time during write processing can be shortened. have

The present invention also provides a replacement data area on the hot standby disk device, and when replacement occurs, it is recorded in the replacement area sequentially, thereby shortening the replacement processing time. By referring to the table and pre-reading the replacement data and storing it in the buffer, no disk access time is required during replacement processing, which has the effect of shortening the replacement processing time.

The present invention also has the effect that by providing a non-volatile memory, the recording and reproducing time of replacement data can be shortened because no disk access is involved.

The present invention also provides the above invention with a counter for counting the number of accesses to the non-volatile memory, and before the non-volatile memory becomes full, the replacement data that has been accessed less frequently is transferred to the primary replacement area on the disk and to the secondary storage area. By recording in the replacement area, it is possible to shorten the replacement processing time for exchange data that is frequently accessed.

[0021] The present invention also provides a function for storing the date of access to the non-volatile memory, and stores older replacement data in the primary replacement area and secondary replacement area on the disk before the non-volatile memory becomes full. By recording,
This has the effect that the replacement processing time for recently accessed replacement data with a new date can be shortened.

The present invention also provides one spare disk device, synchronizes the rotation of a plurality of disk devices, and transfers spare data to the spare disk device without head switching or seeking to cylinders during spare processing. By recording this, it is possible to shorten the replacement processing time during recording and reproduction.

The present invention also provides a plurality of rotationally synchronized disk devices and one replacement disk device, and by recording in the same cylinder as the disk device in which replacement has occurred, the replacement area at the time of replacement processing is This has the effect of shortening the access time, rotation waiting time, and recording/reproducing time.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a disk array device according to first and second embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an alternating operation in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1-1 to 1-3 are disk devices, 2-1
2-4 are disk subcontrollers, 3 is a disk array controller, 4 is a host computer, and 5 is a hot standby disk device. The disk array controller 3 analyzes the command sent from the host computer 4 and sends each disk subcontroller 2-1 to 2-
3, and performs recording and reproduction on the disk devices 1-1 to 1-3. Further, a hot standby disk device 5 connected to the disk subcontroller 2-4 is used for backing up each of the disk devices 1-1 to 1-3.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 10-1 to 10-3 are recording media expanded into one cylinder of disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 on which the user records and reproduces information, and user areas 11-1 to 11-3, respectively. , primary replacement area 12-1 to 12-
3. It has secondary replacement areas 13-1 to 13-3. 14
is a recording medium of the hot standby disk device 5 that temporarily stores data that cannot be correctly recorded in the user areas 11-1 to 11-3, and
It has a backup area 15. Reference numeral 16 denotes a replacement table, in which the data temporarily saved in the backup area 15 is stored in the primary replacement areas 12-1 to 12-3 and the secondary replacement areas 13-1 to 13-1 of each disk device 1-1 to 1-3.
This is a table for storing data in 3-3.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be explained. When data that cannot be recorded correctly is generated as a result of write processing with verification to the user areas 11-1 to 11-3 of the disk drives 1-1 to 1-3 that have undergone replacement, the data is temporarily placed on hot standby. The data is recorded in the backup area 15 of the disk device 5 in order from the first sector, and the replacement destination sector of the disk device 1-1 to 1-3 where replacement has occurred is calculated, the address of the backup area 15 is checked, and the data is written in the replacement table 16. Store. When the write processing with verify is completed and no other processing is being performed, the data in the backup area 15 is stored in a buffer, and the data is recorded in the corresponding replacement sector.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, since there is no head switching, access time to a replacement area, and time for recording replacement data due to replacement processing during write processing with verification, there is no time required for recording replacement data during write processing with verification. This has the advantage that the time required for replacement processing can be shortened.

FIG. 3 shows a replacement operation in a second embodiment of the present invention using the disk array device shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, 20-1 to 20-3 are recording media expanded into one cylinder of disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 on which the user records and reproduces data, and each has a user area 2.
1-1 to 21-3. 22 is a recording medium of the hot standby disk device 5, and the user area 21-1 of the disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 is provided on the inner or outer periphery of the recording medium.
~21-3 have a spare area 23 for recording data that could not be recorded correctly. 24 is a replacement table;
It stores the address on the hot standby disk device 5 where the data of the logical block address where replacement has occurred is recorded.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be explained. Multiple disk devices connected in parallel 1-1
~1-3 rotate synchronously, but the hot standby disk device 5 does not synchronize with other disks, and the head is always in the spare area 2 so that the spare data can be recorded and reproduced immediately.
It is set to 3. User area 21-1 to 21-
3, write processing with verification is performed, and the data that could not be recorded correctly is sequentially recorded in the replacement area 23 on the hot standby disk device 5, and the logical block address where replacement occurred and the replacement area where the data is stored are recorded. Record the address in the replacement table 24,
Always sort in ascending order of logical block addresses. When reproducing data, replacement data within the range of logical block addresses to be reproduced is read in advance and stored in a buffer, and replacement processing is performed by referring to the data in the buffer.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
The time required to switch the playback head during recording and the time to access the spare area is shortened, and by pre-reading spare data during playback, the disk is not accessed during the spare process, which reduces the spare processing time. It has the advantage of being

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of disk array devices according to third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention, and the hot standby disk device 5 in FIG.
In place of the disk subcontroller 2-4, a nonvolatile memory 6 for recording replacement data is provided in the disk array controller 3. The other configurations are the same as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a replacement operation in a third embodiment of the present invention using the disk array device shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, 30-1 to 30-3 are recording media expanded into one cylinder of disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 on which the user records and reproduces data, and each has a user area 3.
1-1 to 31-3, primary replacement area 32-1 to 32-3
, secondary replacement areas 33-1 to 33-3. 34 is a storage area of the nonvolatile memory 6. User area 3
Data that could not be recorded correctly in 1-1 to 31-3 is
Storage area 34 of non-volatile memory 6 or primary spare area 32-1 to 32-3 or secondary spare area 33-1 to
Recorded at 33-3. 35 is a replacement table in which the logical block address where replacement has occurred is stored in the nonvolatile memory 6.
It stores where in the storage area 34 of the file is recorded and whether or not the nonvolatile memory 6 is used. 36
is another replacement table, which stores in which replacement area of each disk device 1-1 to 1-3 the logical block address where replacement has occurred is stored.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be explained. The start address of the non-volatile memory 6 where replacement data is recorded in advance and the area indicating whether the non-volatile memory 6 is used are set to 0 (indicating that the non-volatile memory is not used). Create table 35 in advance. When write processing with verification is performed on the user areas 31-1 to 31-3 and data that could not be recorded correctly is generated, the data is stored in the unused memory of the nonvolatile memory 6, that is, the usage status area of the replacement table 35 is 0. At the same time, in the replacement table 35, 1 is recorded in the logical block address where the replacement occurred and the usage status area. Furthermore, when the nonvolatile memory 6 becomes full, the primary replacement areas 32-1 to 32-3 or the secondary replacement areas 33-1 to 33-3 are used to perform replacement processing, as in the conventional example. .

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
By recording the replacement data on the non-volatile memory 6, it does not take much time to access the disk during replacement processing, so there is an advantage that the replacement processing time during recording and reproduction can be shortened.

FIG. 6 shows a replacement operation in a fourth embodiment of the present invention using the disk array device shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, 40-1 to 40-3 are recording media expanded into one cylinder of disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 on which the user records and reproduces data, and each has a user area 4.
1-1 to 41-3, primary replacement area 42-1 to 42-3
, secondary replacement areas 43-1 to 43-3. 44 is a storage area of non-volatile memory 46. Data that could not be recorded correctly in the user areas 41-1 to 41-3 is stored in the storage area 44 of the nonvolatile memory 6, the primary replacement areas 42-1 to 42-3, or the secondary replacement area 43-1.
~43-3 is recorded. 45 is a replacement table;
The replacement table 35 in the third embodiment is provided with a function of counting the number of accesses to replacement data. 46 is a replacement table similar to the replacement table 36 of the third embodiment.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be explained. The method for recording replacement data in the nonvolatile memory 6 is as follows.
The operation is the same as that of the third embodiment. In the replacement process during playback, the number of accesses to the non-volatile memory 6 is counted, and before the non-volatile memory 6 overflows,
Calculates the replacement sector for data that is accessed less frequently from the logical block address and assigns it to each disk device 1-1 to 1-.
3 are recorded in the primary replacement areas 42-1 to 42-3 and secondary replacement areas 43-1 to 43-3, and at the same time, the logical block address with the least number of accesses and its replacement sector are recorded in the replacement table 46. In addition, the replacement table 45
0 is set in the usage status area of , indicating that the nonvolatile memory 6 is unused.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment,
By recording the replacement data on the nonvolatile memory 6, the disk access time during replacement processing can be shortened, and the replacement processing time can also be shortened when replacement data exists in frequently used data. It has the advantage of

FIG. 7 shows a replacement operation in a fifth embodiment of the present invention using the disk array device shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, 50-1 to 50-3 are recording media expanded into one cylinder of disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 on which the user records and reproduces data, and each has a user area 5.
1-1 to 51-3, primary replacement area 52-1 to 52-3
, secondary replacement areas 53-1 to 53-3. 54 is a storage area of the nonvolatile memory 6. User area 5
Data that could not be recorded correctly in 1-1 to 51-3 is
Storage area 54 of non-volatile memory 6 or primary replacement areas 52-1 to 52-3 or secondary replacement areas 53-1 to
It is recorded in 53-3. Reference numeral 55 denotes a replacement table, in which the function of counting the number of accesses of the replacement table 45 in the fourth embodiment is replaced with a function of storing the latest date when replacement data was accessed. 56 is a replacement table similar to replacement table 46 in the fourth embodiment.

Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be explained. The method for recording replacement data in the nonvolatile memory 6 is as follows.
The operation is the same as that of the third embodiment. In the replacement process during playback, the latest date of access to the non-volatile memory 6 is stored, and before the non-volatile memory 6 overflows, old data is transferred to each disk device 1-1 to 1-3.
At the same time, the old logical block address and its replacement sector are recorded in the replacement table 56. Additionally, 0 is set in the usage status area of the replacement table 55 to indicate that the nonvolatile memory 6 is unused.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment,
By recording the replacement data on the nonvolatile memory 6, the disk access time during replacement processing can be shortened, and the replacement processing time can also be shortened when replacement data exists in recently accessed data. has advantages.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a disk array device according to the sixth and seventh embodiments of the present invention, in which a replacement disk device 7 is provided in place of the hot standby disk device 5 in FIG. It is something that

FIG. 9 shows a replacement operation in a sixth embodiment of the present invention using the disk array device shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, 60-1 to 60-3 are recording media expanded into one cylinder of disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 on which the user records and reproduces data, and each has a user area 6.
1-1 to 61-3. 62 is a recording medium of the replacement disk device 7, and the user areas 61-1 to 61-3
Store data that could not be recorded correctly. Reference numeral 63 is a replacement table, in which the replacement disk device 7 records the logical block address where replacement has occurred and replacement data.
Keep the above address.

Next, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be explained. User areas 61-1 to 61-3 of each disk device 1-1 to 1-3 connected in parallel and rotationally synchronized
If the data cannot be recorded correctly, the data is recorded sequentially from the top address of the recording medium 62 of the replacement disk device 7. Even while the replacement disk device 7 is recording, each disk device 1-1 to 1-3 executes the following process. At the same time, a replacement table 63 is created that holds the logical block address where replacement has occurred and the address of the replacement disk device 7 where replacement data is recorded, and is always sorted in ascending order of logical block addresses.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment,
By providing the replacement disk device 7, the recording and reproduction to each disk device 1-1 to 1-3 and the recording and reproduction of the replacement data generated at that time to the replacement disk device 7 operate in parallel, so that the replacement processing is performed. This has the advantage that it is possible to shorten the time for switching the head to the replacement area, the time for accessing the cylinder, and the time for recording replacement data, which sometimes occurs.

FIG. 10 shows a replacement operation in a seventh embodiment of the present invention using the disk array device shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, reference numerals 70-1 to 70-3 are recording media expanded into one cylinder of disk devices 1-1 to 1-3 on which the user records and reproduces data, and each has user areas 71-1 to 71-3. 72 is a recording medium of the replacement disk device 7, and user areas 71-1 to 71-
3 stores the data that could not be recorded correctly. Reference numeral 73 denotes a replacement table, which holds the logical block address where replacement has occurred and the address on the replacement disk device 7 where replacement data is recorded.

Next, the operation of the seventh embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, instead of the method of sequentially recording replacement data from the first address of the replacement disk device 62 in the replacement operation of the sixth embodiment, the replacement data is recorded sequentially from the first sector of the same cylinder and same head where replacement has occurred. The system is designed to record replacement data. If there is no free sector in the same cylinder or head, the head is switched and recording is performed from the first sector to the free sector.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment,
In addition to the advantages of the sixth embodiment, this embodiment has the advantage of being able to shorten the rotational waiting time when recording replacement data.

[0048]

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, the present invention has the following effects.

By temporarily holding the replacement data generated during write processing with verification in the backup area provided on the hot standby disk device, it does not take time to access the primary replacement area and the secondary replacement area. Processing time can be shortened.

By recording replacement data in the replacement area provided on the hot standby disk device, the time required to access the replacement area is shortened, and during playback, if replacement data is within the range to be played back, pre-reading is performed from the replacement disk. By storing the information in the buffer, the disk access time during replacement processing can be shortened.

[0051] By providing a non-volatile memory, access to the disk is not required during replacement processing, so that the recording and reproducing time can be shortened.

Furthermore, by counting the number of accesses to the replacement data recorded in the non-volatile memory, frequently accessed replacement data can be left in the non-volatile memory, reducing the time required to access the replacement data during playback. can do.

Furthermore, by retaining the date on which the replacement data recorded in the non-volatile memory was accessed, the recently accessed replacement data can be left on the non-volatile memory, reducing the time required to access the replacement data during playback. can do.

By providing a plurality of parallel-connected disk devices whose rotation is synchronized and a replacement disk, when replacement occurs, each disk device is connected while recording replacement data on the replacement disk device. Since it is possible to execute the following processing, it is possible to shorten head switching time, access time, and recording time of replacement data during replacement processing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a disk array device according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a replacement processing method when using a hot standby disk device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a replacement processing method when using a replacement disk device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a disk array device according to third, fourth, and fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a replacement processing method when using non-volatile memory in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the replacement processing method when using nonvolatile memory in the fourth embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a replacement processing method when using non-volatile memory in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 8
] Schematic block diagram of a disk array device according to sixth and seventh embodiments of the present invention

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a replacement processing method when using a replacement disk device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a replacement processing method when using a replacement disk device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 11] Schematic block diagram of a conventional disk array device

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disk device replacement processing method in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1, 1-2, 1-3 Disk device 2-1, 2-
2, 2-3, 2-4 Disk subcontroller 3 Disk array controller 4 Host computer 5 Hot standby disk device 6 Non-volatile memory 7 Replacement disk device

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claim 1: When a disk array device equipped with a hot standby disk device is used and a replacement condition occurs when data in the user area of a recording medium is recorded or reproduced, the replacement data is temporarily backed up to the hot standby disk. A disk array replacement processing method in which data is recorded in a specific area of a device, and the replacement data is then collectively recorded in a replacement area of a storage medium where replacement occurs. 2. A disk array device equipped with a hot standby disk device is used, and a replacement area is provided on the inner or outer periphery of the recording medium of the hot standby disk device, and the replacement area is replaced when data in the user area of the recording medium is recorded or reproduced. A disk array replacement processing method, in which replacement data is sequentially recorded in the replacement area when a condition occurs. 3. Using a disk array device equipped with a non-volatile memory in the disk array controller, if a replacement condition occurs when recording and reproducing data in the user area of a recording medium, the replacement data is recorded in the non-volatile memory. In the disk array replacement processing method, when the nonvolatile memory becomes full, replacement data is recorded in a replacement area on the recording medium. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of accesses of the replacement data recorded in the non-volatile memory is counted, and the replacement data that has been accessed less frequently is recorded on the recording medium before the non-volatile memory overflows. Disk array replacement processing method. 5. Recording the latest date accessed using replacement data recorded in a non-volatile memory in a replacement table;
4. The disk array replacement processing method according to claim 3, wherein replacement data with an older date is stored on the recording medium before the nonvolatile memory overflows. 6. If a replacement condition occurs when data in the user area of a recording medium is recorded and reproduced using a disk array device equipped with a replacement disk device, the replacement disk device is configured to replace each disk device with the replacement disk device. A disk array replacement processing method that records data. 7. The disk array replacement processing method according to claim 6, wherein the replacement data is recorded in the same cylinder as the cylinder in which replacement has occurred in the replacement disk device.