JPH065002A - Disk device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the processing time of a system, to notify the necessity of the exchange of disks to users before the exchange region is used up and to improve operability by automatically reporting the number of the remaining total sectors in the exchange region to a host computer, CONSTITUTION:A disk device, which is used in a host computer, is selected in a selection phase P1. When a certain disk is selected as the operating object, the disk device is moved to a command phase P2, and a writing instruction is received. In a data phase P3, data are written. In a status phase P4, the results of writing for the computer (presence or absence of errors) is reported into the computer. In a phase P5, a command complete message is transmitted into the computer, and the phase sequence of the writing is executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention divides a disk into at least one or more groups, has a spare area having a predetermined number of sectors for each group, and is connected to a host computer. In particular, by reporting the number of remaining sectors in the spare area to the host computer, the processing time on the system is shortened, and it is necessary to replace the disk before the spare area is exhausted to the user. The present invention relates to a disk device with improved operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A disk device that is divided into at least one or more groups, has a spare area having a predetermined number of sectors for each group, and is connected to a host computer has been conventionally known. Is known from In this conventional disk device, if there is no spare area during the execution of the SCSI command for writing data to the disk, the processing ends in error.

Here, the replacement area will be briefly described. When writing data to a disk, if a situation occurs where it is not possible to write data to a certain sector due to a defect on the disk, instead of writing to that sector, write the data to a sector in the spare area prepared in advance. ing. However, if all the replacement areas are used, the write operation ends in error even if the write operation is attempted.

Regarding this error, CCM (COMMON C
According to the OMMAND SET) regulation, it is defined as a 32H error. Specifically, the error is "NO DEFECT SPARELOCATION AVAILABLE".

Therefore, before such a situation occurs, the user needs to know the number of remaining sectors in the spare area in order to accurately determine the disc replacement time.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the user area and the spare area on the disc. In the figure, X1 indicates a defective sector and R1 indicates a replacement sector.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disc is divided into a plurality of groups, and a replacement area is added to each user area. Here, the group means an area in which each user area (area) and the replacement area are combined, and the number of groups indicates how many groups the disk is divided into. Then, for example, in the group 2, when the defective sector X1 occurs in the user area, in the replacement sector R1 in the replacement area of the group 2,
Write the data.

When a plurality of defective sectors are generated in one group (for example, group 4), the defective sectors are written in the replacement sectors in the replacement area in the order of occurrence. However, as shown in FIG. 10, when the spare area is provided for each group, the spare area may be insufficient in a certain group.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a case where there is a shortage of replacement areas of a certain group in the user area and replacement area on the disc. In the figure, X2 indicates a defective sector and R2 indicates its replacement sector. As shown in FIG. 11, when a new defective sector X2 occurs when many defective sectors occur in the group 2 and no sectors exist in the replacement area, for example, replacement of another group, for example, the group 1 If the data can be written in the replacement sector R2 in the area, it is possible to cope with such a situation.

However, as described above, in order to use the spare area of another group, it is necessary to know the number of remaining sectors of the spare area for each group. If the information on the number of remaining sectors in the spare area for each group cannot be obtained, the spare areas of other groups cannot be used as described with reference to FIG. Further, such information cannot be easily obtained by the conventional device.

In the conventional device, the user issues a read defect data (READ DEFECT DATA) command as a method of checking the number of sectors remaining in the spare area on the disk. There was no other way than to calculate from the difference with the number of replacement sectors displayed in the returned data. This read defect data command is a SCSI command that provides information on defective sectors on the disk.

FIG. 12 shows read defect data.
Regarding the data returned in response to command execution,
It is a figure which shows the structure. The data (RE
In AD DEFECT DATA HEADER), when the "PLIST" bit shown in bit 4 of byte 1 is "1", the value (hexadecimal number) of the field of byte 2 and byte 3 is detected during the disk check by the SCSI format command. The number of defective sectors x 4 is shown.

In this case, the defective sector is skipped without being replaced by the replacement sector in the replacement area. When the "GLIST" bit indicated by bit 3 of byte 1 is "1", the field value (hexadecimal) of byte 2 and byte 3 also indicates the number of defective sectors detected during data write x 4. .

In this case, the defective sector is replaced by the replacement sector in the replacement area. Thus, when the read defect data command is issued, the number of defective sectors and physical addresses detected by the disk inspection and the number of defective sectors and physical addresses detected during data writing are returned. Therefore, the user can obtain the information of the defective sector on the disc.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a format command is used to allocate a group, a user area, and a spare area on the disk. Therefore,
The number of groups, the user area, the size of the replacement area, etc.
It can be set freely by the user.

Here, a format command which is one of the SCSI commands will be described. This format command has the structure shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 below.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing parameters of type 0 of the format command used at the time of disk initialization.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the type 1 parameters of the format command used at the time of disk initialization. The parameters of the disk initialization types 0 and 1 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are transferred by the mode select command.

First, the parameters of the disk initialization type 0 shown in FIG. 13 determine the sizes of the user area and the spare area shown in FIGS. In addition, this parameter sets the number of user areas and the number of alternate areas per group, and the disk capacity (total number of sectors) is the sum of "byte 4 to byte 7" and "byte 8 and byte 9". The divided value (quotient) becomes the number of groups.

In FIG. 13, "byte 4 to byte 7"
Is the number of sectors allocated as a user area (read / write area), and “byte 8 and byte 9” is a replacement area (a replacement sector area that is replaced when a defective sector is detected in the user area). Indicates the number of sectors. By setting the parameters shown in FIG. 13 and then issuing a SCSI format command, as shown in FIG.
As in 1, the user area and the spare area are assigned.

Next, the parameters of the disk initialization type 1 in FIG. 14 determine the number of groups shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and the size of the spare area allocated in the groups. And disk capacity (total number of sectors)
Is divided by the number of groups of “byte 4 to byte 7” to be “the number of user areas + the number of replacement areas” per group.

Therefore, the difference between this quotient and the "number of replacement areas" is the number of user areas. In this Figure 14, "byte 4
"Byte 7" indicates the number of groups (user area + replacement area) divided on the disk. Further, as in the case of the type 0 of FIG. 13, after the parameters of the type 1 are set and the SCSI format command is issued, the layout shown in FIGS.

As described above, by using the parameters 0 and 1 of the disk initialization type shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the groups, user areas, and replacements are made on the disk as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. You can set the area. However, the number of groups, the number of user areas, and the like need to be calculated and obtained from the setting values of these parameters, and the conventional device cannot obtain such information immediately.

That is, by issuing the SCSI format command, the disk shown in FIG.
A group, a user area, and a spare area as shown in 1 can be set. For setting the parameters therefor, the parameters of the disk initialization type 0 and 1 may be used as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

However, since the number of sectors in the user area and the spare area of each group set on the disk, in particular, the number of sectors in the spare area, changes depending on the data write, the user is required to write a defective sector in the user area each time. For each time, in order to know the number of remaining sectors in the spare area, complicated calculation is required, and time is spent for processing on the system. Therefore, when managing the number of remaining sectors in the spare area, the load on the system is increased, and when the number of remaining sectors in the spare area is exhausted in some groups, the sectors in the spare areas in other groups are exhausted. There is an inconvenience that the management is not easy to use.

If the user does not manage the number of remaining sectors in the spare area, an error (error indicating that the spare area is completely used) is information regarding the sole spare area. If an error occurs,
You will not be able to write data to the disc. Therefore, if the number of remaining sectors is not managed, important data cannot be recorded unless the user is informed that the replacement area is near the end before an error occurs.

[0025]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves such a problem that occurs when the number of remaining sectors in the spare area is reduced or the spare area is completely absent in the conventional disk device. Provides a disk unit that reports the remaining sectors of the spare area, eliminating the need for calculation on the system, and notifying the user of the need for disk replacement before the spare area runs out. The purpose is to do.

[0026]

According to the present invention, firstly,
A disk device divided into at least one or more groups, having a spare area having a predetermined number of sectors for each group, and writing or reading data in a disk device connected to a host computer Means for reporting the end of the operation and the total number of remaining sectors in all spare areas to the host computer at the end of the operation, and reporting the end of the operation and the total number of remaining sectors in all spare areas at the end of the operation. Is configured as follows.

Secondly, the first disk device is provided with means for reporting to the host computer the total number of remaining sectors in the replacement area for the group in which data was written or read, and when the operation is completed, the replacement for the group is performed. It is configured to report the total number of sectors remaining in the area.

Thirdly, in the above-mentioned first or second disk device, a predetermined value for the number of remaining sectors in the spare area and the total number of remaining sectors in the spare area at the end of the data write or read operation. And a remaining sector number detecting means for detecting that the number of remaining sectors is less than a predetermined value, and when the number of remaining sectors is less than a predetermined value, the fact is reported to the host computer.

Fourthly, in the above-mentioned third disk device, the predetermined value for the number of remaining sectors in the spare area is set in advance by an instruction from the host computer.

Fifth, in the above-mentioned fourth disk device, after the disk device receives from the host computer a preset value for the number of remaining sectors in the spare area, the disk is inaccessible to the user on the disk. The management information is written in a non-user area where the management information is recorded.

Sixth, in the fifth disk device, the host computer automatically sets the set value of the number of remaining sectors in the spare area written in the non-user area on the disk at the time of power-on and disk replacement. It is configured to read.

Seventh, in the sixth disk device, it is detected whether or not the set value is recorded in the recording area of the set value of the number of remaining sectors of the spare area provided in the non-user area on the disk. When the set value of the number of remaining sectors in the spare area is not recorded in the non-user area on the disc,
It is configured to warn the host computer to that effect.

[0033]

According to the present invention, by reporting to the host computer the number of sectors remaining in the spare area, it is not necessary to calculate the number of sectors remaining in the spare area, thereby shortening the processing time on the system and at the same time for the user. Before the replacement area runs out, let us know the need for disk replacement,
Operability is improved (the invention of claim 1). In addition, by reporting the number of remaining sectors in the spare area for the group, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 11, many defective sectors occur in the group 2 and the spare area has no sectors. In this case, even if a new defective sector X2 occurs, if there is a free sector in the spare area of another group, for example, the group 1, it is possible to immediately write data to the spare sector R2 in the spare area of the group 1. (The invention of claim 2).

Therefore, even if the user area and the spare area are divided into groups as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,
You can use the spare area of other groups quickly,
When there are no spare areas in all groups, the write operation ends in error (indicating that all spare areas have been used). Further, at the time when the number of spare areas before that is small, there is a high possibility that the process will end in error when writing data, so the user is informed in advance (the invention of claim 3).

[0035]

[Embodiment 1] Next, regarding the disk device of the present invention,
The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is mainly related to the invention of claim 1, but is also related to the inventions of claims 2 to 7.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the main configuration of the disk device of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a SCSI control unit, 11
Is its CPU, 12 is ROM, 13 is RAM, 14 is a data buffer, 15 is a SCSI controller, 2 is a disk controller, 3 is a disk, 4 is a host computer,
5 indicates a SCSI bus.

In the disk device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, a host computer 4 is connected on a SCSI bus 5. That is, the interface between the disk device and the host computer 4 is a SCSI interface device. The configuration is SCSI control unit 1
However, the point of performing control according to FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and the like described later, and the RAM 1 in the SCSI control unit 1.
3 is different from the conventional device in that a map for the spare area remaining number report message shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.

First, the phase sequence of a normal write process (write command) will be described. Figure 2
It is a figure which shows the structure of the phase sequence of the normal write process in a disk device. In the figure, P1 to P
Reference numeral 5 indicates a phase.

As shown in FIG. 2, the normal command sequence is as follows: selection phase P1 command phase P2 data phase P3 status phase P4 message in phase P5.

The contents and operation of each phase are as follows. In the selection phase P1, the host computer 4 selects the disk device to be used. When a disk device is selected as an operation target, the disk device shifts to the command phase P2, receives a write command (write command), and then the data phase P2.
Move to 3.

In the data phase P3, the data to be written on the disk is received and the data is written. In the next status phase P4, the host computer 4
, The result of the writing process (reporting whether there is an error) is reported.

In the message in phase P5, the command complete message is transmitted to the host computer 4, and the write command is completed. The phase sequence of the writing process is executed as described above. In the disk device of the present invention, in the normal write processing, the total number of remaining sectors in all the replacement areas is reported in the message in phase (P5) immediately after the status phase P4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the construction of a phase sequence of a normal writing process in the disk device of the present invention. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 2, and P51 and P52 indicate the message in phase.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the disk device of the present invention, the status phase P of the write command is written.
After reporting the result of the write processing in step 4, when the process moves to the message in phase (P51, P52), the total number of remaining sectors in all replacement areas is reported in the message in phase P51, and the same message in phase Phase P5
In step 2, the write command is sent to the host computer 4 to end the write command.

Therefore, the difference from the normal command sequence shown in FIG. 2 is in the message in phase (P5) immediately after the status phase P4, immediately before the command complete message (P52) is sent. It can be said that the report message (P51) of the total number of remaining sectors in all the replacement areas is transmitted to the host computer 4.

[0046]

[Embodiment 2] Next, regarding the disk device of the present invention,
A second embodiment will be described. This embodiment mainly relates to the invention of claim 2. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, not only is a report message of the total number of remaining sectors in all replacement areas transmitted, but also an accessed group (area divided by the SCSI format).
It is characterized in that it reports to the host computer the total number of remaining sectors in the replacement area for the.

Therefore, the hardware constitution and the constitution of the phase sequence of the writing process are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. Here, an example of the spare area remaining number report message used in the disk device of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the spare area remaining number report message used in the disk device of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the one Example. As shown in this FIG.
The spare area remaining number report message is an extended message (a message composed of 2 bytes or more).

First, byte 0 indicates an extension message. Byte 1 indicates the length of this message, and byte 2 indicates the spare area remaining number report message. Byte 3 is a number that indicates all the replacement areas, and the value is "0.
Set it like 0 ".

Byte 4 indicates the number of remaining sectors for all replacement areas. Byte 5 indicates the group number accessed by the write command, and byte 6 indicates the number of remaining sectors in the spare area for that group.

Although bytes 7 and later are omitted, when a plurality of groups are accessed, the contents of the previous bytes 5 and 6 (group number, message of the number of remaining sectors in the spare area of the group) ) Continue. This spare area remaining number report message is sent to the memory (SCSI of FIG. 1).
It is recorded as a map provided in the RAM 13) in the control unit 1, that is, a spare area remaining number report map.

Each time a defective sector occurs and the spare area is used, the number of sectors remaining in the spare area is calculated and recorded, and is read at the end of access. By sending the spare area remaining number report message having the above configuration, the total number of spare sectors in the spare area for the accessed group can also be reported to the host computer.

[0053]

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. This embodiment is mainly related to the invention of claim 3, but is also related to the inventions of claim 1 and claim 2. In this embodiment, when the number of remaining sectors in the spare area becomes smaller than a predetermined set value (set value for all spare areas and set value for spare area per group), the number of remaining sectors in the spare area Is reported to the host computer.

Also in the third embodiment, the hardware configuration and the configuration of the phase sequence of the writing process are basically the same as those of the first and second embodiments. The operation of the disk device of the present invention will be described below with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow when detecting the number of remaining sectors in the spare area in the disk device of the present invention. In the figure, # 1 to #
8 indicates a step.

When the disk device of the system receives the write command from the host computer, the disk device writes the data on the disk. Then, when a defective sector is detected during writing of data to the accessed group (step # 1), the process proceeds to step # 2.

In step # 2, it is checked whether or not there is a free sector in the spare area in the accessed group. If there is a free sector in the spare area, in the next step # 3, data is written in the spare area in the group. When the write operation is completed, the process proceeds to step # 5.

If there is no free sector in the spare area, the data is written in the spare area of another group in step # 4, and after the write operation is completed, the process proceeds to step # 5. In step # 5, the number of remaining sectors in the spare area in the group is compared with a predetermined set value (set value for the spare area per group).

If the number of remaining sectors is larger than the set value, the flow of FIG. 5 is ended as it is.
On the other hand, when the number of remaining sectors is equal to the set value or the set value is larger, the process proceeds to step # 6.

In step # 6, the number of remaining sectors in the spare area in the group is recorded in the spare area remaining number report map provided in the memory (RAM 13 in the SCSI control unit 1 in FIG. 1). This map has the same contents as the spare area remaining number report message (byte 2) shown in FIG.

In the next step # 7, the total number of remaining sectors for all the replacement areas is compared with a predetermined set value for all the replacement areas. If all the remaining sectors are larger than the set value, the flow of FIG. 5 is ended as it is.
On the other hand, when the total number of remaining sectors is equal to the set value or the set value is larger, the process proceeds to step # 8.

At step # 8, the number of remaining sectors in all the spare areas is recorded in the spare area remaining number report map also provided in the memory. As a result of the above steps # 1 to # 8, the spare area remaining number report map provided in the memory in the SCSI control unit 1 shows the number of remaining sectors in the spare area in the group, or the total area for all spare areas. Information indicating that the number of remaining sectors becomes smaller than the specified value (replacement area remaining number report message)
Is recorded.

As described with reference to FIG. 3 above, the disk device writes the contents of this spare area remaining number report map in the message in phase (P51) immediately before the end of the write command. It is sent to the host computer as a spare area remaining number report message. Therefore,
The user can know exactly when the disc should be replaced.

[0064]

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is mainly related to the invention of claim 4, but is also related to the invention of claim 3. This embodiment is characterized in that the predetermined setting values (setting values for all replacement areas and setting values for replacement areas per group) described in the third embodiment can be set from the host computer. have.

Also in the fourth embodiment, the hardware construction and the construction of the phase sequence of the write processing are basically the same as those of the first to third embodiments. Here, for the disk device of the present invention, a command for setting a setting value from the host computer will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration of the parameter setting command issued from the host computer. The parameter setting command has a structure as shown in FIG.

That is, it consists of byte 0 to byte 2,
Byte 0 indicates a parameter related to the remaining number report. Byte 1 shows a parameter for setting the set value for all the spare areas, and byte 2 shows a parameter for setting the set value for the spare area per group.

The setting values described above (setting values for all replacement areas and setting values for replacement areas per group)
Are set by the parameter setting command (vendor unique command) shown in FIG. In addition,
Bytes 0 to 2 (Extended message code) are SCSI
-"Vender Unique" in the message table defined in II
To use.

The command for setting this set value is
In the phase sequence of the writing process shown in FIG. 3, the set value is transmitted as a parameter in the data phase P3. The set value transmitted by the byte 1 or the byte 2 is recorded, for example, in the spare area remaining number report map provided in the memory in the SCSI control unit 1 shown in FIG. 4, and the write operation is completed. Each time, it is compared with the remaining sector.

[0070]

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is mainly related to the invention of claim 5, but is also related to the inventions of claims 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the parameters transmitted by the parameter setting command described in the fourth embodiment, that is, predetermined setting values (setting values for all replacement areas and setting values for replacement areas per group) are set. The feature is that the data is recorded in a non-user area on the disc that cannot be accessed by the user.

Also in the fifth embodiment, the hardware construction and the construction of the phase sequence of the write processing are basically the same as those of the first and fourth embodiments. Here, the disc layout of the disc device of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the user area and non-user area on the disc. In the figure, a circle mark indicates a buffer track. As shown in FIG. 7, on the disc, for example, tracks "-16 to -1" and "10000" to "10015" are recorded.
, A non-user area that the user cannot access is provided.

In the fifth embodiment, the buffer track indicated by a circle in the non-user area in FIG. 7 is used,
A predetermined set value (set value for all spare areas and set value for spare areas per group) designated by the parameter transmitted by the parameter setting command from the host computer is recorded. In this way, if the data is recorded in the non-user area, there is no risk that the user accidentally erases it, and there is no need to set parameters every time the disc is used, so the write time can be shortened. .

[0074]

Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is mainly related to the invention of claim 6, but is also related to the inventions of claims 1 to 5. In this embodiment, the parameters recorded in the non-user area described in the fifth embodiment, that is, predetermined setting values (setting values for all replacement areas and setting values for replacement areas per group) are set. The disk device is characterized in that the disk device automatically reads the data when the power is turned on, and when the disk is replaced.

Also in the sixth embodiment, the hardware structure and the phase sequence structure of the writing process are basically the same as those of the first and fifth embodiments. In this embodiment, the disk device initializes the disk when the power is turned on and when the disk is replaced. Therefore, the disk initialization operation will be described below with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow at the time of disk initialization in the disk device of the present invention. In the figure, # 11 to # 15 indicate steps. In step # 11, normal initialization such as write power setting and replacement information reading is performed. Step # 12
Then, the disk device is from the non-user area of the disk,
A parameter, that is, a predetermined setting value (setting values for all replacement areas and setting values for replacement areas per group) is read.

At step # 13, it is checked whether or not the parameters are recorded on the disc. If the parameters are recorded on the disc, next step # 1
In step 4, the parameter is written in the memory (RAM 13 in the SCSI control unit 1 described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4), and the flow of FIG. 8 ends.

As a result of checking in step # 13, if the parameter is not recorded on the disc,
In step # 15, the warning flag is set and
Ends the flow. By the processing of steps # 11 to # 15 described above, the disc is initialized and the parameters recorded on the disc are automatically read.

[0079]

Seventh Embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. This embodiment is mainly related to the invention of claim 7, but is also related to the inventions of claims 1 to 6. In this embodiment, at the time of initialization of the disk described in the sixth embodiment, parameters, that is, predetermined set values (set values for all replacement areas and set values for replacement areas per group) If it is not recorded on the disc, it is characterized in that a warning is given to the host computer after power-on or after disc exchange.

Also in the seventh embodiment, the hardware configuration and the configuration of the phase sequence of the writing process are basically the same as those of the first and sixth embodiments. In the disk device of the present invention, the disk is initialized as described in connection with FIG. 8 in the sixth embodiment.

In this case, if the parameter relating to the spare area is not recorded on the disc (when the host computer has not transmitted the parameter), the host computer is warned to that effect. Here, a disk initialization warning operation will be described by a phase sequence in the disk apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the structure of a phase sequence at the time of disk initialization in the disk device of the present invention. Reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. During write operation, selection phase P1
, Select a disk device, and execute command phase P
At 2, the selected disk device receives the write command.

Upon reception of the write command, the disk device shifts to the status phase P4 immediately after the end of the command phase P2, and based on the set warning flag (step # 15 in FIG. 8), the host computer Error (warning error) to
The process ends in the in-phase P5 (flowchart in FIG. 8). In this way, by alerting the host computer that the parameter has not been transmitted, the selected disk device sets the parameters (setting values for all replacement areas and setting values for replacement areas per group). ) Is requested, the function of reporting the number of remaining sectors in the spare area is maintained.

[0084]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the total number of remaining sectors in the spare area is automatically reported to the host computer. Therefore, the user can grasp the usage state (deteriorated state) of the entire disk without having to calculate the remaining number of sectors, and the operability is improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the total number of remaining sectors in the replacement area for the accessed group is reported to the host computer. Therefore, the user does not need to calculate the number of remaining sectors in the spare area in the group, and the usage status (degradation status) in the group
It becomes possible to grasp.

If the user avoids writing data to a group in which the number of remaining sectors in the spare area is small,
The extra access time for substituting an empty sector in the spare area in another group, which occurs when all the spare areas in the group are used up, is also saved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the number of remaining sectors in the spare area becomes smaller than the set value set by the user (host computer), it is reported to the host computer. Therefore, the user can quickly and accurately know the disc replacement timing.

In the invention of claim 4, the user sets a parameter (setting value) relating to the report of the number of remaining sectors in the spare area.
Can be set arbitrarily. Therefore, the user can judge the replacement time of the original disc.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the parameter (setting value) is recorded in the non-user area on the disc that cannot be accessed by the user. Therefore, there is no fear that the user accidentally erases the parameter, and by writing the disc, it is not necessary to set the parameter each time the disc is used, and thus wasteful time is also omitted.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, the parameters recorded in the fifth aspect of the invention are automatically read at the time of power-on and the disc exchange. Therefore,
The user does not need to read the parameter when exchanging the disk, and the operability is improved.

According to the invention of claim 7, when the parameter is not recorded in the non-user area on the disc,
It warns the user (host computer) of that fact and requests the host computer to send parameters. Therefore, the function of reporting the number of remaining sectors in the spare area to the user is always maintained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a main part configuration of a disk device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a phase sequence of a normal writing process in the disk device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a configuration of a phase sequence of a normal writing process in the disk device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the structure of a spare area remaining number report message used in the disk device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow when detecting the number of remaining sectors in the spare area in the disk device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a parameter setting command issued from a host computer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a layout of user areas and non-user areas on a disc.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow at the time of disk initialization in the disk device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a configuration of a phase sequence at the time of disk initialization in the disk device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a layout of a user area and a spare area on a disc.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a case where there is a shortage of replacement areas in a certain group with respect to a user area and replacement areas on a disc.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of data returned in response to execution of a read defect data command.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing parameters of type 0 of a format command used at the time of disk initialization.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing parameters of type 1 of a format command used when initializing a disc.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 SCSI control unit 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 data buffer 15 SCSI controller 2 disk control unit 3 disk 4 host computer 5 SCSI bus

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A disk device, wherein a disk is divided into at least one or more groups, has a spare area having a predetermined number of sectors for each group, and is connected to a host computer. At the end of the write or read operation, the device is provided with a means for reporting the end of the operation and the total number of sectors remaining in all spare areas to the host computer. A disk device characterized by reporting a number. 2. The disk device according to claim 1, further comprising means for reporting to the host computer the total number of remaining sectors of the spare area for the group for which data has been written or read, and at the end of the operation, the spare area for the group A disk device characterized by reporting the total number of remaining sectors. 3. The disk device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined value is set for the number of remaining sectors in the spare area, and the total number of remaining sectors in the spare area at the end of the data write or read operation. And a remaining sector number detecting means for detecting that the number of remaining sectors is less than a predetermined value, and when the number of remaining sectors is less than a predetermined value, the disk device is informed of that fact. 4. The disk device according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined value set in advance for the number of remaining sectors in the spare area can be set by an instruction from the host computer. 5. The disk-specific management according to claim 4, wherein after the disk device receives a predetermined value set in advance for the number of remaining sectors in the spare area from the host computer, the user cannot access the disk. A disk device characterized by writing in a non-user area where information is recorded. 6. The disk device according to claim 5, wherein the host computer automatically reads the set value of the number of remaining sectors of the spare area written in the non-user area on the disk at the time of power-on and disk replacement. A disk device characterized by the above. 7. The disk device according to claim 6, wherein a setting for detecting whether or not the set value is recorded in a recording area for the set value of the number of remaining sectors of the spare area provided in the non-user area on the disk A disk device comprising value recording presence / absence detection means, and when the set value of the number of remaining sectors in the spare area is not recorded in the non-user area on the disk, the disk device is warned to that effect. .