JPH07225652A - Control system for collective file device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a technique for automatic recognizing and automatically altering system constitution for bringing out the performance of a disk array at a maximum by providing a constitution recognizing means to control software on a host computer. CONSTITUTION:An ID number holding means 54 stores numbers characteristic to disk devices 50. A constitution information holding means 54 stores which disk device 50 is located at which position among array disks and what role is given. A device information holding means 55 stores physical characteristics such as the capacity and sector size of the disk device 50. The constitution recognizing means 21 of the control software 20 executed on the host computer 10 reads the ID numbers, constitution information, and device information out of all the disk devices 50 connected in the disk array. According to the read information, the control software 20 on the host computer 10 controls the disk array.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control method for a collective file device composed of a disk array used as an external storage device of a computer system, and in particular, a work procedure for switching to a higher performance disk array system. The present invention relates to a control method for a collective file device composed of a disk array, which enables simplification of the above, data inheritance of the old system, and optimization of the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a computer system, a plurality of external storage devices are being used for one host computer. Further, there are increasing opportunities to use a disk array in which a plurality of disk devices (disk drives) are connected in an array. Such a disk array is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-250.
No. 128 is disclosed. The characteristics of this disk array are high-speed operation due to simultaneous operation of multiple disk devices and high reliability due to having redundant disks.

As is well known, access control peculiar to a disk array includes data striping for distributing data to a plurality of disks and parity generation for generating redundant data to be stored in a redundant disk. Various methods have been proposed for realizing this access control. When roughly classified, access control is performed by software on the host computer, and access is performed by hardware that has disk array control hardware. There are two types of control methods. Further, as an intermediate control method between the both, a control method in which some control, for example, only parity generation is performed by hardware is also considered (hereinafter, this method is referred to as hybrid control).

Generally, software control is low in cost, but the overhead on the host computer increases, and the performance is relatively low. On the other hand, control by hardware has a feature that relatively high performance can be obtained although it costs a lot. Therefore, the performance can be improved by replacing the software control with the hybrid control and further with the hardware control.

[0005]

However, in the prior art, no consideration has been given to switching the control method of the disk array from the software control method to the hybrid control method or the hardware control method. It was

That is, in the conventional disk array, there has not been considered any one that can be changed from software control to hybrid control or hardware control as described above.

Further, it is not considered that the disk device used in the old disk array can be used in the new disk array while retaining the data in the disk device. Therefore, for example, the disk device used in the old disk array cannot be used in the new disk array and is wasted. Even if these disk devices can be used, the disk device is newly formatted and the disk device is Had to rebuild the data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
An object of the invention is to provide a method for switching from software control to hybrid control or hardware control in a computer system using a disk array. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for enabling mixed use of software control, hybrid control, and hardware control. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for allowing a disk device used in an old disk array to be used in a new disk array while retaining the data inside the disk device. Further, the object of the present invention is to
It is to provide a method for automatically recognizing and automatically changing a system configuration for maximizing the performance of a disk array.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention includes an ID number holding means, a configuration information holding means, and a device information holding means in each disk device that constitutes a disk array. . In the case of hybrid control or hardware control, the disk array control means is provided with an ID number holding means and a board information holding means. Then, the control software on the host computer includes a configuration recognition means. Further, in addition to the above configuration, the control software includes a response time measuring unit and a data holding unit (cache) on the RAM of the host computer.

[0010]

The disk device has an ID number holding means, a configuration information holding means, and a device information holding means. The ID number holding means stores a number unique to the disk device. The configuration information holding means stores the position of the disk device in the array disk and the role thereof. The device information holding means stores physical characteristics such as the capacity of the disk device, the sector size, the number of sectors, the number of tracks, and the number of heads.

In the case of hybrid control or hardware control, the disk array control means has an ID number holding means and a board information holding means. The ID number holding means holds a number unique to the disk array control means. The board information holding means holds the function of the disk array control means.

The configuration recognition means of the control software executed on the host computer reads the ID numbers, the configuration information and the device information from all the disk devices connected as a disk array. If the additional board is connected and the disk device is connected through the board, first, the ID number and the board information are read from the additional board, and thereafter, the ID number and the board number are read from the connected disk device. The configuration information and the device information are read.

The control software of the host computer controls the disk array according to the information read by the above procedure. This makes it possible to switch from software control to hybrid control or hardware control. Also, with software control,
Hybrid control and hardware control can be used together. Furthermore, the disk device used in the old disk array can be used in the new disk array while retaining the data inside the disk device.

Further, the control software has a response time measuring means. The response time measuring means measures the response time (processing time) to the request of the host computer in each external storage device and the number of requested processes. If the response time exceeds a preset default value or if processing requests are concentrated, a cache is provided on the RAM in the host system for each external storage device having a specific ID number. , To change the size of the cache that already exists. By performing such processing, it is possible to automatically recognize and automatically change the system configuration in order to maximize the performance of the disk array.

[0015]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The computer system of the present invention is a host computer 10.
And a plurality of external storage devices (six magnetic disk devices 50 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 1).

The host computer 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that executes programs.
A chipset 12 for arbitrating among the CPU 11, the main memory 13, and the expansion bus 15, a main memory 13 for storing a program in the CPU 11 and data processed by the CPU 11, and a CPU bus 14 for connecting the CPU 11 and the chipset 12. The expansion bus 15 and a plurality of expansion slots 16 prepared by the expansion bus 15.

On the CPU 11, the control software 20
Is running. In the present invention, the configuration recognition means 21 is provided in the control software 20. The configuration and operation of this configuration recognition means 21 will be described later.

The expansion bus 15 has, for example, ISA (Indu
stry Standerd Architecture), EISA (Enhanced I
ndustry Standerd Architecture), MCA (Micro Cha
nnelArchitecture), PCI (Peripheral Connect In)
terface) etc. Of course, it is also possible to use expansion buses other than these.

Further, in this embodiment, the expansion bus 1
5 to one expansion slot 16 of the interface board 30 (hereinafter, I / F) for connecting to the external storage device 50.
Board 30). I / F board 30
Has an extension bus connection connector 31 and an external bus connection connector 32, and the I / F board 30 and the extension bus 15 are
The expansion slot 16 is connected to the expansion bus connector 31. Further, a plurality of (six in FIG. 1) magnetic disk devices 50 are connected from the external bus connector 32.

The magnetic disk device 50 has an external bus connection connector 51 and a storage means 52. Since the internal configuration and operation of the storage means 52 of the magnetic disk device 50 are widely known, the description in this embodiment will be omitted.
The magnetic disk device 50 and the host computer 10 are connected via an I / F board 30 provided in the host computer 10. Specifically, the external bus connection connector 32 on the I / F board 30 and the external bus connection connector 51 of the magnetic disk device 50 are connected by a cable 60. Here, in this embodiment, SCSI (Sm
all Computer System Interface). SC
Using SI, as shown in FIG. 1, the I / F board 30
Therefore, a plurality of magnetic disk devices 50 can be connected in a daisy chain. The present invention can be implemented regardless of the type of external bus, and is not limited to the SCSI bus.

In the present invention, an ID number holding means 53, a configuration information holding means 54, and a device information holding means 55 are provided in each magnetic disk device 50 which is an external storage device.

The ID number stored in the ID number holding means 53 and the holding method thereof will be described. Regarding the ID number allocation method and its management method, here, the following 2
Two methods will be explained. It should be noted that the data held in each holding means is shown using the structure format of the C language for the sake of simplification of description, but it is not necessary to use the C language in particular when implementing the present invention. Absent. Furthermore, only the elements necessary for explaining the present embodiment are shown as the elements of each structure.

A method of assigning an ID number and a first management method thereof will be described. In this case, the structure of the ID number stored in the ID number holding means 53 is shown.

The ID number is a manufacturing company number (company number),
It consists of four elements: device number, production number, and extension number. Each element is represented by 32 bits, and the ID number is 128.
Has a bit size. The manufacturing company number is further divided into a country code and a company number assigned to each maker.
For example, in the case of "A Corporation" of Japanese corporation, for example, the country code is Japan "49" and the company number is "101". The upper 8 bits of the manufacturing company number are country-specific numbers,
The lower 24 bits of the manufacturing company number indicate the company number body.
The device number, the manufacturing number, and the expansion number can be set independently for each maker. When the ID number is set in this way, a unique ID number is set for each manufactured external storage device.

As a method of realizing the ID number holding means 53 of the first method, a method of holding the ID number holding means 53 in a non-volatile memory (ROM or EEPROM) of a circuit in an external storage device, a method of setting with a jumper pin, a DIP switch or the like , Or
A method such as recording in a specific area of the recording medium of the external storage device (an area inaccessible to the user is desirable) can be considered. The method of recording on the medium of the external storage device is
When used for a magneto-optical disk device in which a medium can be inserted and removed or an external storage device having a tape recording medium, an ID number can be held for each recording medium. The number set for each recording medium is stored in the extension number area of the ID number structure.

A second method of assigning an ID number and its management method will be described. In this case, the structure of the ID number stored in the ID number holding means 53 is shown.

The ID number is composed of two elements, a device number and an extension number. Each element is represented by 32 bits, and I
The D number has a size of 64 bits. When shipped from each manufacturer, the device number and extension number are
The LL code “0” is stored. When a new external storage device is newly connected to the host computer 10 and activated, the configuration recognition means 21 in the control program 20 reads the NULL ID number from the newly connected external storage device.
Upon confirming NULL as the ID number, the configuration recognizing unit 21 newly assigns a number and updates the ID number of the external storage device. When the ID number is set in this way, an ID number unique to each external storage device for each host computer is set.

As a method of realizing the second type ID number holding means 53, a method of holding the ID number holding means 53 on a rewritable non-volatile memory (EEPROM) of a circuit in the external storage device or a recording medium of the external storage device is used. A method such as recording in a specific area (preferably an area inaccessible to the user) is conceivable. The method of recording on a medium of an external storage device can hold an ID number for each recording medium when used for a magneto-optical disk device in which the medium can be inserted / removed or an external storage device having a tape recording medium. The number set for each recording medium is stored in the extension number area of the ID number structure.

The configuration information stored in the configuration information holding means 54 and the holding method thereof will be described. First, the structure of the configuration information is shown.

The number of constituent devices indicates the number of external storage devices related to this external storage device. The constituent device [] holds the ID numbers of all external storage devices related to the external storage device. At the time of shipment, the number of constituents and the constituent devices [] are initialized, and the number of constituents is set to “0”.

Next, the structure of extended configuration information is shown. The structure of the extended configuration information can be freely set as needed.
When unnecessary, NULL is put in the pointer of the extended configuration information in the configuration information structure. Here, an example of configuring a disk array is shown.

The system number stores the type of disk array control system. The stripe size is a parameter peculiar to the disk array, and determines the size of the data that distributes the data. The status indicates what the disk array is currently in. For example, the states such as the normal state and the degenerate state (the state where one disk device is broken) are digitized and stored.

As a method of realizing the configuration information holding means 54, a method of holding it on a nonvolatile memory (ROM or EEPROM) of a circuit in an external storage device, a jumper pin, D
A method of setting with an IP switch or the like, or a method of recording in a specific area (preferably an area inaccessible to the user) of the recording medium of the external storage device can be considered. When the method of recording on the medium of the external storage device is used for a magneto-optical disk device capable of inserting / removing the medium or an external storage device having a tape recording medium, the configuration information can be held for each recording medium.

The device information stored in the device information holding means 55 and its holding method will be described. First, the structure of device information is shown.

As a method of realizing the device information holding means 55, a method of holding on the nonvolatile memory (ROM or EEPROM) of the circuit in the external storage device, jumper pin, D
A method of setting with an IP switch or the like, or a method of recording in a specific area (preferably an area inaccessible to the user) of the recording medium of the external storage device can be considered. When the method of recording on the medium of the external storage device is used for a magneto-optical disk device capable of inserting / removing the medium or an external storage device having a tape recording medium, device information can be held for each recording medium.

Most external storage devices currently on the market have information similar to device information. In carrying out the present invention, there is no problem even if the device information which has been conventionally used is used. It is also conceivable to insert the ID number and the configuration information into the device information that has been conventionally used.

The sequence in which the host computer 10 recognizes the external storage device will be described below with reference to FIG. In the configuration of FIG.
The magnetic disk devices 50 are connected. In order to distinguish the six magnetic disk devices, each magnetic disk device 5
Numbers (501 to 506) are given to 0 respectively. In the following, for simplification of description, this number will be described as an ID number possessed by each magnetic disk device 50.

"Initialization" The magnetic disk devices 501 to 506 are connected to the host computer 10 and activated. Here, it is assumed that the six magnetic disk devices are connected and the power supply is activated for the first time.

When the power is turned on and the system is started,
The control software 20 in the host computer 10 starts. First, the configuration recognition means 21 in the control software 20 searches for all the external storage devices connected to the host computer 10 in order to find out what external storage device is connected to the host computer 10. The above-mentioned ID number, configuration information, and device information are read from the magnetic disk device 50). In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, ID numbers 501 to 506 are obtained from each magnetic disk device. Also, the respective configuration information and device information are read.
Furthermore, since "0" is read from the number of constituents in the above-mentioned constituent information structure, it can be seen that this is an unused magnetic disk device.

An unused magnetic disk drive must be initialized and made ready for use. Here, it is assumed that one magnetic disk device 501 is used and the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 are initialized to be used as a disk array. The initialization work is to create configuration information. Here, the following settings are made. Magnetic disk device 501 (ID number 501) Extended configuration information = NULL Number of configured components = 1 Configuration device [1] = 501 Magnetic disk device 502 (ID number 502) to 506
(ID number 506) Extended configuration information = address in which extended configuration information is stored Number of components = 5 Configuration device [1] = 502 Configuration device [2] = 503 Configuration device [3] = 504 Configuration device [4] = 505 Component device [5] = 506

The extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 502-506 is set as follows. Method number = 5 (using RAID5) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

Then, these pieces of information are stored in the configuration information holding means 54 of each magnetic disk device 50 (501 to 506).

"Method of Recognizing Configuration" A method of recognizing the external storage device, which has been initialized, will be described. Turned on,
When the system starts up, the control software 20 in the host computer 10 starts up. First, in order to search what kind of external storage device is connected to the host computer 10 by the configuration recognition means 21 in the control software 20, the above-mentioned ID numbers from all the connected external storage devices, Read configuration information and device information.

In the configuration of this embodiment of FIG. 1 initialized as described above, the following configuration information is read from the magnetic disk device 501 with the ID number 501. Extended configuration information = NULL Number of configured components = 1 Configuration device [1] = 501

From the read configuration information, it can be seen that the number of constituents is 1 and the constituent device is only itself. Further, since the pointer to the extended configuration information is NULL, it can be seen that the extended configuration information has no extended information.

Next, from the magnetic disk device 502, I
At the D number 502, the following configuration information is read. Extended configuration information = Address where extended configuration information is stored Number of configured components = 5 Configuration device [1] = 502 Configuration device [2] = 503 Configuration device [3] = 504 Configuration device [4] = 505 Configuration device [5] = 506

From the read configuration information, it can be seen that the number of components is 5, and another component device is required. Further, since the pointer to the extended configuration information is not NULL, it can be seen that it has the extended configuration information.

Then, the following extended configuration information is read. Method number = 5 (using RAID5) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

Based on the read extended configuration information, RAID 5 (RAID stands for Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks, and RAID 5
It can be seen that AID4 or RAID5 is a known disk array level proposed by the University of California, Berkley and has a stripe size of 32768 bytes.

According to the configuration information of the magnetic disk device 502, in order for the magnetic disk device 502 to operate as a disk array, the remaining magnetic disk devices 503 to 50 are required.
It can be recognized that 6 is required. Configuration recognition means 21
Similarly reads the configuration information and extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 503 to 506. The configuration information and the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 must match.

As described above, the configuration recognition means 21
Six magnetic disk devices 50 in the host computer 10
(501 to 506) are connected and one unit (501)
Is a single magnetic disk device (5 units (502 to 50)
6) can recognize that it is used as a RAID 5 disk array. As a result, the control program 2
0 controls the magnetic disk device 501 as an ordinary single magnetic disk device, and controls the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 peculiar to the disk array in the control program 20 (software). Wear control method). In this way, each control program 20 can perform processing according to the control method registered in the external storage device.

Here, for example, among the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 which compose the RAID 5 disk array,
If one of the magnetic disk devices cannot be recognized, the unrecognizable magnetic disk device can be known from the configuration information read from another magnetic disk device. In addition, even if there is a shortage of one magnetic disk device,
Data can be read and written by the principle of RAID5.

"Change of configuration" The ID number as described above,
By using the configuration information, it becomes easy to switch from the software control system to the hybrid control system or the hardware control system in a computer system having a plurality of magnetic disk devices having a disk array configuration. Further, when the software control system is switched to the hybrid control system or the hardware control system, the data of the magnetic disk device is completely inherited. Here, a case where the system configuration (software control method) shown in FIG. 1 is changed to the system configuration (hybrid control method) shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the computer system after the modification from FIG. In the system shown in FIG. 2, the disk array control means 40 is provided on the host computer 10 side. Then, the magnetic disk devices 502 to 502 that constitute the disk array in FIG.
506 is an extension board for control which is the added disk array control means 40 (hereinafter, hybrid extension board 4).
The connection is changed to (01). The magnetic disk device 501 is directly connected to the I / F board 30.

The hybrid expansion board 401 has a hybrid control means 49 for performing processing unique to the disk array (parity data creation, data distributed collection control, etc.). Hybrid expansion board 401
Is connected to the host computer 10 by connecting to the expansion bus 15 through the expansion slot 16 with the expansion bus connection connector 41. This hybrid expansion board 401 has one or more external bus connection connectors 42, and in the case of this embodiment, the hybrid expansion board 40.
1 has five external bus connection connectors 42. The hybrid expansion board 401 and the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 are connected to each external bus connector 4
2 are connected to each other using a cable 60.

The hybrid expansion board 401 (disk array control means 40) according to the present invention has an ID number holding means 43 and a device information holding means 44.

The ID number stored in the ID number holding means 43 and the holding method thereof will be described. First, the structure of the ID number is shown. This ID number is the I number provided in the external storage device.
It is the same as the structure of D number.

[0059]

The method of setting the ID number is the same as the method of setting the ID number in the external storage device described above. I
As a method of realizing the D number holding means 43, a nonvolatile memory (ROM or EEP in the hybrid expansion board 401 is used.
A method of holding it on a ROM), a method of setting with a jumper pin, a DIP switch or the like can be considered.

The device information stored in the device information holding means 44 and its holding method will be described. First, the structure of device information is shown.

Each element is TRUE (has its function)
And FALSE (does not have that function).
For example, the hybrid expansion board 401 of this example has the following device information. Parity generation function = TRUE data distribution / collection function = TRUE data recovery function = FALSE RAID0 support = TRUE RAID1 support = FALSE RAID2 support = FALSE RAID3 support = FALSE RAID4 support = FALSE RAID5 support = TRUE

"Recognition after configuration change" When the power is turned on and the system is started, the control software 20 in the host computer 10 is started. First, the configuration recognizing means 21 in the control software 20 searches all the connected disks in order to search what kind of external storage device and disk array control means 40 are connected to the host computer 10. From the array control means 40, I
The D number and the device information are read, and further, the ID number, the configuration information and the device information are read from all the connected external storage devices.

First, the configuration recognition means 21 is the disk array control means 4 connected to the host computer 10.
Search for 0. In the case of the example in FIG. 2, since the hybrid expansion board 401 is connected, the ID number and device information are read from the hybrid expansion board 401. In this example, the ID number of the hybrid expansion board is 401
Then, the following device information is read. Parity generation function = TRUE data distribution / collection function = TRUE data recovery function = FALSE RAID0 support = TRUE RAID1 support = FALSE RAID2 support = FALSE RAID3 support = FALSE RAID4 support = FALSE RAID5 support = TRUE

Looking at the read device information, in the disk array control means 40 (hybrid expansion board 401) having the parity generation function and the data distribution / aggregation function,
It can be recognized that RAID0 and RAID5 are supported.

Next, the configuration recognition means 21 starts recognition of all external storage devices connected to the disk array control means 40. In the case of the system configuration of this example shown in FIG. 2, five magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 are connected to the disk array control means 40, and the configuration recognition means 21 first sends the configuration information of the magnetic disk device 502. Read out. Extended configuration information = Address where extended configuration information is stored Number of configured components = 5 Configuration device [1] = 502 Configuration device [2] = 503 Configuration device [3] = 504 Configuration device [4] = 505 Configuration device [5] = 506

Looking at the read information, the number of components is 5
Therefore, it can be seen that another component device is necessary. Further, since the pointer to the extended configuration information is not NULL, it can be seen that it has the extended configuration information. Then, the following extended configuration information is read. Method number = 5 (using RAID5) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

From the read extended configuration information, it can be seen that a RAID 5 disk array is realized by the five magnetic disk devices configured and the stripe size is 32768 bytes.

According to the configuration information from the magnetic disk device 502, in order for the magnetic disk device 502 to operate as a disk array, the remaining magnetic disk device 503 is required.
It can be appreciated that ~ 506 is needed. The configuration recognition means 21 similarly performs the magnetic disk devices 503 to 506.
The configuration information and the extended configuration information up to are read. In addition,
The configuration information and the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 must match.

Then, the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506
Are associated with the hybrid expansion board 401 by the configuration recognition means 21. That is, it is possible to recognize that the magnetic disk devices 502-506 are connected through the hybrid expansion board 401. Here, the configuration recognizing means 21 uses the magnetic disk devices 502-5.
The extension configuration information of 06 and the device information of the hybrid extension board 401 are compared. The magnetic disk devices 502-506 have a RAID5 disk array configuration.
Supports RAID5. Then, the hybrid expansion board 401 has a parity generation function and a data distribution / collection function of the unique control relating to the disk array. From the above comparison results, the configuration recognition means 21
In regard to the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506, of the control related to the disk array, the parity expansion function and the data distribution / collection function are processed by the hybrid expansion board 401 (hybrid control method). This allows
The processing load on the control program 20 is reduced. In addition, the parity generation processing and the data distribution / collection processing, which are performed by the software control method, are performed by the hardware on the hybrid expansion board, which improves the performance.
However, the control program 20 continues to process the data recovery function that is not supported by the hybrid expansion board 401.

The above processing is performed by the host computer 10
The number of disk control means 40 is repeated. Then, finally, the ID numbers, the configuration information, and the device information are read from all the external storage devices connected to the I / F board 30.

In the case of this example shown in FIG. 2, the I / F board 3
The magnetic disk device 501 is connected to 0, and the following configuration information is read. Extended configuration information = NULL Number of configured components = 1 Configuration device [1] = 501

From the read configuration information, it can be seen that the number of constituents is 1 and the constituent device is only itself. Further, since the pointer to the extended configuration information is NULL, it can be seen that the extended configuration information has no extended information.

By the above-mentioned method, the configuration recognition means 21
Are connected to the host computer 10 by six magnetic disk devices 50 (501 to 506), one (magnetic disk device 501) through the I / F board 30 as a single magnetic disk device and five (magnetic disk devices). Disk device 5
02 to 506) can be recognized as being used in the hybrid expansion board 401 as the RAID 5 disk array configuration. As a result, the control program 20
Controls the magnetic disk device 501 as an ordinary single magnetic disk device, and the magnetic disk device 5
For 02 to 506, control peculiar to the disk array is performed in the control program 20. However, regarding the parity generation function and the data distribution collection function of the hybrid expansion board 401, the hybrid expansion board 40
Leave processing to 1.

As described above, even if the disk array control means 40 is added and the configuration is changed, the configuration recognition means 2
1 can always grasp the connection status and configuration of the external storage device from the ID number and the configuration information.

By changing the software control system to the hybrid control system, the control program 20
Processing can be distributed to the disk array control means 40,
The performance is improved by the disk array control means 40 performing the processing conventionally performed by the software in the host computer 10.

Further, as described above, even if the software control system is changed to the hybrid control system, the control program 20 can always recognize the configuration of the external storage device, so that the initialization work for losing data such as format is performed. Becomes unnecessary, and the data in the external storage device is inherited,
The system configuration can be changed.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the system configuration shown in FIG.
It has a configuration in which one I / F board 30 is added. The data of the magnetic disk devices 501 to 506 is
Inherit as it is. In the system configuration of this embodiment, I /
One magnetic disk device is connected to each F board, and the transfer performance at the time of sequential access is improved as compared with the system configuration of FIG.

A method of recognizing the external storage device in the system configuration of this embodiment will be described. When the power is turned on and the system is started, the control software 20 in the host computer 10 is started. First, the configuration recognition means 21 in the control software 20 searches for what external storage device is connected to the host computer 10, so that the ID numbers and the configuration information are read from all the connected external storage devices. , Read device information.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic disk device 5
From 01, the following configuration information is read out with the ID number 501. Extended configuration information = NULL Number of configured components = 1 Configuration device [1] = 501

Further, in the magnetic disk devices 502-506, the following configuration information is read. Extended configuration information = Address where extended configuration information is stored Number of configured components = 5 Configuration device [1] = 502 Configuration device [2] = 503 Configuration device [3] = 504 Configuration device [4] = 505 Configuration device [5] = 506

Then, the following extended configuration information is read. Method number = 5 (using RAID5) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

Even if the configuration is changed by the read / recognition method described above, the configuration recognition means 21 connects the six magnetic disk devices 50 (501 to 506) to the host computer 10 by the ID number and the configuration information. Has been done, 1
5 units (magnetic disk devices 502 to 506) are used as a single magnetic disk device.
Can be recognized as being used as a RAID 5 disk array configuration. Therefore, even after the configuration change, the control program 20 does not operate on the magnetic disk device 501.
The control is performed as an ordinary single magnetic disk device, and the control peculiar to the disk array can be performed within the control program 20 for the magnetic disk devices 502-506.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The system configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG.
0, the hybrid expansion board 402 and the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 are connected. The hybrid expansion board 402 connects to the expansion slot 16 of the host computer 10. In addition, the magnetic disk device 51
1 to 514 are connected to the hybrid expansion board 402.

Here, in FIG. 4, the configuration information of the connected magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 is initialized as follows. Extended configuration information = Address where extended configuration information is stored Number of configured components = 4 Configuration device [1] = 511 Configuration device [2] = 512 Configuration device [3] = 513 Configuration device [4] = 514

The extended configuration information is initialized as follows. Method number = 0 (RAID 0 is used) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

A method of recognizing the external storage device in the system configuration of this embodiment will be described. When the power is turned on and the system is started, the control software 20 in the host computer 10 is started. First, the configuration recognition means 21 in the control software 20 determines which external storage device and
In order to search whether the disk array control means 40 is connected, the ID numbers and device information are read from all the connected disk array control means 40, and all the connected external storage devices are read. The ID number, the configuration information, and the device information are read from.

First, the configuration recognition means 21 searches for the disk array control means connected to the host computer 10. In the case of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4, since the hybrid expansion board 402 is connected, the ID number and device information are read from the hybrid expansion board 402. Here, it is assumed that the ID number is 402 and the following device information is read. Parity generation function = TRUE data distribution / collection function = TRUE data recovery function = FALSE RAID0 support = TRUE RAID1 support = FALSE RAID2 support = FALSE RAID3 support = FALSE RAID4 support = TRUE RAID5 support = TRUE

Looking at the read device information, in the disk array control means 40 (hybrid expansion board 402) having a parity generation function and a data distribution / aggregation function,
It can be recognized that RAID0, RAID4, and RAID5 are supported.

Next, the configuration recognition means 21 starts recognition of all external storage devices connected to the disk array control device. In the case of this embodiment, four magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 are connected to the hybrid expansion board 402. The configuration recognition means 21 first reads the configuration of the magnetic disk device 511. Extended configuration information = Address where extended configuration information is stored Number of configured components = 4 Configuration device [1] = 511 Configuration device [2] = 512 Configuration device [3] = 513 Configuration device [4] = 514

From the read configuration information, it can be seen that the number of components is 4, and another component device is required. Further, since the pointer to the extended configuration information is not NULL, it can be seen that it has the extended configuration information. And
The following extended configuration information is read. Method number = 0 (RAID 0 is used) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

From the read extended configuration information, it can be seen that the four magnetic disk devices configured realize the RAID0 disk array and the stripe size is 32768 bytes.

According to the configuration information from the magnetic disk device 511, in order for the magnetic disk device 511 to operate as a disk array, the remaining three magnetic disk devices 51 are required.
It can be appreciated that 2-514 are needed. The configuration recognition means 21 similarly performs the magnetic disk devices 512 to 51.
4, the configuration information and the extended configuration information are read out. The configuration information and the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 must match. Then, the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 are associated with the hybrid expansion board 402 by the configuration recognition means 21. That is,
It is possible to recognize that the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 are connected through the hybrid expansion board 402. Here, the configuration recognition unit 21 compares the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 with the device information of the hybrid extension board 402. RAI is performed by the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514.
It has a disk array configuration of D0, and the hybrid expansion board 402 supports RAID0.
Then, the hybrid expansion board 402 has a parity generation function and a data distribution / collection function of the unique control relating to the disk array. From the above comparison results,
The configuration recognizing means 21 includes magnetic disk devices 511 to 514.
Regarding the disk array control, the data distribution / collection function is left to the hybrid expansion board 402 (parity generation function is not necessary in RAID 0). As a result, the processing load on the control program 20 is reduced.

[Addition of External Storage Device] From the system configuration shown in FIG. 4, a user who uses this system newly adds a magnetic disk device 515 and a magneto-optical disk device 5.
Consider connecting 16. The added system configuration is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
15, and the magneto-optical disk 516 are connected to the hybrid expansion board 402 by daisy chain connection.

When the system is started in this state, the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 are recognized and the disk array configuration of RAID0 is maintained as usual. But,
When the configuration information of the magnetic disk device 515 is read, NULL is read from the configuration information, so it can be recognized that an uninitialized external storage device is connected.

Therefore, the configuration recognizing means 21, for example, is shown in FIG.
A dialog as shown in (1) is opened (an interactive screen is displayed), and the user is asked the purpose of the newly connected magnetic disk device 515.

When a single disk is selected as the usage of the magnetic disk device 515, the configuration information of the magnetic disk device 515 is initialized as follows. Extended configuration information = NULL Number of configured components = 1 Component device [1] = 515

Further, the magnetic disk device 515 is constituted by the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514, and the RAI
When used as a parity disk for the D0 disk array, it depends on RAID4 and RAID5. First, in the case of RAID4, the magnetic disk device 5 is used.
The 15 pieces of configuration information are initialized as follows. Also, the configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 is updated in the same manner. Extended configuration information = Address where extended configuration information is stored Number of configured components = 5 Configuration device [1] = 511 Configuration device [2] = 512 Configuration device [3] = 513 Configuration device [4] = 514 Configuration device [5] = 515

Then, the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk device 515 is also initialized as follows. Of course, the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 is similarly updated. Method number = 4 (using RAID4) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

At the same time as the above-mentioned initialization of the configuration information, the magnetic disk device 515 is connected to the magnetic disk device 51.
The parity data of 1 to 514 are stored.

Next, in the case of RAID 5, the configuration information of the magnetic disk device 515 is initialized as follows. Of course, the configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 is similarly updated. Extended configuration information = Address where extended configuration information is stored Number of configured components = 5 Configuration device [1] = 511 Configuration device [2] = 512 Configuration device [3] = 513 Configuration device [4] = 514 Configuration device [5] = 515

Then, the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk device 515 is also initialized as follows. Of course, the extended configuration information of the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514 is similarly updated. Method number = 5 (using RAID5) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

Then, together with the initialization of the above-mentioned configuration information, the magnetic disk device 515 is loaded into the magnetic disk device 51.
The parity data of 1 to 514 are stored. RA
In the case of ID5, it is necessary to rearrange already recorded data.

"Processing of magneto-optical disk" When the recognition processing is further continued, the configuration recognizing means 21 detects the magneto-optical disk 51.
It can be recognized that 6 is connected to the hybrid expansion board 402. The configuration recognition unit 21 associates the magneto-optical disk device 516 with the hybrid expansion board 402, and the control of the magneto-optical disk device 516 is performed within the control program 20. As a result, it is possible to control an external storage device other than the external storage device constituting the disk array, which is connected to the disk array control means 40.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computer system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The system configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is a configuration in which the magneto-optical disk devices 521 to 525 are connected to the host computer 10. The magneto-optical disk devices 521 to 525 have I
/ Connect to F board 30. Further, in the magneto-optical disk devices 521 to 525, the ID number and the configuration information are held for each recording medium.

Here, one recording medium (with an ID number of 531 is attached to one of the magneto-optical disk devices connected in FIG. 7).
Suppose you have mounted it. The configuration recognition means 21 reads the ID number and the configuration information from the recording medium. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the following configuration information is read. Extended configuration information = address where extended configuration information is stored Number of components = 5 Configuration device [1] = 531 Configuration device [2] = 532 Configuration device [3] = 533 Configuration device [4] = 534 Configuration device [5] = 535

Further, the following extended configuration information is also read out. Method number = 5 (using RAID5) Stripe size = 32768 Status = 0 (0: normal)

From the read configuration information, it is understood that a RAID5 disk array is realized with five recording media and the stripe size is 32768 bytes.

From the configuration information from the recording medium 531, it can be recognized that the remaining four recording media 532 to 535 are necessary for the recording medium 531 to operate as a disk array. The configuration recognition means 21 searches the connected magneto-optical disk devices 521 to 525 to check whether the remaining recording media 532 to 535 are mounted. If it is mounted, continue processing. If it is not mounted, a dialog as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed to prompt the user to mount the remaining recording medium.

When it is confirmed that all the recording media are mounted, the control program 20 causes the recording media 531 to
The data recorded at 535 can be accessed.

<Fifth Embodiment> FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a computer system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the system configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, the response time measuring means 90 in the control software 20 and the cache 91 in the main memory 13,
92 is newly provided. The cache has the effect of improving the response time of the external storage device. The data of the magnetic disk devices 501 to 506 is inherited as it is.

In the configuration of this embodiment, the configuration recognition means 2
0 performs the recognition process as shown in the first embodiment. By the recognition processing, the host computer 10 is
One magnetic disk device is connected to one magnetic disk device 501.
The base (magnetic disk devices 502-506) is RAID5
Can be recognized as being used as a disk array configuration.

The response time measuring means 90 provided in this embodiment measures the response time for each external storage device and the number of requested processes. The cache 91 provided in the main memory 13 is assigned to the magnetic disk device 501, and the cache 92 is assigned to the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 having a disk array configuration.

In the system configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG. 9,
Magnetic disk devices 502-5 having a disk array configuration
06 and a single magnetic disk device 501 are combined into one I / F.
It is connected to the board 30. For this reason, if the processing concentrates on the magnetic disk devices 502 to 506 having the disk array configuration, it is expected that the response time of the single magnetic disk device 501 deteriorates.

The response time measuring means 90 constantly measures the response time of each magnetic disk device. If the response time is worse than the average value of each magnetic disk device, the response time is calculated based on the ID number. If a cache is provided on the main memory 13 for a bad magnetic disk device, or if the main memory 13 already has a cache, the capacity of the cache is increased. Further, the response time measuring means 90 also counts the number of processing requests for each magnetic disk device, and for a magnetic disk device with few requests,
It also abandons the cache on the main memory 13 or reduces the cache capacity.

For example, in the system configuration shown in FIG. 9, when the response time to the single disk device 501 is worse than that of the magnetic disk devices 502-506 having the disk array configuration, the control program 20 is assigned to the magnetic disk device 501. The capacity of the stored cache 91 is increased. In addition, the magnetic disk device 50
When the processing request for 1 is small, the cache 9
Discard 1 or reduce capacity.

In the configuration using the cache, the device information stored in the device information holding means 55 is changed as follows.

In other words, the cache capacity element is added to the device information to hold the cache capacity required by each external storage device. The control program 20 provides a cache in the main memory 13 in the host computer 10 based on the cache capacity in the device information read from each external storage device. This cache capacity element is updated as necessary.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the response time and the cache can be managed for each external storage device (ID number), the performance of the external storage device can be maximized according to the usage status. Automatic changes to the system can be made to withdraw.

<Sixth Embodiment> FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computer system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
In the system configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG. 0, in the system configuration of FIG. 5 described above, the response time measuring means 90 is provided in the control software 20, and the cache 9 is provided in the main memory 13.
3, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 are newly provided. The cache has the effect of improving the response time of the external storage device. The data of the magnetic disk devices 511 to 515 is inherited as it is.

Here, the magnetic disk devices 511 to 514
Was initially used in a RAID 0 disk array configuration. With the addition of the magnetic disk device 515, it is used as a disk array configuration of RAID4. Therefore, the magnetic disk device 515 is used as a parity disk.

The response time measuring means 90 provided in this embodiment measures the response time for each external storage device and the number of requested processes. The caches 93 to 98 provided in the main memory 13 correspond one-to-one to the magnetic disk devices 511 to 516, respectively.

It is well known that in the RAID4 disk array configuration, processing requests concentrate on the magnetic disk device storing the parity. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 9, processing requests may concentrate on the magnetic disk device 515 (parity disk drive).

In the present embodiment, the response time measuring means 50 always measures the response time of each magnetic disk device and the number of requested processes, and the magnetic disk device 515, such as a parity disk, where processing is concentrated, is performed. The cash 97
To increase the capacity of.

As described above, in this embodiment, there are many processing requests, not as a parity disk.
Alternatively, a cache is assigned to a magnetic disk device having a poor response time. Therefore, when only a read request is issued to the magnetic disk devices 511 to 515 having the RAID4 disk array configuration, a processing request is not issued to the magnetic disk device 515, so that the control program 20 sets the capacity of the cache 97. Can be reduced or abandoned. As described above, in the present embodiment, the response time for each external storage device (ID number),
Also, since the cache can be managed, the system can be automatically changed to maximize the performance of the external storage device in accordance with the usage status.

[0126]

As described above, according to the present invention, by recognizing the configuration of the external storage device, the host computer can read the configuration of the connected external storage device from the external storage device itself. The purpose of use of the external storage device can also be read from the external storage device itself.

Therefore, even if software control is switched to hybrid control or hardware control,
The control program can recognize all external storage devices connected to the host computer. Further, the processing can be distributed to the disk array control means according to the purpose of use of the external storage device. Furthermore, even if software control, hybrid control, and hardware control are mixed in the system, the control program can always correctly recognize the external storage device and its configuration.

Further, according to the present invention, since the ID number, the configuration information, and the device information are provided in the external storage device or for each recording medium, the control program is configured by the configuration recognition means even if the system configuration is changed. By recognizing, the data in the external storage device is inherited.

Furthermore, by combining the response time measuring means, the cache, and the ID number, the cache can be managed for each external storage device. As a result, a cache having a capacity required by the external storage device is provided in the main memory of the host computer, and the cache operation / non-operation and the capacity can be performed according to the response time of the external storage device and the number of processing requests to the external storage device. By changing, the system configuration can be automatically changed to maximize the performance of the system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a computer system showing a state in which the configuration of FIG. 1 is changed to a configuration in which a hybrid expansion board is added.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a configuration diagram of a computer system showing a state in which the configuration of FIG. 4 is changed to a configuration in which a magnetic disk device and a magneto-optical disk device are added.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog for requesting the purpose of use of the disc, which is displayed in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog requesting insertion of a related recording medium displayed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Host Computer 11 CPU 12 Chipset 13 Main Memory 14 CPU Bus 15 Expansion Bus 16 Expansion Slot 20 Control Software 21 Configuration Recognition Means 30 I / F Board 31 Expansion Bus Connection Connector 32 External Bus Connection Connector 40 Disk Array Control Means 41 Expansion Bus connection connector 42 External bus connection connector 43 ID number holding means 44 Device information holding means 49 Hybrid control means 50 Magnetic disk device 51 External bus connection connector 52 Storage means 53 ID number holding means 54 Configuration information holding means 55 Device information holding means 60 Cable 90 Response time measuring means 91-98 Cash

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Taka Oeda 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Kanagawa Systems Development Laboratory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a system configuration in which a plurality of external storage devices are connected to a host computer for use, an ID number holding means for storing an identification number unique to the external storage device in each of the external storage devices, and a system. The external storage device is provided with a configuration information holding means for storing the association of the external storage device in the computer and the role of the external storage device in the system, and a device information holding means for storing the unique information of the external storage device. On the host computer of the system, a configuration recognition means is provided in a control program for controlling the external storage device, and in the processing step in which the host computer recognizes the external storage device, first, the host The configuration recognition means provided in the control program in the computer, all the connected to the host computer Information stored in the ID number holding means, the configuration information holding means, and the device information holding means is acquired from the external storage device,
A method of controlling a collective file device, wherein the host computer controls the external storage device according to the acquired contents of each holding means. 2. A plurality of external storage devices are connected to a host computer for use, and n (n is an integer of 2 or more) external storage devices among the external storage devices are logically integrated into one external storage device. In a system configuration that employs a disk array system that is used as a storage device, an ID that stores an identification number unique to the external storage device in each of the n external storage devices that make up the disk array.
Number holding means, configuration information holding means for storing the association of the external storage device in the system and the role of the external storage device in the system, and device information holding means for storing the unique information of the external storage device are provided. On a host computer using a disk array, a configuration recognition means is provided in a control program for controlling the disk array, and in the processing step in which the host computer recognizes the disk array, first, The configuration recognition means provided in the control program causes the ID number holding means, the configuration information holding means, and the device information holding means from the n external storage devices that construct the disk array connected to the host computer. And the information stored in Accordingly the control from the host computer of the external storage device, and a control method of the aggregated file system and performs specific control to the disk array. 3. A plurality of external storage devices are connected to a host computer for use, and n (n is an integer of 2 or more) external storage devices among the external storage devices are logically used as one logical storage device. In a system configuration that employs a disk array system that is used as a storage device, when connecting the host computer and the n external storage devices that construct the disk array, m host computers and the disk array are configured. A disk array control means for assisting connection between both devices is provided between the external storage device (m is an integer of 1 or more and n or less),
The disk array control means is provided with an ID number holding means for storing a unique identification number of the disk array control means and a board information holding means for storing the function of the disk array control means. In each of the n external storage devices to be constructed, an identification number unique to the external storage device is stored.
D number holding means, configuration information holding means for storing the association of the external storage device in the system and the role of the external storage device in the system, and device information holding means for storing the unique information of the external storage device are provided. On a host computer that uses the disk array, a configuration recognition unit is provided in a control program that controls the disk array, and in the processing step in which the host computer recognizes the external storage device, first, the host computer The configuration recognizing means provided in the control program within the disk array controlling means acquires the information stored in the ID number holding means and the board information holding means, and then the configuration recognizing means, From the n external storage devices connected to the disk array control means, the ID Information holding means, the configuration information holding means, and the device information holding means, and acquires the information stored in the device information holding means, and controls the external storage device from the host computer according to the contents of the respective holding means thus acquired, and the disk. A control method for an aggregate type file device characterized by performing array-specific control. 4. The control program of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control program of the host computer is provided with response time measuring means for measuring a processing time (response time) and a requested number of processings in an external storage device. Data holding means (cache) is provided in the main memory in the host computer, and the operation / non-operation of the data holding means is changed based on the processing time (response time) measurement result of the response time measuring means,
Alternatively, the control method of the collective file device is characterized in that the capacity of the data holding means is changed.