JPH08153048A - Storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the working time for exchanging a memory card which is caused by insertion and pulling-out the memory card in a live-line state. CONSTITUTION: An insertion detection part 7 detects the insertion of a memory card for exchange 10, a start-up part 8 starts the initialization, the test and the copy of the memory card for exchange 10 and the check of copied data, a live-line insertion and pulling-out control part 2 controls the initialization, the test and the copy of the memory card for exchange 10 and the check of copied data, and a data comparing part 11 compares copied data and data of a copy source. At the time of detecting an error, error information is registered in an error register and copy is stopped by an inhibiting part 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage device for exchanging a memory card by hot-swap, and more particularly to initialization, testing and data copy processing of the memory card at the time of exchanging.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a storage device having a hot-swap means, initialization and testing when replacing a memory card are
The processor was started and executed manually or by insertion detection / starting means. Further, in a storage device having a hot-swap means and an error detection and correction (ECC) circuit, if a 1-bit error occurs frequently, the memory card must be replaced in order to prevent a 2-bit error even if it can be corrected. However, since the 1-bit error can be corrected, the data is valid and it is necessary to save the data when replacing the memory card. Conventionally, when the memory card is replaced, data copying work is manually started and executed using a processor.

[0003]

In the conventional storage device described above, when a memory card is replaced by hot-plugging and unplugging, operations such as saving data and restoring data after replacement are manually started and executed using a processor. However, there is a problem in that it takes a lot of man-hours, it takes a long time to replace it, and the processor is burdened.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to automatically perform replacement memory card initialization, test, and data copy processing at the time of hot-swapping, without human intervention and without burdening the processor. The memory card initialization, test, copy, and data check are performed to shorten the maintenance and replacement work time and reduce the load on the processor.

Therefore, the storage device of the present invention is a storage device having error detection and correction (ECC) means for performing error detection and correction of data read from a memory card, and hot-swapping means for the memory card, which is a replacement. Insertion detecting means for detecting insertion of the memory card, starting means for starting initialization and testing of the replacement memory card detected by the insertion detecting means, and initialization for starting the replacement memory card by the starting means And the first control means for executing the test and the data for writing to the replacement memory card and the data for reading from the replacement memory card are compared when the test of the replacement memory card is executed by the first control means, and they match or do not match It is characterized in that it has a comparison means for judging

The storage device of the present invention is provided with an error detection correction (E
CC) means for holding a 1-bit error detection result detected by the means, and a case where there is no error after initialization and testing of the replacement memory card by the first control means, or the first error register When there is a 1-bit error, the activation means has a second control means for activating the copy process and copying the data from the memory card in which the error has occurred to the replacement memory card.

The memory device of the present invention is provided with an error detection correction (E
CC) means that an uncorrectable error is present in the second error register that holds the result of uncorrectable error detection by the means and the second error register after the initialization and testing of the memory card by the first control means. And a suppression unit that suppresses the activation of copy processing by the control unit.

In the storage device of the present invention, after the copy processing by the second control means is completed, the data copied to the replacement memory card is read out and the error detection and correction (ECC) means checks the error of the second error register. And third control means for confirming the normality of the copied data from the value and the comparison result of the read data from the copy source memory card and the read data from the replacement memory card in the comparing means. It is characterized by that.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a storage device of the present invention.

At the time of normal read (hereinafter referred to as read) / write (hereinafter referred to as write), the processor outputs a request command, an address, and data,
Storage device is request command (REQ) input 10
1, address (ADR) input 102, data (DAT
A) Each signal is input from the input / output 103, and the main controller 1, the address controller 4, and the data controller 5 receive the respective signals. The main control unit 1 controls the timing control unit 3, the address control unit 4, and the data control unit 5 to perform read / write on the memory card via the signal lines of the timing signal 201, the address signal 202, and the data signal 203. Run. The data control circuit 5 has an ECC circuit and detects and corrects a 1-bit error and an uncorrectable error.
If the data control unit 5 detects a 1-bit error or an uncorrectable error when the processor reads data from the memory card 9, the data control unit 5 outputs the error detection result and error information (address at the time of error detection). Set in the error register 6.

When a 1-bit error occurs due to frequent occurrence of soft errors or a fixed failure, if left unattended, if an intermittent failure such as a soft error or a fixed failure occurs in another portion of the same data word, it is impossible to correct (multiple (Bit) error occurs and the data cannot be used, so it is necessary to replace the memory card 9. When replacing the memory card 9 by hot-plugging, the maintenance worker first inserts the replacement memory card 10 into an empty or spare slot of the memory card.
When the replacement memory card 10 is inserted, the insertion detection signal 2
04 becomes valid, the insertion detection unit 7 detects the insertion, and notifies the activation unit 8 of the insertion detection. Upon receiving the notification, the activation unit 8 outputs an initialization activation signal 301 to the hot-swap controller 2.

Upon receiving the activation signal 301, the hot-swap controller 2 initializes the main controller 1, the address controller 4, and the data controller 5 (ALL to the replacement memory card 10).
Request command for “0” data write),
The address and the data are output respectively, and the replacement memory card 10 is initialized (cleared to all zeros, etc.).
Here, when the data control unit 5 detects invalid write data (parity error, check bit generation failure, etc.), the data control unit 5 sets the detection result and error information in the error register 6. The hot-swap controller 2 notifies the start-up unit 8 with an end signal 305 that the initialization has been completed. Starting part 8
Outputs a test start signal 302 to the hot-swap controller 2.

Upon receiving the activation signal 302, the hot-swap controller 2 tests the main controller 1, the address controller 4, the data controller 5 and the data comparator 11 (specific data for the replacement memory card 10). The request command for write, read and compare of read / write read data, address, write data, and expected value data are respectively output, and the test of the replacement memory card 10 is executed. Here, when the data control unit 5 detects an invalid write data at the time of writing or a 1-bit error correction or an uncorrectable error at the time of reading, the data control unit 5 sets the detection result and error information in the error register 6. When the data comparison unit 11 detects a data mismatch in the comparison between the expected value data and the read data, the data comparison unit 11 causes the error register 6 to detect the mismatch detection result and the error information (the expected value data and the read data, or one of them). Set the bit position information that was not processed, the address when the error was detected, etc.). The hot-swap controller 2 notifies the start-up unit 8 with the end signal 305 that the test is completed. Upon completion of the initialization and the test, the starting unit 8 refers to the error register 6 and outputs a start signal 303 for the copy process to the hot-swap controller 2 if no uncorrectable error has occurred.

Upon receiving the activation signal 303, the hot-swap controller 2 performs copying (reading from the memory card 9 and writing to the replacement memory card 10) to the main controller 1 and the address controller 4. The request command and the address are output, and the data is copied from the memory card 9 to the replacement memory card 10. here,
When the data control unit 5 detects an uncorrectable error when reading from the memory card 9, the data control unit 5 sets the detection result and error information in the error register 6. When the error result is set in the error register 6, the inhibiting unit 12 outputs a control signal to the starting unit 8 to inhibit the copy process. When the copy process ends normally, the hot-swap controller 2
Outputs the end signal 305 to the starting unit 8. The activation unit 8 sends a data check activation signal 30 to the hot-swap controller 2.
4 is output.

Upon receiving the activation signal 304, the hot-swap controller 2 collates the copied data. First, in order to collate the data in the memory card 9 with the data copied in the replacement memory card 10, the main controller 1, the address controller 4 are requested to read from the memory card 9, and the address Respectively, read from the memory card 10 and check for errors, and input the read data to the data comparison unit 11. Similarly, the replacement memory card 10 is read and the read data is input to the data comparison unit 11. When the two pieces of data are prepared in the data comparison unit 11, the hot-swap controller 2 instructs the data comparison unit 11 to compare the data and tests the normality of the data. When an error is detected by the data control unit 5 at the time of reading or a data mismatch is detected by the data comparison unit 11,
The data control unit 5 or the data comparison unit 11 sets the error detection result and the error information in the error register 6.

When the data check ends normally, the hot-swap controller 2 refers to the error register 6, and if there is no error, outputs it to the processor via the end signal output 104 to report the success of copying. This allows the processor to recognize that the memory card 9 has been replaced by the replacement memory card 10. In addition, the hot-swap controller 2
Displays the normal end of copying or an error by LED or the like, and the maintenance replacement worker can use the memory card 9 by this display.
Is removed to complete the replacement of the memory card by hot-swapping, or the replacement of the replacement memory card 10 is performed.

[0018]

As described above, the storage device of the present invention has the insertion detecting means for detecting the insertion of the replacement memory card and the activation for starting the initialization, test and data copy processing of the replacement memory card. Means, an error register for holding the error detection result, initialization of the replacement memory card,
By having a control means for executing the test and the data copy processing, a data comparison means for confirming the normality of the copied data, and a suppressing means for suppressing the copy processing at the time of detecting an uncorrectable error, a human or a processor is provided. Memory card initialization, test copy, and data check can be executed automatically without intervention, and the work performed by the maintenance person when the memory card is replaced by hot-plugging is indicated by the memory card insertion and copy success indication. Only the confirmation and the removal of the faulty memory card are performed, and the work time for maintenance and replacement can be shortened, and at the same time, the burden on the processor can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a storage device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 main control unit 2 hot-swap control unit 3 timing control unit 4 address control unit 5 data control unit 6 error register 7 insertion detection unit 8 startup unit 9 memory card 10 replacement memory card 11 data comparison unit 12 suppression unit 101 request Command input 102 Address input 103 Data input / output 104 End signal output 201 Timing signal 202 Address signal 203 Data signal 204 Insertion detection signal 301-304 Start signal 305 End signal

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location G06K 17/00 Y

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage device having error detection and correction (ECC) means for detecting and correcting data read from a memory card, and hot-swapping means for the memory card, detecting insertion of a replacement memory card. Insertion detecting means, starting means for starting the initialization and testing of the replacement memory card detected by the insertion detecting means, and initialization and testing started for the replacement memory card by the starting means. When the test of the replacement memory card by the first control means to be executed is executed by the first control means, the write data to the replacement memory card and the read data from the replacement memory card are compared and matched. A storage device comprising: a comparison unit that determines a mismatch. 2. A first error register holding a 1-bit error detection result detected by the error detection and correction (ECC) means, and initialization and testing of a replacement memory card by the first control means are completed. If there is no subsequent error or if a 1-bit error has been set in the first error register, the starting means starts the copy process and copies data from the memory card in which the error has occurred to the replacement memory card. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. A second error register for holding an uncorrectable error detection result by the error detection and correction (ECC) means, and a second error after initialization and testing of the memory card by the first control means. 3. The storage device according to claim 2, further comprising: a suppression unit that suppresses the activation of the copy process by the second control unit when an uncorrectable error has occurred in the register. 4. The value of the second error register obtained by reading the data copied to the replacement memory card after completion of the copy processing by the second control means and checking the error by the error detection and correction (ECC) means, And third control means for confirming the normality of the copied data from the comparison result of the read data from the copy source memory card and the read data from the replacement memory card in the comparison means. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein: