JPH09128160A - Data controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processor capable of logically determining a data access part to which data in a shared memory are to be saved and easily knowing which data access part practically saves the data. SOLUTION: A service adaptor(SA) 4 in each data access part checks the power supply state of a main power supply 7 in the other group at the time of disconnecting a main power supply 7 in its own group. At the time of judging the disconnected state of the main power supply 7 in the other group, data in the shared memory 1 are saved to a built-in disk 5. At the time of judging the connected state of the main power supply 7 in the other group, data are not saved. When data are saved in the disk 5 in its own group, the SA 4 records a message indicating the save of the data in the memory 1 to the disk 5 of the group itself in a nonvolatile memory 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data control device for writing / reading data to / from a shared volatile memory by a plurality of data access devices.
In particular, the present invention relates to a data control device for saving the data in the volatile memory to a disk device when the power supply to the volatile memory is cut off.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic disk control device (data control device) has been put into practical use for performing data access to a plurality of magnetic disk devices by a plurality of host computers. FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of this magnetic disk control device. In FIG. 6, the magnetic disk control device includes
A single shared memory 100 consisting of volatile memory, and
A battery 101 that supplies backup power to the shared memory 100 is provided. The shared memory 100 can be accessed from the data access units provided in two groups for improving reliability. Each data access unit has its own shared memory 10
0, a channel adapter (CA) 102, a device adapter (DA) 10 connected via a common bus B
3, and the service adapter (SA) 104, and
It has an internal disk 105 connected to this service adapter (SA) 104.

A channel adapter (CA) 102 is connected to a host computer, and a device adapter (DA) 103 is a direct access storage device (DASD) which is a magnetic disk device.
connected to e). In addition, the service adapter (S
The internal disk 105 is connected to A) 104.

The shared memory 100 functions as a cache memory when writing data from the host computer connected to the magnetic disk control device to the magnetic disk device. Further, in the shared memory 100, a history management table showing a history of data writing and data writing, and other unique data used in the device are stored.
Will be retained.

The shared memory 100 receives a power supply voltage from the main power supply of the magnetic disk drive during normal use, but receives a backup power supply from the battery 101 when the main power supply is cut off. Then, the data in the shared memory 100 is directly accessed by the device adapter (DA) 103.
D).

[0006]

As described above, when the main power supply is cut off, the data in the shared memory 100 is shared by the shared memory 1.
00, but the data access part is
With the group configuration, it is not possible to determine which group of data access units should save the data. Also, because there is no law to determine the data access part of the data save destination, at the time of data restoration,
It cannot be known to which data access section the data is saved. As a result, there is a problem that it takes time to find the data saved when the power is restored.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when adopting a configuration including a plurality of groups of data access units for accessing a volatile shared memory, the data in the shared memory should be saved. An object of the present invention is to provide a data control device that can logically determine a data access unit and easily know which data access unit actually saved data.

[0008]

That is, the data control device according to the present invention adopts the configuration shown in the principle diagram of FIG. 1 in order to solve the above problems. That is, the data control device according to claim 1 has a volatile memory (200) and a non-volatile memory (201), and the volatile memory (2).
00) is a data controller having a plurality of data access units (202) for writing and reading data, and each of the data access units (202) has a disk device (203) and the volatile unit. Sex memory (2
00) to supply power, a monitoring means (205) for monitoring the state of the power supply of the other data access unit (202), and its own data access unit (20).
When the power is cut off in 2), the monitoring means (20
When it is determined by 5) that the power supply of the other data access unit (202) is in the power-off state, a saving unit (save means) for saving the data in the volatile memory (200) to the disk device (203). 206) and that the data in the volatile memory (200) has been saved in the disk device (203) of its own data access unit (202) when the save is performed by the save means (206). A recording means (207) for recording a display in the non-volatile memory (201) is provided. The data control device may be a magnetic disk control device. The volatile memory (200) is a RAM or the like that may be used as a cache memory. The disk device (203) is a hard disk, a silicon disk,
Any data storage device, such as a floppy disk or a magneto-optical disk, can be used as long as it can hold data without requiring a backup by a power source. Non-volatile memory (20
1) is an EEPROM (EPRO) such as a flash memory.
M) can be used.

According to another aspect of the data control device of the present invention, the saving means (206) of each data access section (202) is provided by the monitoring means (205) when the power of its own data access section (202) is cut off. The monitoring result of the power supply state of the data access unit (202) is checked.
Then, when the monitoring means (205) determines that the other data access unit (202) is powered off, the data in the volatile memory (200) is saved to the disk device (203). On the other hand, monitoring means (20
If it is determined by 5) that the power supply of the other data access unit (202) is not in the power-off state, the data is not saved. As described above, which data access unit (202) the disk device (203) should save the data in the volatile memory (200) to at the time of power-off depends on the power supply in the other data access unit (202). It is uniquely determined by the state of. Also, the evacuation means (206)
When the evacuation is performed by the recording means (207)
Records in the nonvolatile memory (201) an indication that the data in the volatile memory (200) has been saved in the disk device (203) of its own data access unit (202). Therefore, even when the data is redistributed in the volatile memory (200), the data access unit (2
It is possible to immediately know whether the data has been saved in the disk device (203) of No. 02), and it is possible to develop the data quickly and accurately.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in each data access unit of the first aspect, the contents recorded in the non-volatile memory at the time of turning on the power source by the power source unit of its own data access unit. Reading means for reading
When the reading means reads the display indicating that the data in the volatile memory has been saved in the disk device of its own data access unit, the data saved in the disk device is volatile. It is specified by further including a developing means for expanding in the memory. By doing so, the reading unit can know which data access unit the disk device is saving the data based on the memo written in the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, the data can be easily expanded by the expansion means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data control apparatus according to the first aspect, which is from the time when the power supplies of both data access units are turned off until the saving of the data to the disk device is completed. The battery is specified by further including a battery that supplies backup power to the volatile memory. With this configuration, the data in the volatile memory can be retained without being volatilized even during the period when the power supply by the power supply unit is uncertain.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the data control device starts supplying the backup power to the volatile memory at the time when the data saved in the disk device according to the second aspect is completely developed in the volatile memory. It is specified by further including a battery for stopping the supply of the backup power to the volatile memory when the saving of the data in the disk device is completed. In this way, the data in the volatile memory can be retained without being volatilized even during the period when the power supply by the power supply unit is uncertain, and the risk of data volatilization is eliminated because the data is saved. It is possible to omit useless power supply at the time.

The data control device according to a fifth aspect is specified because the data in the volatile memory saved in the disk device according to the fifth aspect is unique data used in the device.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Circuit Configuration of Magnetic Disk Controller (Data Controller)> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the magnetic disk controller (data controller) according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the magnetic disk control device is provided with a single shared memory 1, which is a volatile memory, a battery 6, which supplies backup power to the shared memory 1, and a single non-volatile memory 9. And the shared memory 1 is
The data access units provided in two groups can improve access to the reliability. In FIG. 2, the group shown in the upper part of the figure is designated as GROUP0, and the group shown in the lower part of the figure is designated as GROUP1.

Each data access unit is connected to the shared memory 1 via a common bus B, a channel adapter (CA) 2, a device adapter (DA) 3, and, respectively.
It has a service adapter (SA) 4, a built-in disk (hard disk) 5 connected to the service adapter (SA) 4, a main power supply 7, and a controller 8 for controlling the battery 6.

The channel adapter (CA) 2 is a functional module equipped with a microprocessor inside,
Data is exchanged with a host computer (HOST) connected to this magnetic disk control device. When there are a plurality of host computers (HOST) connected to the magnetic disk control device, a plurality of channel adapters (CA) 2 are provided corresponding to each host computer (HOST).

The device adapter (DA) 3 is also a functional module having a microprocessor therein,
Direct access storage device (DASD: Direct Acc) which is a magnetic disk device connected to the magnetic disk control device.
ess storage device). This device adapter (DA) also has a plurality of direct access storage devices (DASD) connected to the magnetic disk control device, and each direct access storage device (DAS).
A plurality is provided corresponding to D).

The service adapter (SA) 4 as a monitoring means, a saving means, a reading means, and a recording means is a functional module containing a microprocessor for managing the operation of each data access unit as a whole. The service adapter (SA) 4 executes necessary processing when the main power supply 7 of its own group is powered on or off. An internal disk 5, which is a hard disk, is connected to the service adapter (SA) 4.

Built-in disk 5 as this disk device
Stores a program executed by the microprocessor in the channel adapter (CA) 2 and the device adapter (DA) 3, and also in the shared memory 1 when the main power supply 7 is powered off. The unique data (history management table (differential backup bitmap)) is saved.

The shared memory 1, which is a volatile memory, functions as a cache memory when data is written from the host computer (HOST) connected to the magnetic disk controller to the direct access storage device (DASD). That is, the data from the host computer (HOST) is once written and held in the shared memory 1 by the channel adapter (CA) 2. Then, while being held in the shared memory 1, the host computer (H
When there is a request to read this data from OST), this data is read directly from this shared memory 1. Further, when the storage capacity of the shared memory 1 becomes full, the data written first is written to the direct access storage device (DASD) of the writing destination. The shared memory 1 also holds a history management table (difference backup bitmap) indicating the history of data writing and data writing, and other unique data used in the device.

The main power supply 7 as a power supply unit supplies power for driving the data access unit of its own group. A state in which power is supplied to the data access unit is a "power on" state, and a state in which power is not supplied to the data access unit is a "power off" state. Main power supply 7
In the "power-on" state, supplies the data holding power to the shared memory 1 and charges the battery 6.

The battery 6 is a "power off" of the main power source 7.
At the time, especially when the main power supply 7 is abnormally cut off, the backup power for holding data is supplied to the shared memory 1. Whether or not the battery 6 supplies backup power to the shared memory 1 is controlled by the controller 8.

The controller 8 is connected to the service adapter (SA) 4 of its own group by the signal line (a). Then, it constantly monitors whether or not the main power supply 7 of its own group is in the power-on state, and notifies the service adapter (SA) 4 of the monitoring result. Further, when the backup power supply by the battery 6 is controlled, the instruction from the service adapter (SA) 4 is followed.

The non-volatile memory 9 shared by each data access unit is connected to the service adapter (SA) 4 of each data access unit by a signal line (b). Then, the presence or absence of data saving is written by each service adapter (SA) 4, and the written information regarding the presence or absence of data saving is read.

The service adapters (SAs) 4 of the respective data access units are connected to each other by the signal line (c) and notify each other of the power-on / power-off states of the data access units. <Processing Content in Each Data Access Unit> Next, the content of the processing executed in each data access unit will be described. [Processing During Startup] FIG. 3 shows that in each data access unit,
It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process (starting process) performed during the period of a power-on state.

In this flowchart, other processing is executed in S01. That is, each channel adapter (CA) 2 writes cache data to the shared memory 1, reads cache data from the shared memory 1, writes the cache data in the shared memory 1 by the device adapter (DA) 3, and shares the shared memory. Writing of cache data to 1 is executed.

In the next S02, the service adapter (S
A) 4 determines whether or not it has been checked by the service adapter (SA) 4 of another group whether or not the power is off. If not checked, the process returns to S01, and if checked, the process proceeds to S03.

In S03, the service adapter (SA) 4
Notifies the service adapter (SA) 4 of the other group that the data in the shared memory 1 does not need to be saved in the internal disk 5 of the other group because the own group is not powered off. It should be noted that when the own group is powered off, naturally, this process is not executed, so that the other groups are not notified. After the processing of S03 is completed, the processing is returned to S01. [Processing at Power-Off] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process started when the controller 8 detects a disconnection request to the main power supply 7. In the first step S11 after the start in this flowchart, the service adapter (SA) 4 checks whether or not the data access unit of the other group is in the power off state by checking the state of the service adapter (SA) 4 of the other group. (Corresponding to monitoring means). Then, if the other group is powered on, S03 of FIG. 3 is executed and a notification is made, but if the other group is powered off, no notification is made.

In next step S12, the service adapter (SA) 4 checks whether or not the other group is powered off depending on the presence or absence of this notification, and if it is powered off, the process proceeds to step S13. In S13, the device adapter (DA) 3 writes the cached data cached in the shared memory 1 to the direct access storage device (D).
ASD).

At the next step S14, the service adapter (SA) 4 writes the unique data (history management table (differential backup bitmap)) used in the apparatus from the shared memory 1 to the internal disk 5 (in the saving means). Correspondence).

In the next step S15, the controller 8 indicates that the service adapter (SA) 4 does not need to supply the backup power source from the battery 6 to the shared memory 1.
Notify to

In the next step S16, the service adapter (SA) 4 makes a note in the non-volatile memory 9 that the unique data in the shared memory 1 has been saved in the internal disk 5 of its own group (corresponding to a recording means).

On the other hand, when it is determined in S12 that the power is on, the service adapter (SA) 4 causes the service adapter (SA) 4 to transfer the above-mentioned unique data in the shared memory 1 to the internal disk 5 of its own group in S17. Make a note in the non-volatile memory 9 that the evacuation has not been performed. As described above, S
After the processing of 16 or S17 is completed, the processing at the time of power off ends. The main power supply 7 is actually disconnected after waiting for the end of this process. [Process at Power-on] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process started by the controller 8 when the controller 8 detects the activation of the main power supply 7. In this flowchart, in the first S21 after the start, the service adapter (SA) 4 reads the memo written in the non-volatile memory 9 and determines whether or not the unique data is saved in the internal disk 5 of its own group. (Corresponding to the reading means). Then, when it is determined that the data is saved in the internal disk 5 of the own group, the service adapter (SA) 4
Writes the above-mentioned unique data stored in the internal disk 5 onto the shared memory 1 and expands it (corresponding to the expanding means).

At the next S23, the service adapter (S
A) 4 instructs the controller 8 to supply backup power of the battery 6 to the shared memory 1 in preparation for abnormal disconnection of the main power supply 7.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S21 that the service is not saved in the internal disk 5 of its own group, the service adapter (SA) 4 determines that the service adapter (SA) 4 of the other group has the unique data. At the time when writing is completed in the shared memory 1, the controller 8 is instructed to supply the backup power of the battery 6 to the shared memory 1 in preparation for abnormal disconnection of the main power supply 7.

After the processing of S23 or S24 is completed as described above, the processing at power-on ends. <Operation of Magnetic Disk Control Device (Data Control Device)> Next, an operation example of the magnetic disk control device (data control device) according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

Now, it is assumed that the controller 8 of the data access unit of the group 0 detects the power-off request to the main power supply 7 while the data access unit of the group 1 is in the power-on state. Then, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 0 becomes the service adapter (SA) of the group 1.
By checking the state of No. 4, it is checked whether or not the power of the group 1 is off (S11). Then, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 1 notifies the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 0 that it is not powered off, so that it is not necessary to save the unique data to the internal disk 5 (S03). ).

Upon receipt of this notification, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 0 writes in the nonvolatile memory 9 that the unique data is not saved in the internal disk 5 of its own group (S17). And the main power supply 7 of group 0 is
The power is turned off as it is.

It is assumed that the controller 8 of the data access unit of group 1 detects a power-off request to the main power supply 7 after the data access unit of group 0 is powered off. Also in this case, the service adapter (S
The A) 4 looks at the status of the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 0 and checks whether the power of the group 0 is off (S11).

In this case, since no notification (S03) is returned from the service adapter (SA) 4 of group 0, the service adapter (SA) 4 of group 1
The cache data in the shared memory 1 is saved in each direct access storage device (DASD) (S13),
The unique data (history management table (difference backup bitmap)) in the shared memory 1 is written to the internal disk 5 (S14). Thereafter, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 1 causes the controller 8 to stop the backup power supply from the battery 6 to the shared memory 1 (S15), and the above-mentioned unique data is stored in the internal disk 5 of the group 1. The fact that the data has been saved is recorded in the non-volatile memory 9 (S16). After that, the main power supply 7 of the group 1 is turned off.

After that, it is assumed that the main power supply 7 of the group 0 is turned on while the data access unit of the group 1 is in the power off state. Then, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 0 checks the contents of the memo written in the non-volatile memory 9 and checks whether the above-mentioned unique data in the shared memory 1 is saved in the internal disk 5 of the group 0. Yes (S21). In this case, since it is noted in the non-volatile memory 9 that the unique data is saved in the internal disk of the group 1, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 0 is shared by the data access unit of the group 1. Wait for expansion of the unique data on the memory 1 (S2
4).

It is assumed that the main power supply 7 of the group 1 is turned on while the group 0 is waiting for the data expansion. Then, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 1 checks the contents of the memo written in the non-volatile memory 9 and checks whether the above-mentioned unique data in the shared memory 1 is saved in the internal disk 5 of the group 1. Yes (S21). in this case,
Since it is noted in the non-volatile memory 9 that the unique data is saved in the internal disk of the group 1, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 1 transfers the unique data from the internal disk 5 to the shared memory 1. Expand to top (S
22).

The service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 0, which has been waiting for the data expansion, instructs the controller 8 at this point that the backup power source of the battery 6 should be supplied to the shared memory 1 (S24). At the same time, the service adapter (SA) 4 of the group 1 also instructs the controller 8 that backup power from the battery 6 should be supplied to the shared memory 1 (S2).
3).

As described above, according to the data control apparatus of the present embodiment, the service adapters (SA) 4 of each group are connected by the signal line (c) and are in a mutual state (power off / power on). Since the notifications have been sent to each other, even if the unique data (history management table (bitmap for differential backup)) developed in the shared memory 1 is saved at power-off, the internal disk 5 of either group must be saved. You can unequivocally decide what you want.

Also, the service adapter (S
A) 4 is connected to the non-volatile memory 9 shared by each group and writes in the non-volatile memory 9 whether or not the unique data has been saved in the internal disk 5 of its own group. It is possible to immediately know whether or not the specific data has been saved in the built-in disk 5 of the group. Therefore, the power-on process can be easily executed.

Since the unique data written in the shared memory 1 is saved in the internal disk 5 at the time of power-off and the cache data is written to each direct access storage device (DASD), the power-off state is maintained. In, the shared memory 1 does not need to hold data. Therefore, in the meantime, the battery 6 is stored in the shared memory 1.
There is no need to supply backup power from. As a result, the usable period of the battery 6 becomes longer, and it is possible to save the labor of constantly charging the battery 6 at the time of power-on.

[0047]

As described above, according to the data control device of the present invention, even when the data access unit for accessing the volatile shared memory is provided with a plurality of groups, the data in the shared memory is It is possible to logically determine the data access unit that should save the data and to easily know which data access unit the data was actually saved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a magnetic disk control device (data control device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an in-starting process executed in each data access unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process at power-off executed in each data access unit of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a process at power-on executed in each data access unit of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of a conventional magnetic disk control device (data control device).

[Brief description of reference numerals]

 1 shared memory 2 channel adapter 3 device adapter 4 service adapter 5 internal disk 6 battery 7 main power supply 8 controller 9 non-volatile memory

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data controller having a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and having a plurality of data access units for writing and reading data to and from the volatile memory, wherein each of the data access units is , A disk device, a power supply unit that supplies power to the volatile memory, a monitoring unit that monitors the state of the power supply of the other data access unit, and a power supply unit that cuts off the power supply of its own data access unit. When the monitoring unit determines that the power supply of the other data access unit is in the disconnected state, the saving unit saves the data in the volatile memory to the disk device, and the saving unit saves the data. In this case, a display indicating that the data in the volatile memory has been saved in the disk device of its own data access unit is displayed. Data control apparatus characterized by comprising a recording means for recording in the nonvolatile memory. 2. Each of the data access units reads the contents recorded in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on by the power supply unit of its own data access unit, and the volatile memory. When the reading means reads the display indicating that the data stored therein is saved in the disk device of its own data access unit, the data saved in the disk device is expanded in the volatile memory. The data control device according to claim 1, further comprising expansion means. 3. A battery that supplies backup power to the volatile memory during a period from when the power supplies of both data access units are turned off until the saving of the data to the disk device is completed. The data control device according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. A backup power supply to the volatile memory is started when the data saved in the disk device is completely expanded in the volatile memory, and
3. The data control device according to claim 2, further comprising a battery for stopping the supply of the backup power to the volatile memory when the saving of the data in the disk device is completed. 5. The data control device according to claim 1, wherein the data in the volatile memory saved in the disk device is unique data used in the device.