JPS6344375A - Magnetic memory control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To judge the deterioration of the quality of magnetic recording media by counting the number of times of writing re-trial to a writing error to occur when the data covering over an optional area on magnetic recording media are written. CONSTITUTION:On the basis of a re-trial signal outputted each time the re-trial of a writing action is executed by an error detecting re-trial control part 6, a total re-trial number counting part 8a counts the number of times of the re-trial and outputs an accumulated value. A setting part 9a stores the number of times of the allowance of the re-trial designated by a main control part 1. The number of times of the re-trial from the counting part 8a and the number of times of allowance from the setting part 9a are compared by a comparing part 10a and the result is outputted to the control part 1. Consequently, when the contents of the magnetic disk are evacuated to a magnetic tape and the number of times of the re-trial per one magnetic tape exceeds the rated value, the information of the excess of the number of times is executed and therefore, the condition of the deterioration of recording media can be grasped.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Deterioration in the quality of a magnetic recording medium is determined by counting the number of write retries in response to a write error that occurs when writing data to an arbitrary area on the magnetic recording medium. is possible.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a magnetic storage control device that makes it possible to judge the quality of a magnetic recording medium, and more particularly to a magnetic storage control device that can count the number of retries for a write error detected when writing data to an arbitrary predetermined area. Regarding a control device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, magnetic storage devices such as magnetic disk devices and magnetic tape devices have been used as system files or files for storing updates of processing contents in computer systems, workstations, terminal devices, and the like.

In order to prevent failures in these magnetic storage devices from leading to system downtime, a method is used to back up files by appropriately evacuating them to other magnetic storage devices.

Therefore, in order to maintain the reliability of the system, the reliability of the backup magnetic recording medium is also extremely important, and a method that can constantly grasp and manage its deterioration status is desired.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional example in which the backup device is a magnetic tape device. The same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

In the figure, a main control section 1 performs the functions of the device by controlling each section and performing input/output operations.

The magnetic tape control device 2 controls the magnetic tape device 3 to read/write data on the magnetic tape.

The magnetic disk control device 4 controls the magnetic disk device 5 to read/write data on the magnetic disk.

The error detection/retry control unit 6 performs playback during recording during writing (
An error caused by a read-while-write error is detected, and the write operation is retried based on instructions from the main control unit 1.

The intra-block retry counting unit 7 has a function of counting the number of retries executed by the error detection/retry control unit 6 in units of data blocks on the magnetic tape.

Here, the contents of the magnetic disk of the magnetic disk device 5 are stored in the magnetic tape device 3 for file bank up.
The data is saved by writing it on magnetic tape. When an error is detected by the recording-time playback check performed in parallel with the write operation, the error detection/retry control unit 6 notifies the main control unit 1 of the write error, and the main control unit 1 Based on the retry instruction, retrying of writing to the magnetic tape device 3 is controlled. In this way, each time a write error occurs, a retry is performed, and the intra-block retry counting section 7 counts the number of retries. Therefore, when the number of retries per block exceeds a predetermined value, the block is treated as a defective block and another alternative block is allocated.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

As mentioned above, conventional methods manage the number of retries per block, making it possible to detect local defects such as scratches that are fatal to operation, but it is difficult to grasp the deterioration status of the entire magnetic tape medium. and can deal with media deterioration.
There is a risk that files may become unrecoverable during the crucial bank up.

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, 8 is a counting means for counting the number of write retries over a predetermined area on the magnetic recording medium and outputting the counted value; 9 is a setting means for storing the allowable number of retries as a set value; 10 is a setting means for storing the allowable number of retries as a set value; This is a comparing means that compares the counted value from the counting means 8 and the set value from the setting means 9 and outputs the result.

Therefore, each time a retry is performed, the number of retries is counted, the counted value is compared with a set value, and the comparison result is output.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, each time a write retry is performed due to a write error, the counting means 8 counts the number of retries on a predetermined area of the recording medium, and the comparing means 10 compares the number of retries with the setting means 9. Since the set allowable number of retries is compared and the comparison result is output, the deterioration state of the recording medium can be grasped and countermeasures, such as replacing the medium, can be taken in advance.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

Components in FIG. 2 that correspond to those in FIG. 1 are surrounded by dashed lines.

In the figure, the total number of retries counting section 8a counts the number of retries based on the retry signal outputted each time a write operation is retried by the error detection/retry control section 6. It has a function to output the cumulative value.

The setting unit 9a has a function of storing the allowable number of retries specified by the main control unit 1.

The comparison section 10a has a function of comparing the number of retries from the total number of retries counting section 8a and the allowable number of times from the setting section 9a, and outputting the result to the main control section 1.

Therefore, when saving the contents of the magnetic disk to magnetic tape, if the number of retries per 11 magnetic tapes exceeds the specified value, a notification will be sent that the number of retries has exceeded the specified value, making it possible to grasp the deterioration status of the recording medium. If necessary, the information can be displayed on the display to prompt the operator to take measures such as replacing the magnetic tape.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the deterioration status of the recording medium can always be grasped based on the number of write retries in response to an error when writing to a magnetic recording medium, so files can be backed up by replacing the recording medium in advance. This has the advantage that it can be done reliably.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional example. In the figure, 1 is a main control unit, 2 is a magnetic tape control unit, 3 is a magnetic tape device, 4 is a magnetic disk control unit, 5 is a magnetic disk device, 6 is an error detection/retry control unit, and 7 is an intra-block retry control unit. Attempt counting section, 8 is counting means, 8a is total retry number counting section, 9 is setting means, 9a is setting section, 10 is comparison means,
10a is a comparison section. No comparison result 1 No figure 2

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A magnetic storage control device that detects a writing error on a magnetic recording medium and retries writing, the device counting the number of writing retries over a predetermined area on the magnetic recording medium. counting means (8) for outputting the counted value, and setting means (9) for storing the allowable number of retries as a set value.
); and comparison means (10) for comparing the counted value and a set value and outputting the result.