TW201734800A - Method for setting redundant array of independent disks - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for setting redundant array of independent disks (RAID) is provided. A boot firmware is activated such that the boot firmware performs a booting procedure. In a legacy mode of the boot firmware, an extensible firmware interface driver is activated by the boot firmware. The extensible firmware interface driver activates a rapid storage technology (RST) driver to perform RAID remapping. A RAID mode is entered after rebooting to set a RAID system. After the RAID system is set completely, an operating system (OS) is loaded.

Description

Method of setting a disk array

The present invention relates to a storage architecture, and more particularly to a method of setting a disk array.

In general, when choosing a computer system, in addition to the central processing unit, the selection of storage devices is often a major focus. Take the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) as an example. Although it has a large storage space and a relatively low price, it has shallow and easy disadvantages, such as slow access speed and easy disk collision. The head is damaged or the track is damaged. Although the Solid State Disk (SSD) does not have the above problems, it has a problem of high cost per unit capacity and a problem of service life.

In response to the generation and popularization of Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) technology, the basic input and output system (BIOS) on the computer system mostly supports the function of the disk array, and the function is achieved by using this function. Enhance disk fault tolerance, increase processing power, and enhance data integration. Therefore, it can make up for the shortage of computer system storage equipment.

However, the existing disk array technology can only be used in a general serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) storage device. For the Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) hard disk, the user must clearly set the corresponding parameters according to the hardware conditions, and be familiar with the complete steps in order to truly achieve the goal of planning the disk array. However, due to the numerous complicated steps and limitations, the function of the disk array in the past is much more complicated, which leads to the loss or damage of the system data due to temporary negligence or improper operation.

The present invention provides a method of setting a disk array that can be automatically directed to the final disk array to avoid data loss or corruption caused by improper operation.

The method for setting a disk array of the present invention comprises: driving a boot firmware to enable a boot firmware to execute a boot process; and driving a scalable firmware interface driver through a boot firmware in a legacy mode of boot firmware Drive the Rapid Storage Technology (RST) driver to perform disk array remapping through the extended firmware interface driver; reboot to enter the disk array mode to set the disk array system; After the setting of the dish array system is completed, the operating system is loaded.

In an embodiment of the present invention, after rebooting to enter the disk array mode, the method further includes: in the extendable firmware interface mode, when it is confirmed that the number of the storage devices connected on the motherboard is greater than or equal to 1, The disk array system is set by the extendable firmware interface driver.

In an embodiment of the invention, the storage device is a next generation motherboard specification hard disk.

In an embodiment of the present invention, after driving the boot firmware, the method further includes: entering the firmware setting menu in the traditional mode; detecting whether the fast operation function of the firmware setting menu is enabled; and when in the traditional mode When it is detected that the fast operation function is enabled, the extendable firmware interface driver is driven by the boot firmware.

In an embodiment of the present invention, during the execution of the booting process, it is confirmed by the boot firmware whether the number of storage devices connected to the motherboard is greater than or equal to 1; when it is determined that the number of storage devices is greater than or equal to 1, The quick operation function is provided in the firmware setting menu; and when the number of storage devices is determined to be equal to 0, the quick operation function is hidden in the firmware setting menu.

In an embodiment of the invention, the boot firmware is a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).

Based on the above, the method for setting a disk array of the present invention provides a more friendly operation experience, reduces the loss caused by an excessively complicated manipulation, and can support the increase of the system item by the modification of the operation steps, thereby improving the use. Willingness to use.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

In the general disk array planning process, the hardware environment and equipment are often different, and the setting steps are cumbersome. Therefore, in the process of using the function of the disk array, it is impossible to use the guidance of the unified introduction. It is clear that it is often necessary to deal with the situation of a single case one by one, adding a lot of difficulties in use and easily leading to a reduced willingness to use. To this end, the present invention proposes a method of setting a disk array that can be automatically directed to the final disk array to avoid data loss or damage caused by improper operation. In order to clarify the content of the present invention, the following specific embodiments are examples that can be implemented in the present case.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the electronic device 100 includes a processor 110 , a firmware storage unit 120 , and a plurality of storage devices 130_1~130_N. The processor 110 is coupled to the firmware storage unit 120 and the storage devices 130_1~130_N.

The processor 110 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a programmable microprocessor (Microprocessor), an embedded control chip, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a special application integrated circuit ( Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) or other similar devices.

The firmware storage unit 120 is, for example, a read only memory (ROM) or a flash memory. The boot firmware 121 and the extendable firmware interface driver 122 are stored in the firmware storage unit 120. The boot firmware 121 is used to perform hardware initialization and test system hardware components during booting, and load a boot loader or operating system. The boot firmware 121 is, for example, a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) BIOS, or a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS.

The storage devices 130_1~130_N are, for example, a Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) hard disk, that is, an M.2 hard disk. M.2 hard disk currently provides two interfaces, namely Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interface and Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface.

2 is a flow chart of a method of setting a disk array in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 simultaneously, in step S205, the boot firmware 121 is driven. Specifically, when the electronic device 100 is powered on, the processor 110 reads the boot firmware 121 from the firmware storage unit 120 to perform a boot process.

Next, in step S210, the extendable firmware interface driver 122 is driven by the boot firmware 121 in the legacy mode of the boot firmware 121. Here, the extendable firmware interface driver 122 is, for example, a UEFI driver. In general, the traditional mode is the option that is most compatible with the old settings. For example, in the UEFI-based architecture, the traditional mode is to emulate the traditional BIOS by UEFI through the Compatibility Support Module (CSM), so that the operating system that does not support UEFI booting can be started.

Thereafter, in step S215, the Rapid Storage Technology (RST) driver is driven through the extensible firmware interface driver 122 to perform disk array remapping. Since the RST driver belongs to the UEFI driver, the extendable firmware interface driver 122 (for example, UEFI driver) is driven first, and then the RST driver is executed through the extensible firmware interface driver 122.

Then, in step S220, the power is turned on to enter the disk array mode to set the disk array system. In addition, after performing disk array remapping and rebooting to enter the disk array mode, it is further confirmed whether the number of storage devices connected to the motherboard is greater than or equal to two. When it is confirmed that the number of storage devices connected to the motherboard is greater than or equal to 2, the disk array system is set by the extendable firmware interface driver 122. For example, after rebooting, boot directly to the management interface of the disk array. The volume of the disk array is set through the management interface of the disk array, the level of the disk array is set, the disk is selected, and the capacity of each volume is set.

Finally, in step S225, after the setting of the disk array system is completed, the power is turned on to load the operating system. In addition, a set of designated hot keys can be preset. During the boot process, when it is detected that the specified set of hotkeys is enabled, in the legacy mode, the extendable firmware interface driver 122 is directly driven by the boot firmware 121 to directly perform other subsequent actions. For example, the BIOS directly drives the UEFI driver to use the RST driver in a non-UEFI environment, thereby enabling the operating system that is not supported by the UEFI environment to set the disk array for the M.2 hard disk.

Additionally, in other embodiments, the fast operation function can be set in the firmware setting menu to automatically guide to the planning of the last disk array by enabling the fast operation function.

3 is a flow chart of a method of setting a disk array in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 simultaneously, after the power is turned on, the processor 110 drives the boot firmware 121 to execute the boot process. In the process of executing the booting process, as shown in step S305, the boot firmware 121 determines whether or not to enter the firmware setting menu. If the boot firmware 121 determines not to enter the firmware setting menu during the booting process, as shown in step S335, the booting system is directly loaded into the operating system after the booting process is completed. If the boot firmware 121 determines to enter the firmware setting menu during the boot process, the firmware setting menu is entered as shown in step S310. For example, when the boot firmware 121 detects that a predetermined hotkey is enabled, it enters the firmware setting menu.

After entering the firmware setting menu, in step S315, the boot firmware 121 determines whether the fast operation function is enabled. In this embodiment, the firmware setting menu of the boot firmware 121 provides a quick operation function. The quick operation function makes it easy to guide to the planning of the last disk array. That is, in the conventional mode, the firmware setting menu is entered through the firmware firmware 121, and it is detected whether the fast operation function of the firmware setting menu is enabled.

When it is not detected that the quick operation function is enabled, as shown in step S335, the execution system is directly loaded after the execution of the startup program is completed. When the fast operation function is detected in the legacy mode, the extendable firmware interface driver 123 is driven by the boot firmware 121 as shown in step S320.

Thereafter, in step S325, the RST driver is driven through the extensible firmware interface driver 122 to perform disk array remapping. And, in step S330, the disk array system is set by rebooting to enter the disk array mode.

In addition, during the booting process, the boot firmware 121 can further confirm whether the number of storage devices connected to the motherboard is greater than or equal to one. Here, it may be further configured to provide a quick operation function in the firmware setting menu when the processor 110 determines that the number of storage devices is greater than or equal to 1; when the processor 110 determines that the number of storage devices is equal to 0 Hide the quick operation function in the firmware setting menu. This is because when the number of storage devices is equal to 0, it is not possible to set the disk array. Therefore, it can be further set to hide the quick operation function in the firmware setting menu.

In addition, when the processor 110 determines that the number of storage devices is equal to 1, the function of setting the disk array is still provided, but the processor 110 does not automatically boot to the management interface of the disk array, but receives an instruction input by the user. Then, according to the instructions, enter the management interface of the disk array.

In other embodiments, when the processor 110 determines that the number of storage devices is equal to 0, the fast operation function in the firmware setting menu may not be hidden, and when the quick operation function is enabled, a prompt message is sent to notify the user. The number of storage devices is currently insufficient to set the disk array.

The boot firmware 121 is the BIOS, the extended firmware interface driver 122 is the UEFI driver, and the storage devices 130_1~130_N are the M.2 hard disks as an example. During the boot process, the BIOS will automatically confirm the hard disk in advance. The M.2 hard drive currently offers a SATA interface and a PCIe interface. Therefore, the SATA interface and the PCIE interface are used to determine the number of M.2 hard disks currently set, the type of hard disk type, and the disk array remapping corresponding to the M.2 hard disk, thereby discriminating the electronic Whether the device 100 supports the disk array determines whether a disk planning function for automatic booting to the disk array is required.

In summary, the electronic device can be automatically and directly guided to the disk array mode by the boot firmware in the conventional mode of the boot process. Moreover, the above method of setting the disk array provides a friendly operation experience, that is, after entering the firmware setting menu, through the fast operation function provided in the firmware setting menu, the boot firmware completes all the settings and automatically enters the magnetic The disc array mode is used to present the management interface of the personalized disk array to the user, and after the user completes the disk planning, the entire disk array is set. According to this, the number of restarts can be reduced, and the loss caused by the excessively complicated manipulation can be reduced, and the modification of the operation steps can support the increase of the system item, thereby enhancing the user's willingness to use.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧Electronic devices
110‧‧‧ processor
120‧‧‧ firmware storage unit
121‧‧‧Starting firmware
122‧‧‧Extensible Firmware Interface Driver
130_1~130_N‧‧‧Storage device
S205~S225‧‧‧Methods for setting the disk array
S305~S335‧‧‧Methods for setting the disk array

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flow chart of a method of setting a disk array in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flow chart of a method of setting a disk array in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

S205~S225‧‧‧Methods for setting the disk array

Claims (7)

A method for setting a disk array, comprising: driving a boot firmware to cause the boot firmware to perform a boot process; in a conventional mode of boot firmware, driving an extendable firmware interface driver through the boot firmware a method of driving a fast storage technology driver to perform a disk array remapping through the extendable firmware interface driver; rebooting to enter a disk array mode to set a disk array system; and After the setting of the dish array system is completed, an operating system is loaded. The method for setting a disk array according to claim 1, wherein after the step of rebooting to enter the disk array mode, the method further comprises: when confirming that the number of storage devices connected to a motherboard is greater than or When equal to 1, the disk array system is set by the extendable firmware interface driver. The method for setting a disk array according to claim 2, wherein the storage device is a one-generation motherboard specification hard disk. The method for setting a disk array according to claim 1, wherein after the step of driving the boot firmware, the method further comprises: entering the firmware setting menu in the traditional mode; detecting the firmware setting Whether a quick operation function of the menu is enabled; and when the fast operation function is detected in the conventional mode, the extendable firmware interface driver is driven by the boot firmware. The method for setting a disk array according to claim 4, further comprising: in the process of executing the booting process, confirming, by the boot firmware, whether the number of storage devices connected on a motherboard is greater than or equal to 1) providing the fast operation function in the firmware setting menu when determining that the number of the storage devices is greater than or equal to 1; and hiding the fast in the firmware setting menu when determining that the number of the storage devices is equal to zero Operational function. The method for setting a disk array according to claim 5, wherein the storage device is a one-generation motherboard specification hard disk. The method of setting a disk array according to claim 1, wherein the boot firmware is a basic input/output system.