TWI776612B - Storage device and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage device includes a circuit board, a solid-state device and a USB storage device. The circuit board includes a first connector for receiving a first signal and a second signal. The solid-state device is disposed on the circuit board and includes firmware. The USB storage device is disposed on the circuit board and includes an extendable firmware interface. The first signal is for operating the solid-state device, and the second signal is for operating the extendable firmware interface of the USB storage device.

Description

Storage device and method of operation

The present invention relates to a storage device and an operation method thereof, and more particularly, to a storage device including a USB storage device and a solid state hard disk and an operation method thereof.

With the rise of the smart Internet of Things, enterprises need a lot of manpower and time to manage and maintain storage devices. The current Solid State Device (SSD) data transmission can basically be divided into two methods: In Band (In Band) and Out Of Band (OOB). In-band transmission is performed by the upper-layer application software. Although no additional hardware is required for execution, once the file system on the solid-state hard disk is damaged or cannot respond, it is quite difficult to recover. The out-of-band management is to take over the remote maintenance function through an additional hardware, such as a Microcontroller Unit (MCU), after the program cache of the operating system and the application layer. The out-of-band management does not rely entirely on software, but adds a redundancy mechanism to the device. In other words, in the event that the operating system cannot be entered or the entire system crashes, the solid-state drive can still be remotely controlled to resume operation or restore the system to its factory state. However, the out-of-band transmission method requires not only additional hardware to communicate with the solid-state drive, but also a public cloud or a private cloud for remote control, and there are various compatibility issues. Furthermore, considering that most customer platforms have space limitations and data security concerns, such as the limitation of motherboard space, the out-of-band (OOB) modules cannot be expanded, or confidential data do not want to be managed and controlled through the cloud platform, so a new Out-of-band transfer to manage SSDs.

An embodiment provides a storage device including a circuit board, a solid-state device (SSD) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device. The circuit board includes a first connector for receiving the first signal and the second signal. The solid state drive is disposed on the circuit board and includes firmware. The USB storage device is arranged on the circuit board and includes an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI shell). The first signal is used to operate the solid state hard disk, and the second signal is used to operate the extensible firmware interface of the USB storage device.

Another embodiment provides a storage device including a circuit board, a solid-state device (SSD) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device. The circuit board includes a first connector for receiving the first signal and a second connector for receiving the second signal. The solid state drive is disposed on the circuit board and includes firmware. The USB storage device is arranged on the circuit board and includes an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI shell). The first signal is used to operate the solid state hard disk, and the second signal is used to operate the extensible firmware interface of the USB storage device.

Embodiments provide a method of operating a storage device. The storage device includes a circuit board, a solid-state device (SSD), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device. The circuit board includes a first connector for receiving a first signal and a second signal. The solid-state hard disk is disposed in the The circuit board also contains firmware. The USB storage device is disposed on the circuit board and includes an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI shell), wherein the first signal is used to operate the solid state drive, and the second signal is used to operate the USB The extensible firmware interface of the storage device. The method includes selecting the USB storage device as a boot device (Boot Device) through BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), entering the extensible firmware interface and performing operations, and selecting the solid state hard disk through the extensible firmware interface, The extensible firmware interface sends a command to the solid-state hard disk to trigger the firmware, and the firmware executes the function corresponding to the command.

Embodiments further provide a method of operating a storage device. The storage device includes a circuit board, a solid-state device (SSD) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device. The circuit board includes a first connector for receiving a first signal and a second connector for receiving a second signal , the solid state hard disk is arranged on the circuit board and includes firmware. The USB storage device is disposed on the circuit board and includes an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI shell), wherein the first signal is used to operate the solid state drive, and the second signal is used to operate the USB The extensible firmware interface of the storage device. The method includes selecting the USB storage device as a boot device (Boot Device) through BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), entering the extensible firmware interface and performing operations, and selecting the solid state hard disk through the extensible firmware interface, The extensible firmware interface sends a command to the solid-state hard disk to trigger the firmware, and the firmware executes the function corresponding to the command.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The storage device 100 includes a circuit board 110 , a solid-state device (SSD) 120 and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device (referred to as a USB storage device 130 ). The circuit board 110 includes a first connector 140 for receiving the first signal S1 and the second signal S2. The solid state drive 120 is disposed on the circuit board 110 , and the solid state drive 120 includes firmware 160 . The USB storage device 130 is disposed on the circuit board 110 and includes an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) 170 . The first signal S1 is used to operate the solid state hard disk 120 , and the second signal S2 is used to operate the extensible firmware interface 170 of the USB storage device 130 .

Although the storage device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is in the configuration of an M.2 storage device module, the storage device 100 may be in the configuration of other storage device modules, such as an M.2 storage device module or a 2.5-inch storage device module. structure, the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first signal S1 of the storage device 100 can operate the solid-state hard disk 120, including accessing data and executing commands. The second signal S2 is used to operate the extensible firmware interface 170 to realize out-of-band transmission. Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), firmware update, system data backup, or system data restoration, etc. However, the embodiment may include more operation instructions, and the embodiment is not limited thereto. The way that the extensible firmware interface 170 sends commands to the firmware 160 can be implemented through a command line interface such as EFI Shell in EFI, so as to achieve the purpose of interaction between the user and the storage device 100, and the commands of this EFI Shell And the operation method is well known to those with ordinary knowledge in the related field, so it will not be repeated here.

For example, if the operating system of the solid-state drive 120 is abnormal, the administrator can receive the second signal S2 to the extensible firmware interface 170 of the USB storage device 130 through out-of-band transmission, so that it outputs a system data restore command to the solid state The firmware 160 of the hard disk 120 can perform the operation of restoring the operating system data.

Through this method to achieve out-of-band transmission, the computer host can achieve out-of-band management without the need for additional out-of-band modules. Compared with the current technology, the storage device module, the out-of-band module, and the motherboard need to support each other to realize the out-of-band management. In the embodiment, only the storage device module and the motherboard need to cooperate with each other, which reduces the technical complexity.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a storage device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The storage device 200 includes a circuit board 210 , a solid state hard disk 220 and a USB storage device 230 . The circuit board 210 includes a first connector 240 for receiving the first signal S1 and a second connector 250 for receiving the second signal S2. The solid state drive 220 is disposed on the circuit board 210 , and the solid state drive 220 includes firmware 260 . The USB storage device 230 is disposed on the circuit board 210 and includes an extensible firmware interface 270 . The first signal S1 is used to operate the solid state hard disk 220 , and the second signal S2 is used to operate the extensible firmware interface 270 of the USB storage device 230 .

Although the storage device 200 shown in FIG. 2 has the structure of an M.2 storage device module, the storage device 200 may have the structure of an M.2 storage device module or a 2.5-inch storage device module, and the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first connector 240 may be a connector generally equipped on an M.2 storage device module or a 2.5-inch storage device module. The second connector 250 can be a pin header and is externally connected to a USB interface on the computer motherboard for receiving the second signal S2 as an out-of-band transmission signal, but the embodiment is not limited to this interface. Other types of SSD connectors are suitable.

The first signal S1 of the storage device 200 can operate the solid-state hard disk 220, including accessing data and executing commands. The second signal S2 operates the extensible firmware interface 270 to realize out-of-band transmission. For example, the second signal S2 enables the extensible firmware interface 270 to send commands to the firmware 260 to perform self-monitoring, analysis and reporting (SMART, Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), firmware update, system data backup, or system data restore.

For example, if the operating system of the solid state drive 220 is abnormal, the administrator can receive the second signal S2 through the out-of-band transmission and connect to the second connector 250 (eg, pin header) to extend the USB storage device 230 The firmware interface 270 enables it to output a system data restoration command to the firmware 260 of the solid-state hard disk 220, and the firmware 260 can perform the operation of restoring the operating system data.

Through this method to achieve out-of-band transmission, the computer host can achieve out-of-band management without the need for additional out-of-band modules. Compared with the current technology, the storage device module, the out-of-band module, and the motherboard need to support each other to realize the out-of-band management. The embodiment only needs to adjust the design of the storage device module to achieve the out-of-band transmission and reduce the execution time. on the complexity.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 for operating the storage device 100 or 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 300 includes the following steps, taking the storage device 100 as an example:

S302: Select the USB storage device 130 as the boot device (Boot Device) through the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS, Basic Input/Output System) of the host;

S304: Enter the extensible firmware interface 170 and operate;

S306: Select the solid state drive 120 through the extensible firmware interface 170;

S308: Send a command to the solid state drive 120 from the extensible firmware interface 170 to trigger the firmware 160; and

S310: Execute the function corresponding to the instruction by the firmware 160.

For example, when the operating system installed on the solid-state drive 120 fails to boot due to an error, the user can enter the BIOS interface of the host computer and select the USB storage device 130 as the boot device, and then enter the extensible firmware of the USB storage device 130 After the interface 170, the solid state drive 120 can be selected in the extensible firmware interface 170, such as through the command line interface EFI Shell in EFI for realizing the interaction between the user and the storage device 100 or 200, and the firmware 160 is triggered by inputting a command Afterwards, the firmware 160 executes the instruction of restoring the operating system.

To sum up, the apparatus and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention can enable the computer host to achieve out-of-band management without requiring additional out-of-band modules. Compared with the current technology, the storage device module, the out-of-band module, and the motherboard need to support each other to realize the out-of-band management. The design of the group can realize out-of-band management. This reduces cost and technical complexity, and reduces compatibility issues. The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

100,200: storage device 110, 210: Circuit boards 120,220: Solid State Drive 130,230:USB storage device 140,240: First connector 250: Second connector 160,260:Firmware 170,270:Extensible Firmware Interface S1: First signal S2: Second signal 300: Method S302~S310: Steps

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a storage device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for operating the storage device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

100: storage device

110: circuit board

120: Solid State Drive

130:USB storage device

140: first connector

160:Firmware

170:Extensible Firmware Interface

S1: First signal

S2: Second signal

Claims (9)

A storage device, comprising: a circuit board including a first connector for receiving a first signal and a second signal; a solid-state hard disk disposed on the circuit board and including a firmware; and a USB storage device disposed on the circuit board and comprising an extensible firmware interface; The first signal is used to operate the solid state hard disk, and the second signal is used to operate the extensible firmware interface of the USB storage device. A storage device, comprising: A circuit board containing: a first connector for receiving a first signal; a second connector for receiving a second signal; a solid-state hard disk disposed on the circuit board and including a firmware; and a USB storage device disposed on the circuit board and comprising an extensible firmware interface; The first signal is used to operate the solid state hard disk, and the second signal is used to operate the extensible firmware interface of the USB storage device. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the extensible firmware interface sends a command to the firmware. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the instructions perform self-monitoring, analysis and reporting, firmware update, system data backup, or system data restore. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the solid-state hard disk further includes an operating system. A method of operating a storage device, the storage device comprising a circuit board, a solid state hard disk disposed on the circuit board, a USB storage device disposed on the circuit board, the circuit board comprising a first connector for receiving a first connector a signal and a second signal, the solid state drive includes a firmware, the USB storage device includes an extensible firmware interface, wherein the first signal is used to operate the solid state drive, the second signal is used to Operating the extensible firmware interface of the USB storage device, the method includes: selecting the USB storage device as a boot device by a basic input output system; Enter and operate the extensible firmware interface; selecting the solid state drive through the extensible firmware interface; sending a command from the extensible firmware interface to the solid state drive to trigger the firmware; and The function corresponding to the command is executed by the firmware. A method of operating a storage device, the storage device comprising a circuit board, a solid state hard disk disposed on the circuit board, a USB storage device disposed on the circuit board, the circuit board comprising a first connector for receiving a first connector A signal and a second connector are used for receiving a second signal, the solid state drive includes a firmware, the USB storage device includes an extensible firmware interface, wherein the first signal is used to operate the solid state drive, The second signal is used to operate the USB storage device, and the method includes: selecting the USB storage device as a boot device by a basic input output system; Enter and operate the extensible firmware interface; selecting the solid state drive through the extensible firmware interface; sending a command from the extensible firmware interface to the solid state drive to trigger the firmware; and The function corresponding to the command is executed by the firmware. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the instruction performs self-monitoring, analysis and reporting, firmware update, system data backup, or system data restore. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the solid-state hard disk further includes an operating system.

Images