WO2003029985A1

WO2003029985A1 - System with cascade coupled discs for increased capacity and backup

Info

Publication number: WO2003029985A1
Application number: PCT/DK2001/000638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frits Olsen; Jesper Christensen
Original assignee: Frits Olsen; Kristensen, Jan, Erik; Ziegler, Tina; Einarsson, Ari; Frederiksen, Bo, V.
Priority date: 2001-10-03
Filing date: 2001-10-03
Publication date: 2003-04-10

Abstract

Through the network interface, on a computer, or in an ordinary network, you will gain access to a disc unit. This disc unit can, through a driver be mapped or mounted into your machine, or you can gain the access through your IP protocol using an ordinary Internet browser. The disc unit has tree major functions: 1. Disc unit. 2. Disc enlarger. 3. Disc backup. The unit is at the same time, capable of receiving offered functions from other disc units connected. The functions built in, within every single unit, are: disc unit used in a system, performing size enlargement of another disc unit, or automatically make backup of another disc unit. An IPDU will offer your Computer-system or Network more harddisk space. In addition to this it can accept additional IPDU's. In both cases the IPDU-system will ace as 1 disc. It is only inside the built-in configuration software, all individual IPDU's will be recognised/(identified). The built-in WEB server is accessible by a standard Internet Browser. It is very user-friendly with clear text and point-selections, for management of the system, or usage of FTP functions. All IPDU's are connected via their build in Ethernet-switch. This secures the connectivity. Every IPDU has its own IP-address and/or DNS name, the system is based on the IP-protocol. When doing the first time installation of an IPDU, it has the option to be configured for a static or dynamic IP-address. The operating IP-address or name is shown in the display located at the front of the IPDU. Any activity and current status on the disk will also be indicated there. In case of Power failure, the Power Supply will rest power enough to flush all cash information, and make a secure power down. In case of an IPDU-unit has to be replaced, all stored data will be accessible from other IPDU's having the backup-function, if such one is configured. Different IPDU sizes can function together, but in terms of backup function, the administrator has to ensure capacity enough in the backup disc area.

Description

SYSTEM WITH CASCADE COUPLED DISCS FOR INCREASED CAPACITY

AND BACKUP

Description

Designation

Internet Protocol Disc Unit

(Intelligent expandable, IP protocol network disk storage unit.)

The inventions utilise disputed

Extern Ethernet connected disc unit. Indefinitely expandable. Hot-swap technology, no need for downing system while upgrading. Usage as simple as building bricks. Simple, fully automatic, backup function included. Built in WEB and FTP support. Network connected unit, no server or controllers needed. Drivers available for the most popular operating systems and server based environments (WIN9x/ME/NT/Win2000/NetWare/Linux/...). Works in an active directory, server based environment as a server "driver". Mountable as a NFS volume in a UNIX/LINUX based environment.

The technical level of attainment

The today existing disk units which can offer linked disks, through that to offer higher / bigger capacity, is still living with those limitation as their link methods have, just like IDE with max. 4 units, which demand further software to work as one unit today.

The SCSI system however, works in the same way as IDE, but with today max 15 units.

Where our IPDU on the other hand, demand no controller, neither, an independent PC or software to be linked together.

And with the total capacity, practically indefinitely (IP4: max. 4294967295 units, without bridge!)

The special systems, which offer raid functionality, demand units, which are identical, where the IPDU can carry out that with all kinds off units.

As supplement to that, the IPDU can work as an automatically backup, by one unit in its set up are made to "backup of xx xx xx xx with yy hours interval, never delete / delete".

As the IPDU is not demanding rack, controller or dedicated computer systems, the IPDU offer a linear investment, totally with out ceiling.

The special achievement of the invention

The IPDU can hereby, fully meet the conditions there are today for storage of the continuously expanding data carrier store, with in the private, business and Internet solutions. The IPDU is in addition offering a security which far out exceeds the today known methods for backup, as it is up to the user to decide how many layers of backup he wishes.

The new technical means

One unit with its own PSU, hard disc, processor, and tree Ethernet ports.

The processors flash memory contains code for all necessary functions, to simultaneous functionality of listed functions:

1) Ethernet switch for all 3 ports,

2) Controlling the disc unit,

3) FTP Server,

4) WEB Server,

5) SNMP manager,

6) IP protocol with build in data package engine adding the functionality of:

7) The unit can offer its disk space to an computer driver or —

8) The unit can offer its disk space to another unit or —

9) The unit can offer its disk space to backup another units data.

10) At the same time, the unit is capable of receiving, and add, the offered functions to its own, and offer even larger disk space forward in the system.

Diagram description

Fig.1 Signatures

Fig.2 Basic (minimum) system

Fig.3 2 IPDU's for larger capacity, or backup function

Fig.4 3 IPDU's for larger capacity, and/or backup function

Fig.5 4 IPDU's system example

Fig.6 5 IPDU's system example

For figures 5 and 6, any combination of statements in listed four lines is valid, as long as one unit has only one assignment, and avoiding cyclic usage (a backup b, and b backup a ! ! ! !)

A can be visible disc in system or disk-expander for B or C or D or backup for B or C or D B can be visible disc in system or disk-expander for A or C or D or backup for A or C or D C can be visible disc in system or disk-expander for A or B or D or backup for A or B or D D can be visible disc in system or disk-expander for A or B or C or backup for A or B or C

Some practical examples of above (in conjunction with Fig.5 and/or Fig.6)

Practical example 1 :

A is the disk seen in the network as a computer drive and

B is disk expander for A, (A is then seen as "bigger" volume)

C is mirror (backup, with delay 0!) for A

D is disk expander for C, then C has capacity to be valid backup of A

Practical example 2:

A is the disk seen in the network as a computer drive and D is backup of A

C is the disk seen in the network as a computer drive and B is backup of D (A has then double backup)

Practical example 3:

B is the disk seen in the network as a computer drive and

A is disk expander for B

D is disk expander for A

C is disk expander for B

(B is then four times the original volume!)

Claims

Claims of patent

1. The patent covers that, one disk-unit can offer additional functions and capacity to another disk-unit.

2. Characterised by build in functionality for automatic cascade coupling, giving possibility for, increase of capacity and automatic backup.