WO2005036355A2

WO2005036355A2 - Portable network attached data storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2005036355A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/033152
Authority: WO
Inventors: Melvin W. Clarke; Thien Nguyen
Original assignee: Diversified Technology, Llc
Priority date: 2003-10-08
Filing date: 2004-10-08
Publication date: 2005-04-21
Also published as: WO2005036355A3

Abstract

The embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses for a portable data storage system comprising at least one data storage device, a controller, a power module and an interface for associating the at least one data storage device with the controller and the power module. The at least one data storage device, controller, power module and interface are associated with the interior of an enclosure.

Description

PORTABLE NETWORK ATTACHED DATA STORAGE SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to data storage devices and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for portable data storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION hi today's environment, there are huge demands for the storage of data in electronic form. In situations where large amounts of data are required to be stored on a network, network attached storage devices are utilized, such as, for example, hard disks, optical disks and tapes. Network attached storage is distinct from main memory, which refers to temporary storage areas within a computer. Unlike main memory, network attached storage devices provide access to any user on a network and retain data even when a particular network terminal is turned off. Network attached storage is sometimes called auxiliary or NAS storage and is measured in kilobytes (1,024 bytes), megabytes (1,024 kilobytes), gigabytes (1,024 megabytes), terabytes (1,024 gigabytes) and petabytes (1,024 terabytes). hi many situations, there is a need for field-deployable network attached storage. For example, a user may need to support numerous data intensive applications at a remote site that requires access to network attached storage for gathering and storing field-available data. Various applicable scenarios might include gathering battlefield data in a military operation and providing data for a first responder command center or for a field command center of a construction project. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a reliable network attached data storage that is field deployable for at least periodic mobility and operable to withstand extreme environmental conditions. The data storage should be configured to support a variety of applications for integration into existing communication/computing systems.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The various embodiments include a portable data storage system comprising at least one data storage device, a controller, a power module and an interface for associating the at least one data storage device with the controller and the power module. The at least one data storage device, controller, power module and interface are associated with the interior of an enclosure. The various embodiments further include a method for storing data in a portable medium comprising providing at least one data storage device, a controller, a power module, an interface for associating the at least one data storage device with the controller and the power module, and an enclosure. The at least one data storage device, controller, power module and interface are associated with the interior of the enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the various embodiments will be readily obtained by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 A is a block diagram illustrating the various components of a portable network attached data storage system according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. IB is another block diagram illustrating the various components of a portable network attached data storage system according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 2 is an interior view of an enclosure including the various components as presented in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the enclosure in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation view of the enclosure in Fig. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERVAL EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the invention include apparatuses and methods for portable data storage and particularly for a portable network attached data storage system. Fig. 1 A is a block diagram illustrating the various components of a portable network attached data storage system according to embodiments of the invention, h one embodiment, the portable network attached data storage system 10 as comprises one or more data storage devices 12, a controller 14, a power module 16 and an interface 18. As will be described in detail below, the system 10 is useful for any of a variety of applications including, for example, applications that may require large amounts of data to be readily available in a remote location. For example, but not for limitation, such applications may include providing a data repository for a remote network to support emergency first responders, field mapping/topography work., building construction and systems management, military operations, urban traffic control and/or other uses, i general, the portable data storage system 10 is useful in any situation that may involve the storage and/or retrieval of "field-available" data. As used herein, the term field- available data is used to describe any data that may be represented electronically and is obtainable in a remote operating environment, including a mobile operating environment. It should also be noted that the portable data storage system 10 may be utilized as a stand alone data storage system or in concert with a plurality of portable data storage systems 10 and that each such system may operate independently or in concert with one or more others systems to store and/or retrieve electronic data. Moving on now to the various components of the portable data storage system 10₃ in one embodiment the system 10 includes at least one data storage device 12 for "permanently storing" electronic data. As used herein, permanently storing electronic data includes retaining the stored data after electrical power is removed from the system 10. In one embodiment, the at least one data storage device 12 may be a disk drive. For example, the at least one data storage device 12 may comprise a plurality of removable disk drives, as shown in Fig. 1 A. The removable disk drives may be individually removable and/or "hot-swappable," meaning that one or more of the disk drives may be removed (or added) while the system 10 is in operation. Alternatively, the at least one data storage device 12 may comprise a flash memory card, an optical disk drive, and/or any other permanent memory storage medium. The system 10 further includes a controller 14 for performing various functions such as, for example, executing the instructions of a software application. In one embodiment, the controller 14 includes a processor. For example, the controller 14 may comprise a filer model FAS250 plug-in processing module, which is commercially available from Network Appliance, Inc. (NetApp). The FAS250 plug-in module is mentioned herein because of the inventor's familiarity with the performance of the module, however, those skilled in the art will note that any of a variety of processing modules will be suitable for performing the operations described herein. hi one embodiment, the controller 14 may execute one or more software applications to perform various functions such as, for example, storing and retrieving electronic data for a requesting networked terminal 20. As utilized herein, a networked terminal 20 may include a computer terminal, personal digital assistant, telecommunication handset and/or any other networked device. One software application that may be utilized by the controller 14 to perform various instructions is the NetApp operating system from Network Appliance, Inc. Again, the NetApp operating system is mentioned solely due to the inventor's familiarity witli the capabilities of the application. One skilled in the art will note that any of a variety of software applications for executing any of a variety of instructions will be suitable for the various embodiments described herein. Another application that may be executed by the controller 16 is the NetApp SnapRestore© application for restoring previously stored data from the at least one data storage device 12, such as in an emergency situation after a loss of power. A power module 16 provides electrical power to the system 10. In one embodiment, the power module 16 includes a power inverter 22 for receiving direct current inputs from a power source, as shown in Fig IB. For example, an suitable power inverter 22 may include the Prowatt 600 power inverter manufactured by Xantrex Technology Inc. The power module 16 may further include a switching device 24, also shown in Fig. IB, for selecting between a plurality of received current inputs. For example, in one embodiment the received current inputs may include an alternating current (AC) input 25 and a direct current (DC) input 26. The power module 16 may also include a power supply 28, as shown in Fig. IB, for supplying the selected power from the current sources to the system 10. For example, the power supply 28 may be a battery. In one embodiment, the power module 16 may also include a control device (not shown) for selecting and/or otherwise regulating the current input to the system 10. An interface 18 associates the at least one data storage device 12, controller 14 and power module 16 to provide for the execution of various operations such as, for example, data storage and/or retrieval. In one embodiment, the interface 18 includes a back-plane and at least one flexible connector in communication with at least one of the various components of the system 10. For example, a Flex-Plane provides a lightweight, flexible interconnection system that is suitable for the various remote location and/or mobile applications described herein. The Flex- Plane is mentioned because of the inventor's familiarity with the Flex-Plane interconnect system and the centralized interconnection Back-Plane, however, any of a number of interconnection systems, flexible or otherwise, may be suitable for the various embodiments, hi addition, an interface 18 including aback-plane and at least one flexible connector may provide greater freedom for the placement of the various components within an enclosure, as will be described further below. In an alternative example, the interface 18 may comprise a physical and/or other type of interconnection system as illustrated in Fig. IB. hi one embodiment, the system 10 may include a status processor 29 for managing the operation of components in communication via the interface 18. For example, the status processor 29 may manage data traffic between the controller 14 and the at least one data storage device 12 or manage data communication between a plurality of data storage devices 12. In one embodiment, the status processor 29 may be embedded on the back-plane of the interface 18. An enclosure 30 provides an interior with structural integrity for mounting the various components of the system 10. hi one embodiment, the enclosure 30 is at least partially environmentally sealed to protect the various components from harsh environment conditions. For example, the enclosure 30 may be designed for applications that require integrity for transporting the system 10 in various environmental conditions such as in harsh weather, during long distance transport and/or for other field conditions. One skilled in the art will note that any of a variety of materials may be suitable of the enclosure to provide both structural integrity for the components of the system 10 and environmental isolation. In various embodiments, the enclosure 30 may include a console 32 with, for example, status indicators which indicate the operational status of the various components. In another embodiment, the enclosure 30 may include a means such as, for example, a cooling system 34 for providing heat exchange between the interior of the enclosure and an external environment. A suitable enclosure 30 for the purposes of the invention is illustrated as a cut-away view in Fig. 2. h one embodiment, the enclosure 30 includes at least one handle 36 which may be integrated for transporting the system 10. In addition, the enclosure 30 may include a secondary enclosure (not shown) such as a transport case, to provide protection from more severe environmental conditions, hi another embodiment, the enclosure 30 may include an inner wall 38 which may provide structural support for shock absorption and/or vibration isolation for the various components. For example, a structural component 40 may provide shock absorption and vibration isolation for the at least one data storage device 12. In another embodiment, the enclosure 30 may include a door 42 for adding and/or removing the at least one data storage device 12. For example, the door 42 may provide access to the at least one data storage device 12 when a user desires to "hot-swap" a disk drive located on the interior of the enclosure 30 for another disk drive. Fig. 2 further illustrates various components of the cooling system 34, which provide heat exchange between the interior of the enclosure 30 and an external environment. In one embodiment, the door 42 may include an air intake for managing the environmental conditions subjected upon the at least one data storage device 12. In various other embodiments, the exterior of the enclosure 30 may include a console 32 as shown in the front elevation view of Fig. 3 and other components such as a power input/output connector 44, communication input/output connectors 46 and/or other components as shown in the rear elevation view in Fig. 4. While the enclosure 30 illustrated in Figs. 2-4 is a semi-environmentally sealed enclosure 30, it should be noted that in various other embodiments the enclosure 30 may be completely environmentally sealed. Therefore, the portable network attached storage system 10 in accordance Λvith the embodiments comprises a portable, small form factor network attached data storage system. The amount of storage capacity is variable as desired. As illustrated in Figs. 2-4 above, the enclosure 30 is rectangular in configuration and includes a plurality of handles 36 mounted at distal locations of an exterior and an interior into which the components may be received. The exterior and interior comprise an enclosure 30. In one embodiment, the enclosure 30 measures approximately 15" X 13" X 5.25", although as should be understood, those dimensions may be altered where desired to other configurations, hi another embodiment, the enclosure 30, including the system 10, is approximately 25 lbs., although as should be understood, other embodiments may comprise different overall sizes, configurations and/or weight. In one embodiment, .86 terabytes of recoverable storage may be provided by the system 10 with each data storage device 12 having 144 gigabytes of recoverable storage. The system 10 may also be altered where desired to more or less than .86 terabyte capacity based on the increased or reduced capacity of the at least one data storage device 12 utilized in the system 10. In addition, in one embodiment the system 10 utilizes a flexible interface 18 for associating the various components of the system 10, such as the Flex-Plane, that allows the various components to be connected but not physically attached so as to allow for individual components to be shock- mounted or vibration-mounted independently of one another. Advantageously, while the portable storage system 10 of the various embodiments comprises a small and light weight device, it provides a fiber channel-based (internal) data storage system with disk level mirroring and host-based backup capability. In addition, the system 10 may operate with either standard AC or DC current inputs via the power module 16 and connect to network tenninals 20 via telnet, 10/100 Ethernet networking, Gigabit Ethernet(GigE), Fibre Channel and/or other networking protocols. Although the invention has been described in terms of arious embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A portable data storage system comprising at least one data storage device, a controller, a power module and an interface for associating said at least one data storage device with said controller and said power module, wherein said at least one data storage device, controller, power module and interface are associated with the interior of an enclosure.

2. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said controller includes at least one processor, wherein said processor is associated with said at least one data storage device and said power module via said interface.

3. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is at least partially environmentally sealed.

4. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said portable data storage system is associated with a computer network.

5. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said portable data storage system is associated with a communication network.

6. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said at least one data storage device comprises a removable disk drive.

7. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said power module comprises a power inverter for receiving current inputs from at least one power supply and a switching device for selecting between said received current inputs.

8. The portable data storage system of claim 4, wherein said received current inputs include AC and DC current inputs.

9. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said power module comprises at least one power supply.

10. The portable data storage system of claim 1 further comprising a means for providing heat exchange between the interior of said enclosure and an external environment.

11. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure includes at least one handle.

12. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said interface includes a back-plane for associating said at least one data storage device, controller and power module via at least one flexible connector.

13. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said at least one data storage device, controller and power module are independently mounted with respect to each other within said enclosure.

14. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said at least one data storage device provides at least 144 Gigabytes of data storage capacity.

15. The portable data storage system of claim 1, wherein said controller is operable to restore previous stored data from said at least one data storage device.

16. A method for storing data in a portable medium comprising: providing at least one data storage device; a controller, a power module, an interface for associating said at least one data storage device with said controller and said power module and an enclosure, wherein said at least one data storage device, controller, power module and interface are associated with the interior of said enclosure.

17. A portable data storage system comprising: a means for storing data; a controlling means; a means for providing power; and an interface means for associating said means for storing data with said controlling means and said means for providing power, wherein said means for storing data, controlling means, means for providing power and said interface means are associated with the interior of an enclosure.

18. A network comprising: at least one terminal; and a portable data storage system, said system comprising at least one data storage device, a controller, a power module and an interface for associating said at least one data storage device with said controller and said power module, wherein said at least one data storage device, controller, power module and interface are associated with the interior of an enclosure; wherein said portable data storage system is accessible to said at least one terminal.

19. The network of claim 18, wherein said at least one terminal includes a computer terminal.

20. The network of claim 18, wherein said at least one terminal includes a telecommunication handset.