Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory – Storage accessing and control – Specific memory composition
Reexamination Certificate
1996-06-19
2001-04-24
Shin, Christopher B. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory
Storage accessing and control
Specific memory composition
C710S074000, C710S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223250
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a card array apparatus, and more particularly to a card array apparatus in which a plurality of cards having the same function, such as a hard disk, can be set and a personal computer in which the card array apparatus is mounted.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A high performance disk server carries out services using a disk array apparatus. The disk array apparatus includes a plurality of hard disk units which are operated as a single hard disk system. There are five types of control methods (RAID
1
through
5
) for controlling the disk array apparatus. Due to each type of control method, the disk array apparatus has high performance and high reliability. As a result, for example, even if the disk array apparatus is being operated, a hard disk unit which has malfunctioned can be changed to a new one.
A disk server having a disk array apparatus may be formed as shown in FIG.
1
. Referring to
FIG. 1
, a disk array apparatus
10
, formed of a plurality of hard disk units (HDD
1
through HDD
5
), and a disk array controller
20
are mounted in a body of a disk server
30
. The disk array apparatus
10
and the disk array controller
20
are connected to each other by a standard bus interface. The disk server having the disk array apparatus may be also formed as shown in FIG.
2
. Referring to
FIG. 2
, the disk array apparatus
10
and the disk array controller
20
are not mounted in the body of the disk server
30
, but mounted in a disk array sub-system
32
. The disk array controller
20
is connected to a disk controller
22
provided in the body of the disk server
30
by a general purpose interface such as a SCSI.
Each of the hard disk units (HD) of the disk array apparatus
10
is formed based on a 3.5-inch hard disk or a 5-inch hard disk, so that the disk array apparatus
10
including a plurality of hard disk units is relatively large. Thus, the conventional disk array apparatus can not be applied to a personal computer (e.g, a desktop computer).
Further, the conventional disk array apparatus is formed on the assumption that the respective hard disk units are fixed therein. Thus, to be capable of setting and removing a hard disk unit in and from the disk array apparatus which is in an active state (an active setting/removing operation of the hard disk unit), a unit exclusively for the active setting/removing operation of the hard disk unit is needed. However, units for the exclusive active setting/removing operation of the hard disk unit are designed by individual manufactures of the disk array apparatus. Thus, a unit exclusively for the active setting/removing operation of the hard disk unit does not have compatibility with other hard disk units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a novel and useful card array apparatus in which the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art are eliminated.
A specific object of the present invention is to provide a card array apparatus in which a plurality of cards having the same function, such as a hard disk, can be set.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a card array apparatus formed as a disk array apparatus which can be mounted in a personal computer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a card array apparatus formed as a disk array apparatus in which respective hard disk units can be set in and removed from the disk array apparatus being in an active state.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a card array apparatus which can be formed as a disk array apparatus including hard disk units which provide a high level of compatibility.
The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a card array apparatus comprising: a card slot body having slots in which a plurality of PC cards having the same function can be set; and a card control unit for controlling the plurality of PC cards set in the slots of the card slot body as a single unit corresponding to the same function based on a command supplied from an external system.
According to the present invention, the PC cards having the same function can be set in the card array apparatus, and the PC cards are controlled as a single unit corresponding to the same function.
Since the card array apparatus is formed of the PC cards which are standardized by the PCMCIA/JEIDA (PCMCIA: Personal Computer Memory Card International Association; JEIDA: Japan Electronic Industry Development Association) so as to be applicable to a personal computer, a disk array apparatus which is mounted in a personal computer can be formed using the card array apparatus according to the present invention.
Since the PC cards have been designed as cards which can be freely set in and removed from slots, PC cards having hard disk functions can be set in and removed from the card array apparatus (the disk array apparatus) which is in the active state.
Further, since the PC cards are standardized by the PCMCIA/JEIDA, the card array apparatus can be formed as a disk array apparatus including hard disk units having increased compatibility.
Further, a specific object of the present invention is to provide a personal computer in which the card array apparatus described above is mounted.
The object of the present invention is achieved by a personal computer comprising: a card array apparatus; and a control system controlling the card array apparatus, wherein the card array apparatus comprises: a card slot body having slots in which a plurality of PC cards having the same function can be set; and a card control unit for controlling the plurality of PC cards set in the slots of the card slot body as a single unit corresponding to the same function based on a command supplied from the control system.
According to the present invention, a personal computer in which the card array apparatus is mounted can be made.
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Fujitsu Limited
Shin Christopher B.
Staas & Halsey , LLP
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