Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory – Storage accessing and control – Control technique
Reexamination Certificate
2005-06-14
2005-06-14
Anderson, Matthew (Department: 2186)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory
Storage accessing and control
Control technique
C711S112000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06907504
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is a method and system for upgrading drive firmware on a drive within a distributed data storage system in a manner that is transparent and non-disruptive to the host system operations. The method and system allow for normal read and write operations to occur during the firmware upgrade process, even while the primary disk drive is off-line, through alteration of the controller read and write policies. A mapping file is created on a temporary storage device to reduce the necessary time period of the upgrade process. This time period is further reduced in a mirrored storage system or in a system having a spare drive, where a logging file is created to store the data diverted from the primary disk drive during the upgrade process. An advantage is the ability to maintain storage system redundancy during the upgrade process. The upgrade process in general is also simplified because the drive upgrade module is compatible with legacy equipment and may reside in the storage system controller firmware.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5297258 (1994-03-01), Hale et al.
patent: 5574851 (1996-11-01), Rathunde
patent: 5809224 (1998-09-01), Schultz et al.
patent: 6012123 (2000-01-01), Pecone et al.
patent: 6058489 (2000-05-01), Schultz et al.
patent: 6182198 (2001-01-01), Hubis et al.
patent: 6209060 (2001-03-01), Machida
patent: 6240527 (2001-05-01), Schneider et al.
patent: 6260124 (2001-07-01), Crockett et al.
patent: 6728833 (2004-04-01), Pruett et al.
patent: 2002/0166027 (2002-11-01), Shirasawa et al.
patent: 2003/0005354 (2003-01-01), Kalman
patent: 2003/0212856 (2003-11-01), Nichols
Chi Raid Solutions, www.chicorporation.com, solutions/storage/hardware/chiraidsolutions.htm, 4 pages.
CMD Titan RAID Controller, CRD-7400, CMD Technology, Inc., 2 pages.
Foraker, www.sagelec.com, cfm/view1.cfm?type=storage, 2 pages.
Tranzstor 8Xsc RAID High-performance Rugged SCSI Channel RAID Solution, www.zmicro.com, products/tranzstor-8xsc.htm, 2 pages.
ZZYZX Announces the Addition of Rocketstor 500 to Its Powerful RAID Storage Solution Line, www.zzyzx.com, info/press/announce/pr6-21-Zzyzx_RocketSTOR_500.html, 3 pages.
Burton David Alan
Otterness Noel Simen
Anderson Matthew
Kunzler & Associates
Thomas Shane
LandOfFree
Method and system for upgrading drive firmware in a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and system for upgrading drive firmware in a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and system for upgrading drive firmware in a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3480369