Disk array apparatus, and control method and control program recording medium

Abstract

A disk array apparatus has a plurality of the same type of disk array units. Each of the disk array units has a plurality of storage areas in each of which firmware for allowing the disk array unit to operate is stored. When the disk array apparatus recognizes that a first disk array unit has been disposed therein, it compares a version number of firmware stored in each storage area included in the first disk array unit with a version number of firmware stored in each storage area included in a second disk array unit that currently operates in the disk array apparatus. If these version numbers are the same, the disk array apparatus makes a storage area in which firmware executed by the first disk array unit is stored conform to a storage area in which firmware executed by the second disk array unit is stored.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a disk array apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a disk array unit;

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a configuration of a disk array unit that currently operates in the disk array apparatus;

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a configuration of a replacement disk array unit;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a CM;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a firmware control table;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of making version numbers of a plurality of pieces of firmware stored in disk array units conform to each other;

FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing a process of checking version numbers of a plurality of pieces of firmware in the case of a disk array unit having a work area into which firmware cannot be downloaded;

FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing a process of checking version numbers of a plurality of pieces of firmware in the case of a disk array unit having a work area into which firmware cannot be downloaded;

FIG. 7C is a flowchart showing a process of checking version numbers of a plurality of pieces of firmware in the case of a disk array unit having a work area into which firmware cannot be downloaded;

FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing a process of checking version numbers of a plurality of pieces of firmware in the case of a disk array unit having a work area into which firmware can be downloaded;

FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing a process of checking version numbers of a plurality of pieces of firmware in the case of a disk array unit having a work area into which firmware can be downloaded; and

FIG. 8C is a flowchart showing a process of checking version numbers of a plurality of pieces of firmware in the case of a disk array unit having a work area into which firmware can be downloaded.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a disk array apparatus having a plurality of units each storing firmware in multiplex configuration, comprising: detecting replacement of one of a plurality of first units and reading out version information of firmware stored in said one of a plurality of first unit;reading out version information of firmware currently used for and stored in another of said plurality of said first units; andupdating firmware in said one of first unit by writing firmware information stored in and read out from said apparatus into said one of a plurality of first unit, so that the firmware stored in the plurality of the first unit becomes compatible with each other.

2. The method of according to claim 1, changing firmware stored of one of a plurality of first unit to firmware currently used one of a plurality of first unit when one of a plurality of first unit is unable to transfer said firmware currently used of one of a plurality of first unit, updating said firmware stored of said one of a plurality of first unit corresponding to said firmware currently used of said second unit.

3. The method of according to claim 2, updating said firmware stored of said one of a plurality of first unit corresponding to said firmware currently used of said second unit before the changing firmware stored of one of a plurality of first unit to firmware currently used one of a plurality of first unit.

4. A disk array apparatus having a plurality of units each storing firmware in multiplex configuration for controlling, according to a process comprising: detecting replacement of one of a plurality of first units and reading out version information of firmware stored in said one of a plurality of first unit;reading out version information of firmware currently used for and stored in another of said plurality of said first units; andupdating firmware in said one of first unit by writing firmware information stored in and read out from said apparatus into said one of a plurality of first unit, so that the firmware stored in the plurality of the first unit becomes compatible with each other.

5. A disk array apparatus of according to claim 4, according to a process further comprising, changing firmware stored of one of a plurality of first unit to firmware currently used one of a plurality of first unit when one of a plurality of first unit is unable to transfer said firmware currently used of one of a plurality of first unit, updating said firmware stored of said one of a plurality of first unit corresponding to said firmware currently used of said second unit.

6. A disk array apparatus of according to claim 4, according to a process further comprising, updating said firmware stored of said one of a plurality of first unit corresponding to said firmware currently used of said second unit before the changing firmware stored of one of a plurality of first unit to firmware currently used one of a plurality of first unit.

7. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a computer program for controlling a disk array apparatus having a plurality of units each storing firmware in multiplex configuration, according a process comprising: detecting replacement of one of a plurality of first units and reading out version information of firmware stored in said one of a plurality of first unit;reading out version information of firmware currently used for and stored in another of said plurality of said first units; andupdating firmware in said one of first unit by writing firmware information stored in and read out from said apparatus into said one of a plurality of first unit, so that the firmware stored in the plurality of the first unit becomes compatible with each other.