HIGH DENSITY ARRAY SYSTEM WITH ACTIVE STORAGE MEDIA SUPPORT STRUCTURES

Abstract

A storage unit including a frame that defines a storage unit interior space, at least one storage media support structure capable of removably supporting a plurality of storage elements wherein the storage media support structure is adapted to provide a communicating path between the storage elements and the storage unit. The storage media support structure is capable of moving between a retracted position wherein substantially all of the storage elements are within the interior space and an extended position wherein substantially all of the storage elements are external to the interior space. Power and communication are provided to the storage media support structure when the storage media support structure is at or between the retracted and extended positions the power and communication is uninterrupted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a data storage arrangement constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a commercial embodiment of a High Density Array (HDA) unit consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the HDA unit illustrating one embodiment of a means to provide uninterrupted power and communication to a storage media blade when the storage media blade is moved between a retracted and extended position.

FIG. 1D is a side view of the HDA unit illustrating an alternative embodiment of a means to provide uninterrupted power and communication to a storage media blade when the storage media blade is moved between a retracted and extended position.

FIG. 1E is a side view of the HDA unit illustrating yet another alternative embodiment of a means to provide uninterrupted power and communication to a storage media blade when the storage media blade is moved between a retracted and extended position.

FIG. 2A is one commercial configuration of a storage media blade populated with ten disc drives consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a back view of the storage media blade populated with nine disc drives consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2C shows the back side of a bezel module consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the storage media blade of FIG. 2A without disc drives consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment consistent with the present invention of a retaining mechanism of the illustrative commercial HDA embodiment in more detail.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment consistent with the present invention of a top view of a blade plate board of the illustrative commercial HDA embodiment in more detail.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment consistent with the present invention of an illustration of a blade board schematic layout of the blade plate board of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative embodiment of one optional configuration of an HDA unit schematic layout consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is an illustration of an interconnected multi-HDA system schematic layout consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is an illustration of a master HDA and add-on storage media unit layout consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8C is an illustration of a looped connected multi-HDA system schematic layout consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the commercial embodiment of an HDA unit with the back surface presented consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows the commercial embodiment of an HDA unit with the back surface presented without the removable panel and a server module partially removed consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a top view of the HDA unit without the cover and removable panel consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A data storage unit having a source of electronic communication and a source of electronic power, the data storage unit comprising: a frame defining a storage unit interior space;at least one storage media support structure accommodating a plurality of storage elements;the plurality of storage elements receiving at least electronic communication and electronic power from said electronic communication source and said electronic power source via said storage media support structure;the storage media support structure adapted for being at least partially moved into and out from the interior space without interruption of the communication and power.

2. The storage unit of claim 1 further comprising a latch mechanism to prevent the storage media support structure from totally being removed from the unit interior space.

3. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one support media structure is adapted to be received by an accommodating opening in the frame.

4. The storage unit of claim 3 wherein the storage unit is adapted to accommodate a plurality of storage media support structures.

5. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one support media structure is partially moved between a retracted position wherein substantially all of the storage elements are within the interior space and an extended position wherein substantially all of the storage elements are external to the interior space, the at least one support media structure remains supported by data storage unit while the media blade is partially moved.

6. The storage unit of claim 5 wherein the storage media support structure is adapted to be supported by the storage unit when fully in the extended position.

7. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage media support structure comprises a base for supporting a base board, the communication and the power can be transmitted via the base board.

8. The storage unit of claim 7 wherein the base can accommodate a plurality of storage element power and communication connectors for the storage elements.

9. The storage unit of claim 8 wherein the at least one storage media support structure is selected from the group consisting of: a storage media blade, a storage media drawer, a storage media plate, a double storage media blade.

10. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the power and the communication are provided to the at least one storage media support structure by a power and communication linking device selected from one of the group consisting of: a ribbon cable, at least one independent conductive wire, a flex cable, at least one group of conductive wires.

11. The storage system of claim 10 wherein the power and the communication linking device comprises a tangling prevention device.

12. A method of operating a data storage unit wherein the data storage unit comprises a frame that defines an interior space, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first data package from a host;storing the first data package on at least one of a plurality of data storage elements that are supported by a first storage media support structure;moving the first storage media support structure along a guided pathway adapted for the first storage media support structure from a first position that is substantially within the interior space to a second position that is less than substantially within the interior space without interrupting the storing.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first position is when at least all of the storage elements are within the interior space.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second position is when all of the storage elements are out side of the interior space.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising storing the first data redundantly using a redundant data storing technique.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising receiving a second data package from the host; storing the second data package on a second storage media support structure wherein the second storage media support structure comprises a second plurality of data storage elements;moving the second storage media support structure along a guided pathway from a first position that is substantially within the interior space to a second position that is less than substantially within the interior space without interrupting the storing of the second data.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing the second data redundantly using a redundant data storing technique across the first and second storage media support structures.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of data storage elements is removed from the first storage media support structure when in the second position without substantially interrupting storing of the first data.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the removed storage element is replaced with a storage element selected from the group consisting of: a different form factor storage element, a different storage capacity storage element, a storage element having a different data handling rate.

20. A storage system comprising: a frame defining a storage system interior space;at least one storage media support structure capable of removably supporting a plurality of storage elements wherein the storage media support structure provides a communicating path between the storage elements and the storage system;the storage media support structure moving while being supported by the storage between a retracted position wherein substantially all of the storage elements are within the interior space and an extended position wherein substantially all of the storage elements are external to the interior space;a means to provide uninterrupted power and communication to the storage media support structure when the storage media support structure is at or between the retracted and extended positions.