Patent Application
20060224751
The present invention relates to an integrated storage system in which computers share a storage device or storage devices, or storage devices are accessed by a computer or computers.
Particularly, the present invention relates to a storage system, a host adapter, a node device, a method of controlling a storage system, a method of controlling a host adapter, a signal-bearing medium embodying a program causing a host adapter to perform a method of controlling a storage system, and a signal-bearing medium embodying a program causing a digital processing apparatus to perform a method of controlling a host adapter, having the technology for resetting of address information which occurs in accordance with a change of topology.
Recently, for example, attempts to construct an integrated storage by combining a plurality of small-scale storage devices and a switch device have been made. Such integrated storage enables the easy increase of the capacity of a storage device and allows high scalability, and in addition, compared to introducing a large-scale device to obtain the same capacity, costs are kept low.
Existing systems, for example, include a storage area network management system in which security management is automatically conducted (JP-A No. 63063/2002), or an integrated storage system that enables the handling of a large number of storage devices on a network as a centralized image by viewing them from a higher-level device (JP-A No. 296154/2003).
However, in each conventional system mentioned above, since software integrates and manages each device, there are many problems.
For example, at the time of adding a data storage (e.g., increase in capacity of data storage), logical settings for how a host computer responds to an increased disk may be necessary. For this reason, a human entry-level error may easily occur and a system in operation may be affected.
For example, at the time of adding a host, logical settings for showing the volume of the storage device to the additional host computer may be necessary, and in this case as well, a human entry-level error may easily occur and a system in operation may be affected.
For example, regarding management of hardware, such as parts failure management of each component, information unique to the component needs to be processed and it may be difficult to conduct unified integrated management.
In addition, in the existing technology mentioned above, address information is managed by software and therefore, overhead for the host computer processing increases. To solve this problem, address conversion may be conducted within a switch device by introducing an intelligent switch. However, in spite of having such a construction, the above-mentioned problems still exist and problems may occur.
For example, when replacement is made due to a fault in a switch device, resetting of address conversion information may be necessary and in this case as well, a system in operation may be affected, because of a human error.
In view of the foregoing and other exemplary problems, drawbacks, and disadvantages of the conventional techniques, it is an exemplary feature of the present invention to provide a storage system, a host adapter, a node device, a method of controlling a storage system, a method of controlling a host adapter, a signal-bearing medium embodying a program causing a host adapter to perform a method of controlling a storage system, and a signal-bearing medium embodying a program causing a digital processing apparatus to perform a method of controlling a host adapter.
For example, the present invention may provide a storage system in which logical setting work may not be necessary at the installation location and occurrence of human error may be eliminated, when adding or replacing a node device.
The present invention provides a storage system for use with a node device; the storage system includes host modules that access the node device based on an address conversion information. The node device is connectable to the host modules and includes the address conversion information.
The present invention also provides a storage system for use with a host adapter; the storage system includes node devices, and a host computer that accesses the node devices. The host adapter is connectable to the host computer and controls data transfer between the host computer and the node devices, and the host adapter includes the address conversion information.
The present invention also provides a host adapter within a storage system for use with a node device; the storage system includes a host computer. The node device is connectable to the host computer and includes an address conversion information, and the host adapter controls data transfer between the host computer and the node device based on the address conversion information.
The present invention also provides a host adapter within a storage system for use with a host adapter; the storage system includes node devices, and a host computer that accesses the node devices. The host adapter includes an address conversion information. The host adapter is connectable to the host computer and controls data transfer between the host computer and the node devices.
The present invention also provides a data storage within a storage system for use with a node device includes host modules that access the node device based on an address conversion information. The node device includes the address conversion information. The node device is connectable to the host modules.
The present invention also provides a method of controlling a storage system for use with a node device, the storage system includes a host computer, and a host adapter that controls data transfer between the host computer and a node device based on an information of address conversion between the host computer and the node device, the node device being connectable to the storage system. The method includes retrieving, by the host adapter, the address conversion information from the node device.
The present invention also provides a method of controlling a host adapter within a storage system; the storage system includes node devices, and a host computer that accesses one of the node devices. The host adapter is connectable to the host computer and controls data transfer between the host computer and the node device. The host adapter includes information of address conversion between the host adapter and the node device. The method includes increasing a number of the host adapter, and the host adapter writing the address conversion information to one of the node devices.
The present invention also provides a signal-bearing medium embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus, the program causing a host adapter to perform a method of controlling a storage system for use with a node device described above.
The present invention also provides a signal-bearing medium embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus, the program causing the digital processing apparatus to perform a method of controlling a host adapter within a storage system described above.
[Exemplary Advantage]
The present invention may provide a storage system in which logical setting work may not be necessary at the installation location and occurrence of human error may be eliminated, when adding or replacing a node device.
This may be because a storage system may include host modules that accesses a node device based on an address conversion information. The node device may be connectable to the host modules and may include the address conversion information.
The novel and exemplary features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as other exemplary features and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the detailed description which follows, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
An integrated storage system relating to the present invention may be an integrated storage device combining a plurality of single storage devices (hereinafter referred to as a “storage device”), a switch device switching and connecting each storage device to a corresponding computer (e.g., a host computer), a host adapter module as a host adapter device to be connected to the switch device (hereinafter simply referred to as a “host adapter”), and one, two or more computers accessing each aforesaid storage device via the host adapter and aforesaid switch device. The word “host module” described below may refer to a combination of a host computer and a host adapter.
Each aforesaid storage device stores address conversion information for each host adapter and the host adapter takes in such information. Therefore, the work procedure at the time of increase in capacity, maintenance and replacement may be unnecessary. A scalable storage system wherein management may be easily made is provided. This is a characteristic of an integrated storage system relating to the present invention. In accordance with the attached drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are consecutively described as follows.
At this point, when the same element is shown in a plurality of drawings, the same reference numeral is used. Acronyms to be used in the exemplary embodiment have the following meaning.
A construction is provided in which each of the node devices (e.g., storage devices SD0 to SDN-1) stores in advance address conversion information for each of host adapter devices HAD0 to HADM-1 and hereby, at the time of increase in capacity, maintenance and replacement, resetting of address information can be made as desired. For this reason, according to this construction, a resetting that is made at the time of increase in capacity, may be completely automated. Therefore, human manual operation may be removed at the installation location. Consequently, system failure caused by human error can be minimized, if not eliminated.
At this point, a construction may be provided in which at the time of reading address conversion information from storage devices SD0 to SDN-1, host adapter devices HAD0 to HADM-1 have a conversion information reading function that is executed after all of storage devices SD0 to SDN-1 start. The exemplary configuration of host adapter devices HAD will be discussed below in the second exemplary embodiment.
In addition, a construction may be provided in which when a new storage device is added to aforesaid storage devices SD0 to SDN-1, aforesaid host adapter devices HAD0 to HADM-1 have functions to read address conversion information relating to a relevant storage device from a relevant new storage device, and at the same time, set the corresponding computer to be able to search relevant storage device. For these constructions, further description is given as follows.
As described above,
Each storage device SDj (j=1, 2, . . . N−1) holds a volume (e.g., to store information) within its own device and address conversion information ACIdj relating to host adapters HAD0, HAD1, . . . , HADM-1. At this point,
Meanwhile, each host adapter HADi takes in address conversion information relating to storage devices SD0 to SDN-1 and its own host adapter HADi from each storage device SDj and holds address conversion information ACIhi. At this point,
By conducting address conversion according to address conversion information ACIhi, host adapter HADi discloses the volume that actually exists in storage devices SD0 to SDN-1, as a volume of a unit of an integrated storage device, to computer 21. Regarding a single storage device to be added SDN (not illustrated), by having SDN hold address conversion information at the stage of shipping, it is possible to add volume (capacity) without setting volume management information at an installation location at the time of increase.
In this way, in the first exemplary embodiment, a node device to be added (e.g., storage device to be added SDN (not illustrated)) holds address conversion information at the stage of shipping and when the increase is made, host adapter HADi voluntarily takes information in and updates address conversion information ACIhi. Therefore, at an installation location, the operation to increase capacity can be carried out quickly and efficiently without setting volume management information.
The exemplary operation of system 1, host adapter, and storage device will be shown in FIGS. 6,-8 in the second exemplary embodiment described below.
Next, a second exemplary embodiment is described based on
Among them, between aforesaid switch devices SW0, SW1 and computers C0, C1, four host adapter devices HAD00 to HAD11 that control data transfer between aforesaid computers C0, C1 and each of storage devices SD0 to SD3 via relevant switch devices SW0 and SW1, corresponding and linking to aforesaid computers C0 and/or C1, are installed as shown in
Therefore, according to these constructions, at the time of new increase in host computers C0 and C1 (increase in host adapter device), as described above, the setting is made in which prescribed address conversion information is automatically written into each of a plurality of storage devices SD0 to SD3. This enables the complete automation of resetting. It is also designed so that human manual operations are unnecessary. This enables effective elimination of system failure previously caused by human error in the conventional systems.
At this point, a construction may be provided in which aforesaid host adapter devices HAD00 to HAD11 function when a new storage device is added to aforesaid storage device SD0 to SD3 and have a conversion information writing function that writes prescribed address conversion information into a relevant new storage device as mentioned above when the entire system starts. Further description is given as follows.
As described above,
Each host adapter HADkm (k=0, 1, m=0, 1) functions in accordance with commands from the host computer Ck and has a function to control data transfer between host computer Ck and storage device SDj (j=0 to 3). Host adapter HADkm and storage device SDj are connected by fiber channel interface (hereinafter referred to as “FC interface”) via FC switches SW0 and SW1. Storage device SDj has an FC interface and in general, may be a disk array device and includes a large volume.
In
Processor 32 judges the content of commands given by host computer Ck and based on address conversion information stored in RAM 33, issues a converted command to storage device SDj and controls data transfer between host interface control part 34 and device side interface control part 35. In addition, processor 32 voluntarily issues a command to receive address information from storage device SD0 to SD3 via device side interface control part 35. ROM 31 stores a functioning program of host adapter HADkm and in addition, when host adapter HADkm+1 (not illustrated) is added, stores address conversion information ACIhkm+1 (not illustrated).
Address conversion information ACId0 includes address conversion information for all of host adapters HADkm, which are objects of service, that is to say, SD0/HAD00 address conversion information, SD0/HAD01 address conversion information, SD0/HAD10 address conversion information and SD0/HAD11 address conversion information. Address information ACIdj held by storage device SDj is a set of information by which each host adapter shows volume held by the storage to host computer Ck.
Moreover,
Address conversion information ACIh00 includes address conversion information of all storage devices SD0 to SD3 that can be accessed by host adapter HAD00 (e.g., SD0/HAD00 address conversion information to SD3/HAD00 address conversion information). Address information held by host adapter HADkm includes a set of information by which host adapter device HADkm shows a volume held by each storage device SDj to host computer Ck and a set of information which host adapter HADkm has obtained by reading the information held by each storage device SDj.
For fiber channel switches (FC switches) SW0, SW1 as a switch device and storage device SDj in above-mentioned
Next,
In
When the obtainment of address conversion information completes, behavior for a host interface is determined and then in step 64, connection to the host interface is permitted. The phrase, “Connection to the host interface is permitted” means after permission, requests from host computer Ck will normally be responded to. Therefore, before permission is obtained, even if host computer Ck makes a request, there will be no response.
In this way, according to the exemplary embodiment, by collecting address conversion information from all storage devices SD0 to SD3 every tine the storage devices start, host adapter HADkm can hold updated address conversion information after such an event.
Next,
In
This functioning also may be applied to a decrease of volume. For example, when a storage device SD is removed, a host adapter HADkm detects the adjustment (e.g., decrease) of volume via device side interface control part 35 in step 71′, and in step 72′, deletes address conversion information related to the decreased (removed volume) storage device SD. Through this procedure, how to show the volume of the decreased storage device SD to host computer Ck is determined and in step 73′ when host computer Ck searches the volume again, the amount of the decreased volume can be notified (reported).
Next,
In
In this way, in ROM31 of a host adapter to be increased (added), address conversion information is stored, and the increased host adapter writes address conversion information in ROM31 into all storage devices SD0 to SD3 at the time of start. Therefore, a human operation for address information setting is not necessary, and address information in storage devices SD0 to SD3 is automatically updated.
Next, a third exemplary embodiment is described based on
In the third exemplary embodiment as shown in
In addition, a service interface device 105 is installed that constantly monitors each connection status among each of aforesaid storage devices SD0 and SD1, switch device SW and each host adapter device HAD0 and HAD1. Moreover, a management server 106 is installed that carries out integrated management for information collected by service interface device 105. In this construction, because of easy management, the reliability of devices can be further improved, enabling integrated management of hardware resources.
Further specific explanation is now given. Integrated storage system 3 in
Among them, a construction is provided in which the service interface module 105 is connected to each component within integrated storage system 3. Thus, failure and performance information of all components in integrated storage system 3 is managed in an integrated manner and can be reported to management server 106. Additionally, in each of the above configurations of the exemplary embodiment, duplexing of the service interface module 105 can be incorporated so as to maintain durability and reliability in operation.
Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment is described based on
Moreover, a construction is provided in which an extended disk device with address conversion additional information is added to aforesaid storage device, and aforesaid storage device SD20 and SD21 have a conversion information updating function that updates address information held by the storage device based on the address conversion additional information saved in the extended disk device. In this construction, increased versatility results.
Further description is now given. The fourth exemplary embodiment in
Network topology of integrated storage system 4 as shown in
As shown in
Thus, in the fourth exemplary embodiment, host adapters HAD30 and HAD31 take in (receive) address information at regular time intervals. After that, in step 114, when a host searches the volume again, the increased volume can be notified (reported).
This functioning of the entire system may be applied to the case in which extended disk 115 is removed. For example, when extended disk 115 is removed, firstly in step 111′, storage device SD21 detects the deletion (removal) of disk 115 (e.g., a decreased volume). Then, in step 112, storage device SD21 updates address conversion information held by storage device SD21. Then, in step 113, host adapters HAD30 and HAD 31 recognize updated address conversion information 116.
Host adapters HAD30 and HAD31 take in (receive) address information at regular time intervals. After that, in step 114′, when a host searches the volume again, the decreased volume can be notified (reported).
As described above, in the fourth exemplary embodiment a single disk device 115 that is added under a storage device has address conversion additional information and in this construction, address conversion information held by storage device SD21 is updated. Therefore, an outstanding effect is obtained not only when a storage device itself is increased, but also when a single disk under storage device is added, the operation for increasing can be completed without changing the setting at an installation location. At this point, the existing volume of aforesaid extended disk (single disk device) may be increased in capacity.
In the above description, only an example of exemplary embodiment was given to explain the present invention. Therefore, in accordance with the technical idea or principle of the present invention, it is possible to conduct change, modification or addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment and from such a viewpoint, the present invention is highly versatile in use.
Another control method for starting the system and the like in the exemplary embodiment is shown below.
A system start method in the exemplary embodiment includes: a first step wherein a host adapter device starts at the same time of the entire system starting (S121); a second step wherein after each of a plurality of storage devices completes the start (S122), the host adapter device functions and obtains address conversion information held by each of the storage devices (S123); and a third step wherein the obtainment of such address conversion information is reported to a host computer (S124), and hereby the entire system functions normally for requests from the host computer. According to these three steps, at the time of increase and maintenance of a storage device, problems that have occurred at the time of start caused by conventional human errors may be effectively eliminated.
In a system operation control method at the time of a storage device being increased in the exemplary embodiment includes the following steps: a first step wherein a storage device to be increased stores address conversion information (S131); a second step wherein a host adapter device relating to the increased storage device detects the increase of relevant storage device (S132), a third step wherein based on the detected increase information, address conversion information relating to the increased storage device is obtained (S133), and a fourth step wherein the obtainment of the address conversion information is reported to a host computer and at the same time, the existence of increased volume is notified at the next time of searching from a relevant host computer (S134). This may enable the smooth execution of the operation control of the system at the time of a storage device being increased.
Furthermore, in a system operation control method at the time of a host adapter being increased in the exemplary embodiment includes the following steps: a first step wherein a host adapter device to be increased stores address conversion information relating to each of a plurality of storage devices (S141); a second step wherein the increased host adapter device starts (S142); a third step wherein address conversion information stored in the increased host adapter device is written into each of the storage device (S143); and a fourth step wherein address conversion information stored in the increased host adapter device in the first step is invalidated (S144). This may enable the smooth execution of the operation control of the system at the tine of a host adapter device being increased.
[A Control Program for Starting the System and the Like in the Exemplary Embodiment]
A start control program relating to the exemplary embodiment has a construction allowing that a computer may execute the following procedures: a procedure to start a host adapter device concurrently with the start of the entire system; a procedure to obtain address conversion information held by each of a plurality of storage devices by having the host adapter device function after each of the storage devices completes the start; and a procedure to report the obtainment of such address conversion information to a host computer.
In addition, a start control program relating to the exemplary embodiment may be a control program to allow that a computer executes system operation control at the time of a storage device being increased in an integrated storage system and has a construction allowing that the computer executes the following procedures: a procedure wherein a storage device to be increased stores address conversion information; a procedure wherein a host adapter device relating to the increased storage device detects the increase in relevant storage device; a procedure to function based on detected increase information and obtain address conversion information relating to the increased storage device; and a procedure to report the obtainment of such address conversion information to a host computer and at the same time, notify the existence of increased volume at the next time of searching from a relevant host computer.
Furthermore, a control program relating to the exemplary embodiment may be a control program allowing that a computer executes system operation control at the time of a host adapter device being increased in an integrated storage system and has a construction ensuring that the computer executes the following procedures: a procedure wherein a host adapter device to be increased stores address conversion information relating to each of a plurality of storage devices; a procedure to start the increased host adapter device; a procedure wherein address conversion information stored in the increased host adapter device is written into each of the storage device, and a procedure to invalidate address conversion information stored in the increased host adapter device in the first step. Even in these procedures, a program capable of effectively achieving the above-mentioned purpose can be provided.
In this way, in each exemplary embodiment described above, the present invention may include many exemplary advantages. For example:
(1) with regards to a storage device in which address conversion information is stored before shipping, a setting is made that when a host adapter device detects an increase, such information is automatically taken in; therefore, at the time of a storage device being increased, the operation can be automatically completed without changing the setting at an installation location and human errors that have conventionally occurred may be completely eliminated; this may give a significant increase in the reliability of the entire system;
(2) with regards to a host adapter device in which address conversion information is stored before shipping, a setting is made that a host adapter device automatically writes such information into a single storage device at the first time of start; therefore, at the time of a host adapter device being increased, the operation may be completed without changing the setting at an installation location and in this case as well, human errors that have conventionally occurred are completely eliminated; this may also give a significant increase in the reliability of the entire system; and
(3) even when a host adapter device is replaced due to failure of a host adapter device, address conversion information may be automatically taken in again; therefore, the operation for replacement may be completed without resetting of information.
The present invention has the above-mentioned construction and functions. Therefore, at the tine of replacement due to failure or maintenance of each component of a system device relating to an integrated storage system, logical setting operation at an installation location may not be necessary. Thus, occurrence of human error may be eliminated. Accordingly, the present invention may provide a highly reliable integrated storage system, start method and its program.
At this point, it is possible to realize each exemplary embodiment mode mentioned above by incorporating a host adapter HAD into a switch device or fiber channel switch SW. In this case, a host adapter HAD may take the form of a host adapter module.
In the same way, a service interface 105 in
While this invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, this description is not intended as limiting. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon taking description as a whole. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
Further, the inventor's intent is to encompass all equivalents of all the elements of the claimed invention even if the claims are amended during prosecution.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-104169 filed on Mar. 31, 2005 and including specification, claims, drawings and summary. The disclosure of the above Japanese Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-104169 | Mar 2005 | JP | national |
