System and method for monitoring and non-disruptive backup of data in a solid state disk system
The invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring data disposed on a memory module in a solid state disk system, and copying the data to a storage means without disrupting the availability, performance or use of the solid state disk system. The system preferably uses a control module coupled to the memory module and storage means. The control module preferably maintains a segment queue to record a list of data segments that have been updated in the memory module. When a time interval expires, the control module copies the data segments listed in the segment queue to the storage means.
1 . A solid state disk system comprising:
a non-volatile storage media;
a memory module;
an interface module for communicating with a computer network;
a control module operatively coupled to the non-volatile storage media, the memory module, and the interface module;
a segment queue stored by said control module for storing a list of data segments that have been updated in said memory module;
said control module, when a time interval expires, copying the data segments listed in said segment queue to said non-volatile storage media.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the time interval is defined by a user.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the time interval is determined by a threshold number of data segments listed in said segment queue.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory module is a RAM module.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a temporary power supply;
upon shutdown of the system or failure of external power to the system, the control module copying the data stored in the memory module to the non-volatile storage media.
6 . The system of claim 5 , where upon shutdown of the system or failure of external power to the system, said temporary power supply providing power to the system.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said segment queue lists the earliest-updated data segment in the highest priority queue position.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said segment queue is manipulated by a user to customize the priorities of the data segments listed in said queue.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said segment queue is dynamically arranged by said control module.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said segment queue is arranged in sequential order corresponding to the order of memory segments in said non-volatile storage media.
11 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second segment queue for storing a list of data segments that have been updated during the time that said control module copied data segments listed in said first segment queue to said non-volatile storage media, said control module copying said data segments listed in said second segment queue to said non-volatile storage media.
12 . In a solid state memory system including a non-volatile storage media, a memory module, an interface module for communicating with a computer network, and a control module, a method for monitoring and backup of data comprising the steps of:
receiving a memory access request from an external device, said memory access request identifying a particular segment in the memory module;
updating the requested data segment in the memory module;
recording in a queue that the data segment has been updated;
determining whether a preset time-interval has expired;
when said time interval has expired, copying the segments recorded in said queue to the non-volatile storage media and clearing the segment from the queue.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein said time interval is user defined.
14 . The method of claim 12 wherein said time interval is determined by a threshold number of data segments listed in said segment queue.
15 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of organizing the data segments recorded in the queue in the order the segments are recorded.
16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of organizing the data segments recorded in the queue in sequential order corresponding to the order of memory segments in said non-volatile storage media.