Method and apparatus for archiving data during unexpected power loss
View Patent ↗A method and system for preventing loss of data in a computer interface board during power failure includes providing a secondary data path to a non-volatile storage element from a cache memory of the computer interface board. Components in the secondary data path, such as the cache memory and non-volatile storage element, are powered by a secondary power supply. The cache memory of the computer interface board is a volatile memory. The secondary data path with the non-volatile storage element enables reliable memory operation during both normal and power fail modes. A power failure at the computer interface board is detected. The power failure may result in incomplete transactional data within the cache memory. Upon detection of power failure, the incomplete transactional data at the cache memory is transmitted to the non-volatile storage element through the secondary data path using the power from the secondary power supply. The non-volatile storage element preserves the transactional data of the cache memory during power failure.
1. A method for preventing loss of data in a computer interface board during power failure, comprising:
providing a secondary data path to a non-volatile storage element from a cache memory on the computer interface board, the cache memory of the computer interface board being a volatile memory, the secondary data path and the non-volatile storage element enabling reliable memory operation during both normal and power fail modes;
providing a secondary power supply to the non-volatile memory and the cache memory in the secondary data path, wherein the secondary power supply is a non-chemical cell power source;
detecting an unexpected power failure at the computer interface board, the unexpected power failure resulting in incomplete transactional data within the cache memory;
verifying, in response to the unexpected power failure, if any incomplete transactional data is left behind in the cache memory, wherein when incomplete transactional data is left behind in the cache memory, the verifying further includes,
(a) verifying status of the incomplete transactional data in the cache memory;
(b) activating the secondary power supply to supply power to the secondary data path; and
(c) transmitting the incomplete transactional data from the cache memory to the non-volatile storage element through the secondary data path, the non-volatile storage element preserving the transactional data of the cache memory during power failure,
wherein the secondary power supply provides sufficient power to supplement power lost due to power failure so as to transfer the incomplete transactional data to the non-volatile memory.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the secondary data path further includes,
harvesting residual power at the computer interface board during a power failure up till a threshold value; and
switching to the secondary power supply when the residual power has crossed the threshold value.
3. The method of claim 1 , further includes controlling the turning on or off of the secondary power supply so as to enable or disable power supply to the non-volatile memory and the cache memory in the secondary data path based on a status of the power supply at the computer interface board.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the secondary power supply is provided by a capacitor.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the incomplete transactional data further includes controlling a recording of the incomplete transactional data at the non-volatile storage element so as to ensure complete securing of the incomplete transactional data.
6. The method of claim 1 , further includes,
detecting resumption of normal power at the computer interface board; and
transmitting the transactional data from the non-volatile memory through the secondary data path to the cache memory at the computer interface board.
7. A system for preventing loss of data in a computer interface board during power failure, comprising:
a secondary interface board configured to interface with the computer interface board, comprising,
a non-volatile storage element configured to receive and store incomplete transactional data from a cache memory of the computer interface board during power failure at the computer interface board, wherein the cache memory is volatile; and
a secondary power supply configured to supplement power to the non-volatile storage element and the cache memory during power failure at the computer interface board such that the power supplied by the secondary power supply is sufficient to secure the incomplete transactional data in the non-volatile storage element,
wherein the non-volatile storage element includes one or more logic elements to,
(a) detect unexpected power failure at the computer interface board;
(b) determine if any incomplete transactional data is left behind in the cache memory of the computer interface board;
(c) when incomplete transactional data is left behind, activate the secondary power supply to supply power to the non-volatile storage element and the cache memory;
(d) transmit the incomplete transactional data from the cache memory to the non-volatile storage element through a secondary data path, the non-volatile storage element preserving the incomplete transactional data of the cache memory during power failure.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the secondary power supply is a capacitor, the capacitor interfacing with the computer interface board to obtain power from the computer interface board during a normal charge mode and to supply power to the non-volatile storage element on the secondary interface board and the cache memory on the computer interface board in order to secure transactional data in the cache memory during a power supply mode when a power failure is detected at the computer interface board.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the capacitor is integrated within the secondary interface board.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the capacitor is distinct from the secondary interface board and is tethered to the secondary interface board using external cables.
11. The system of claim 7 , further includes a switchover circuit logic, the switchover circuit logic configured to detect status of power supply at the computer interface board and to enable or disable the secondary power supply based on the status of the power supply at the computer interface board.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the secondary interface board further includes a voltage regulator, the voltage regulator configured to interface with the secondary power supply to regulate amount of power supplied by the secondary power supply to the cache memory, the non-volatile storage element and to one or more components on the computer interface board and the secondary interface board.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the secondary interface board further includes a memory controller, the memory controller on the secondary interface card configured to interface with a memory controller of the computer interface board to determine status of power supply at the computer interface board and the status of transactional data within the cache memory.
14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the secondary interface board is an add-on card with interface to the computer interface board.
15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the secondary interface board is integrated into the computer interface board.
16. A system for preventing loss of data in a computing device during unexpected power failure, comprising:
the computing device having,
a processor to process data;
a cache memory for storing instructions and data used during processing of the data at the computing device, the cache memory being a volatile memory; and
a recovery circuitry configured to interface with the cache memory of the computing device, the recovery circuitry including,
a non-volatile storage element configured to receive and secure incomplete transactional data from the cache memory of the computing device during power failure at the computing device; and
a secondary power supply configured to supplement power to the non-volatile storage element and the cache memory during power failure at the computing device such that the power supplied by the secondary power supply is sufficient to secure the incomplete transactional data in the non-volatile storage element,
wherein the non-volatile storage element includes one or more logic elements to,
(a) detect unexpected power failure at the computer interface board;
(b) determine if any incomplete transactional data is left behind in the cache memory of the computer interface board;
(c) when incomplete transactional data is left behind, activate the secondary power supply to supply power to the non-volatile storage element and the cache memory;
(d) transmit the incomplete transactional data from the cache memory to the non-volatile storage element through a secondary data path, the non-volatile storage element preserving the incomplete transactional data of the cache memory during power failure.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the computing system is one of a system mother board, interface card board, a printed circuit board or a plug-in interface card board.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the recovery circuitry is integrated on to any one of the system mother board, interface card board, printed circuit board or a plug-in interface card board.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the recovery circuitry is integrated onto a secondary interface board that is plugged into any one of the system mother board, interface card board, a printed circuit board or a plug-in interface card board.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the recovery circuitry is tethered to one of the system mother board, interface card board, a printed circuit board or a plug-in interface card board using cables.