IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,543,789
Granted Patent B2
US 8,543,789 · App. 12/115,306 · Granted Sep 24, 2013

System and method for managing a storage array

Inventors: Ahmad A. J. Ali (Austin, TX); Zafar Mahmood (Round Rock, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,543,789
App. No.
12/115,306
Filed
May 5, 2008
Granted
Sep 24, 2013
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2188
USPC
711/114
Abstract

Systems and methods for managing a storage array are disclosed. A method may include segmenting each of a plurality of physical storage resources into a first storage area and a second storage area. The method may also include activating a first logical unit including each first storage area of the plurality of physical storage resources. The method may additionally include placing at least one designated physical resource of the plurality of physical storage resources in a powersave mode. The method may further include activating a second logical unit including the second storage areas of some of the plurality of physical storage resources but not the at least one designated physical storage resource. Moreover, the method may include storing data associated with a write operation intended for the at least one designated physical storage resource to the second logical unit.

Claims (42)

1. A method for managing a storage array, comprising:

segmenting each of a plurality of physical storage resources into a first storage area and a second storage area;

activating a first logical unit including each first storage area of the plurality of physical storage resources;

placing at least one designated physical resource of the plurality of physical storage resources in a powersave mode;

activating a second logical unit including the second storage areas of some of the plurality of physical storage resources but not the at least one designated physical storage resource, wherein neither the second logical unit nor any virtual resource comprising the second logical unit is presented as a logical unit to any node communicatively coupled to the plurality of physical storage resources; and

storing data associated with a write operation intended for the at least one designated physical storage resource to the second logical unit.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first logical unit and the second logical unit is a redundant storage array.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the redundant storage array is a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID).

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein each of the first logical unit and the second logical unit is a RAID of the same RAID level.

5. A method according to claim 3 , wherein each of the first logical unit and the second logical unit is a RAID, and the first logical unit and the second logical unit are of a different RAID level.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein storing data associated with the write operation includes storing information associated with the destination of the data to be written.

7. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising presenting the first logical unit to a node communicatively coupled to the plurality of physical storage resources as a single logical unit.

8. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

removing the at least one designated physical storage resource from the powersave mode; and

updating the at least one designated physical storage resource based on information stored in the second logical unit.

9. A system for managing a storage array, comprising:

a plurality of physical storage resources; and

a device communicatively coupled to the plurality of storage resources, the device configured to:

segment each of the plurality of physical storage resources into a first storage area and a second storage area;

activate a first logical unit including each first storage area of the plurality of physical storage resources;

place at least one designated physical resource of the plurality of physical storage resources in a powersave mode;

activate a second logical unit including the second storage areas of some of the plurality of physical storage resources but not the at least one designated physical storage resource, such that neither the second logical unit nor any virtual resource comprising the second logical unit is presented as a logical unit to any node communicatively coupled to the plurality of physical storage resources; and

store data associated with a write operation intended for the at least one designated physical storage resource to the second logical unit.

10. A system according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first logical unit and the second logical unit is a redundant storage array.

11. A system according to claim 10 , wherein the redundant storage array is a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID).

12. A system according to claim 11 , wherein each of the first logical unit and the second logical unit is a RAID of the same RAID level.

13. A system according to claim 11 , wherein each of the first logical unit and the second logical unit is a RAID, and the first logical unit and the second logical unit are of a different RAID level.

14. A system according to claim 9 , the device further configured to store information associated with the destination of the data to be written.

15. A system according to claim 9 , the device further configured to present the first logical unit to a node communicatively coupled to the plurality of physical storage resources as a single logical unit.

16. A system according to claim 9 , the device further operable to:

remove the at least one designated physical storage resource from the powersave mode; and

update the at least one designated physical storage resource based on information stored in the second logical unit.

17. A system according to claim 9 , wherein the device comprises a controller.

18. A program of instructions embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and operable to, when executed:

segment each of a plurality of physical storage resources into a first storage area and a second storage area;

activate a first logical unit including each first storage area of the plurality of physical storage resources;

place at least one designated physical resource of the plurality of physical storage resources in a powersave mode;

activate a second logical unit including the second storage areas of some of the plurality of physical storage resources but not the at least one designated physical storage resources, such that neither the second logical unit nor any virtual resource comprising the second logical unit is presented as a logical unit to any node communicatively coupled to the plurality of physical storage resources; and

store data associated with a write operation intended for the at least one designated physical storage resource to the second logical unit.

19. A program of instructions according to claim 18 , further operable to:

remove the at least one designated physical storage resource from the powersave mode; and

update the at least one designated physical storage resource based on information stored in the second logical unit.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2008
From: ALI, AHMAD A.J.; MAHMOOD, ZAFAR
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 020923/0689 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090276785A1 · Nov 5, 2009