Patent ID: 7100059
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: G06F,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A disk array system comprising: a first disk controller including: at least one channel control unit for receiving an input/output request of data from an information processor and exchanging said data with said information processor, at least one disk control unit for exchanging said data with a disk drive in accordance with said input/output request, a cache memory unit for storing said data exchanged between said channel control unit and said disk control unit, a shared memory unit for storing said input/output request exchanged between said channel control unit and said disk control unit, a plurality of power units for supplying power to each of said at least one disk control unit, said cache unit and said shared memory unit, a casing for storing said channel control portion, said at least one disk control unit, said cache memory, said shared memory and said power units, a plurality of Hard Disk Drive (HDD) boxes each including at least one disk drive controlled by said at least one disk control unit, a first Alternating Current/Direct Current (AC/DC) power supply which inputs AC power from an AC power supply and outputs DC power to said HDD boxes and said power units of said first disk controller each of which converts the DC power supplied by said AC/DC power supply to an appropriate voltage for each of said at least one disk control unit, said cache memory unit and said shared memory unit of said first disk controller, a battery unit connected between said first AC/DC power supply unit and said power units for precharging power being supplied to said power units; and a second disk controller including: at least one channel control unit for receiving the input/output request of data from the information processor and exchanging said data with said information processor, at least one disk control unit for exchanging said data with a disk drive in accordance with said input/output request, a cache memory unit for storing said data exchanged between said channel control unit and said disk control unit, a shared memory unit for storing said input/output request exchanged between said channel control unit and said at least one disk control unit, a plurality of power units for supplying power to each of said at least one disk control unit, said cache memory unit and said shared memory unit, a casing for storing said channel control portion, said at least one disk control unit, said cache memory unit, said shared memory and said power units, a plurality of Hard Disk Drive (HDD) boxes each including at least one disk drive controlled by said at least one disk control unit, a second AC/DC power supply which inputs AC power from said AC power supply and outputs DC power to said HDD boxes and said power units of said second disk controller each of which converts the DC power supplied by said second AC/DC power supply to an appropriate voltage for one of said at least one disk control unit, said cache memory unit and said shared memory unit of said second disk controller, and a battery unit connected between said second AC/DC power supply unit and said power units for precharging power being supplied to said power units, wherein each of said channel control units, said at least one disk control units, said cache memory units, and said shared memory units includes a control board having a plurality of electronic circuits different in operating voltage, and a DC/DC voltage converter for converting a single input voltage from said power unit into voltages for operating said electronic circuits respectively, wherein each of said power unit supplies a voltage to said voltage converter provided in each of said channel control units, said at least one disk control units, said cache memory units, and said shared memory units; and wherein said voltage being supplied to said voltage converter remains substantially the same over time and for each of the HDDS and said channel control units, said at least one disk control units, said cache memory units, and said shared memory units.