Patent ID: 7487391
Filing Date: 2009-02-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring an accumulated normalized running time of a capacitor pack in a storage controller, the method comprising: (1) initializing the accumulated normalized running time of the capacitor pack; (2) sensing a temperature of the capacitor pack during an interval of time over which the capacitor pack is operated, after said initializing; (3) determining a lifetime over which the capacitor pack would have a capacity to store at least a predetermined amount of energy if operated at said temperature during said lifetime, wherein said predetermined amount of energy comprises an amount of energy required by the storage controller to backup a write cache to a non-volatile memory during loss of main power to the storage controller; (4) normalizing said interval of time by a ratio of a warranted lifetime of the capacitor pack relative to said lifetime; (5) adding said normalized interval of time to said accumulated normalized running time; and (6) repeating steps (2) through (5) during operation of the storage controller.