Patent ID: 8429514
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of redistributing parity blocks within a distributed parity disk array (“DPDA”) composed of original data storage devices (“disks”) upon the addition of a new disk, comprising: determining an original parity pattern of the DPDA which indicates parity block assignments among the original disks; determining an original repeat interval of the original parity pattern; creating an intermediate parity pattern based on the original parity pattern, the intermediate parity pattern indicating parity block assignments among the original disks and the new disk; determining a number of parity blocks assigned to each original disk within the intermediate parity pattern; determining a total number of disks in the DPDA including the original disks and the new disk; calculating a transfer number equal to the number of parity blocks assigned to each original disk within the intermediate parity pattern divided by the total number of disks within the DPDA; creating a new parity pattern by transferring to the new disk within the intermediate parity pattern a number of parity blocks from each original disk equal to the transfer number; and redistributing the parity blocks within the DPDA to conform the new parity pattern.