Patent ID: 7644202
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A disk array device comprising: a plurality of hard disk drives; at least one channel control section having a plurality of ports that are connectable to at least one information processing device via cables, and that receives data input/output requests from the least one information processing device to the plurality of hard disk drives; and at least one disk control section that is communicatably connected to the plurality of hard disk drives and that sends data input/output requests to the plurality of hard disk drives based on the data input/output requests to the plurality of hard disk drives that are received by the at least one channel control section; wherein a cost which an user should pay is set depending on the number of ports available for use, wherein the number of ports in use is compared to the number of ports available for use, and wherein when the number of ports in use is less than the number of ports available for use, the at least one channel control section responds to a connection request received from the at least one information processing device, and when the number of ports in use is equal to the number of ports available for use, the at least one channel control section does not respond to the connection request.