Patent ID: 8051260
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. In a data-storage system, a method for safeguarding dirty data stored in a memory, the method comprising: using a first sentry, monitoring values of a first subset of environmental variables associated with the data-storage system, using a second sentry that is different from the first sentry, concurrently monitoring values of a second subset of environmental variables associated with the data-storage system, the second subset being different from the first subset, using the first sentry, updating a first portion of a table containing values of environmental variables associated with the data-storage system, wherein the first portion can be updated only by the first sentry and not by the second sentry, using the second sentry, updating a second portion of the table containing values of environmental variables associated with the data-storage system, wherein the second portion can be updated only by the second sentry and not by the first sentry, wherein the first portion of the table includes values of environmental variables from the first subset, and wherein the second portion of the table includes values of environmental variables from the second subset, causing the first sentry to inspect the values of the environmental variables contained in the first portion of the table, the environmental variables in the first portion of the table having been updated by the first sentry; causing the first sentry to inspect the values of the environmental variables contained in the second portion of the table, the environmental variables in the second portion of the table having been updated by the second sentry and not the first sentry, on the basis of the inspection, determining that a high-risk condition exists; and in response to detecting that a high-risk condition exists, copying dirty data from the memory into a vault drive.