Abstract:
A computer device includes a plurality of information processing units configured to execute respective information processing functions, a plurality of storage units, one of which is arranged in each of the information processing units, and which are removable, a plurality of storage devices physically dispersed in the storage units, and having a redundant configuration, where one storage unit includes at least two storage devices, and a plurality of controllers configured to be installed in the information processing units, and to access the storage devices, where each information processing unit includes one of the controllers.

Description:
This application is a continuing application, filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a), of International Application PCT/JP2003/010343, filed Aug. 14, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a computer device and a cluster server device that can hot-swap a storage device having a redundant configuration, in a plurality of information processing units. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an external configuration of a conventional computer device  10 . The computer device  10  is, for example, a server device including a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown), a hard disk controller (HDD), and the like, provided inside a casing  11 . 
     Two slots  12   1  and  12   2  are formed in a front face of the casing  11 . Hard disks (HDD)  13   1  and  13   2  are removably inserted into the slots  12   1  and  12   2 . 
     The HDD controller controls writing to and reading from the HDDs  13   1  and  13   2 , which are large-capacity storage devices that store various types of data handled by the CPU. The HDDs  13   1  and  13   2  are arranged in a redundant configuration. 
     A mirror ring is used to store identical data in the HDDS  13   1  and  13   2 , so that one can be used for recovery if the other breaks down. 
     The computer device  10  also includes a function of, when one of the HDDs  13   1  and  13   2  breaks down, replacing the broken HDD without terminating the operation of the computer device  10  (hot-swap). 
     If the HDD  13   1  breaks down, data is recovered from the HDD  13   2 . The broken HDD  13   1  is removed from the slot  12   1  without terminating the operation of the computer device  10 , and a replacement HDD (not shown) is inserted into the slot  12   1 . 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-184643 discloses a conventional computer device.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an external configuration of a conventional computer device  20 . The computer device  20  is a cluster server device (blade server device) in which a plurality of card-type information processing units  30   1  to  30   n  can be inserted into a casing  21 . Each of the information processing units  30   1  to  30   n  has the same functions as the computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     ‘n’ number of slots  22   1  to  22   n  are formed in a front face of the casing  21 . The information processing units  30   1  to  30   n  are removably inserted into the slots  22   1  to  22   n . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross section taken along line X-X′ of  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 11 , like reference numerals designate like parts as those shown in  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 11 , a back plane  23  is provided inside the casing  21 , and is physically and electrically connected to the information processing units  30   1  to  30   n  (see  FIG. 10 ). The back plane  23  supplies electrical power to the information processing units  30   1  to  30   n , and has a function of providing an interface. 
     The information processing unit  30   1  consists of a card-shaped printed circuit board  31   1 , an HDD  32 A 1 , an HDD  32 B 1 , a CPU  33   1 , and an HDD controller  34   1 , and includes the same server functions as the computer device  10 , as mentioned already. 
     The HDD  32 A 1 , the HDD  32 B 1 , the CPU  33   1 , and the HDD controller  34   1  are mounted on the printed circuit board  31   1 . The information processing unit  30   1  is mounted on the back plane  23  via a connector  35   1 . 
     The HDD controller  34   1  controls writing to and reading from the HDD  32 A 1  and the HDD  32 B 1 , which are large-capacity storage devices that store various types of data handled by the CPU  33   1 . The HDD  32 A 1  and the HDD  32 B 1  are arranged in a redundant configuration. 
     A mirror ring is used to store identical data in the HDDs  32 A 1  and  32 B 1 , so that one can be used for recovery if the other breaks down. Therefore, if the HDD  32 A 1  breaks down, data is recovered from the HDD  32 B 1 . 
     In the conventional computer device  20  ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ), the HDD  32 A 1  and the HDD  32 B 1  in the information processing unit  30   1  shown in  FIG. 11  have a redundant configuration. However, although data can be recovered from one of the HDDs if the other breaks down, there is a problem that the broken HDD cannot be hot-swapped. 
     The HDD  32 A 1  and the HDD  32 B 1  are mounted on the same printed circuit board  31   1 , and to replace the broken HDD  32 A 1 , the entire printed circuit board  31   1  must be removed from the back plane  23 , and the operation of the information processing unit  30   1  (server) must be terminated while the broken HDD  32 A 1  is replaced with a replacement HDD. The information processing unit  30   1  must then be remounted on the back plane  23 . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, a computer device includes a plurality of information processing units configured to execute respective information processing functions; a plurality of storage devices configured to be mounted in the information processing units in a physically dispersed manner, and configured to have a redundant configuration; and a controller configured to access the storage devices. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer device includes a plurality of information processing units configured to execute respective information processing functions; a plurality of storage units configured to form a part of the information processing units, and configured to be removably mounted therein; a plurality of storage devices configured to be mounted in the storage units in a physically dispersed manner, and configured to have a redundant configuration, where one storage unit includes at least two storage devices; and a plurality of controllers configured to be mounted in the information processing units and to access the storage devices, where each information processing unit includes one of the controllers. According to still another aspect of the present invention, a cluster server device includes a plurality of information processing units, each including a server function; a plurality of storage devices configured to be mounted in the information processing units in a physically dispersed manner, and configured to have a redundant configuration; and a controller configured to access the storage devices. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, a cluster server device includes a plurality of information processing units, each including a server function; a plurality of storage units configured to form a part of the information processing units, and configured to be removably mounted therein; a plurality of storage devices configured to be mounted in the storage units in a physically dispersed manner, and configured to have a redundant configuration; and a plurality of controllers configured to be respectively mounted in the information processing units, and to access the storage devices, where each information processing unit includes one of the controllers. 
     The above objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a configuration of a computer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section taken along line Y-Y′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram to explain a hot-swap method according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is another diagram to explain the hot-swap method according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is still another diagram to explain the hot-swap method according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view of a configuration of a computer device according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram to explain a hot-swap method according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is another diagram to explain the hot-swap method according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an external configuration of a conventional computer device; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the external configuration of a conventional computer device; and 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section taken along line X-X′ of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a configuration of a computer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a cross section taken along line Y-Y′ of  FIG. 1 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , like reference numerals designate like parts as those shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     A computer device  40  shown in  FIG. 1  is a cluster server device (blade server device) in which a plurality of information processing units  50   1 ,  50   2 ,  50   3 , . . . can be provided in the casing  21 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , although the information processing units  50   1 ,  50   2 ,  50   3 , . . . are provided vertically in the same manner as the information processing units  30   1 ,  30   2 , . . . shown in  FIG. 10 , they are depicted in a plan view in the drawing. 
     The information processing units  50   1 ,  50   2 ,  50   3 , . . . can be freely inserted into and removed from slots  22   1 ,  22   2 ,  22   3 , . . . in the casing  21 . 
     A back plane  41  is provided inside the casing  21 , and is physically and electrically connected to the information processing units  50   1 ,  50   2 , . . . via connectors  57   1 ,  57   2 , . . . (see  FIG. 2 ). The back plane  41  supplies electrical power to the information processing units  50   1 ,  50   2 ,  50   3 , . . . , and provides an interface. 
     Each of the information processing units  50   1 ,  50   2 ,  50   3 , . . . includes a server function similar to that of the computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     Two of the information processing units  50   1 ,  50   2 ,  50   3 , . . . form one set. In  FIG. 1 , the information processing units  50   1  and  50   2  form one set. 
     The information processing unit  50   1  includes a storage unit  51   1  and a processor unit  54   1 . The storage unit  51   1  and the processor unit  54   1  can be freely mounted and removed via a connector  53   1 . The storage unit  51   1  includes an HDD  52 A 1  and an HDD  52 B 1  that are mounted on the same circuit board. The processor unit  54   1  includes a CPU  55 A 1  and an HDD controller  56 A 1  that are mounted on the same circuit board. 
     The information processing unit  50   2  includes a storage unit  51   2  and a processor unit  54   2 . The storage unit  51   2  and the processor unit  54   2  can be freely mounted and removed via a connector  53   2 . The storage unit  51   2  includes an HDD  52 A 2  and an HDD  52 B 2  that are mounted on the same circuit board. The processor unit  54   2  includes a CPU  55 B 2  and an HDD controller  56 B 2  that are mounted on the same circuit board. 
     In the information processing units  50   1  and  50   2 , components represented by (A) in  FIG. 1  (the HDD  52 A 1 , the HDD  52 A 2 , the CPU  55 A 1 , and the HDD controller  56 A 1 ) form a group A. This group A corresponds to one computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ) having a redundant configuration consisting of two HDDs. 
     In group A, the HDD controller  56 A 1  controls writing to and reading from the HDD  52 A 1  and the HDD  52 A 2 , which are large-capacity storage devices that store various types of data handled by the CPU  55 A 1 . 
     The HDD  52 A 1  is connected to the HDD controller  56 A 1  via the connector  53   1 . The HDD  52 A 2  is connected to the HDD controller  56 A 1  via the connector  53   1 , the processor unit  54   2 , the connector  57   2 , the back plane  41 , and the connector  57   1 . 
     The HDD  52 A 1  and the HDD  52 A 2  are mounted by dispersion in physically separate storage units (the storage units  51   1  and  51   2 ). 
     Components represented by (B) in  FIG. 1  (the HDD  52 B 1 , the HDD  52 B 2 , the CPU  55 B 2 , and the HDD controller  56 B 2 ) form a group B. This group B corresponds to one computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ) having a redundant configuration consisting of two HDDs. 
     In group B, the HDD controller  56 B 2  controls writing to and reading from the HDD  52 B 1  and the HDD  52 B 2 , which are large-capacity storage devices that store various types of data handled by the CPU  55 B 2 . 
     The HDD  52 B 1  is connected to the HDD controller  56 B 2  via the connector  53   1 , the processor unit  54   1 , the connector  57   1 , the back plane  41 , and the connector  57   2 . The HDD  52 B 2  is connected to the HDD controller  56 B 2  via the connector  53   2 . 
     The HDD  52 B 1  and the HDD  52 B 2  are mounted by dispersion in physically separate storage units (the storage units  51   1  and  51   2 ). 
     A hot-swap method according to the first embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 5 . An example in which the HDD  52 A 2  breaks down and is hot-swapped without terminating the operation of the information processing units  50   1  and  50   2  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , when the HDD  52 A 2  of the storage unit  51   2  in group A breaks down, data is recovered from the other HDD  52 A 1  having the redundant configuration, thereby enabling continuous operation. 
     Due to the breakdown of the HDD  52 A 2 , the redundant configuration cannot be utilized in group A, and therefore the HDD  52 A 2  is hot-swapped. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the storage unit  51   2  is removed as a whole and separated from the processor unit  54   2 . 
     In group A, the HDD  52 A 1  is currently used and is accessed by the CPU  55 A 1  and the HDD controller  56 A 1 , whereby operation continues without being affected by the hot-swap. 
     Similarly in group B, the HDD  52 B 1  is currently used and is accessed by the CPU  55 B 2  and the HDD controller  56 B 2 , whereby operation continues without being affected by the hot-swap. 
     In the disconnected storage unit  51   2 , the broken HDD  52 A 2  is replaced with a replacement HDD  52 A 2 ′. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , after this replacement, the storage unit  51   2  is mounted on the processor unit  54   2  via the connector  53   2 . This restores the computer device  40  to its original state before breakdown. 
     As described above, according to the first embodiment, the HDDs  52 A 1  and  52 A 2  (storage devices) having a redundant configuration are mounted by physical dispersion, in a plurality of freely removable storage units  51   1  and  51   2  that form a part of the information processing units  50   1  and  50   2 . Therefore, even if one HDD  52 A 2  breaks down and the storage unit  51   2  is removed, the HDD controller  56 A 1  can access the HDD  52 A 1  provided in the other storage unit  51   1 , so the HDDs having the redundant configuration can be hot-swapped in the information processing units  50   1  and  50   2 . 
     While the first embodiment describes an example in which an HDD can be hot-swapped when there are two information processing units (information processing units  50   1  and  50   2 ) in one set, it is also possible to hot-swap an HDD when one set consists of three (or four or more) information processing units. An example of such a configuration is described below as a second embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view of the configuration of a computer device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , like reference numerals designate like parts as those shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A computer device  60  shown in  FIG. 6  is a cluster server device (blade server device) in which a plurality of card-shaped information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   3 , . . . can be mounted in the casing  21 . 
     The information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   3 , . . . can be freely inserted into and removed from slots  22   1 ,  22   2 ,  22   3 , . . . in the casing  21 . 
     A back plane  78  is provided inside the casing  21 , and is physically and electrically connected to the information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   3 , . . . via connectors  77   1 ,  77   2 ,  77   3 , . . . . The back plane  78  supplies electrical power to the information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   3 , . . . and also provides an interface. 
     Each of the information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   3 , . . . includes a server function similar to that of the computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     Three of the information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   3 , . . . form one set, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The information processing unit  70   1  includes a storage unit  71   1  and a processor unit  74   1 . The storage unit  71   1  and the processor unit  74   1  can be freely mounted and removed via a connector  73   1 . The storage unit  71   1  includes an HDD  72 A 1 , an HDD  72 B 1 , and an HDD  72 C 1 , which are mounted on the same circuit board. The processor unit  74   1  includes a CPU  75 A 1  and an HDD controller  76 A 1  that are mounted on the same circuit board. 
     The information processing unit  70   2  includes a storage unit  71   2  and a processor unit  74   2 . The storage unit  71   2  and the processor unit  74   2  can be freely mounted and removed via a connector  73   2 . The storage unit  71   2  includes an HDD  72 A 2 , an HDD  72 B 2 , and an HDD  72 C 2 , which are mounted on the same circuit board. The processor unit  74   2  includes a CPU  75 B 2  and an HDD controller  76 B 2  that are mounted on the same circuit board. 
     The information processing unit  70   3  includes a storage unit  71   3  and a processor unit  74   3 . The storage unit  71   3  and the processor unit  74   3  can be freely mounted and removed via a connector  73   3 . The storage unit  71   3  includes an HDD  72 A 3 , an HDD  72 B 3 , and an HDD  72 C 3 , which are mounted on the same circuit board. The processor unit  74   3  includes a CPU  75 C 3  and an HDD controller  76 C 3  that are mounted on the same circuit board. 
     In the information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 , and  70   3 , components represented by (A) in  FIG. 6  (the HDD  72 A 1 , the HDD  72 A 2 , HDD  72 A 3 , the CPU  75 A 1 , and the HDD controller  76 A 1 ) form a group A. This group A corresponds to one computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ) having a redundant configuration consisting of three HDDs (n+1 redundant configuration). 
     In group A, the HDD controller  76 A 1  controls writing to and reading from the HDD  72 A 1 , the HDD  72 A 2 , and the HDD  72 A 3  which are large-capacity storage devices that store various types of data handled by the CPU  75 A 1 . 
     The HDD  72 A 1  is connected to the HDD controller  76 A 1  via the connector  73   1 . The HDD  72 A 2  is connected to the HDD controller  76 A 1  via the connector  73   2 , the processor unit  74   2 , the connector  77   2 , the back plane  78 , and the connector  77   1 . 
     The HDD  72 A 3  is connected to the HDD controller  76 A 1  via the connector  73   3 , the processor unit  74   3 , the connector  77   3 , the back plane  78 , and the connector  77   1 . 
     The HDDs  72 A 1 ,  72 A 2 , and  72 A 3  are mounted by dispersion in physically separate storage units (the storage units  71   1 ,  71   2 , and  71   3 ). 
     Similarly, components represented by (B) in  FIG. 6  (the HDD  72 B 1 , the HDD  72 B 2 , the HDD  72 B 3 , the CPU  75 B 2 , and the HDD controller  76 B 2 ) form a group B. This group B corresponds to one computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ) having a redundant configuration consisting of three HDDs (n+1 redundant configuration). 
     In group B, the HDD controller  76 B 2  controls writing to and reading from the HDD  72 B 1 , the HDD  72 B 2 , and the HDD  72 B 3 , which are large-capacity storage devices that store various types of data handled by the CPU  75 B 2 . 
     The HDD  72 B 1  is connected to the HDD controller  76 B 2  via the connector  73   1 , the processor unit  74   1 , the connector  77   1 , the back plane  78 , and the connector  77   2 . 
     The HDD  72 B 2  is connected to the HDD controller  76 B 2  via the connector  73   2 . The HDD  72 B 3  is connected to the HDD controller  76 B 2  via the connector  73   3 , the processor unit  74   3 , the connector  77   3 , the back plane  78 , and the connector  77   2 . 
     The HDDs  72 B 1 ,  72 B 2 , and  72 B 3  are mounted by dispersion in physically separate storage units (the storage units  71   1 ,  71   2 , and  71   3 ). 
     Similarly, components represented by (C) in  FIG. 6  (the HDD  72 C 1 , the HDD  72 C 2 , the HDD  72 C 3 , the CPU  75 C 3 , and the HDD controller  76 C 3 ) form a group C. This group C corresponds to one computer device  10  (see  FIG. 9 ) having a redundant configuration consisting of three HDDs (n+1 redundant configuration). 
     In group C, the HDD controller  76 C 3  controls writing to and reading from the HDD  72 C 1 , the HDD  72 C 2 , and the HDD  72 C 3  which are large-capacity storage devices that store various types of data handled by the CPU  75 C 3 . 
     The HDD  72 C 1  is connected to the HDD controller  76 C 3  via the connector  73   1 , the processor unit  74   1 , the connector  77   1 , the back plane  78 , and the connector  77   3 . 
     The HDD  72 C 2  is connected to the HDD controller  76 C 3  via the connector  73   2 , the processor unit  74   2 , the connector  77   2 , the back plane  78 , and the connector  77   3 . The HDD  72 C 3  is connected to the HDD controller  76 C 3  via the connector  73   3 . 
     The HDDs  72 C 1 ,  72 C 2 , and  72 C 3  are mounted by dispersion in physically separate storage units (the storage units  71   1 ,  71   2 , and  71   3 ). 
     A hot-swap method according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 8 . An example in which the HDD  72 A 2  breaks down and is hot-swapped without terminating the operation of the information processing units  70   1 ,  70   2 , and  70   3  as shown in  FIG. 6  will be explained. 
     In  FIG. 6 , when the HDD  72 A 2  of the storage unit  71   2  in group A breaks down, data is recovered from another HDD  72 A 1  (or HDD  72 A 3 ) having the redundant configuration, thereby enabling continuous operation. 
     In group A, the HDD  72 A 2  is hot-swapped due to breakdown. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the storage unit  71   2  is removed as a whole and separated from the processor unit  74   2 . 
     In group A, the HDD  72 A 1  (or HDD  72 A 3 ) is currently used and is accessed by the CPU  75 A 1  and the HDD controller  76 A 1 , whereby operation continues without being affected by the hot-swap. 
     Similarly, in group B, the HDD  72 B 1  (or HDD  72 B 3 ) is currently used and is accessed by the CPU  75 B 2  and the HDD controller  76 B 2 , whereby operation continues without being affected by the hot-swap. 
     Similarly, in group C, the HDD  72 C 1  (or HDD  72 C 3 ) is currently used and is accessed by the CPU  75 C 3  and the HDD controller  76 C 3 , whereby operation continues without being affected by the hot-swap. 
     In the disconnected storage unit  71   2 , the broken HDD  72 A 2  is replaced with a replacement HDD  72 A 2 ′. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , after this replacement, the storage unit  71   2  is mounted in the processor unit  74   2  via the connector  73   2 . This restores the computer device  60  to its original state before breakdown. 
     As described above, the second embodiment achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. 
     Although the first and the second embodiments of the present invention have been explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, specific configurational examples are not limited to the embodiments, and any design changes or the like to the embodiments are intended to be embraced in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As explained above, according to the present invention, a plurality of storage devices having a redundant configuration are mounted by physical dispersion in a plurality of information processing units. Therefore, even if an information processing unit is removed when one of its storage devices breaks down, a controller can access a storage device mounted in another information processing unit, and the storage device having the redundant configuration can be hot-swapped in the information processing units. 
     According to the present invention, a plurality of storage devices having a redundant configuration are mounted by physical dispersion in a plurality of freely removable storage units that form a part of a plurality of information processing units. Therefore, even if one of the storage devices breaks down and the storage unit is removed, a controller can access a storage device mounted in another storage unit, thereby enabling the storage device having the redundant configuration to be hot-swapped in the information processing units. 
     According to the present invention, a storage device having a redundant configuration can be hot-swapped in a server having a plurality of information processing units. 
     According to the present invention, a storage device can be hot-swapped in case of breakdown. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.