Patent Publication Number: US-2023152979-A1

Title: Systems and methods for resetting a degraded storage resource

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more specifically to resetting a failed storage resource in an information handling system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     An information handling system may employ one or more storage resources (e.g., solid state drives, other storage resources) for storage of data and information. One disadvantage of storage resources is that they may be prone to failure. However, a storage resource typically does not fail immediately after operating in accordance with its published performance specifications. Instead, a storage resource may experience performance lower than that of its published performance specifications prior to failing completely. Accordingly, declining performance of a storage resource may be a predictor of a future failure of the storage resource. Other predictors may include an increase in input/output errors (e.g., failed reads to or writes from a storage resource), errors reported by the storage resource (if supported by the storage resource), and/or other predictors. A replacement of the storage resource may resolve the declining performance, but the storage resource may also be capable of returning to published performance levels by others means. 
     For example, one approach to resolving performance issues may be to power cycle a storage resource. Power cycling may lead to recovery in scenarios in which degraded performance is caused by firmware of the storage resource. While power cycling of storage resources is available in some information handling systems, other information handling systems, including some servers, may not support power cycling of storage resources. Thus, other approaches to restart storage resource firmware may be desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with resetting a failing storage resource may be reduced or eliminated. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, a storage resource communicatively coupled to the processor, and an operating system embodied in non-transitory computer-readable media and configured to, when read and executed by the processor: (i) responsive to a determination that the storage resource is experiencing a predictor of a failure of the storage resource, issue a command to the storage resource to reload firmware code of the storage resource; (ii) responsive to the storage resource reloading the firmware code and reset of the storage resource following reloading of the firmware code, determine whether the predictor persists; and (iii) responsive to determining whether the predictor persists, perform a responsive action. 
     In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include, in an operating system of an information handling system: responsive to a determination that a storage resource of the information handling system is experiencing a predictor of a failure of the storage resource, issuing a command to the storage resource to reload firmware code of the storage resource; responsive to the storage resource reloading the firmware code and reset of the storage resource following reloading of the firmware code, determining whether the predictor persists; and responsive to determining whether the predictor persists, performing a responsive action. 
     In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, an article of manufacture may include a computer readable medium and computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, when read and executed, for causing the processor to, in an operating system of an information handling system: (i) responsive to a determination that a storage resource of the information handling system is experiencing a predictor of a failure of the storage resource, issue a command to the storage resource to reload firmware code of the storage resource; (ii) responsive to the storage resource reloading the firmware code and reset of the storage resource following reloading of the firmware code, determine whether the predictor persists; and (iii) responsive to determining whether the predictor persists, perform a responsive action. 
     Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a block diagram of an example information handling system, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a flow chart of an example method for resetting a failing storage resource, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input/output (“I/O”) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more busses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, information handling resources may broadly refer to any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, service processors, BIOSs, buses, memories, I/O devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, and/or any other components and/or elements of an information handling system. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a block diagram of an example information handling system  102 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, information handling system  102  may comprise a server. In other embodiments, information handling system  102  may be a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop, notebook, tablet, handheld, smart phone, personal digital assistant, etc.). As depicted in  FIG.  1   , information handling system  102  may include a processor  103 , a memory  104  communicatively coupled to processor  103 , and one or more storage resources  106  communicatively coupled to processor  103 . 
     Processor  103  may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor  103  may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory  104 , storage resources  106 , and/or another component of information handling system  102 . Memory  104  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103  and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory  104  may include RAM, EEPROM, a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to information handling system  102  is turned off. As shown in  FIG.  1   , storage resources  106  may have stored thereon an operating system  114  and an operating system (OS) driver  116 . 
     Operating system  114  may be any program of executable instructions, or aggregation of programs of executable instructions, configured to manage and/or control the allocation and usage of hardware resources such as memory, CPU time, disk space, and input and output devices, and provide an interface between such hardware resources and application programs hosted by operating system  114 . Active portions of operating system  114  may be transferred to memory  104  from other computer readable media for execution by processor  103 . 
     OS driver  116  may comprise a program of instructions configured to, when read and executed by processor  103 , provide an interface between operating system  114  and storage resources  106  in order to perform an in-band reset of storage resources  106 , as described in greater detail below. 
     Storage resources  106  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103  and may include any system, device, or apparatus operable to store information processed by processor  103 . Storage resources  106  may include, for example, network attached storage, one or more direct access storage devices (e.g., hard disk drives), and/or one or more sequential access storage devices (e.g., tape drives). In particular embodiments, one or more storage resources  106  may comprise solid state drives. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a storage resource  106  may have firmware  112  stored thereon. Firmware  112  may comprise any program of executable instructions, or aggregation of programs of executable instructions, configured to perform the functionality of storage resource  106 , including managing and/or controlling the allocation and usage of resources of storage resource  106 . 
     In operation, OS driver  116  may, responsive to a performance degradation of a storage resource  106  and/or other predictor of a future failure of storage resource  106 , issue a passthrough in-band command to storage resource  106  to reload its firmware code for firmware  112  and specify that a reset of storage resource  106  is needed once the reloading of firmware code is complete. In response, the storage resource  106  may reload its existing firmware code and then reset. Many storage resources, including solid state drives, support reloading of existing code already running on the storage resource and also support an option to reset the storage resource when reloading of the firmware code has completed. 
     In response to the reset of storage resource  106 , operating system  114  may determine whether the performance degradation of the storage resource  106  and/or other predictor was resolved by the reset. Resolution of the performance degradation and/or other predictor may indicate that the performance degradation and/or other predictor was firmware related and further indicate that the storage resource  106  need not be replaced. However, if the performance degradation and/or other predictor persists following the reset, such may indicate that performance degradation and/or other predictor is related to hardware of the storage resource  106 , further indicating that the storage resource  106  should be replaced. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a flow chart of an example method  200  for resetting a failing storage resource, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. According to certain embodiments, method  200  may begin at step  202 . As noted above, teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety of configurations of information handling system  102  as shown in  FIG.  1   . As such, the preferred initialization point for method  200  and the order of the steps comprising method  200  may depend on the implementation chosen. In these and other embodiments, method  200  may be implemented as firmware, software, applications, functions, libraries, or other instructions. 
     At step  202 , operating system  114  may receive an indication or otherwise determine that a storage resource  106  is experiencing performance degradation (e.g., such storage resource  106  operating with performance lower than that of published specifications) and/or other predictor of failure. In response, at step  204 , operating system  114  may, via OS driver  116 , issue a passthrough in-band command to the degraded storage resource  106  to reload its firmware code for firmware  112 . In some embodiments, such in-band command may include a request for resetting the degraded storage resource  106  once the reloading of firmware code has completed. 
     At step  206 , in response to the command, the degraded storage resource  106  may reload its firmware  112  and reset. 
     At step  208 , operating system  114  may determine whether or not the performance degradation and/or other predictor has persisted through the reset of the degraded storage resource  106 . At step  210 , based on such determination, operating system  114  may perform a responsive action. For example, if the performance degradation and/or other predictor has persisted through the reset of the degraded storage resource  106 , indicating potential imminent hardware failure of the degraded storage resource  106 , operating system  114  may generate an alert (e.g., visual and/or audio) to indicate to a person (e.g., an end user or administrator of information handling system  102 ) that the degraded storage resource  106  is experiencing potential imminent hardware failure. As another example, if the performance degradation and/or other predictor has been eliminated as a result of the reset, indicating a firmware-based degradation and/or other predictor had occurred, operating system  114  may determine that storage resource  106  is operating correctly. 
     After completion of step  210 , method  200  may end. 
     Although  FIG.  2    discloses a particular number of steps to be taken with respect to method  200 , method  200  may be executed with greater or fewer steps than those depicted in  FIG.  2   . In addition, although  FIG.  2    discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method  200 , the steps comprising method  200  may be completed in any suitable order. 
     Method  200  may be implemented using information handling system  102 , components thereof, or any other system such as those shown in  FIG.  1    operable to implement method  200 . In certain embodiments, method  200  may be implemented partially or fully in software and/or firmware embodied in computer-readable media. 
     As used herein, when two or more elements are referred to as “coupled” to one another, such term indicates that such two or more elements are in electronic communication or mechanical communication, as applicable, whether connected indirectly or directly, with or without intervening elements. 
     This disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative. Accordingly, modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set. 
     Although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described above, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the figures and described above. 
     Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. Additionally, other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the foregoing figures and description. 
     To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.