Patent ID: 7454686

Claim:
A method to check data integrity when handling data, comprising the steps of: providing an information storage array which includes an information storage array comprising a plurality of sectors; defining (N) data state identifiers and (N) parity state identifiers wherein N is greater than or than or equal 1; receiving a command to handle data, wherein said command designates a target sector, and wherein said target sector comprises one of said plurality of sectors; determining the data state identifier assigned to said target sector, wherein said data state identifier comprises one of said (N) data state identifiers; determining the parity state identifier assigned to said target sector, wherein said parity state identifier comprises one of said (N) parity state identifiers; comparing said data state identifier and said parity state identifier; when said data state identifier and said parity state identifier are the same, performing said command; when said data state identifier and said parity state identifier differ, generating an error message.