Patent ID: 7171524

Claim:
A storage control system for controlling the storage of data in storage devices, comprising: a plurality of storage devices for storing data; a storage device control section for controlling storing of data in said plurality of storage devices; a connecting section connected to said storage device control section; a plurality of channel control sections connected to a local area network external to said storage control system, and to said connecting section; a shared memory in which control information exchanged by a first channel section of said channel control sections and said storage device control section is stored; and a cache memory for temporarily holding data exchanged between said first channel control section and said storage device control section; wherein said plurality of channel control sections includes one or more first channel control sections and one or more second control sections; each of said first channel control sections having a first processor for converting file level data received via said local area network into block level data, and a second processor for storing said block level data in said storage devices, via said connecting section and said storage device control section, and said first processor and said second processor operating normally in a normal state; each of said second channel control sections having a third processor for converting file level data received via said local area network into block level data, and a fourth processor for storing said block level data in said storage devices, via said connecting section and said storage device control section, and said third processor assuming a power saving state in cases where said first channel control section is operating normally, and said third processor operating in a normal state, in cases where a problem has occurred in said first channel control section; and said second processor of said first channel control section and said fourth processor of said second channel control section communicating the fact that a problem has occurred in said first channel control section, by means of said shared memory.