US20070063587A1 - Storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

In a RAID system, the power supplied to hard disks (HDDs) can be increased, and a plurality of types of HDDs can be installed. A plurality of HDD packs33are supplied with a single high voltage from a motherboard28. The HDD packs33each accommodate, in a canister, an HDD107, 181, 185or187with different power supply specifications or communication interface specifications, as well as a DC/DC converter109to convert the power supply. Part of the HDD packs33have a data transfer interface conversion circuit195as well.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/802,913, filed Mar. 18, 2004; which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-428829 filed on Dec. 25, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• This invention relates to a storage system having a plurality of physical storage devices (for example, hard disk drives), and in particular to technology to provide a power supply to a plurality of storage devices.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Storage systems of which RAID systems are representative comprise numerous storage devices, such as for example hard disk drives (hereafter abbreviated “HDD”). In Japanese Patent Laid-open 4-78062, a RAID system configured to supply power to a plurality of HDDs from the same power supply circuit is described.
• In general, each of the HDDs installed in such a storage system is assembled as a single unit (hereafter called a “HDD unit”) in which the group of components necessary to function as an HDD (for example, the magnetic disks, read/write heads, power transmission mechanisms and other mechanical components, the motors and other electromechanical components needed to drive the former, and the driver circuits for the electromechanical components, logic circuits for data processing, microprocessors, and other electrical circuit components) are indivisibly integrated and fixed in a single casing. An HDD unit has connectors for connection to data communication circuits within the storage system and to power supply circuits. The physical specifications of the connectors are characteristic of the specifications of the interface for data transfer adopted by the HDD; typically, an HDD unit has a prescribed plurality of data transfer terminals and a prescribed plurality of power supply terminals. There are various electrical circuit components within an HDD unit, and different types of circuit components require power supplies at different voltage levels. For example, logic circuits for data communication and control require a 5 V_DC power supply, whereas motors, heads, and other actuators require a 12 V_DC power supply. A plurality of power supply terminals among the connectors are allocated to such power supplies with different voltage levels.
• Efforts are made each year to expand the capacity of this type of storage system, and the number of HDD units installed increases steadily. In addition, higher reliability, more compact size, and lower prices are also sought. Further, as magnetic disks move toward higher densities, faster data transfer rates and higher revolution rates, there is a trend toward increased power consumption within HDD units. On the other hand, there is also a trend towards diversification of the specifications of power supplied to HDD units within a storage system. Also, there is a trend toward adoption of interface specifications for data transfer to HDD units enabling faster operation and lower prices, such as for example the Small Computer System Interface (hereafter abbreviated to “SCSI”), Fiber Channel Interface (hereafter “FC”), and Serial ATA (hereafter “SATA”).
• Given the above circumstances, there are the following problems and demands.
• (1) The number of power supply terminals of the connector of an HDD unit is fixed at a certain number by the specifications of the interface for data transfer, and there is a constant upper limit to the current which can flow to each power supply terminal. For example, FC specifications stipulate that a connector has four power supply terminals, and that the upper limit to current which can flow through one power supply terminal is 1A. Normally, two power supply terminals are allocated for 12 V_DC, and two power supply terminals for 5 V_DC. Hence only current up to 2A can be supplied to an HDD unit by either a 12 V_DC or a 5 V_DC power supply. However, as explained above, there is a tendency toward increases in the power consumption of HDD units, and so there is the possibility that it will no longer be possible to supply adequate power to HDD units using existing power supply terminals.
• (2) The trends in recent years toward increases in the number of installed HDD units and toward increasing HDD internal power consumption have given rise to the need for larger-capacity power supply circuits for storage systems.
• (3) In addition to existing HDD units requiring supply of a plurality of voltage levels such as 5 V_DC and 12 V_DC, HDD units which require the supply of other voltage levels are appearing. Consequently it is desirable that a single storage system be able to accept installation of a plurality of types of HDD units with different power supply specifications.
• (4) There exist a plurality of various specifications for the interface for HDD unit data transfer, such as for example FC and SATA. Hence it is desirable that a single system be able to accept installation of a plurality of types of HDD units with different interface specifications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Hence an object of this invention is to increase the power that can be supplied to the HDD units installed in a storage system.
• A further object of this invention is to enable installation of a plurality of types of HDD units with different power supply specifications in the same storage system.
• Still a further object of this invention is to enable installation of a plurality of types of HDD units with different interface specifications in the same storage system.
• In order to achieve the above objects, a storage system connectable to a host computer according to one aspect of the invention disclosed in this application comprises a plurality of storage devices which store data from the host, a plurality of housings in which the plurality of storage devices are respectively mounted, and a plurality of first power supplies which supply a voltage to the plurality of storage devices. At least one among the above plurality of housings has a voltage converter; this voltage converter receives power having a first voltage value from the above first power supply, converts this first voltage value into a different second voltage value, and supplies power having a single voltage value to the storage device.
• A storage system according to another aspect of the invention disclosed in this application comprises a plurality of physical storage devices (for example, hard disk drives), and a power supply circuit which outputs power at a prescribed voltage level. Power conversion circuits are provided for each of the physical storage devices, and each power conversion circuit converts power at the prescribed voltage level from the power supply circuit into power at the voltage levels required by the corresponding physical storage devices, and provides the power to the physical storage devices. By selecting the output voltage level of the power conversion circuit for each physical storage device, a plurality of types of physical storage devices having different voltage specifications can be installed in the same storage system. It is desirable that the voltage level output by the power supply circuit be a single level equal to or greater than the highest level among the power supply voltage levels required by the plurality of physical storage devices. When the internal circuit components of a certain physical storage device require a plurality of types of power at different voltage levels, the power conversion circuit for that physical storage device may output all the plurality of types of power at the different voltage levels, or may output a single type of power at the highest voltage level (or at a voltage level higher than the highest voltage level) among the plurality of types of power. In the latter case, it is necessary to perform power conversion within the physical storage device of the voltage level from the power conversion circuit to the lower voltage levels required by the internal circuit components. However, because the voltage applied to the physical storage device is higher, the current flowing to the power supply terminals in the connector of the physical storage device is smaller, and so the power which can be supplied within the range of allowable currents of the power supply terminals is increased. Further, when one type of power is supplied to a physical storage device from a power conversion circuit, if the connector of the physical storage device has a plurality of power supply terminals, all of the plurality of power supply terminals can be used for the supply of the one type of power. As a result, higher power can easily be supplied within the range of allowable currents of the power supply terminals.
• In a method of power supply to a plurality of physical storage devices according to a further other aspect of the invention, power is generated with a prescribed voltage level, and power at this prescribed voltage level is converted into power at the voltage levels required by the respective physical storage devices and is supplied to the respective physical storage devices.
• A storage system according to a further other aspect of the invention comprises a power supply circuit which outputs a single type of power having a single voltage level; a main body having a main power supply line to send the one type of power output from the power supply circuit, a data transfer path for data transfer, and a plurality of pack connection sites; and a plurality of storage device packs which can receive the above one type of power from the main power supply line, can exchange data with the data transfer path, are respective connected to the plurality of pack connection sites of the main body, and can be removed from the pack connection sites. Each storage device pack has a physical storage device requiring supply of power of one or more types with prescribed voltage levels and a power conversion circuit which receives the one type of power from the above main power supply line, converts this one type of power into the one or more types of power required by the physical storage device, and outputs the converted one or more types of power to the physical storage device. Further, the voltage level of the one type of power from the main power supply line is set to a value equal to or higher than the highest voltage level of the one or more types of power required by the physical storage devices.
• In one embodiment, a plurality of storage device packs connected to a motherboard comprise different types of storage device packs, comprising first and second types. A storage device pack of the first type has a multiple-power-supply type physical storage device requiring the supply of a plurality of types of power, each with a prescribed voltage level, and a power conversion circuit which converts a single type of power from the main power supply line into a plurality of types of power required by the multiple-power-supply type physical storage device and inputs these into the multiple-power-supply type physical storage device. A storage device pack of the second type has a single-power-supply type physical storage device requiring the supply of a single type of power with a prescribed voltage level, and a power conversion circuit which converts a single type of power from the main power supply line into the single type of power required by the single-power-supply type physical storage device and inputs this to the single-power-supply type physical storage device. Each type of storage device pack is such that connection is possible to any of a plurality of pack connection sites on the motherboard.
• In one embodiment, in the above second type of storage device pack, the single-power-supply type physical storage device has a plurality of power supply input terminals, and the single type of power output from the power conversion circuit is input to the physical storage device via the above plurality of power supply input terminals.
• In one embodiment, the plurality of storage device packs connected to the motherboard comprise different types of storage device packs, comprising first and second types. A storage device pack of the first type has a first type physical storage device which requires the supply of a first power type having a first voltage level, and a power conversion circuit which converts the single type of power from the main power supply line into the first power type required by the first type physical storage device and inputs this to the first type physical storage device. A storage device pack of the second type has a second type physical storage device which requires the supply of a second power type having a second voltage level different from the first voltage level, and a power conversion circuit which converts the single type of power from the main power supply line into the second power type required by the second type physical storage device, and inputs this to the second type physical storage device. Each of the types of storage device pack can be connected to any of the plurality of pack connection sites on the motherboard.
• In one embodiment, each of the plurality of pack connection sites on the motherboard has a U-turn power supply line which receives one or more types of power output from the power conversion circuit within a storage device pack, and again inputs this power to the storage device pack. At least one among the above plurality of storage device packs is a power-returning type storage device pack. This power-returning type storage device pack further has a return power supply line to return one or more types of power output from the power conversion circuit to the above U-turn power supply line, and an input power supply line for input to the physical storage device of the above one or more types of power re-input from the U-turn power supply line. Also, a power-returning type storage device pack can be connected to any of the plurality of pack connection sites on the motherboard.
• In one embodiment, the above power-returning type storage device pack has a canister which accommodates the physical storage device and the power conversion circuit. A main connector and auxiliary connector are provided on the outer face of this canister. The main connector has a power supply terminal which functions as the above input power supply line, and a data transfer terminal for connection of a data transfer path to the physical storage device. The auxiliary connector has a main power supply terminal for connection of the main power supply line to the power conversion circuit, and a return power supply terminal for connection of the above return power supply line to the U-turn power supply line. And, in the canister, the physical storage device is positioned in proximity to the main connector and is directly connected to the main connector.
• In one embodiment, the data transfer path of the motherboard forms a prescribed first data transfer interface. The plurality of storage device packs connected to the motherboard comprise different types of storage device packs, comprising first and second types. A first type of storage device pack has a first type of physical storage device having the above first data transfer interface, and a power conversion circuit which converts the single type of power from the main power supply line into the power required by the first type of physical storage device, and inputs this to the first type of physical storage device. On the other hand, a second type of storage device pack has a second type of physical storage device, having a second data transfer interface differing from the above first data transfer interface; a data transfer interface conversion circuit, which converts the above first data transfer interface of the motherboard data transfer path into the second data transfer interface of the second type of physical storage device and supplies this to the second type of physical storage device; and, a power conversion circuit, which converts the single type of power from the main power supply line into the power required by the second type of physical storage device and by the data transfer interface conversion circuit, and inputs these to the second type of physical storage device and to the data transfer interface conversion circuit respectively. Also, each of the types of storage device pack can be connected to any of the plurality of pack connection sites on the motherboard.
• In one embodiment, a power supply control circuit which individually turns on and off each of the power conversion circuits within the plurality of storage device packs is further provided.
• In one embodiment, a power supply control circuit which individually controls the output voltage levels of the power conversion circuits within the plurality of storage device packs according to the power supply voltage levels required by the respective physical storage devices within the plurality of storage device packs is further provided.
• By means of one embodiment of this invention, the power which can be supplied to the HDD units installed in a storage system can be increased.
• By means of one embodiment of this invention, a plurality of types of HDD units with different power supply specifications can be installed in the same storage system.
• By means of embodiment of this invention, a plurality of types of HDD units with different interface specifications can be installed in the same storage system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing in summary the overall configuration of an aspect of a storage system according to this invention;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the specific internal configuration of anHDD pack33, and a specific example of a method of supply of power from an AC/DCpower supply circuit29 to anHDD pack33;
• FIG. 3 shows in summary an example of the arrangement of internal components in theHDD pack33 shown inFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the specific internal configuration of anHDD pack33;
• FIG. 5 shows in summary an example of the arrangement of internal components in anHDD pack33 in which is installed the single-power-supplytype HDD unit131 or133 shown inFIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of another specific internal configuration of anHDD pack33, and showing still another specific example of a method of supply of power to anHDD pack33;
• FIG. 7 shows in summary the arrangement of internal components in theHDD pack33 shown inFIG. 6;
• FIG. 8 shows an external view of theHDD pack33 shown inFIG. 6;
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing still another specific example of the internal configuration of anHDD pack33, and still another specific example of a method of supply of power to anHDD pack33;
• FIG. 10 shows in summary the arrangement of internal components in anHDD pack33 in which is mounted the SATA-specification HDD unit185 or187 shown inFIG. 9;
• FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing still another specific example of a method of supply of power to anHDD pack33; and,FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing still another specific example of the internal configuration of anHDD pack33, and still another specific example of a method of supply of power to anHDD pack33.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 shows in summary the overall configuration of one aspect of a storage system according to this invention.
• Thestorage system20 shown inFIG. 1 comprises one or more channel adapters (CHA)21, one or more disk adapters (DKA)22, one or more cache memories (CACHE)23, one or more shared memories (SM)24, one or morecommon paths25, a plurality of physical storage devices (that is, storage apparatus)26, one or moreconnection control circuits27, one ormore motherboards28, and one or more mainpower supply devices29. As thephysical storage devices26, hard disk drives, nonvolatile semiconductor memory, or other types of devices can be employed, but typically hard disk drives (hereafter abbreviated “HDDs”) are used. In the following explanation also, it is assumed that HDDs are employed.
• Thechannel adapter21,disk adapter22,cache memory23 and sharedmemory24 are interconnected by thecommon path25. Thecommon path25 may be made twofold redundant (or multiple redundant) in anticipation of faults in thecommon path25. Thechannel adapter21 is connected by theconnection line11 to one ormore host computers10 or to another storage system (not shown). Thechannel adapter21 controls data transfer between thehost computer10 or other storage system and thecache memory23. Thedisk adapter22 controls data transfer between thecache memory23 andHDDs26. Thecache memory23 is memory used to temporarily hold data received from ahost computer10 or other storage system or data read fromHDDs26. The sharedmemory24 is memory shared by all thechannel adapters21 and all thedisk adapters22 in thestorage system20. The sharedmemory24 holds various information used by thechannel adapter21 anddisk adapter22 for control and management.
• Amotherboard28 is an electrical circuit board comprising a wiring network for data transfer for the HDDs26 and a wiring network for power supply. On eachmotherboard28 is mounted two (or more)connection control circuits27 which can be mutually substituted for a plurality ofHDDs26. Each of the twoconnection control circuits27 on eachmotherboard28 connects, on thatmotherboard28, a plurality ofHDDs26 with twodisk adapters22 for which substitution is possible, to enable communication; as theseconnection control circuits27, for example, a fiber channel switch or a port bypass circuit or similar may be employed. Each of theconnection control circuits27 and a plurality ofHDDs26 are electrically connected via a wiring network on each of themotherboards28. Also, each of theconnection control circuits27 and each of thedisk adapters22 are electrically connected via, for example, a multiwire cable. Data transfer is performed between a plurality ofHDDs26 and each of thedisk adapters22 via each of theconnection control circuits27. By means of a (twofold) redundant configuration of the set ofconnection control circuit27 anddisk adapter22 on eachmotherboard28, safety can be improved in anticipation of malfunctions. As is explained in detail below, eachHDD26 is accommodated in a canister (that is, housing) which can be attached to and removed from amotherboard28; the pack of anHDD26 accommodated in such a canister or housing may be called an “HDD pack” or an “HDD housing”. In the following explanation, the term “HDD pack” is employed.
• Thereference numbers31A,31B,31C each indicate groups ofHDDs26 conforming to the RAID principle which are called parity groups (or error collection groups), conforming to the RAID principle. Two ormore HDDs26 belonging to thesame parity group31A,31B or31C are installed on different motherboards, and even if one of the HDDs26 malfunctions, the data of the remainingHDD26 stores redundant data enabling restoration of the data of the malfunctioningHDD26. It is desirable that two ormore HDDs26 belonging to thesame parity group31A,31B or31C have exactly the same storage capacity, and from this standpoint, normally the same model of HDD from the same manufacturer are combined; hence the electric power specifications and data transfer interface are also the same.
• The power supply system of thisstorage system20 has one or more AC/DCpower supply circuits29; each AC/DCpower supply circuit29 receives AC power from an external AC power supply (for example, a commercial 200 V_AC power supply)30, converts this into DC power at a prescribed voltage (for example, 56 V, 48 V, 24 V, or 12 V), and supplies this to the plurality of HDD packs33 and other circuits on themotherboard28. Each AC/DCpower supply circuit29 is connected to a plurality of HDD packs33 on eachmotherboard28 via a wiring network for power supply on eachmotherboard28. In anticipation of power outages, twofold redundant (or multiple redundant) AC power supplies30, mutual substitution of which is possible, are used. EachAC power supply30 is connected to twofold redundant or multiple-redundant AC/DCpower supply circuits29, mutual substitution of which is possible. In the example shown, each AC/DCpower supply circuit29 is shared among a plurality ofmotherboards28, but as a modified form, eachmotherboard28 may comprise one or more dedicated AC/DC power supply circuits.
• FIG. 2 shows an example of the specific internal configuration of anHDD pack33, and an example of the power supply wiring from an AC/DCpower supply circuit29 to anHDD pack33. InFIG. 2, the data transfer wiring is omitted.FIG. 3 shows in summary the arrangement of internal components of theHDD pack33 shown inFIG. 2. InFIG. 3, the wiring for data transfer is shown in an extremely simplified manner.
• As shown inFIG. 2, a plurality of HDD packs33 are connected to onemotherboard28. Themotherboard28 has a plurality of HDD pack connection sites for connection to HDD packs33, and a plurality of HDD packs33 are connected to these HDD pack connection sites. Themotherboard28 and plurality of HDD packs33 are accommodated within thecasing105 of the storage system main body. EachHDD pack33 is connected to the redundantly configuredpower supply lines103A and103B via themotherboard28. Thepower supply line103A is supplied with DC power at the same voltage level (that is, voltage value) as an AC/DCpower supply circuit29A to enable mutual substitution. The otherpower supply line103B is also supplied with DC power at the same voltage level from the AC/DCpower supply circuit29B, configured with twofold or higher redundancy. At least one among the redundantly configured power supply lines, for examplepower supply line103B, is also connected to abattery portion101 as a backup power supply in anticipation of AC power supply outages. The DC voltage level supplied to eachHDD pack33 by the redundantly configuredpower supply lines103A and103B is a single voltage level. This single power supply voltage level is selected so as not to be lower than any of the plurality of power supply voltage levels (for example, 12 V and 5 V) required by any of theHDD units107,108 within any of the HDD packs33, and preferably to be a much higher level (for example, 56 V_DC or 48 V_DC) which does not exceed a prescribed safety standard (for example, an upper limit of 60 V).
• EachHDD pack33 has oneHDD unit107 or108 and one DC/DC converter109, which are interconnected. TheHDD unit107 is a multiple-power-supply type, requiring the supply of all of the plurality of types of DC power (power supply lines113,115) with different voltage levels (for example, 12 V and 5 V). On the other hand, theHDD unit108 is the single-power-supply type, which operates under the supply of power at only a single voltage level (for example, 12 V) (power supply line113). A single-power-supplytype HDD unit108 can incorporate a power conversion circuit which converts the power supply voltage at a single voltage supplied by themotherboard28 into the plurality of power supply voltages required by internal circuit components (for example, the comparatively high voltage used to drive magnetic disks, the comparatively low voltage used by logic circuits performing control and data processing, and similar), and supplies these to the respective internal circuit components. As explained above in relation to the prior art, in eachHDD unit107 or108 the group of components necessary to function as an HDD (for example, the magnetic disks, read/write heads, power transmission mechanisms and other mechanical components, the motors and other electromechanical components needed to drive the former, and the driver circuits for the electromechanical components, logic circuits for data processing, microprocessors, and other electrical circuit components) are indivisibly integrated and fixed in a single casing. EachHDD unit107 or108 can function independently as an HDD, and hence in a conventional storage system, theHDD unit107 or108 is itself directly connected to the motherboard. However, in the example shown inFIG. 2, theHDD unit107,108 is not itself directly connected, but aHDD pack33 which is a combination of anHDD unit107 or108 and a DC/DC converter109 is direction connected to themotherboard28.
• As shown inFIG. 3, oneHDD unit107 or108 and a DC/DC converter109 are accommodated in onecanister117, the entirety of which forms asingle HDD pack33. On the outer face of thecanister117 of theHDD pack33 is provided aconnector119A having a prescribed number of power supply terminals and data transfer terminals. Thisconnector119A is connected to theconnector119B with the same specifications provided on themotherboard28; by this means, the twofold-redundantpower supply lines103A,103B on themotherboard28 are connected to the input terminals of the DC/DC converter109 within theHDD pack33, and moreover the twofold-redundantdata transfer paths123A,123B on themotherboard28 are connected to the terminals on one side of the twofold-redundantdata transfer paths125A,125B within theHDD pack33. TheHDD unit107 or108 in theHDD pack33 has, on the casing outer surface, aconnector121A having the number of power supply terminals and data transfer terminals conforming to the data transfer interface specifications (for example, FC) adopted by the HDD. Thisconnector121A is connected to aconnector121B with the same specifications within theHDD pack33, and by this means the outputpower supply lines113,115 of the DC/DC converter109 are connected to the power supply input terminals of theHDD unit107 or108, and moreover the other-end terminals of the twofold-redundantdata transfer paths125A,125B are connected to the data transfer terminals of theHDD unit107 or108.
• The DC/DC converter109 within theHDD pack33 converts the DC power at the single voltage level (for example, 48 V) supplied by the twofold-redundantpower supply lines103A,103B into the plurality of types of DC power with the plurality of voltage levels (for example, 12 V and 5 V) required by all theHDD units107 and108, and supplies these to theHDD unit107 via thepower supply lines113,115. As shown inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3, the DC/DC converter109 has aninput selector110 and a step-downconverter111. Theinput selector110 uses the difference in the voltage step-down of one diode and two diodes in series to select one among the twofold-redundantpower supply lines103A,103B and connect this to the step-downconverter111. For example, when both the twofold-redundantpower supply lines103A,103B are operating effectively, theuppermost input selector110 inFIG. 2 connects the firstpower supply line103A, for which the diode voltage step-down is smaller, to the step-downconverter111, and thesecond input selector110 from the top connects the secondpower supply line103B to the step-downconverter111. In this way, when both the twofold-redundantpower supply lines103A,103B are operating effectively, substantially half of the plurality of HDD packs33 select the firstpower supply line103A, and substantially the other half select the secondpower supply line103B. By this means, the loads on the twofold-redundantpower supply lines103A and103B are balanced. When one of the twofold-redundantpower supply lines103A and103B undergoes a power outage, all theinput selectors110 select the normally operating power supply line.
• As shown inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3, the step-downconverters111 within the DC/DC converters109 convert one type of DC power at a single voltage level (for example, 48 V) from thepower supply line103A or103B selected by theinput selector110 into the plurality of types of DC power at different voltage levels (for example, 12 V and 5 V) required by all theHDD units107 and108, and output these to thepower supply lines113,115. As a step-downconverter111, for example, a power conversion circuit of the type which performs voltage step-down through on/off switching of the load circuit, such as for example a direct-current chopper circuit, can be used.
• As explained above, the twoHDD units107 shown in the top ofFIG. 2 are of the multiple-power-supply type, requiring supply of all the plurality of types of DC power with different voltage levels (for example, 12 V and 5 V) output from the DC/DC converter109. On the other hand, theHDD unit108 shown in the bottom of the figure is of the single-power-supply type, which operates when supplied with only one type among a plurality of types of DC power (for example, 12 V_DC power). The single-power-supplytype HDD unit108 is connected to only the one power voltage level required by theHDD unit108 among the output terminals of the DC/DC converter109, for example, the 12 V_DCpower supply line113. In this way, if theHDD units107 and108 are of a type which can operate on any of the plurality of types ofDC power113,115 output by the DC/DC converter109, then theHDD units107 and108 can be installed on theHDD pack33 which are installed/connected to thesame motherboard28.
• Here, it is assumed that 12 V_DC and 5 V_DC are supplied to the multiple-power-supplytype HDD units107, and that 12 V_DC is supplied to the single-power-supplytype HDD unit108. It is further assumed that the internal power consumption of both types ofHDD units107 and108 is the same. And, it is assumed that a single-power-supplytype HDD unit108 incorporates a power conversion circuit to convert the 12 V_DC supplied from outside into the 5 V_DC required by the internal logic circuit components, and that the efficiency of this power conversion circuit is 80%. In this case, compared with a multiple-power-supplytype HDD unit107, the power supply current for logic circuit components flowing in the power supply terminals of theconnector121A of a single-power-supplytype HDD unit108 is reduced by half due to the conversion of 12 V_DC to 5 V_DC. Consequently even if the power consumption of internal circuit components increases somewhat, it is easy to stay within the allowable current for the power supply terminals of theconnector121A.
• In the configuration example shown inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3, compared with a conventional configuration in which theHDD units107 or108 are directly connected to the motherboard, the power supply current supplied from themotherboard28 to theHDD units107 is reduced. Hence impedance of the power transmission path from themotherboard28 to the DC/DC converter109 and to the DC/DC converters existing inHDD units108 and similar, and the power supply noise arising from HDD ripple currents generated due to the conversion, are reduced.
• FIG. 4 shows an example of another specific internal configuration of anHDD pack33. InFIG. 4, the data transfer wiring is omitted.
• In the configuration example ofFIG. 4, the three or more types ofHDD units107,131 and133 are installed in HDD packs33 which are connected/installed on thesame motherboards28. One type ofHDD unit107 is a multiple-power-supply type, requiring DC power (power supply lines113 and115) at for example two voltage levels (for example, 12 V_DC and 5 V_DC). Another type ofHDD unit131 is a single-power-supply type, operating on DC power (power supply line139) at a voltage level different from those above (for example, 24 V). Still another type ofHDD unit133 is a single-power-supply type, requiring DC power (power supply line145) at still another voltage level (for example, 48 V). The power supply voltage levels required by the single-power-supply types ofHDD unit131 and133 are equal to or, preferably, higher than (for example, 24 V_DC, 48 V_DC, or similar) the highest value (for example 12 V_DC) of the plurality of power supply voltage levels required by the internal circuit components of theHDD units131 and133 (for example, 12 V_DC and 5 V_DC). In HDD packs33 accommodating such different types ofHDD units107,131 and133, different types of DC/DC converters109,135 and141 are installed which respectively generate the different voltage levels (for example, 12 V, 5 V, 24 V, 48 V) required by theHDD units107,131,133 from the DC power at the single high voltage level from the motherboard28 (for example, 48 V). The differences in these types of DC/DC converters109,135 and141 are mainly the differences in output voltages of the step-downconverters111,137,143 installed therein. That is, the step-downconverter111 converts the DC power at the single high voltage level from the motherboard28 (for example, 56 V or 48 V, or similar) into DC power at the two voltage levels required by the corresponding HDD unit107 (for example, 12 V_DC and 5 V_DC), and outputs this to thepower supply lines113 and115. Another step-downconverter137 converts the DC power at the single high voltage level from the motherboard28 (for example, 56 V or 48 V) into DC power at the single voltage level required by the corresponding HDD unit131 (for example, 24 V), and outputs this to thepower supply line139. And, the other step-downconverter143 converts the DC power at the single high voltage level from the motherboard28 (for example, 56 V or 48 V) into DC power at the single voltage level required by the corresponding HDD unit133 (for example, 48 V), and outputs this to thepower supply line145. When the power supply voltage level from themotherboard28 and the power supply voltage level required by an HDD unit are equal (for example, when both are 48 V), the step-down converter may be eliminated; or, in place of a step-down converter, a circuit to stabilize the voltage level output to the HDD unit (for example, a circuit which employs a large-capacity capacitor to suppress fluctuations in the output voltage level arising from fluctuations in the load current of the HDD unit) may be used.
• FIG. 5 shows in summary an example of arrangement of internal components of anHDD pack33 in which is installed a single-power-supplytype HDD unit131 or133, shown inFIG. 4.
• As shown inFIG. 5, a case is assumed in which aconnector121A having physical specifications similar to those of the multiple-power-supplytype HDD units107 or108 shown inFIG. 3 is used in the single-power-supplytype HDD unit131 or133. Thisconnector121A is assumed to conform for example to FC specifications, and has four power supply terminals. In such a case, in the multiple-power-supplytype HDD units107 or108 shown inFIG. 3, two of the four power supply terminals are allocated to the 12V_DC power113, and the remaining two are allocated to the 5V_DC power115; whereas in the single-power-supplytype HDD units131 or133 shown inFIG. 5, all four of the power supply terminals can be used to supplypower139 or145 at a single high voltage level (for example, 24 V, 48 V, or similar). By this means, the power which can be supplied to theHDD unit131 or133 is increased.
• FIG. 6 shows another example of a specific interior configuration of anHDD pack33, and still another example of a method of supply of power to anHDD pack33. InFIG. 6, the wiring for data transfer is omitted.FIG. 7 shows in summary the arrangement of internal components of theHDD pack33 shown inFIG. 6. InFIG. 7, the wiring for data transfer is shown in an extremely simplified manner.FIG. 8 shows an external view of theHDD pack33 shown inFIG. 6.
• In the configuration example ofFIG. 6, after the power output from the step-downconverter111,164 or167 within eachHDD pack33 is once returned to themotherboard28, it is supplied to theHDD units107,163 or165 within the HDD packs33 from themotherboard28. That is, U-turnpower supply lines151,153 are provided on themotherboard28 corresponding to eachHDD pack33. Within eachHDD pack33 there exists returnpower supply lines155,157; these return the power output from a step-downconverter111,164 or167 to the U-turnpower supply lines151,153 of themotherboard28. The U-turnpower supply lines151,153 input the returned power to the powersupply input lines159,161 of theHDD units107,163 or165 within eachHDD pack33.
• As shown inFIG. 7 andFIG. 8, theconnector121A of theHDD units107,163 or165 and the power supply connector171A are provided on the outer face of thecanister117 of theHDD pack33; theseconnectors121A and171A are connected to the correspondingconnectors119B and171B on the motherboard. The power output by the DC/DC converter109,164 or167 within theHDD pack33 passes through the power supply connector171A, is returned to the U-turnpower supply lines151,153 on themotherboard28, and is input from the U-turnpower supply lines151,153 to the power supply terminals (power supply lines)159,161 of theconnector121A of theHDD unit107,163 or165. As shown in the figure, because theconnector121A of theHDD unit107,163 or165 is directly connected to theconnector119B on themotherboard28, the distance between the two is very short, and there is no circuitry or wiring intervening therebetween. As a result, power can be supplied to theHDD unit107,163 or165 without degradation of the waveform quality of the high-speed data signal.
• Referring again toFIG. 6, the twoHDD units107 shown in the top of the figure are multiple-power-supply type units requiring, for example, 12 V_DC power and 5 V_DC power. TheHDD unit163 shown second from the bottom is a single-power-supply type unit requiring a single type of supplied power at a higher voltage level (for example, 24 V_DC) than the power supplied to theabove HDD units107. And the HDD unit165 shown at the bottom is a single-power-supply type unit requiring a single type of power to be supplied, at for example another voltage level (for example, 48 V_DC). Here, a case is imagined in which theHDD units107,163 and165 all have aconnector121A with the same specifications. Thisconnector121A is assumed to have four power supply terminals conforming to, for example, FC specifications. In this case, in each of the two HDD packs33 shown at the top, the step-downconverter111 outputs two types of power, for example at 12 V_DC and 5 V_DC, required by the multiple-power-supplytype HDD units107. These two types of power are input, via the single U-turnpower supply lines151 and153 on themotherboard28, to the two power supply terminals for 12 V_DC and the two power supply terminals for 5 V_DC in theconnector121A of theHDD units107. In theHDD pack33 shown second from the bottom, the step-downconverter164 outputs a single type of power, for example 24 V_DC, required by the single-power-supplytype HDD unit163. This single type of power is input, via the U-turnpower supply line153 on themotherboard28, to two of the four power supply terminals in theconnector121A of theHDD unit163. And, in theHDD pack33 shown at the bottom, the step-downconverter167 outputs a single type of power, for example 48 V_DC, required by the single-power-supply type HDD unit165. This single type of power is input, via both the U-turnpower supply lines151 and153 on themotherboard28, to all four of the power supply terminals in theconnector121A of the HDD unit165. By means of a configuration in which one type of power is supplied using all of the plurality of power supply terminals of theconnector121A of the HDD unit165, as in the case of thelowermost HDD pack33, higher power can easily be supplied compared with a configuration in which only a portion of the power supply terminals is used for the supply of one type of power, as in the case of the other HDD packs33.
• The types and numbers of theHDD units107,163 and165 shown inFIG. 6 are no more than simple examples for purposes of explanation. According to the configuration example shown inFIG. 6, an arbitrary number of theHDD units107,163 and165 of different types and requiring DC power at different voltage levels can be installed at arbitrary positions on thesame motherboard28. Moreover, as explained above, there is little degradation of the waveform quality of high-speed data signals.
• FIG. 9 shows another example of a specific internal configuration of anHDD pack33, and still another example of a method of supplying power to anHDD pack33. InFIG. 9, the wiring for data transfer is shown in an extremely simplified manner.FIG. 10 shows in summary the arrangement of internal components of anHDD pack33 in which is installed the SATA-specification HDD unit185 or187 shown inFIG. 9.
• In the configuration example ofFIG. 9, the different types ofHDD units107,181,185 and187 having different data transfer interface specifications are installed on thesame motherboard28. For example, theHDD units107 and181 shown in the top of the figure conform to the FC (fiber channel) interface specification. Theuppermost HDD unit107 is a multiple-power-supply type unit requiring the supply of power at a plurality of voltage levels, for example 12 V_DC and 5 V_DC, and thesecond HDD unit181 is a single-power-supply type unit requiring the supply of power at a single voltage level, for example 24 V_DC. TheHDD units185 and187 shown in the bottom are SATA (serial-ATA)-specification units. TheHDD unit185 which is second from the bottom is a multiple-power-supply type unit requiring the supply of power at a plurality of voltage levels, for example 12 V_DC and 5 V_DC, and thelowermost HDD unit187 is a single-power-supply type unit requiring the supply of power at a single voltage level, for example 24 V_DC. The configuration of anHDD pack33 in which is installed an FC-specification HDD unit107 or181 is as previously explained with reference toFIG. 6 throughFIG. 8.
• As shown inFIG. 9 andFIG. 10, anHDD pack33 in which is installed a SATA-specification HDD unit185 or187 is provided with an FC/SATA converter195 which performs conversion from the FC-specification data transfer interface on the motherboard side (data transfer paths123A,123B) to the SATA-specification data transfer interface on the HDD side (data transfer path201), as well as the reverse conversion. A DC/DC converter111 or189 within anHDD pack33 not only supplies power to theHDD unit185 or187 (thepower supply lines113 and115 or191), but also supplies power (for example, 5 V_DC) to the FC/SATA converter195. In the example shown, the FC/SATA converter195 converts the FC-specification data transferpaths123A,123B for two ports into the SATA-specification data transferpath201 for one port. As a modification, the FC/SATA converter195 may also transfer one port's worth of the FC-specification data transferpath123A or123B into one port's worth of the SATA-specification data transferpath201. However, as shown in the figure, an FC/SATA converter195 which supports the FC-specification data transferpaths123A,123B of two ports affords higher safety with respect to interface faults than support for a single port.
• InFIG. 9 thereference numbers200A,200B refer to twofold-redundant HDD control boards provided on themotherboard28, and each of which can substitute for the other. TheHDD control boards200A,200B respectively haveFC control circuits213A,213B. TheFC control circuits213A,213B are respectively connected to the twofold-redundantconnection control circuits27A and27B on the motherboard28 (for example, fiber channel switching circuits or port bypass circuits, or similar), and, via thedata transfer paths219A,219B, with the twofold-redundant channel adapters21 shown inFIG. 1 intervening, to theconnection control circuits27A,27B. TheFC control circuits213A,213B control theconnection control circuits27A,27B, and via theconnection control circuits27A,27B, exchange data with all of the HDD packs33 on themotherboard28.
• The types and numbers of theHDD units107,181,185 and187 shown inFIG. 9 are no more than simple examples for purposes of explanation. According to the configuration example shown inFIG. 9, a plurality of types of HDD unit, with different data transfer interfaces such as FC-specification and SATA-specification interfaces and also with different power supply voltage levels, can be installed on the same motherboard. The principle of this configuration example can be applied not only to cases in which HDD units with different interface specifications are used together, but also to cases in which only HDD units with one interface specification are used. As was explained referring toFIG. 1, normally two ormore HDDs26 belonging to the same parity group are the same with respect to power supply specifications and data transfer interface specifications. On the other hand, it is possible for power supply specifications or for data transfer interface specifications to differ between different parity groups. In this case, in the configuration shown inFIG. 9, the power supply specification or data transfer specification can be made different for each parity group.
• FIG. 11 shows still another example of a method of supplying power to HDD packs33. InFIG. 11, the AC/DC power supply circuit has been omitted.
• In the configuration example ofFIG. 11, the twofold-redundantHDD control boards211A,211B, each of which can be substituted for the other, are provided on themotherboard28. TheHDD control boards211A,211B respectively haveFC control circuits213A,213B and powersupply control circuits215A,215B. As already explained referring toFIG. 9, theFC control circuits213A,213B control the twofold-redundantconnection control circuits27A,27B on themotherboard28, and through theseconnection control circuits27A,27B, exchange data with all the HDD packs33 on themotherboard28. The powersupply control circuits215A,215B monitor the state of the DC power supply wiring on themotherboard28, and by outputtingcontrol signals217A,217B individually turn on and off the DC/DC converters109 (step-downconverters111,183,189) within all of the HDD packs33 on themotherboard28. The configuration of other portions of themotherboard28 and of the HDD packs33 are similar to the configuration example ofFIG. 9 explained above.
• In the configuration example ofFIG. 11, the control functions of the powersupply control circuits215A,215B can be utilized as follows. For example, when inserting or removing a live wire of an HDD pack33 (when attaching or removing to or from themotherboard28 anHDD pack33 in a state in which the DCpower supply lines103A,103B are live), the DC/DC converter109 within theHDD pack33 can be put into the stopped state in advance by means of the powersupply control circuits215A,215B. In this way, the danger of rush currents entering anHDD unit107,181,185 or187 upon insertion or removal of a live wire can be avoided. Also, when for example anHDD pack33 is currently being used, the supply of power to theHDD pack33 can be halted. By this means, power consumption can be controlled according to the state of use of the HDD, and wasteful power consumption can be decreased. Also, there are cases in which the total time over which consecutive use is possible is specified to be shorter for the SATA-specification HDD units185,187 than for the FC-specification HDD units107,181. In such cases, for example during standby, the powersupply control circuits215A,215B can be used to halt the supply of power to SATA-specification HDD units185,187. By this means, the effective time of use of SATA-specification HDD units185,187 can be extended, and brought closer to the lifetime of FC-specification HDD units107,181. Also, in order to perform pairing or mirroring of logical volumes according to the RAID principle, FC-specification HDD units107,181 can be allocated as primary volumes for online access, with SATA-specification HDD units185,187 allocated as secondary volumes which are copies of the primary volumes. In this case, for example during online operations, power is supplied to the FC-specification HDD units107,181 allocated as primary volumes, but the power supply to the SATA-specification HDD units185,187 allocated as secondary volumes can be stopped except when writing copied data, so as to extend the lifetime.
• Also, SATA-specification HDD units185,187 can be allocated to storage devices for backup of FC-specification HDD units107,181. In this case, the power supply to the SATA-specification HDD units185,187 can be stopped except during backup operation. By this means, inexpensive SATA-specification HDD units185,187 employed as storage devices for backup can be used with approximately the same lifetime as FC-specification HDD units107,181. Moreover, power consumption can be effectively reduced.
• FIG. 12 shows still another example of a specific internal configuration of anHDD pack33, and still another specific example of a method of supplying power to anHDD pack33. InFIG. 12, the AC/DC power supply circuit is omitted.
• In the configuration example ofFIG. 12, the specifications of theHDD units107,181,185 and187 are similar to those of the configuration examples inFIG. 9 andFIG. 11. In the configuration example ofFIG. 12, the DC/DC converters109 for theseHDD units107,181,185 and187 are mounted on themotherboard28. Hence the DC/DC converters109 do not exist within the respective HDD packs33. Consequently when replacing HDD packs33, the DC/DC converters109 are not also replaced, and in this respect greater economy is achieved. Various arrangements of the DC/DC converters109 on themotherboard28 can be adopted. As one example of an arrangement, the DC/DC converters109 are arranged in proximity to the installation positions of the corresponding HDD packs33. By this means, the transmission path from the DC/DC converter109 to theHDD pack33 is made short, so that the effect of power supply noise is minimal.
• Also, twofold-redundantHDD control boards221A,221B are provided on eachmotherboard28. TheHDD control boards221A,221 B haveFC control circuits213A,213B and powersupply control circuits225A,225B. The functions of theFC control circuits213A,213B have already been explained. In addition to controlling the turning on and off of each of the DC/DC converters109 as already explained, the powersupply control circuits225A,225B also have functions to indicate to each DC/DC converter109 the power supply voltage levels required by eachHDD pack33 by means ofvoltage control signals223A,223B, and to change the output voltage levels of the DC/DC converters109 according to the HDD packs33. When the step-down converters in the DC/DC converters109 are of the type which perform power conversion through switching, such as a chopper circuit, as one method to control the output voltage level of each DC/DC converter109, for example, the target voltage level indicated by thevoltage control signals223A,223B can be compared with the output voltage level, and the switching duty ratio increased or reduced such that the difference disappears.
• Through the above-described representative aspects of this invention, at least the following advantageous results can be obtained.
• (1) HDD units which operate at a single power supply voltage can be installed in a storage system.
• (2) A plurality of HDD types, requiring different power supply voltages, can be installed together on the same motherboard.
• (3) A plurality of HDD units requiring different power supply types can be installed at arbitrary times at arbitrary positions on a motherboard. Hence the range of HDD units which can be selected for use in future can be expanded.
• (4) HDD units requiring a power supply voltage level of 12 V_DC or higher, which is the highest power supply voltage level of HDD units generally adopted for use in the prior art, can be flexibly supported. By using a higher power supply voltage level than in the prior art, the power supply current can be reduced compared with the prior art, and power supply voltage stability is improved.
• (5) Inexpensive SATA-specification HDD units can be installed on the same motherboard together with FC-specification HDD units.
• (6) When all the HDD units initially installed on a motherboard are FC-specification units, these FC-specification HDD units can be replaced in sequence with SATA-specification HDD units, so that ultimately all units are replaced by SATA-specification HDD units.
• (7) By individually controlling the turning on and off of the power supplied to each HDD unit among the plurality of HDD units in the storage system, for example, SATA-specification HDD units can be used as secondary storage devices for backup or mirroring of FC-specification HDD units within the same system. By this means, the reliability of the storage system is improved, and cost reductions are easily achieved.
• (8) HDD units with different power supply specifications can be backed up by batteries at a single voltage level.
• In the above, aspects of this invention have been explained; but these aspects are no more than examples used to explain the invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited only to these aspects. This invention can be implemented in various other modes without deviating from the gist of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. A storage system, which can be connected to a host computer, having:

a plurality of storage devices which store data from said host;

a plurality of housings in which said plurality of storage devices are mounted; and

a plurality of first power supplies which supply a voltage to said plurality of storage devices, and

wherein at least one of said plurality of housings has a first voltage converter which receives power having a first voltage value from said first power supply, converts said first voltage value into a second voltage value different from said first voltage value, and supplies power having a single voltage value to said storage device.

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