Disk array apparatus

Abstract

A disk array apparatus improves scalability, performance such as data transfer between different kinds of I/Fs, and maintainability and reliability about boards/PKs configuring the DKC and about a DKC configuration obtained by interconnecting them. The DKC in the disk array apparatus is configured by interconnecting mix PKs each including a base PK and a functional PK which is hierarchically connected to the base PK and on which individually separate functions are mounted. The base PK coexists with and is connectable to a plurality of different I/F-PKs, and includes an intra-package interconnection network for communicating between the functional PKs and with the DKC, and further has a processor interconnection network. The DKC performs a data transfer processing by using the functional PK and the base PK.

1 . A disk array apparatus including a storage unit and a storage control unit for controlling storing of data to said storage unit, and being controllable in RAID format, the apparatus comprising:
 said storage control unit being configured by interconnecting control packages including boards,   wherein each of said control packages comprises a base package serving as a base for interconnection and a plurality of functional packages hierarchically connected to said base package, individually separate functions being mounted on each of the plurality of functional packages,   wherein said base package includes a first junction for said interconnection, a second junction coexisting with and capable of connecting a plurality of different kinds of said functional packages, and an intra-package connection network for communicating between said functional packages and with said storage control unit,   wherein each of said functional packages includes a junction for connection to said base package, and   wherein said storage control unit is configured to perform a processing including a transfer of said data by using communication between at least one of said functional packages and said base package and communication between said base packages and other base packages,   further comprising a first controller package including a first I/F package and a second I/F package functional packages, wherein said first I/F package is coupled to an external device corresponding to a first I/F protocol and is configured to perform communication protocol treatment with the external device according to said first I/F protocol, said second I/F package is coupled to a external device corresponding to a second I/F protocol and configured to perform communication protocol treatment with the external device according to said second I/F protocol.   
     
     
         2 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said base package is connected to a′ board having a junction for interconnecting units each including said base package through said first junction,   the second junction of said base package includes a slot and a connector corresponding to a mechanism for inserting/drawing at least one of said functional packages, and   the junction of said functional package has a shape and a connector corresponding to the slot and the connector of said base package.   
     
     
         3 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said storage control unit includes:   a data path control switch for transferring data between said base packages and a processor connection network for communicating between processors in said base packages, the data path control switch and the processor connection network serving as a global connection network for interconnecting said intra-package connection network and communicating between units each including the base package;   a global cache memory connected to said data path control switch for data transfer between said base packages; and   at least one memory package as one of said functional package of the first controller unit for data transfer between functional packages in the first controller unit.   
     
     
         4 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein at least one of said functional packages comprises a structure for being hot-swapped with respect to the second junction of said base package through said junction, and   wherein the hot-swapping can be performed while said storage control unit is performing a processing for controlling the storing of said data.   
     
     
         5 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said base package comprises a structure for being hot-swapped with respect to a junction of a board for interconnecting units each including said base package through said first-junction, and wherein the hot-swapping can be performed while said storage control unit is performing a processing for controlling the storing of said data.   
     
     
         6 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a memory package mounting a memory and a memory control circuit connected to said intra-package connection network and controlling said memory, the memory package being configured to serve as one of said functional packages;   wherein data is cached by using the memory in said memory package during a data transfer.   
     
     
         7 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor package configured to serve as one of said functional packages and mounting a processor, wherein control is executed by using the processor in said processor package during a data transfer.   
     
     
         8 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein said base package includes a processor connected to said intra-package connection network, and said processor communicates with another processor in said storage control unit through said intra-package connection network and said processor connection network and controls a processing unit in at least one of said functional packages.   
     
     
         9 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an indicator provided in each of said base package and at least one of said functional packages and controlling displays corresponding to a packaging condition and an operation of package maintenance/management,   wherein a display of said indicator for an object package is controlled so as to indicate an instruction of a maintenance/management operation from said storage control unit or a maintenance/management unit connected to said storage control unit.   
     
     
         10 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a maintenance/management unit connected to said storage control unit,   said maintenance/management unit manages configuration information including a connection configuration of said base package and at least one of said functional packages and, at a time of mounting/detaching each of the packages, refers to an ID of the mounted/detached package and said configuration information to execute a configuration check.   
     
     
         11 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said processor connection network comprises a switch for controlling switching of a processor path for inter-processor communication between the packages. 
     
     
         12 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said processor connection network includes a configuration in which a control line for communicating between the processors is directly connected between said intra-package connection networks. 
     
     
         13 . The disk array apparatus according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein said processor connection network comprises a switch for controlling a processor path for inter-processor communication between the packages, and a memory connected to said switch and reading/writing control information shared among the processors.