Method and apparatus for managing operation of a storage device based on operating temperatures in the storage device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for managing operation of a storage device. Still more particularly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for managing operation of a storage device based on operating temperatures within the storage device.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The use of computers and other types of data processing systems have become widespread. A data processing system is a general-purpose machine, such as a personal computer or a personal digital assistant, that processes data according to a set of instructions that are stored internally either temporarily or permanently. The instructions that tell it what to do are called “software.” A set of instructions that perform a particular task is called a “program” or “software program.” The instructions in the program direct the data processing system to input, process and output data. A data processing system can selectively retrieve data into its main memory from any peripheral device, such as a terminal, disk, or tape. After processing the data, the data processing system can send a copy of the results from its memory out to any peripheral device. The more memory it has, the more programs and data it can work with at the same time. Typically, data is stored on a storage device such as a magnetic disk or tape to permanently store the data for later retrieval. With respect to storage of data for a data processing system, the semi-permanent or permanent holding place for digital data includes devices, such as disks and tapes. Magnetic disks, such as hard disk drives or floppy disks, hold magnetically recorded data. These disks can be re-recorded over and over.

[0005] Magnetic tape drives use magnetic tape as a sequential storage medium. This type of storage is typically used for data collection, backup and historical purposes. Magnetic tape is made of flexible plastic with one side coated with a ferromagnetic material. Tapes come in reels and cartridges of many sizes and shapes. Although still used in legacy systems, open reels have been mostly superseded by cartridges with enhanced storage capacities.

[0006] Optical disk drives use a direct access disk, which is written and read by light. A digital versatile disc (DVD) and a compact disc (CD) are examples of optical disks used in optical disk drives. Many types of optical disks are available. CD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and DVD-Video are examples of read-only optical disks that are recorded at the time of manufacture and cannot be erased. CD-R, DVD-R, WORM, and magneto-optic (in WORM mode) disks are examples of write-once optical media. These types of disks are recorded in the user's environment, but cannot be erased. CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD−RW, DVD+RW and MO disks are examples of rewritable optical media.

[0007] These types of storage devices generate heat during operation. These devices are designed to operate within certain temperature ranges. When the temperature ranges are exceeded for a particular device, the device may fail or operate incorrectly. Further, operation of a storage device above a recommended or specified operating temperature may not cause the drive to fail immediately, but result in a long-term reliability problem. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing operation of storage devices based on operating temperatures in the devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer instructions for managing a storage device. An operating temperature is monitored in the storage device. Responsive to the operating temperature exceeding a threshold temperature, operation of the storage device is altered to reduce effects of the storage device operating when the operating temperature exceeds the threshold temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system is shown in which the present invention may be implemented;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a diagram of a storage device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0013]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process used to control the operation of a storage device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, a pictorial representation of a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A computer <b>100</b> is depicted which includes system unit <b>102</b>, video display terminal <b>104</b>, keyboard <b>106</b>, storage devices <b>108</b>, which may include floppy drives and other types of permanent and removable storage media, and mouse <b>110</b>. Additional input devices may be included with computer <b>100</b>, such as, for example, a joystick, touchpad, touch screen, trackball, microphone, and the like.

[0015] Computer <b>100</b> can be implemented using any suitable computer, such as an IBM RS/6000 computer or IntelliStation computer, which are products of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), located in Armonk, N.Y. Although the depicted representation shows a computer, other embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in other types of data processing systems, such as a network computer. Computer <b>100</b> also preferably includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that may be implemented by means of systems software residing in computer readable media in operation within computer <b>100</b>.

[0016] With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data processing system is shown in which the present invention may be implemented. Data processing system <b>200</b> is an example of a computer, such as computer <b>100</b> in FIG. 1, in which code or instructions implementing the processes of the present invention may be located. Data processing system <b>200</b> employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) may be used. Processor <b>202</b> and main memory <b>204</b> are connected to PCI local bus <b>206</b> through PCI bridge <b>208</b>. PCI bridge <b>208</b> also may include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for processor <b>202</b>. Additional connections to PCI local bus <b>206</b> may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter <b>210</b>, small computer system interface (SCSI) host bus adapter <b>212</b>, and expansion bus interface <b>214</b> are connected to PCI local bus <b>206</b> by direct component connection.

[0017] In contrast, audio adapter <b>216</b>, graphics adapter <b>218</b>, and audio/video adapter <b>219</b> are connected to PCI local bus <b>206</b> by add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. Expansion bus interface <b>214</b> provides a connection for a keyboard and mouse adapter <b>220</b>, modem <b>222</b>, and additional memory <b>224</b>. SCSI host bus adapter <b>212</b> provides a connection for hard disk drive <b>226</b>, tape drive <b>228</b>, and CD-ROM drive <b>230</b>. Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. In particular, the mechanism of the present invention may be implemented to control the operation of storage devices, such as disk <b>226</b>, tape <b>228</b>, and CD ROM <b>230</b> based on the operating temperatures in these devices. The operation of these devices may be altered to protect the devices when a temperature within the device exceeds one or more predefined threshold temperatures.

[0018] An operating system runs on processor <b>202</b> and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system <b>200</b> in FIG. 2. The operating system may be a commercially available operating system such as Windows 2000, which is available from Microsoft Corporation. Instructions for the operating system and applications or programs are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive <b>226</b>, and may be loaded into main memory <b>204</b> for execution by processor <b>202</b>.

[0019] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 2 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash ROM (or equivalent nonvolatile memory) or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 2. Also, the processes of the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system.

[0020] For example, data processing system <b>200</b>, if optionally configured as a network computer, may not include SCSI host bus adapter <b>212</b>, hard disk drive <b>226</b>, tape drive <b>228</b>, and CD-ROM <b>230</b>. In that case, the computer, to be properly called a client computer, includes some type of network communication interface, such as LAN adapter <b>210</b>, modem <b>222</b>, or the like. As another example, data processing system <b>200</b> may be a stand-alone system configured to be bootable without relying on some type of network communication interface, whether or not data processing system <b>200</b> comprises some type of network communication interface. As a further example, data processing system <b>200</b> may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is configured with ROM and/or flash ROM to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data.

[0021] The depicted example in FIG. 2 and above-described examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processing system <b>200</b> also may be a notebook computer or hand held computer in addition to taking the form of a PDA. Data processing system <b>200</b> also may be a kiosk or a Web appliance. The processes of the present invention are performed by processor <b>202</b> using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory such as, for example, main memory <b>204</b>, memory <b>224</b>, or in one or more peripheral devices <b>226</b>-<b>230</b>.

[0022] The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions that may be used to protect a drive from failure or long-term degradation when operating temperatures exceeding those recommended for the devices occur. Currently, many storage devices include temperatures sensors incorporated within the device used to monitor the temperature of the device. If the temperature exceeds certain limits, the storage device notifies the data processing system that the storage device is operating under conditions that may cause it to fail. The mechanism of the present invention extends the use of this temperature sensor to allow the storage device to take actions to protect itself whenever the temperature within the storage device measured by the sensor exceeds one or more predefined thresholds.

[0023] For example, a first temperature threshold may be set based on the reliability degradation characteristics of the storage device. The temperature is chosen based upon the fact that the devices long term failure rate may be degraded minimally if the drive is operated over the short term. This time period may be as short as hours or a few days at most. The particular temperature used for the threshold is based on operating temperatures for the particular storage device and may include other factors, such as, for example, degradation characteristics of the storage device.

[0024] When this threshold temperature is exceeded, the storage device reduces its power consumption by limiting the actuator power consumption by having it perform fewer accesses to the storage media. During this time the storage device will report recoverable error sensor data for media access commands that contain a thermal warning as additional sensor data. For example, in a hard disk drive, a small computer system interface (SCSI) self monitoring analysis and reporting technology (S.M.A.R.T) function can be used to report this type of error.

[0025] If the drives temperature sensor continues to detect increasing temperature changes to the point where a second temperature threshold is reached, the storage device shuts off any motors that may be used to manipulate the storage media. For example, in a hard disk drive, the spindle motor is shut off and the drive then goes into sleep mode. In this mode the drive remains active on the host system bus but returns a status indicating the drive cannot access data until the temperature is reduced. While the drive is in this mode, the drive is able to withstand much higher temperatures without becoming damaged to the point where the drive will permanently fail. This situation occurs because no mechanical motion is occurring and most of the drive electronic components are powered down. Example threshold temperatures may be, for example, a first threshold temperature of about 65° C. and the second threshold temperature of about 85° C.

[0026] Turning next to FIG. 3, a diagram of a storage device is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this example, storage device <b>300</b> is a hard disk drive, such as disk <b>226</b> in FIG. 1. Specifically, storage device <b>300</b> may be implemented using an Ultrastar 73 LZX hard disk drive, which is available from IBM. This hard disk drive may be modified to include the functionality and processes of the present invention with respect to controlling the operation of storage device <b>300</b> based on temperatures detected within the storage device.

[0027] Storage device <b>300</b> includes a processor <b>302</b> connected to motor servo controller <b>304</b>, servo channel <b>306</b>, flash memory <b>308</b>, synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) <b>310</b>, SCSI controller <b>312</b>, and temperature sensor <b>314</b>. Motor servo controller <b>304</b> is connected to servo channel <b>306</b>, voice coil motor (VCM) driver <b>316</b>, and spindle motor driver <b>318</b>. Voice coil motor driver <b>316</b> is connected to voice coil motor <b>320</b>, and spindle motor driver <b>318</b> is connected to spindle motor <b>322</b>. Servo channel <b>306</b> is connected to read/write (R/W) channel <b>324</b>, which in turn has a connection to SCSI controller <b>312</b> as well as preamplifier <b>326</b>. In turn, preamplifier <b>326</b> is connected to read/write heads <b>328</b>. SCSI controller <b>312</b> provides a connection to a SCSI bus, which may have other peripherals connected to the SCSI bus.

[0028] Processor <b>302</b> controls the operation of storage device <b>300</b>. Instructions for processor <b>302</b> are obtained from flash memory <b>308</b>. These instructions may include, for example, boot microcode for processor <b>302</b> and instructions for controlling the operation of storage device <b>300</b> based on temperatures within storage device <b>300</b>. SDRAM <b>310</b> serves as a data cache as well as holding microcode for processor <b>302</b>. SCSI controller <b>312</b> provides a host interface to the computer system for storage device <b>300</b>.

[0029] R/W channel <b>324</b> serves to demodulate data from preamplifier <b>326</b> to create servo information for servo channel <b>306</b> to control the position of read/write heads <b>328</b>. Preamplifier <b>326</b> amplifies low level signals received from read heads within read/write heads <b>328</b> and provides drive currents to write heads within read/write heads <b>328</b>. Further, preamplifier <b>326</b> is used to select the appropriate head within read/write heads <b>328</b> for a read or write function.

[0030] Motor servo controller <b>304</b> creates analog signals to control the speed of spindle motor <b>322</b> and to control voice coil motor <b>320</b> through spindle motor driver <b>318</b> and voice coil motor driver <b>316</b>, respectively. Spindle motor <b>322</b> spins to manipulate the storage media in storage device <b>300</b> while voice coil motor <b>320</b> moves to control the position of read/write heads <b>328</b> with respect to the storage media.

[0031] Temperature sensor <b>314</b> is used to obtain temperature data within storage device <b>300</b>. Although a single sensor is illustrated here, more than one additional sensor may be used depending on the particular implementation. Based on the temperature data received from temperature sensor <b>314</b>, processor <b>302</b> may alter the operation of storage device <b>300</b> if the temperatures exceed or reach selected thresholds. For example, processor <b>302</b> may reduce the rate of access to storage media if the temperature exceeds a selected threshold temperature. Additionally, processor <b>302</b> may shut down a motor, such as spindle motor <b>322</b>, if the temperature data indicates that the temperature has exceeded a different threshold temperature.

[0032] Although storage device <b>300</b> is a hard disk drive in this example, the mechanism of the present invention may be applied to other types of storage devices. The mechanism may be used in any storage device in which temperature may affect the reliability of the storage device. For example, the mechanism of the present invention also may be used in a tape drive or an optical disc drive.

[0033] With reference now to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a process used to control the operation of a storage device is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The process illustrated in FIG. 4 may be implemented in a processor, such as processor <b>302</b> within storage device <b>300</b> in FIG. 3.

[0034] The process begins by receiving temperature data from the temperature sensor (step <b>400</b>). A determination is made as to whether the temperature is greater than 85° C. (step <b>402</b>). If the temperature is not greater than 85° C., a determination is made as to whether the temperature is greater than 75° C. (step <b>404</b>). If the temperature is not greater than 75° C., then a determination is made as to whether the temperature is greater than 65° C. (step <b>406</b>). If the temperature is not greater than 65° C., any over temperature error recovery action is reset (step <b>408</b>) and the process returns step <b>400</b>. Step <b>408</b> is used to reset any actions that may have been taken previously in response to the temperature from the temperature data being above one of the other thresholds in steps <b>402</b>, <b>404</b>, or <b>406</b>.

[0035] Returning again to step <b>406</b>, if the temperature is greater than 65° C., a temperature error is reported and over temperature sensor data consistent with informational exceptions control page <b>1</b>C, mode data (step <b>418</b>) and the process returns to step <b>400</b>. The informational exceptions control page defines the methods used by the target to control the reporting and the operations of specific informational exceptions conditions. SCSI mode page <b>1</b>C may be used by the drive to implement the Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.). The intention of S.M.A.R.T. is to recognize conditions that indicate imminent drive failure and to provide sufficient warning to the host system of impending failure. The mechanism of the present invention provides an extension to the S.M.A.R.T. technology by providing a mechanism for the device to take action to protect itself from an over temperature condition.

[0036] Referring again to step <b>404</b>, if the temperature is greater than 75° C., the access rate is limited to minimize power consumption (step <b>416</b>) with the process then returning to step <b>400</b> as described above.

[0037] With reference again to step <b>402</b>, if the temperature is greater than 85° C., all cached data is written to media (step <b>410</b>). Additionally, the spindle motor is shut off along with all electronics within the storage device except for the processor (step <b>412</b>), and the storage device reports that it is not ready in response to all commands sent to it from the data processing system (step <b>414</b>) with the process then returning to step <b>400</b> as described above.

[0038] Thus, the present invention provides an improved method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing operation of a storage device based on the temperature detected within the storage device. This mechanism performs different actions with respect to the operation of the storage device when different thresholds are reached or exceeded. Access rates may be reduced or the storage device may be essentially shut down depending on the temperature detected within the storage device.

[0039] In this manner, the mechanism of the present invention allows for a storage device to survive under conditions of excess temperature stress that normally cause the storage device to fail. This mechanism is useable for many different types of storage devices in which excess temperatures may cause reliability problems or device failures.

[0040] It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communications links, wired or wireless communications links using transmission forms, such as, for example, radio frequency and light wave transmissions. The computer readable media may take the form of coded formats that are decoded for actual use in a particular data processing system.

[0041] The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the mechanism of the present invention may be applied to other types of storage devices, such as a memory stick or flash memory. A temperature sensor may be included with an integrated circuit making up a memory stick or flash memory. Further, the mechanism of the present invention could be applied to storage subsystems containing multiple storage devices.

[0042] Although the examples illustrated three thresholds, other numbers of thresholds and threshold temperatures may be used depending on the particular implementation. Also, other actions may be taken, such as, for example, shutting down selected circuits or restricting the type of access to a read access and not a write access. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.