JP2004362369A - Network-compatible storage device, control method therefor, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption of a network storage.
There is a considerable difference between a data transfer speed in a network and an access speed in a disk storage unit. Prepare a buffer memory with sufficient capacity to temporarily store data read from the disk-type storage unit and data to be written to the disk-type storage unit. Intermittent access to the disk-type storage unit using the buffer memory Intensively, it is possible to secure a long time during which the disk is not accessed. During this time, the disk-type storage unit is stopped, and power consumption during data reading and writing operations can be reduced.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 4

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, and more particularly to a storage device connected to a network and shared by a plurality of users.
[0002]
More specifically, the present invention relates to a network-compatible storage device having a network interface such as a LAN and connected to a network in a stand-alone state, and more particularly to reading data from a disk and writing data to the disk via a network. The present invention relates to a network-compatible storage device that reduces power consumption when performing an operation.
[0003]
[Prior art]
By connecting multiple computers to form a LAN (Local Area Network), information such as files and data can be shared, peripheral devices such as printers can be shared, and e-mail, data, and content can be transferred. Information exchange.
[0004]
For example, in order to realize sharing of information such as still images, moving images, and data files at home, a hard disk drive (HDD: Hard Disc Drive) is often used. The hard disk is a magnetic recording type auxiliary storage device. Several magnetic media, which are recording media, are accommodated in the drive unit, and are rotated at high speed by a spindle motor. The media is coated with a plated magnetic material such as nickel and phosphorus. Then, by scanning the magnetic head in the radial direction on the surface of the rotating medium, magnetization corresponding to data is generated on the medium, and writing or reading can be performed. Hard disks are already widespread.
[0005]
Conventionally, a hard disk has generally been mounted on a personal computer for use. For example, a hard disk is connected to a computer main body via a standard interface such as IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) or SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), and its storage space is a FAT (File Allocation Table) or the like. Managed by the file system, a subsystem of the operating system. In order to access the hard disk via the network, the computer itself may be connected to the network.
[0006]
More recently, network-capable hard disks (hereinafter also referred to as "network storage") have been manufactured and marketed, and even if a computer is not always necessary, information can be stored on a stand-alone network storage. Can be realized (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0007]
There are various types of network storage such as a storage having a wired LAN interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and a storage having a wireless LAN interface such as IEEE 802.11.
[0008]
The network storage can realize information sharing in a stand-alone state without connecting to a personal computer. In addition, it is small and can be easily moved between rooms regardless of the location. In addition, the startup time of the device is short, and the power consumption is small. Further, when the network storage is set to an access point (AP) on a wireless network, the return is eliminated during data transfer, so that transmission efficiency is high.
[0009]
On the other hand, when considering the practical use of network storage, there are still problems in terms of power consumption, QoS, security, setting method, and the like.
[0010]
Regarding power consumption, it is desirable to further reduce power consumption during standby for general home information sharing and operation during mobile use. Regarding QoS, we want to supplement the communication speed of wireless communication. Regarding security, it is desired that the setting operation of the device be simple, but also that confidentiality be ensured. As for the setting method, we want to reduce the troublesome setting items and simplify the operation.
[0011]
Since the power consumption of the network storage is smaller than that of the personal computer itself, it is more suitable as a means for sharing information than using a computer. However, large-capacity and high-speed storage devices such as hard disks generally consume large power, and further reduction in power consumption is desired.
[0012]
In order to reduce power consumption, a method of turning off the power of a hard disk after a certain period of time after no access has been generally used. However, a moving image is one of the information shared at home. When distributing moving image data from a hard disk to another terminal and playing it back in real time, access continues for a long time, so the above method does not stop the hard disk and reduces power consumption Does not lead to
[0013]
[Non-patent document 1]
http: // www. sony. co. jp / products / Consumer / PGX / products / index. html (as of May 27, 2003)
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent network-compatible storage device that has a network interface such as a LAN and is connected to a network in a stand-alone state.
[0015]
A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent network-compatible storage device that can achieve low power consumption.
[0016]
A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent network-compatible storage device that can reduce power consumption when reading data from a disk or writing data to a disk via a network. is there.
[0017]
Means and Action for Solving the Problems
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is a network-compatible storage device used by connecting to a network,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network;
A storage unit for storing data communicated via the network,
A buffer memory that temporarily holds data read from the storage unit until the data is transmitted from the communication unit to a network,
A control unit that controls an activity state of the storage unit according to an amount of data stored in the buffer memory;
A network-compatible storage device comprising:
[0018]
A second aspect of the present invention is a network-compatible storage device used by connecting to a network,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network;
A storage unit for storing data communicated via the network,
A buffer memory that temporarily holds data received by the communication unit until the data is written to the storage unit,
A control unit that controls an activity state of the storage unit according to an amount of data stored in the buffer memory;
A network-compatible storage device comprising:
[0019]
The network-compatible storage device mentioned here is, for example, a hard disk as a magnetic recording type auxiliary storage device. A hard disk contains several magnetic media, which are recording media, in a drive unit. By scanning a magnetic head in a radial direction on the surface of a rotating media, magnetization corresponding to data is recorded on the media. Writing can be performed or data can be read. In the case of the hard disk according to the present invention, for example, a LAN interface is provided and can be directly connected to a personal computer via a network.
[0020]
Further, according to the present invention, the power consumption of the storage unit can be reduced by utilizing the difference between the disk access speed in the storage unit and the data transfer speed in the communication unit. That is, intermittent access to the storage unit is intensively performed using a buffer memory having a sufficient capacity, thereby securing a long time during which no access is made to the disk. Then, at least a part of the function of the storage unit is stopped while the disk is not accessed, so that power consumption during data reading and writing operations can be reduced. When a network-compatible hard disk is operating as an access point, the effect of reducing power consumption is even higher.
[0021]
When reading data from the hard disk, the time required for network transfer of the data held in the buffer memory is compared with the time required for stopping and starting at least a part of the function of the storage unit, and the network transfer time is determined. If it is long, the data reading operation is stopped until the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory decreases to a predetermined value, and at least a part of the function of the storage unit is stopped. The function stop of the hard disk is realized by, for example, stopping power supply to an electric circuit for controlling disk access, stopping the seek operation of the magnetic head, and stopping the rotation of the magnetic disk, thereby reducing a considerable amount of power consumption. be able to.
[0022]
In response to the fact that the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory has decreased to a predetermined amount due to the data transfer from the communication unit to the network, a data reading operation from the storage unit is started, and The read data is read and replenished to the buffer memory.
[0023]
In addition, in response to ending the pre-reading of data from the storage unit to the buffer memory, the data reading operation is stopped, and at least a part of the function of the storage unit is stopped.
[0024]
On the other hand, when writing data to the hard disk, the time required to accumulate a predetermined amount of data in the buffer memory by network transfer and the time required to stop and start at least some functions of the storage unit are compared. When the storage time in the buffer is long, the data writing operation is stopped and at least a part of the function of the storage unit is stopped until the data received by the communication unit is stored in the buffer memory to a predetermined amount. Let it.
[0025]
Then, the data write operation from the buffer memory to the storage unit is started in response to the data received by the communication unit being accumulated in the buffer memory to a predetermined amount.
[0026]
Further, in response to the fact that the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory has decreased to a predetermined amount by writing data from the buffer memory to the storage unit, the data writing operation is stopped and at least Try to stop some functions.
[0027]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium that is described in a computer-readable format so as to execute a process for controlling a data read operation of a network-compatible storage device used by being connected to a network. A program,
Reading data from the storage device and temporarily holding the data in a buffer memory;
Retrieving data from the buffer memory for network transmission;
Controlling the activity of the storage device according to the amount of data stored in the buffer memory;
A computer program characterized by comprising:
[0028]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium which is described in a computer-readable format so as to execute, on a computer system, a process for controlling a data write operation of a network-compatible storage device used in connection with a network. A program,
Temporarily storing data received via the network in a buffer memory;
Controlling the activity of the storage device according to the amount of data stored in the buffer memory;
Retrieving data from the buffer memory and writing data to the storage device;
A computer program characterized by comprising:
[0029]
The computer program according to each of the third and fourth aspects of the present invention defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize a predetermined process on a computer system. In other words, by installing the computer program according to each of the third and fourth aspects of the present invention in a computer system, a cooperative action is exerted on the computer system, and the first and second aspects of the present invention are realized. The same functions and effects as those of the network-compatible storage device according to each aspect of (2) can be obtained.
[0030]
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed descriptions based on embodiments of the present invention described below and the accompanying drawings.
[0031]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
FIG. 1 shows a network configuration example using a network-compatible hard disk. The illustrated hard disk has a LAN interface and can be directly connected to a personal computer via a network.
[0033]
Advantages of a network-compatible hard disk include a shorter startup time of the device and a lower power consumption than the computer itself, as compared to a computer.
[0034]
The hard disk has mechanical parts such as rotation of the disk and seek operation of the head. Also, it is designed to realize high-speed reading and writing of several hundred Mbps, which increases power consumption. On the other hand, the speed of a moving image is as low as 1 Mbps to 20 Mbps, and the hard disk has sufficient capacity, and it can be considered that the hard disk consumes wasteful power.
[0035]
FIG. 2 schematically shows a functional configuration of the hard disk 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the hard disk 1 includes a disk type storage unit 10, a communication unit 20, a control unit 30, and a buffer memory 40.
[0036]
The storage unit 10 includes a storage device such as a hard disk. The communication unit 20 has a built-in network interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN (for example, IEEE 802.11).
[0037]
The control unit 30 is a functional block that mediates between the communication unit 20 and the storage unit 10, and interprets a data read signal, a write signal, and the like from the communication unit 20 and performs operations such as reading and writing data to and from the storage unit 10. Do. The control unit 30 controls the operation of the storage unit 10 using the operation / stop control signal. The control unit 30 uses the buffer memory 40 to temporarily hold data read from or written to the storage unit 10. Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 30 controls the active state of the storage unit 10 according to the remaining amount of read data and write data accumulated in the buffer memory 40. That is, the power consumption of the storage unit 10 is reduced by utilizing the difference between the disk access speed in the storage unit 10 and the data transfer speed in the communication unit 20. Since the buffer memory 40 has a sufficient capacity, intermittent access to the storage unit 10 can be performed intensively, and a long time during which no access is made to the disk is secured. Then, at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped while the disk is not accessed, so that power consumption during data reading and writing operations can be reduced.
[0038]
FIG. 3 schematically shows the internal configuration of the disk-type storage unit 10.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 10 includes a disk controller 13, a data read / write control unit 15, a servo control unit 16, a magnetic disk 21 as a storage medium, and a magnetic head 22 for accessing the surface of the magnetic disk 21. And a voice coil motor 23 and a spindle motor 24 for realizing the scanning operation of the magnetic head 22, and a preamplifier 25.
[0040]
The disk controller 13 receives a command from the control unit 30 connected via the interface 17 and performs command processing. The disk controller 13 performs hardware processing on the data read / write control unit 15 and the servo control unit 16 according to the command processing result. Instruct the operation.
[0041]
The command from the control unit 30 includes a stop control command for stopping at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 in addition to writing data to the disk 21 and reading data from the disk 21. The function stop of the hard disk serving as the storage unit 10 is realized by, for example, stopping power supply to an electric circuit for controlling disk access, stopping the seek operation of the magnetic head, and stopping the rotation of the magnetic disk. Power consumption can be reduced.
[0042]
Write data received from the host via the interface 17 and data read from the disk 21 and passed to the host are temporarily buffered in the disk controller 13.
[0043]
The data read / write control unit 15 performs a coding modulation process to create a data pattern to be actually recorded, and writes the data to the magnetic disk 21 via the preamplifier 25. Conversely, the read data is taken in from the magnetic disk 21 via the preamplifier 25, and the data is demodulated.
[0044]
The servo control unit 16 synchronously drives a voice coil motor (VCM) 23 that moves an arm on which the magnetic head 22 is mounted and a spindle motor (SPM) 24 that rotates a magnetic disk, so that the magnetic head 22 Control is performed so as to reach a predetermined range on a target track on the magnetic disk 21. Further, control is performed to seek the head position to a predetermined position based on the servo pattern (discussed above) on the disk.
[0045]
On the magnetic disk 21, a number of tracks, which are sections for recording data, are formed concentrically. For example, track numbers 0, 1, 2,... Allocated. Each track is further divided into sectors, and this sector unit is the minimum unit in which data read / write operation is possible. The data amount in the sector is fixed at, for example, 512 bytes. Actually recorded sectors are added with header information and error correction codes in addition to data.
[0046]
Although not shown, several magnetic disks (platters) may be concentrically overlapped in the drive unit. At this time, the same track number of each magnetic disk is arranged in a cylindrical shape (cylinder). ), Specified by the same cylinder number as the track number.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, the power consumption of the storage unit 10 is reduced by utilizing the difference between the disk access speed in the storage unit 10 and the data transfer speed in the communication unit 20. That is, by intermittently accessing the storage unit 10 using the buffer memory 40 having a sufficient capacity, a long time during which no access is made to the disk is secured. Then, at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped while the disk is not accessed, so that power consumption during data reading and writing operations can be reduced. When a network-compatible hard disk is operating as an access point, the effect of reducing power consumption is even higher.
[0048]
Hereinafter, an outline of the operation in the storage unit 10 will be described.
[0049]
Read data from storage:
The buffer memory 40 is built in the control unit 30, and data read out from the storage unit 10 in a short time is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 40. Then, at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped while outputting the data in the buffer memory 40 based on the following operation rules.
[0050]
(A) Compare the time required to read out data in the buffer memory 40 (the time from when the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 decreases to the time when replenishment is necessary) with the time required to stop and start the storage unit 10, and When the data reading time in the memory 40 is long, at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped until the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory 40 decreases.
(B) When the amount of read data in the buffer memory 40 becomes small, the storage unit 10 is restarted, the subsequent read data is read, and the buffer memory 40 is refilled.
(C) The data previously read from the storage unit 10 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 50, and if all the read data is stored in the buffer memory 40, there is no plan to read the data from the storage unit 10; The unit 10 is stopped.
[0051]
FIG. 4 illustrates the state of the buffer memory 40 from the start to the end of data reading, and the relationship between the storage unit 10 and the communication unit 20.
[0052]
(1) Before reading from the storage unit 10 is started, the buffer memory 40 is empty, the storage unit 10 is stopped, and the output to the communication unit 20 is stopped.
[0053]
(2) When reading is started, first, the storage unit 10 is started to start reading data, and the read data is stored in the buffer memory 40. At the same time, output to the communication unit 20 is started, and output from the buffer memory 40 to the communication unit 20 is started.
[0054]
(3) Since the reading speed from the storage unit 10 is higher than the output speed to the communication unit 20, the data in the buffer memory 40 increases.
[0055]
(4) When the data in the buffer memory 40 is sufficiently accumulated, the data reading from the storage unit 10 is stopped, and at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped. Output to the communication unit 20 continues.
[0056]
(5) Since the data reading from the storage unit 10 has been stopped, the data in the buffer memory 40 decreases.
[0057]
(6) When the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 decreases, the storage unit 10 is restarted to resume data reading.
[0058]
(7) Since the reading speed from the storage unit 10 is higher than the output speed to the communication unit 20, the data in the buffer memory 40 increases.
[0059]
(8) When the data reading is completed, the storage unit 10 is stopped. Output to the communication unit 20 continues.
[0060]
(9) Since the reading from the storage unit 10 has been completed, the data in the buffer memory 40 decreases.
[0061]
(10) The data in the buffer memory becomes empty, and the output to the communication unit 20 ends.
[0062]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of reading data from the hard disk 1.
[0063]
After the start of reading, the storage unit 10 is started, and data reading and output to the communication unit 20 are started (step S1).
[0064]
Since reading data from the storage unit 10 is faster than outputting to the communication unit 20, the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 gradually increases. In step S2, it is determined whether the data in the buffer has been sufficiently filled.
[0065]
When the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 is satisfied, data reading from the storage unit 10 is stopped, and at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped (step S3).
[0066]
When the data reading operation of the storage unit 10 is stopped, the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 starts to decrease. In step S4, it is determined whether the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 has decreased. If not, this state is continued (the determination in step S4 is repeated).
[0067]
Here, when the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 becomes small, the storage unit 10 is restarted to resume data reading (step S5), and returns to step S2.
[0068]
If it is determined in step S2 that the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 is not satisfied, it is further determined whether reading from the storage unit 10 has been completed (step S6).
[0069]
If data reading from the storage unit 10 has not been completed, the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, when the data reading from the storage unit 10 is completed, the storage unit 10 is stopped (Step S7). Thereafter, when all the data in the buffer memory 40 has been output to the communication unit 20 (step S8), the data reading ends (step S9).
[0070]
Writing data to storage:
The buffer memory 40 is built in the control unit 30, and the write data received from the communication unit 20 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 40. Then, at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped until the write data is stored in the buffer memory 40 based on the following operation rules.
[0071]
(A) When write data is received from the communication unit 20, the time required to accumulate a predetermined amount of data in the buffer memory 40 by network transfer and the time required to stop and start at least a part of the functions of the storage unit 10 Comparing the times, if the accumulation time of the buffer 40 is long, the storage unit 10 is not completely activated and the write data is stored in the buffer memory 40.
(B) When a certain amount of data is stored in the buffer memory 40, the storage unit 10 is started, and data writing to the storage unit 10 is started.
(C) When the amount of write data in the buffer memory 40 decreases due to data writing to the storage unit 10, at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped, and the write data is refilled to the buffer memory 40.
(D) After the reception of the write data is completed, when the buffer memory 40 becomes empty by the write operation to the storage unit 10, the storage unit 10 is stopped.
[0072]
FIG. 6 illustrates the state of the buffer memory 40 from the start to the end of data writing, and the relationship between the storage unit 10 and the communication unit 20.
[0073]
(1) Before data is received from the communication unit 20 (before data writing starts), the buffer memory 40 is empty, the storage unit 10 is stopped, and output to the communication unit 20 is stopped.
[0074]
(2) Data input from the communication unit 20 is started, and writing to the buffer memory 40 is started. At this stage, the storage unit 10 is not activated yet.
[0075]
(3) Since the storage unit 10 is stopped, the buffer memory 40 is filled with data.
[0076]
(4) When sufficient data has been stored in the buffer memory 40, the storage unit 10 is activated and the operation of writing data to the disk is started.
[0077]
(5) Since the data writing speed in the storage unit 10 is higher than the data input speed from the communication unit 20, the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 decreases.
[0078]
(6) When the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 becomes low, the data writing to the storage unit 10 is stopped, and at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is stopped.
[0079]
(7) The amount of data in the buffer memory 40 increases again.
[0080]
(8) When the input from the communication unit 20 is completed, the storage unit 10 is activated and data writing is started.
[0081]
(9) Data is written to the storage unit 10, and the amount of data in the buffer memory decreases.
[0082]
(10) The data in the buffer memory 40 runs out (data writing is completed), and the storage unit 10 is stopped.
[0083]
In the illustrated example, the case where the end of data reception from the communication unit 20 occurs while the storage unit 10 is stopped has been described as an example, but the data reception may end while the storage unit 10 is operating. In that case, the storage unit 10 may be stopped after the data in the buffer memory 40 becomes empty and the writing to the storage unit 10 ends, so that the writing operation may be completed.
[0084]
FIG. 7 shows, in the form of a flowchart, a processing procedure when writing data to the hard disk 1.
[0085]
After the start of writing, writing of the write data received from the communication unit 20 to the buffer memory 40 is started (step S11). At this time, since the storage unit 10 is kept stopped, the data in the buffer memory 40 increases.
[0086]
Next, it is determined whether the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 has become sufficiently large (step S12). Then, when the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 is sufficient, the storage unit 10 is started to start writing data to the disk (step S13).
[0087]
Since writing to the storage unit has started, the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 decreases. In step S14, it is determined whether the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 has decreased.
[0088]
When the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 is small, the data writing to the disk is stopped, the storage unit 10 is stopped (Step S15), and the process returns to Step S12.
[0089]
If it is determined in step S12 that the data is not sufficiently stored in the buffer memory 40, it is further determined whether the data reception from the communication unit 20 has been completed (step S16).
[0090]
If the data reception from the communication unit 20 has not been completed, the process returns to step S12.
[0091]
On the other hand, when the data reception from the communication unit 20 has been completed, the storage unit 10 is activated (step S17). Next, it is determined whether the writing to the storage unit 10 has been completed (whether the buffer memory 40 has been emptied) (step S18).
[0092]
When the writing to the storage unit 10 is completed, the storage unit 10 is stopped (step S19), and the data writing operation ends.
[0093]
If it is determined in step S14 that the amount of data in the buffer memory 40 has not decreased, it is further determined whether data reception from the communication unit 20 has been completed (step S21). If data reception from the communication unit 20 has not been completed, the process returns to step S14, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S18.
[0094]
Here, a comparison between a time required for network transfer of data held in the buffer memory 40 at the time of data reading and a time required for stopping and starting at least a part of functions of the storage unit 10 and a network at the time of data writing are performed. A supplementary explanation will be given regarding the comparison between the time required to accumulate a predetermined amount of data in the buffer memory 40 by transfer and the time required to stop and start at least a part of the functions of the storage unit 10.
[0095]
1) The time required for network transfer of data at the time of data reading and the time required to accumulate a predetermined amount of data in the buffer memory 40 at the time of data writing are determined by the size of the buffer memory 40 and one of the following: Determined by the value.
・ Transmission capacity (speed) of network section
-Speed specific to the content being transmitted (information speed such as MPEG)
・ Data rate obtained by observing actual transmission status
[0096]
2) The time required for stopping and activating at least a part of the function of the storage unit 10 is a value unique to the storage unit 10, but it is expected that there are a plurality of times depending on the range of the function stop. In such a case, the time required for stopping and starting the function is shorter than the time required for network transfer of data when reading data, and less than the time required for storing a predetermined amount of data in the buffer memory 40 when writing data. Is selected, the function stopping means that satisfies the condition of.
[0097]
3) Due to the transmission capacity (speed) of the network unit and the time required to stop and start up the functions, the above-described conditions described in claims 3, 8, 13, and 18 may always be satisfied. In that case, confirmation can be omitted.
[0098]
[Supplement]
The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed by way of example, and the contents described in this specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims described at the beginning should be considered.
[0099]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, an excellent network-compatible storage capable of reducing power consumption when reading data from a disk or writing data to a disk via a network. An apparatus can be provided.
[0100]
There is a considerable difference between the data transfer speed in the network and the access speed in the disk storage unit. The network-compatible hard disk drive according to the present invention prepares a buffer memory having a sufficient capacity for temporarily storing data read from the disk-type storage unit and data to be written to the disk-type storage unit. By intermittently performing intermittent access to the disk storage unit using the buffer memory, it is possible to secure a long time during which no disk access is performed. During this time, the disk-type storage unit is stopped, and power consumption during data reading and writing operations can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration using a network-compatible hard disk.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of a hard disk 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a disk-type storage unit 10;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state of a buffer memory 40 from the start to the end of data reading, and a relationship between a storage unit 10 and a communication unit 20.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when reading data from the hard disk 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the state of the buffer memory 40 from the start to the end of data writing, and the relationship between the storage unit 10 and the communication unit 20.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when writing data to the hard disk 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Storage unit
13 ... Disk controller
15 Data read / write control unit
16 ... Servo control unit
20 ... Communication unit
21 ... magnetic disk
22 ... Magnetic head
23… VCM
24 ... SPM
25 ... Preamplifier
30 ... Control unit
40 ... Buffer memory

Claims (22)

A network-compatible storage device used by connecting to a network,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network;
A storage unit for storing data communicated via the network,
A buffer memory that temporarily holds data read from the storage unit until the data is transmitted from the communication unit to a network,
A control unit that controls an activity state of the storage unit according to an amount of read data stored in the buffer memory;
A network-compatible storage device, comprising: The storage unit is a disk-type storage device,
The network-compatible storage device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit compares the time required for network transfer of data held in the buffer memory with the time required for stopping and starting at least a part of the function of the storage unit. Stop the data read operation until the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory decreases to a predetermined value, and stop at least a part of the function of the storage unit.
The network-compatible storage device according to claim 1, wherein: In response to the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory being reduced to a predetermined amount due to data transfer from the communication unit to the network, the control unit starts a data reading operation from the storage unit. Reading the subsequent read data and refilling the buffer memory;
4. The network-compatible storage device according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit stops a data read operation in response to ending the preceding read of data from the storage unit to the buffer memory, and stops at least a part of the function of the storage unit.
The network-compatible storage device according to claim 1, wherein: A method for controlling a network-compatible storage device that controls a data read operation of a network-compatible storage device used by connecting to a network,
Reading data from the storage device and temporarily holding the data in a buffer memory;
Retrieving data from the buffer memory for network transmission;
Controlling the activity of the storage device according to the amount of read data stored in the buffer memory;
A method for controlling a network-compatible storage device, comprising: The storage device is a disk-type storage device,
7. The control method for a network-compatible storage device according to claim 6, wherein: In the step of controlling the active state of the storage device, a time required for network transfer of data held in the buffer memory is compared with a time required for stopping and starting at least a part of functions of the storage unit, When the network transfer time is long, the data read operation is stopped until the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory decreases to a predetermined value, and at least a part of the function of the storage device is stopped.
7. The control method for a network-compatible storage device according to claim 6, wherein: The step of controlling the activity state of the storage device includes an operation of reading data from the storage device in response to the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory being reduced to a predetermined amount by data transfer to a network. To read the subsequent read data and refill the buffer memory,
The method for controlling a network-compatible storage device according to claim 8, wherein: In the step of controlling the activity state of the storage device, the data read operation is stopped in response to ending the pre-reading of data from the storage device to the buffer memory, and at least a part of the storage device is stopped. Stop functioning,
7. The control method for a network-compatible storage device according to claim 6, wherein: A network-compatible storage device used by connecting to a network,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network;
A storage unit for storing data communicated via the network,
A buffer memory that temporarily holds data received by the communication unit until the data is written to the storage unit,
A control unit that controls an activity state of the storage unit according to an amount of write data stored in the buffer memory;
A network-compatible storage device, comprising: The storage unit is a disk-type storage device,
The network-compatible storage device according to claim 11, wherein: The control unit compares the time required to accumulate a predetermined amount of data in the buffer memory by network transfer with the time required to stop and start at least a part of the function of the storage unit. When is long, until the data received by the communication unit is accumulated to a predetermined amount in the buffer memory, the data write operation is stopped and at least a part of the function of the storage unit is stopped, The network-compatible storage device according to claim 11, wherein: The control unit starts a data write operation from the buffer memory to the storage unit in response to the data received by the communication unit being accumulated to a predetermined amount in the buffer memory,
14. The network-compatible storage device according to claim 13, wherein: The control unit stops the data write operation in response to the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory being reduced to a predetermined amount by writing the data from the buffer memory to the storage unit, and stops the data write operation. Stop at least some of the functions of the
The network-compatible storage device according to claim 11, wherein: A method for controlling a network-compatible storage device that controls a data read operation of a network-compatible storage device used by connecting to a network,
Temporarily storing data received via the network in a buffer memory;
Controlling the active state of the storage device according to the amount of write data stored in the buffer memory;
Retrieving data from the buffer memory and writing data to the storage device;
A method for controlling a network-compatible storage device, comprising: The storage device is a disk-type storage device,
17. The method for controlling a network-compatible storage device according to claim 16, wherein: In the step of controlling the activity state of the storage device, the data write operation is stopped until data received via the network is accumulated in the buffer memory to a predetermined amount, and at least a part of the storage device is stopped. Stop functioning,
17. The method for controlling a network-compatible storage device according to claim 16, wherein: In the step of controlling the activity state of the storage device, the time required to accumulate a predetermined amount of data in the buffer memory by network transfer and the time required to stop and start at least a part of the function of the storage unit are determined. In comparison, when the accumulation time in the buffer is long, the data writing operation from the buffer memory to the storage unit is performed in response to the data received via the network being accumulated to the predetermined amount in the buffer memory. Start,
The control method for a network-compatible storage device according to claim 18, wherein: The step of controlling the activity state of the storage device includes, in response to the fact that the remaining amount of data in the buffer memory has decreased to a predetermined amount by writing data from the buffer memory to the storage device, Stopping a write operation to stop at least a part of the function of the storage device,
17. The method for controlling a network-compatible storage device according to claim 16, wherein: A computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute a process for controlling a data read operation of a network-compatible storage device used by connecting to a network on a computer system,
Reading data from the storage device and temporarily holding the data in a buffer memory;
Retrieving data from the buffer memory for network transmission;
Controlling the activity of the storage device according to the amount of data stored in the buffer memory;
A computer program comprising: A computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute a process for controlling a data writing operation of a network-compatible storage device used in connection with a network on a computer system,
Temporarily storing data received via the network in a buffer memory;
Controlling the activity of the storage device according to the amount of data stored in the buffer memory;
Retrieving data from the buffer memory and writing data to the storage device;
A computer program comprising:

Images