Block-based storage system having recovery memory to prevent loss of data from volatile write cache

摘要

A block-based storage system that maximizes data throughput while minimizing data loss has a non-volatile mass storage media for receiving and non-volatilly storing WRITE data and a volatile write cache for receiving and caching WRITE data until the WRITE data has been written to the non-volatile mass storage media. A controller includes a processor in communication with the volatile write cache for writing data to the volatile write cache and a non-volatile recovery memory in communication with the processor is supplied for receiving and non-volatilly storing a copy of all data that the processor writes to the volatile write cache so that any data cached in the volatile write cache which is lost due to a loss of power may be re-written to the volatile write cache from the recovery memory.