Method for reducing latency in a raid memory system while maintaining data integrity

摘要

A latency reduction method for read operations of an array of N disk storage devices (210) having n disk storage devices (210A-210H) for data storage and p of disk storage devices (210I, 210J) for storing parity data is provided. Utilizing the parity generation engine's (230) fault tolerance of for a loss of valid data from at least two of the N disk storage devices (210A-210J), the integrity of the data is determined when N−1 of the disk storage devices (210A-210J) have completed executing a read command. If the data is determined to be valid, the missing data of the Nth disk storage device is reconstructed and the data transmitted to the requesting processor (10). By that arrangement the time necessary for the Nth disk storage device to complete execution of the read command is saved, thereby improving the performance of memory system (200).