Method and apparatus for isolating storage devices to facilitate reliable communication

摘要

A method for maintaining reliable communication on a link between an expander and a storage device is provided. The method includes detecting, by a processor coupled to the link, an error corresponding to the link, and maintaining a count of detected errors for the link, by the processor. The method also includes determining, by the processor, if the count of detected errors is above a first error threshold. If the count of detected errors is not above the first error threshold, then the method repeats the detecting, maintaining, and determining steps. If the count of detected errors is above the first error threshold, then the method provides the processor placing the storage device into a segregated zone.

主权项

1. A method for maintaining reliable communication on a link between an expander and a storage device, comprising:
detecting, by a processor coupled to the link, an error corresponding to the link; maintaining, by the processor, a count of detected errors for the link; and determining, by the processor, if the count of detected errors is above a first error threshold;
if the count of detected errors is not above the first error threshold, then repeating detecting, maintaining, and determining; andif the count of detected errors is above the first error threshold, then placing, by the processor, the storage device into a segregated zone, wherein placing the storage device into the segregated zone comprises:
suspending data reads and writes to the storage device;preventing participation by the storage device in device discovery processes; andtesting, by the processor, the link, wherein testing the link comprises at least one of:
monitoring the link for a predetermined time period;downshifting the link to a next lower transmission speed, if a lower transmission speed is available;performing at least one of read buffer commands and write buffer commands to the storage device; anddetecting CRC errors on the link while monitoring the link and performing at least one of read buffer commands and write buffer commands to the storage device.