Method and Apparatus for Generating an Optimal Number of Spare Devices Within a RAID Storage System Having Multiple Storage Device Technology Classes

摘要

A method for generating an optimal number of spare devices within a RAID storage system having multiple storage device technology classes is disclosed. Each hard drive within the RAID storage system is assigned to a respective spare coverage group according to its attributes. From each of the spare coverage groups, at least one hard drive having a predetermined characteristics is selected as a spare device. A determination is then made as to whether or not an assigned spare device in one of the spare coverage groups is eligible to act as a spare device for another one of the spare coverage groups. In response to a determination that the assigned spare device in one of the spare coverage groups is also eligible to act as a spare device for another one of the spare coverage groups, a hard drive previously selected as a spare device for the other spare coverage group is removed as spare device.