초록 ▼

An expandable modular data storage array for storing and backing up data transmitted from a host computer including a plurality of data storage devices, a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, and mechanica

An expandable modular data storage array for storing and backing up data transmitted from a host computer including a plurality of data storage devices, a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, and mechanical connection elements for releasably connecting the top of one storage device housing to the bottom of a storage device housing stacked thereon. The array is connectable to a host computer and receives data and corresponding parity data therefrom. The parity data are indicative of data intended to be stored, from which parity data the intended data are reconstructable.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An expandable modular data storage system for storing and backing up data from a host computer, the expandable modular data storage system comprising:a plurality of disk drives, each disk drive defining a front side and including drive power connection means for providing power to

[ We claim:] [1.] An expandable modular data storage system for storing and backing up data from a host computer, the expandable modular data storage system comprising:a plurality of disk drives, each disk drive defining a front side and including drive power connection means for providing power to the disk drive, drive signal connection means for providing signal input to and signal output from the disk drive, a cooling fan, air flow vents, a power indicator, and an activity indicator;vertically stacked disk drive housings adapted to slidably receive a disk drive, each disk drive housing defining a top and a bottom;latching means for releasably securing a disk drive within each of the disk drive housings;mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one disk drive housing to the bottom of another disk drive housing stacked thereon;system power connection means for supplying power to the drive power connection means of each disk drive;a first system signal connection means for connecting the drive signal connection means of a first set of said disk drives together to form a first data storage array; anda second system signal connection means for connecting the drive signal connection means of a second set of said disk drives together to form a second data storage array;the drive signal connection means of said first and second sets of disk drives being connectable to respective first and second host computers for communicating data from the host computers to the disk drives, data from each host computer being storable on at least one disk drive and parity data for said data being storable on at least one disk drive, the parity data being a function of stored data, and stored data being reconstructable from the parity data and other stored data.