Storage device system and storage device system activating method

Abstract

Provided is a storage device system capable of being connected on a plurality of different types of networks. Also provided are a storage device control system and a method of controlling activation of the storage device system which are needed to invent the storage device system. A storage device system in accordance with the present invention comprises: a plurality of storage devices in which information is stored; a storage device control section that controls storage of information in the plurality of storage devices; and a connection unit connected to the storage device control section. Furthermore, the storage device system comprises a first communication control section that includes: a first processor which is connected to the storage device control section via the connection unit and also connected on a first network external to the storage device system, which converts information of a first form received over the first external network into information of a second form, and which issues a request for access to the plurality of storage devices; and a second processor which accesses the plurality of storage devices via the connection unit and the storage device control section in response to the access request issued from the first processor, and which controls activation of the first processor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A storage device system comprising: 
 a plurality of storage devices in which information is stored;    a storage device control section for controlling storage of information in said plurality of storage devices;    a connection unit connected to said storage device control section; and    a first communication control section including: a first processor that is connected to said storage device control section via said connection unit and also connected on a first network external to said storage device system, that converts information of a first form received over said first external network into information of a second form, and that issues a request for access to said plurality of storage devices; and a second processor that accesses said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section in response to the access request issued from said first processor, and that controls activation of said first processor.    
     
     
         2 . A storage device system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second communication control section connected on a second network external to said storage device system, wherein: 
 said first communication control section is formed with the same circuit board as said second communication control section is.    
     
     
         3 . A storage device system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first processor diagnoses the hardware thereof;    said second processor issues a request for start of hardware diagnosis of said first processor to said first processor.    
     
     
         4 . A storage device system according to  claim 3 , further comprising a management terminal connected to each of said first communication control section and said second communication control section, wherein: 
 said second processor issues a request for start of first processing to said first processor; and    said first processor acquires first software from said management terminal in response to the first processing start request issued from said second processor.    
     
     
         5 . A storage device system according to  claim 4 , wherein said first processor acquires second software from said management terminal under the control of the first software acquired from said management terminal, and writes the second software in said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section.  
     
     
         6 . A storage device system according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said second processor issues a request for start of second processing to said first processor;    said first processor acquires the second software written in said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section in response to the second processing start request issued from said second processor.    
     
     
         7 . A storage device system according to  claim 4 , wherein both the first processing start request and second processing start request contain time instant information.  
     
     
         8 . A storage device system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first communication control section includes a storage device in which third software is stored;    said first processor activates the third software so as to activate said first communication control section, and waits for a request issued from said second processor.    
     
     
         9 . A storage device system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a second communication control section that is connected on a second network external to said storage device system, wherein: 
 said first communication control section is formed with the same circuit board as said second communication control section is.    
     
     
         10 . A storage device system according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said first processor diagnoses the hardware thereof; and    said second processor issues a request for start of hardware diagnosis of said first processor to said first processor.    
     
     
         11 . A storage device system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a management terminal connected to each of said first communication control section and said second communication control section, wherein: 
 said second processor issues a request for start of first processing to said first processor; and    said first processor acquires first software from said management terminal in response to the first processing start request issued from said second processor.    
     
     
         12 . A storage device system according to  claim 11 , wherein said first processor acquires second software from said management terminal under the control of the first software acquired from said management terminal, and writes the second software in said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section.  
     
     
         13 . A storage device system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said second processor issues a request for start of second processing to said first processor; and    said first processor acquires the second software written in said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section in response to the second processing start request issued from said second processor.    
     
     
         14 . A storage device system according to  claim 11 , wherein both said first processing start request and said second processing start request contain time instant information.  
     
     
         15 . A method of activating a storage device system that comprises a plurality of storage devices in which information is stored, a storage device control section which controls storage of information in said plurality of storage devices, a connection unit connected to said storage device control section, and a first communication control section connected to said storage device control section via said connection unit and also connected on a first network external to said storage device system, wherein: 
 a first processor that converts information of a first form received over said first external network into information of a second form, and issues a request for access to said plurality of storage devices has the activation thereof controlled by a second processor that accesses said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section in response to the access request issued from said first processor;    said second processor issues a request for start of hardware diagnosis of said first processor to said first processor; and    said first processor performs hardware diagnosis in response to the hardware diagnosis start request issued from said second processor.    
     
     
         16 . A storage device system activation method according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said storage device system includes a management terminal connected to each of said first communication control section and said second communication control section;    said second processor issues a request for start of first processing to said first processor; and    said first processor acquires first software from said management terminal in response to the first processing start request issued from said second processor.    
     
     
         17 . A storage device system activation method according to  claim 16 , wherein said first processor acquires second software from said management terminal under the control of the first software acquired from said management terminal, and writes the second software in said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section.  
     
     
         18 . A storage device system activation method according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said second processor issues a request for start of second processing to said first processor; and    said first processor acquires the second software written in said plurality of storage devices via said connection unit and said storage device control section in response to the second processing start request issued from said second processor.