Patent attributes
A method of calculating parity for an m-storage element failure in a networked array of storage elements. A first set of n XOR relationships is derived, each first set relationship containing n data symbols from n storage elements and one parity symbol from a first set of parity symbols. A second set of n XOR relationships is derived, each second set relationship containing at least n−1 data symbols from at least n−1 storage elements and one parity symbol from a second set of parity symbols. Additional sets of relationships are derived such that a total of m sets of relationships are derived. Each of the additional sets of relationships are composed of up to (n+i−1)Ci−1 relationships, where i indicates the numbered set of relationship. Using the first, second and additional sets of derived relationships, scripts are generated to resolve unresolved symbols resulting from possible m-storage element failure combinations.
