Abstract: A system for limiting the amount of time for a database server to perform a crash recovery process. A maximum recovery time for the database server to perform the crash recovery process is specified. An estimated recovery time for the crash recovery process that is less than the maximum recovery time is calculated, based on at least one of a deterministic analysis of cost accumulation during prior instances of the crash recovery process or an empirical analysis of cost accumulation during regular transaction processing in the database server. The crash recovery process is then conformed to the estimated recovery time.

Abstract: A method for remotely communicating with a computer system in a headless environment is provided. The system includes a service processor in communication with a computer through a UART communication channel and in communication with a remote console through a communication connection. The service processor manages communication commands between the computer and the remote console. The service processor transmits data communication received from the remote console to the computer through the UART channel, and the service processor transmits data communication received from the computer to the remote console through the UART channel. In addition, a multiplexer may be employed to direct communication between one of a plurality of computers and the service processor in combination with a multiplexer control to select one of the computers for communication with the service processor. The multiplexer directs the communication through the UART channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method, system and computer program product for reading data from a storage controller in storage area network. A read data instruction is received from an application requesting data from the storage controller using a primary data path. If the data on the primary data path is not transferred in a defined time interval using the primary data path, data is requested from the storage controller using one or more alternative data paths. Data is received from the storage controller on one of data paths and into a buffer. When the read instruction has completed and that the data is in the buffer, the application is notified. Each data path is associated with a buffer and the data is received into a buffer associated with the path. The application is informed which buffer holds the data and the application accesses the data from this buffer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying a conventional electrical outlet to provide safety and security for emission of electric current from the outlet. The modified outlet include one or more localized elements for authenticating receipt of two or more valid connectors, and for limiting delivery of power to the connectors in response to the authentication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed in which a storage device controller is arranged to use a set of sequential physical block addresses on a storage device as a single logical block address.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in which a storage controller cooperable with a host and a plurality of controlled storage is provided to localize an impact of a failure to a target disk in an affected segment. The storage controller includes a host write component to write a data object to a source image storage; a first copy component responsive to a first metadata state to control copying of the data object to a first target storage; a second copy component responsive to a second metadata state to perform either: copying the data object to a second target or causing the first copy component to copy the second target to the first target; and a third copy component to control cascaded copying of the data object to a third target storage. Either the second or the third copy component controls cascaded copying of a delimited data image subsequence responsive to a metadata state indicating currency of a data grain in either the second or the third target.

Abstract: A storage controller, cooperable with host computer apparatus, and a plurality of controlled storage apparatus, comprises a host write component operable to write a data object to a source data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; a first copy component responsive to a first metadata state and operable to control copying of the data object to a first target data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; a second copy component responsive to a second metadata state and operable to perform one of: controlling copying of the data object to a second target data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; and causing the first copy component to perform copying of the second target data image to the first target data image.

Abstract: A buffer of block addresses for use by a client for read and write operations in a client-server system is maintained. Block addresses are maintained in the buffer and are streamed to the client in response to a request for the addresses to support a read or write operation. The quantity of addresses maintained in the buffer may be dynamically adjusted in response consumption of addresses for read and write operations.

Abstract: Option cards—one or more as may be installed in a particular computer system—are retained in position against possibly dislodgement due to handling by a frame and cooperating cross bar and depending member elements which may be variously positioned relative to the frame.

Abstract: A system to isolate a fault to a particular port from among multiple ports in a network. The network typically has a plurality of devices including hosts, storage units, and switch groups that intercommunicate via transceivers. A fault indication is received from one or more of the devices in the network. The fault indication is then processed with a chain of fault indication rules that have been linked together into a binary decision path based on a set of device rules and a data flow model for the network. This permits determining the particular port responsible for the fault, and reporting that port to a user of the network.

Abstract: An integrated generator unit is provided to generate electrical energy. One or more integrated generator units are mounted in an enclosure and in communication with a battery to store electrical energy. Each unit has a plurality of rotational elements that rotate about an axis as fluid passes through the enclosure. A magnet is provided in communication with at least one end of the rotational elements and in close proximity to electrically conductive material. As the rotational element is exposed to fluid flow, fluid passes through the enclosure and causes the rotational element(s) to rotate. This rotation causes the magnet to pass by the electrically conductive material and to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A power management system for a multiple compute component system. The management system enables operational management of individual compute components in two low power states of operation, suspend and hibernate. In addition, the management system enables granular management of power consuming accessories within an individual compute component. When a compute component is in the low power state of suspend or hibernate, it may be hot-swapped to a different locale. In addition, when a compute component is restored from a low power state of hibernate, it may access an alternate image in the system. Accordingly, the power management system allows for five state of operation of an individual component in a multiple compute component system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for maintaining flow control in a multi-page process. Each page that is produced by a server is embedded with an identifier. Similarly, each event that is processed by a browser is embedded with an event identifier. Both of these identifiers are stored in a session history. When a page is processed out-of-order from the intended flow, the session history is consulted to determine if a recovery of the flow can be maintained, or if the browser must return to the beginning of the program.

Abstract: A method and system for managing availability of a dependent thread to service a nested request is provided. A plurality of reply threads are maintained in a single thread pool. In addition, a counter is provided to track availability of a reply thread from the thread pool. A service thread that requires at least one reply thread to complete execution of a request must check the counter to determine availability of the reply thread prior to execution of the request. The process of determining availability of a reply thread prior to execution of a service thread request avoids initiating execution of a request that cannot be completed in a timely manner, or at all.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for backing up and restoring files using systems with available disk space. A daemon application may be installed on systems with available disk space to store backup files. The daemon application may transmit data to a central system that indicates the amount of available disk space on its system. The central system may create a master file that includes a listing of systems with available disk space and the amount of available disk space for each listed system. A backup application may be installed on systems whose files are to be backed up. The backup application may be configured to download the master file and determine which systems from the master file are to receive the files to be backed up from its system. By storing backup files on systems with available disk space, a company may reduce its cost in backing up files.

Abstract: An apparatus equipped with an electronic camera, lensed optics, and a visual display in communication with the optics. An analog or digital video signal is conveyed to an operator of the apparatus through the visual display. The apparatus includes an embedded processor to track the orientation and position of the apparatus. Orientation and position information of the apparatus is used to dynamically recalculate display information. In addition, the apparatus may be in communication with a remote device having digital camera optics. Orientation and position information of the apparatus may be conveyed to the remote device to alter the orientation and position of the associated electronic camera optics. Accordingly, data conveyed to the operator of the apparatus is in relation to the orientation and position of the apparatus and/or the associated orientation and position of the remote device.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly mount is provided. Generally the invention has a frame clip and a spring clip. The frame clip has one or more inwardly extending tabs and two or more vertically extending side portions. The one or more tabs are sized to fit over and removably couple to a heat producing device. The distance between the two or more vertically extending side portions is sized to hold a base portion of a heat sink and prevent horizontal motion of the heat sink. The spring clip couples to the frame clip and has a spring bias sized to produce a vertical force that presses the heat sink against a heat producing device.