Abstract: A system and method for backing up a virtual machine executing on a virtualization server computer are described. A snapshot of a virtual disk image file of the virtual machine may be created on a network-attached storage (NAS) device coupled to the virtualization server computer. The snapshot may be used to backup the virtual disk image file from the NAS device to a backup storage device without transferring the virtual disk image file through the virtualization server computer. Mapping information useable to access the plurality of files stored in the virtual disk image file on an individual basis may be created and stored together with the backup copy of the virtual disk image file on the backup storage device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a control method of a multi-channel hybrid density memory storage device for access a user data. The storage device includes a plurality of low density memories (LDM) and high density memories (HDM). The steps of the method comprises: first, determining where the user data transmitted; then, using one of two error correction circuits which have different error correction capability to encode or decode the user data.

Abstract: Each time any one of HDDs is accessed, a corresponding relationship between the disk address of the accessed HDD and the time information indicating a time at which the HDD is accessed is added to a first operating-state management table. When a corresponding relationship with the same disk address already exists in the first operating-state management table, the time information is updated. When the first operating-state management table has no space available for new entry, corresponding relationships are deleted from the one having the oldest time information. Only HDDs of which disk address is recorded in the first operating-state management table is turned on.

Abstract: A data management method, a memory controller and a memory storage apparatus are provided. The method includes grouping physical units of a rewritable non-volatile memory module into at least a data area and a free area. The method also includes configuring logical units for mapping to the physical units of the data area and writing update data belonging to the logical pages of the logical units orderly into the physical pages of physical units gotten from the free area. The method further includes configuring root units for the logical pages, configuring an entry chain for each of the root units and building entries on the entry chains for recording update information of the updated logical pages, wherein each of the logical pages corresponds to a root unit. Accordingly, the table size for storing the update information is effectively reduced and the time for searching valid data is effectively shortened.

Abstract: A technique for managing memory allocation in an electronic device is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes loading a memory allocation strategy for an application executed by a processor of a device, and requesting memory for the application from various memory locations in accordance with the memory allocation strategy. In one embodiment, the device includes multiple sets of contiguous memory blocks and a memory heap, memory may be requested from at least one of these memory locations, and memory may then be allocated to the application in response to the request. In some embodiments, the memory allocation strategy may be stored in the device prior to execution of the application. Various other methods, devices, and manufactures are also provided.

Abstract: In a data storage system, a controller schedules I/Os to storage devices so that each one substantially performs only reads or only writes, thereby increasing performance. At least one storage device is designated as a current write device. The remainder of the devices are designated current read devices. Host write data is stored in a buffer memory. Storage device reads occur only from the current read devices. Storage device writes occur only to the current write device(s). In response to a triggering event, the designations are updated so that a different storage device is designated the current write device, and the remainder of the storage devices are designated the current read devices. A triggering event may include but not be limited to a time period, number of writes, cache size, device wear, environmental conditions, application requirements, or combination.

Abstract: A method and system for file-system based caching can be used to improve efficiency and security at network sites. In one set of embodiments, the delivery of content and storing content component(s) formed during generation of the content may be performed by different software components. Content that changes at a relatively high frequency or is likely to be regenerated between requests may not have some or all of its corresponding files cached. Additionally, extra white space may be removed before storing to reduce the file size. File mapping may be performed to ensure that a directory within the cache will have an optimal number of files. Security at the network site may be increased by using an internally generated filename that is not used or seen by the client computer. Many variations may be used is achieving any one or more of the advantages described herein.

Abstract: A multi-plane type flash memory device comprises a plurality of planes each including a plurality of memory cell blocks, page buffers each latching an input data bit to be output to its corresponding plane or latching an output data bit to be received from the corresponding plane, cache buffers each storing an input or output data bits in response to one of cache input control signals and each transferring the stored data bit to the page buffer or an external device in response to one of cache output control signals, and a control logic circuit generating the cache input and output control signals in response to command and chip enable signals containing plural bits. The program and read operations for the plural planes are conducted simultaneously in response to the chip enable signal containing the plural bits, which increases an operation speed and data throughput processed therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID). A method for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID) may comprise: (a) associating one or more volume pieces of a first logical volume with a first set of drives in a drive group; and (b) associating one or more volume pieces of a second logical volume with a second set of drives in the drive group, wherein the first set of drives in the drive group includes at least one drive which is not a member of the second set of drives in the drive group.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for data de-duplication. More particularly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for data de-duplication that may utilize a vectoring method for data de-duplication wherein a stream of data is divided into “data sets” or blocks. For each block, a code, such as a hash or cyclic redundancy code may be calculated and stored. The first block of the set may be written normally and its address and hash can be stored and noted. Subsequent block hashes may be compared with previously written block hashes.

Abstract: In acquiring a snapshot, when data in a P-VOL is updated, it is determined whether the same data as target data to be stored in a certain second storage area specified by a certain second address of a D-VOL is already stored in a different second storage area specified by a different second address of the D-VOL, the target data being the differential data generated by the update. When the same data as the target data is stored, the target data is not newly stored in the D-VOL, and the different second address, specifying the different second storage area where the same data is stored, is registered in a snapshot management table (CoW table), in association with a certain first address specifying a certain first storage area where the data from which the target data has been generated is stored.

Abstract: Multipage preparation commands for non-volatile memory systems are disclosed. The multipage preparation commands supply data that can be used to prepare a non-volatile memory device for forthcoming multipage program operations. A host controller can use the commands ahead of a multipage program operation to optimize usage of a multipage program command. The non-volatile memory device can use the commands to configure the non-volatile memory in preparation for a subsequent operation, such as changing a command order or using the most optimized command set for the subsequent operation.

Abstract: Domain-based cache management methods and systems, including domain event based priority demotion (“EPD”). In EPD, priorities of cached data blocks are demoted upon one or more domain events, such as upon encoding of one or more macroblocks of a video frame. New data blocks may be written over lowest priority cached data blocks. New data blocks may initially be assigned a highest priority. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more new data blocks may initially be assigned one of a plurality of higher priorities based on domain-based information, such as a relative position of a requested data block within a video frame, and/or a relative direction associated with a requested data block. Domain-based cache management may be implemented with one or more other cache management techniques, such as least recently used techniques. Domain-based cache management may be implemented in associative caches, including set associative caches and fully associative caches, and may be implemented with indirect indexing.

Abstract: There is provided a storage control system and a method in which various controls to a plurality of storage controllers connected to each other can be effectively performed. The storage control system and method controls first and second storage controllers, in which a second storage controller is connected to a first storage controller to which a host system is connected. With reference to a memory in which a table defining correspondence relationships between internal logical volumes and a host logical volume of the second storage controller is stored, a channel adapter of the first storage controller controls power supplies of driving mechanisms of storage devices corresponding to the internal logical volumes.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling SAS/SATA disk spin up when a disk enters an inactive mode, such as standby mode, in a near line storage system. A routing table entry is modified for a selected hard disk drive in an expander routing table to redirect and reroute to a spinup control virtual target any access requests intended for the selected hard disk drive, in response to the selected hard disk drive being in standby mode. In response to the selected hard disk drive exiting standby mode, the routing table entry is modified to direct and route requests for access to the selected hard disk drive back to the drive itself. A SAS expander device can control spin up for standby disk drives in a disk array. Alternatively, spin up control can be performed for disks in other power modes, such as idle, in a disk array.

Abstract: A method for writing data to a disk drive. The method includes: receiving a write command; and, determining whether a beginning and an end of a rewrite area specified by the write command agree with boundaries of large-sized data sectors on a disk. The method also includes: reading head and tail data sectors and making a backup of the head and tail data sectors in first and second non-volatile memory areas, respectively, if the beginning of the rewrite area does not agree with the boundaries. The method includes starting a rewrite of the rewrite area after completing backups into first and second non-volatile memory areas. Moreover, the method includes: determining a state stage by using data in first, second, third and fourth non-volatile memory areas if a power shut-down occurs during execution of the write command; and, executing a recovery process in accordance with the determined state stage.

Abstract: Mapping management methods and systems are provided. First, a sub-read command comprising mapping directory number, block offset and page offset is obtained. Then, a specific block mapping table is located from a plurality of block mapping tables according to the mapping directory number, and a first specific entry is located from the specific block mapping table according to the block offset, wherein the first specific entry comprises a mapping mode setting and block information. When the mapping mode setting is a page mapping mode, a second specific entry is located from a page mapped block table according to the block information, and a page mapping table is located corresponding to a specific page mapped block. Thereafter, a third specific entry is located from the page mapping table according to the page offset, and a page of data is located from a storage unit according to the third specific entry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a host-independent name to identify a meta-device that represents a Logical Unit Number (LUN) is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises processing information regarding at least one storage enclosure that comprises at least one Logical Unit Number (LUN) represented by at least one meta-device and generating at least one host-independent name based on the information regarding the at least one storage enclosure, wherein the at least one host-independent name is used to identify the at least one meta-device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preserving contents of a volatile memory when a main (e.g., AC) power source is disconnected. The apparatus comprises flash memory, a controller for writing to the flash memory and a temporary power source. The temporary power source may be a relatively low power battery or supercapacitor. The apparatus is removably attached to a computing device (e.g., via a USB port). When main power of the device is disconnected, the temporary power source provides power for the apparatus, the volatile memory containing data to be safeguarded, and sufficient processing resources to transfer the data. For example, an auxiliary processor may be powered (instead of a relatively high-power processor) or just one core of a multi-core processor. Data are written to the apparatus and can be recovered when main power is reconnected. Or, the apparatus may be detached and attached to a different device for data recovery.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a nonvolatile memory system comprising nonvolatile memory for storing sector information, the nonvolatile memory being organized into blocks with each block including a plurality of sectors, each sector identified by a logical block address and for storing sector information. A controller is coupled to the nonvolatile memory for writing sector information to the latter and for updating the sector information, wherein upon updating sector information, the controller writes to the next free or available sector(s) of a block such that upon multiple re-writes or updating of sector information, a plurality of blocks are substantially filled with sector information and upon such time, the controller rearranges the updated sector information in sequential order based on their respective logical block addresses thereby increasing system performance and improving manufacturing costs of the controller.