Abstract: A computer executes a predictive information discovery engine in an operating environment that includes execution of an application with which a user interacts to accomplish a task. Trigger signals are received from trigger components that monitor the user's interaction with the application and respond to user actions to generate the trigger signals. The trigger signals include signal-specific metadata obtained from a store of metadata including current context information about the user's use of the application. The trigger signals are automatically responded by (i) querying external data sources for information relevant to a current operating context as reflected in the signal-specific metadata, and (ii) for information returned in response to the querying, presenting the returned information to the user in the current operating context to enable the user to use the presented information in connection with the task.

Abstract: A cloud black box (CBB) subsystem in a cloud computing infrastructure includes CBB storage and computer processing circuitry executing a CBB application having first and second operating modes. In a depository mode information messages are continually received from hardware computing devices during normal operation and device information from the messages is stored into the CBB storage. The information messages are generated by CBB agents executing on the hardware computing devices, which continually collect the device information and generate the information messages according to a common information transfer protocol. In a retrieval mode, device information in the CBB storage is provided to a requestor such as a data analysis application, which may be part of or external to the CBB subsystem. The CBB subsystem operates independently and remains available upon failure of hardware or software components in the cloud infrastructure, providing a centralized source of information for diagnosis or other analysis.

Abstract: Software is supplied via data storage system. A software image is provided to the data storage system from an external website. It is determined that software needs to be installed on a host. The software image is retrieved from the data storage system. The software is installed on the host using the software image.

Abstract: Described is a technique for providing a host identifier for a host. A first portion associated with a characteristic of said host is received. A second portion including a non-deterministic component is received. The host identifier is formed using the first portion and the second portion. The host identifier is used to uniquely identify the host in a storage area network.

Abstract: An application services platform includes a platform chassis, a network interface supported by the platform chassis, and a control circuit supported by the platform chassis and coupled to the network interface. The control circuit is arranged to connect to a network through the network interface, and receive an application service command from a user. The application service command gives the control circuit permission to provide an application service to an application running on a server on the network. The control circuit is further arranged to provide the application service to the application running on the server on the network in response to receipt of the application service command. The application services platform is capable of being provided in the form of an appliance-style device which is simply added as a new device on the network.

Abstract: A method is used in supplying data storage services. For a set of applications running on an electronic system, an application service is provided to each application in the set to support operation of that application. The application service is separate from operating system services and security protection services provided by the electronic system. A data storage service provider being separate from the electronic system is communicated with to use resources of the data storage service provider in providing the application service to each application in the set.

Abstract: A method, system and computer product for use in error handling comprising receiving, from a requester, a data storage configuration request comprising sub-tasks, determining, from a plurality of user levels, a first user level at which said data storage configuration request is made, each user level of said plurality of user levels being associated with a respective different level of abstraction with respect to processing performed in the data storage system for servicing the data storage configuration request, servicing said data storage configuration request, storing, in an error structure, the success of each sub-task of the data storage configuration request, based on the storing, recording in an error tree whether each sub-task of the data storage configuration request executed successfully, and based on the first user level, displaying a report of the status of the data storage configuration request as recorded in the error tree.

Abstract: Described are techniques for performing automated discovery processing in a network. A data storage system monitors transmissions sent over the network. The data storage system extracts one or more data elements from one or more messages included in the transmissions and determines at least one application executing on a component in the network in accordance with the one or more data elements.

Abstract: Described is a technique for gathering information about a property. A request is received at a first node of a plurality of nodes. The request requests information in accordance with the property for a set of one or more objects defined in a portion of the plurality of nodes. The first node determines information about said property for objects of said set which are defined at said first node. Each of the other nodes determines information about said property for objects of said set which are defined at said each node. Information is communicated to the first node from the other nodes about said property for objects of said set which are defined at each of said other nodes. The first node performs processing to produce final information representing information received from said other nodes and information determined by said first node regarding said property.

Abstract: A method is used in managing quality testing. Quality tests are mapped to characteristics of a product under test. Based on the mapping and a result of a previously executed quality test, a respective relevance level is determined for each of the quality tests. Based on the relevance levels, a priority is determined among the quality tests.

Abstract: Described are techniques for performing a data storage management task. A presentation technology service layer renders a user interface for user interaction in accordance with one or more rendering techniques. A user interaction template service layer includes one or more templates. Each of the templates describes processing to perform the data storage management task. A user interface data model mapping service layer communicates with at least one of a business logic service layer and a data storage interface layer to perform one or more operations in connection with the data storage management task and to map data received therefrom in a form for use by the user interface in accordance with a user interface data model.

Abstract: Described are techniques for processing a data storage configuration request for an application. The data storage configuration request is received from a requester. A first user level of a plurality of user levels at which the data storage configuration request is made by the requester is determined. Each user level is associated with a different level of abstraction with respect to processing performed in the data storage system for implementing the data storage configuration request. The data storage configuration request is serviced. Servicing the request includes determining whether to perform the data storage configuration request in accordance with security criteria defining, for each of the plurality of user levels, permitted operations that may be performed for different requesters in connection with the data storage configuration request.

Abstract: Described are techniques for performing automated discovery processing in a network. A data storage system monitors transmissions sent over the network. The data storage system extracts one or more data elements from one or more messages included in the transmissions and determines at least one application executing on a component in the network in accordance with the one or more data elements.

Abstract: A technique supports application operation. The technique involves discovering a set of applications running on an electronic system, and querying a user to identify which of the set of applications the user wishes to manage. The technique further involves, for each application identified by the user, providing an application service to that application to support operation of that application, the application service being separate from operating system services and security protection services provided by the electronic system.

Abstract: Described are techniques for providing a host identifier for a host. A first portion including a first identifier associated with a system for the host is received. A second portion including a second identifier generated in accordance with a hardware property of the host is received. The host identifier is formed using the first and second portions. The host identifier is used to uniquely identify the host in a storage area network.

Abstract: A method is used in application aware cache management. A cache management policy is received including one or more sets of device generic application best practices and one or more sets of device specific best practices. Initial cache configuration processing is performed in connection with configuring a cache of a data storage system. The cache management policy is used in performing the initial cache configuration processing. Storage objects are identified as being in use by an application. Ongoing cache configuration processing is performed in connection with configuring the cache of the data storage system for use with the storage objects.

Abstract: A method is used in dynamic application aware storage configuration. A storage system configuration policy is received that includes one or more sets of device generic application best practices and one or more sets of device specific best practices. Initial storage system configuration processing is performed in connection with configuring a data storage system. The storage system configuration policy is used in performing said initial storage system configuration processing. Storage objects are identified as being in use by an application. Application aware ongoing storage system configuration processing is performed in connection with configuring the data storage system for use with the storage objects.

Abstract: Described are techniques for configuring one or more physical devices of a data storage system for use in connection with provisioning storage for an application. A policy is received which includes one or more sets of data storage system best practices. Each of said one or more sets specifies data storage system best practices for a different type of data storage system including a first type associated with said data storage system. Configuration in connection with initialization of said data storage system is performed to configure a first portion of said one or more physical devices for use with one or more storage pools. The best practices for said first type of data storage system specified in said policy are used in performing said configuration processing.

Abstract: Described is a technique for distributing information about one or more groups of objects in a plurality of nodes. A first portion of group information is stored on each of said plurality of nodes. The first portion includes information about defined groups and associated group hierarchy information. A second portion of the group information is stored on each of the plurality of nodes. The second portion of group information stored on each of said plurality of nodes identifying which objects included in said one or more groups are defined at said each node.

Abstract: Described are techniques for provisioning storage of a data storage system for use by an application. One or more application provision requirements associated with a provisioning request to provision storage for use by the application are received. The one or more application provision requirements are translated, in accordance with application best practices for the application included in a policy, to one or more generic storage resource requirements. The one or more generic storage resource requirements are translated, in accordance with data storage system best practices included in said policy, to one or more physical data storage requirements. The physical data storage requirements include identification of one or more physical storage devices in said data storage system used in allocating storage to service said provisioning request. Storage is allocated for use by said application in accordance with said physical data storage requirements.