Patents by Inventor Andrew B. McNeill, Jr.
Andrew B. McNeill, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160034215Abstract: A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size. The disk drive stores a plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via an emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Michael T. Benhase, Andrew B. McNeill, JR.
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Patent number: 9207883Abstract: A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size. The disk drive stores a plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via an emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael T. Benhase, Andrew B. McNeill, Jr.
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Patent number: 8812798Abstract: A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size, and wherein the disk drive stores via emulation a plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via the emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size. The disk drive sends a notification to indicate the performing of the destructive write.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael T. Benhase, Andrew B. McNeill, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130262763Abstract: A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size. The disk drive stores a. plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via, an emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Michael T. Benhase, Andrew B. McNeill, JR.
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Patent number: 8468312Abstract: A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size. The disk drive stores a plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via an emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael T. Benhase, Andrew B. McNeill, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130047033Abstract: A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size. The disk drive stores a plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via an emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael T. Benhase, Andrew B. McNeill, JR.
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Publication number: 20130046932Abstract: A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size, and wherein the disk drive stores via emulation a plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via the emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size. The disk drive sends a notification to indicate the performing of the destructive write.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael T. Benhase, Andrew B. McNeill, JR.
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Patent number: 8380826Abstract: Migrating port-specific operating parameters during blade server failover including querying, by a system management server of a data center, a switch for port-specific operating parameters of a first port, the data center comprising blade servers coupled for data communications to one another and to the system management server by a network, the system management server comprising a computer subsystem that automates server management processes in the data center, the switch comprising a data communications component of the network, the switch comprising ports, the ports comprising physical points of connection between the switch and blade servers, each port having associated port-specific operating parameters, the switch connected at the first port to a failing blade server; and assigning, by the system management server, the port-specific operating parameters to a second port in a same switch or another switch connected at the second port to a replacement blade server.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gregory W. Dake, Eric R. Kern, Andrew B. McNeill, Jr., Norman C. Strole, Theodore B. Vojnovich
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Publication number: 20120203875Abstract: Migrating port-specific operating parameters during blade server failover including querying, by a system management server of a data center, a switch for port-specific operating parameters of a first port, the data center comprising blade servers coupled for data communications to one another and to the system management server by a network, the system management server comprising a computer subsystem that automates server management processes in the data center, the switch comprising a data communications component of the network, the switch comprising ports, the ports comprising physical points of connection between the switch and blade servers, each port having associated port-specific operating parameters, the switch connected at the first port to a failing blade server; and assigning, by the system management server, the port-specific operating parameters to a second port in a same switch or another switch connected at the second port to a replacement blade server.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory W. Dake, Eric R. Kern, Andrew B. McNeill, JR., Norman C. Strole, Theodore B. Vojnovich
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Patent number: 8214467Abstract: Migrating port-specific operating parameters during blade server failover including querying, by a system management server of a data center, a switch for port-specific operating parameters of a first port, the data center comprising blade servers coupled for data communications to one another and to the system management server by a network, the system management server comprising a computer subsystem that automates server management processes in the data center, the switch comprising a data communications component of the network, the switch comprising ports, the ports comprising physical points of connection between the switch and blade servers, each port having associated port-specific operating parameters, the switch connected at the first port to a failing blade server; and assigning, by the system management server, the port-specific operating parameters to a second port in a same switch or another switch connected at the second port to a replacement blade server.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gregory W. Dake, Eric R. Kern, Andrew B. McNeill, Jr., Norman C. Strole, Theodore B. Vojnovich
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Patent number: 8190774Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for managing virtual addresses of blade servers in a data center are disclosed that include storing by a blade server management module (‘BSMM’), in non-volatile memory of a blade server, a parameter block, the parameter block including one or more virtual addresses for communications adapters of the blade server and one or more action identifiers, each action identifier representing a type of address modification; detecting, by a basic input-output system (‘BIOS’) module of the blade server upon powering on the blade server, the parameter block; and modifying, by the BIOS module of the blade server in dependence upon the one or more action identifiers of the parameter block, an address of at least one communications adapter of the blade server.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joseph E. Bolan, Gregory W. Dake, Scott N. Dunham, Andrew B. McNeill, Jr., Martin J. Tross, Theodore B. Vojnovich, Ben-Ami Yassour
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Patent number: 8028193Abstract: Failover of blade servers in a data center including powering off a failing blade server by a system management server through a blade server management module (‘BSMM’) managing the failing blade server, the failing blade server characterized by a machine type, one or more network addresses, and one or more storage addresses, the addresses being virtual addresses; identifying, by the system management server from a pool of standby blade servers, a replacement blade server, the replacement blade server managed by a BSMM; assigning, by the system management server through the BSMM managing the replacement blade server, the one or more network addresses and the one or more storage addresses of the failing blade server to the replacement blade server, including enabling in the replacement blade server the assigned addresses; and powering on the replacement blade server by the system management server through the BSMM managing the replacement blade server.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gregory W. Dake, Eric R. Kern, Andrew B. McNeill, Jr., Martin J. Tross, Theodore B. Vojnovich, Ben-Ami Yassour
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Patent number: 7774547Abstract: A cache on-demand module employing a cache performance module for managing size adjustments to a cache size of a cache memory in view of supporting an optimal performance of a storage subsystem employing the cache memory by determining an optimal cache size of the cache memory for supporting the optimal performance of the storage subsystem, and reporting any size adjustment to the cache size of the cache memory based on the determined optimal cache size of the cache memory. The cache on-demand module further employs a cache accounting module for managing a client expense account associated with the cache memory by determining whether a client charge or a client rebate is warranted as a function of any size adjustment to the cache size of the cache memory by the cache performance module.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Andrew B. McNeill, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090157858Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for managing virtual addresses of blade servers in a data center are disclosed that include storing, by a blade server management module (‘BSMM’) in non-volatile memory of a blade server, a parameter block, the parameter block including one or more virtual addresses for communications adapters of the blade server and one or more action identifiers; detecting, by a BIOS module of the blade server upon powering on the blade server, the parameter block; disabling, by the BIOS module, in dependence upon the one or more action identifiers of the parameter block, an original address of at least one communications adapter of the blade server; and setting, by the BIOS module, an address of the communications adapter to a virtual address included in the parameter block.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph E. Bolan, Gregory W. Dake, Scott N. Dunham, Itzhack Goldberg, Andrew B. McNeill, JR., Martin J. Tross, Theodore B. Vojnovich, Ben-Ami Yassour
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Publication number: 20090157851Abstract: Migrating port-specific operating parameters during blade server failover including querying, by a system management server of a data center, a switch for port-specific operating parameters of a first port, the data center comprising blade servers coupled for data communications to one another and to the system management server by a network, the system management server comprising a computer subsystem that automates server management processes in the data center, the switch comprising a data communications component of the network, the switch comprising ports, the ports comprising physical points of connection between the switch and blade servers, each port having associated port-specific operating parameters, the switch connected at the first port to a failing blade server; and assigning, by the system management server, the port-specific operating parameters to a second port in a same switch or another switch connected at the second port to a replacement blade server.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory W. Dake, Eric R. Kern, Andrew B. McNeill, JR., Norman C. Strole, Theodore B. Vojnovich
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Publication number: 20090158081Abstract: Failover of blade servers in a data center including powering off a failing blade server by a system management server through a blade server management module (‘BSMM’) managing the failing blade server, the failing blade server characterized by a machine type, one or more network addresses, and one or more storage addresses, the addresses being virtual addresses; identifying, by the system management server from a pool of standby blade servers, a replacement blade server, the replacement blade server managed by a BSMM; assigning, by the system management server through the BSMM managing the replacement blade server, the one or more network addresses and the one or more storage addresses of the failing blade server to the replacement blade server, including enabling in the replacement blade server the assigned addresses; and powering on the replacement blade server by the system management server through the BSMM managing the replacement blade server.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory W. Dake, Eric R. Kern, Andrew B. McNeill, JR., Martin J. Tross, Theodore B. Vojnovich, Ben-Ami Yassour
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Publication number: 20090157941Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for managing virtual addresses of blade servers in a data center are disclosed that include storing by a blade server management module (‘BSMM’), in non-volatile memory of a blade server, a parameter block, the parameter block including one or more virtual addresses for communications adapters of the blade server and one or more action identifiers, each action identifier representing a type of address modification; detecting, by a basic input-output system (‘BIOS’) module of the blade server upon powering on the blade server, the parameter block; and modifying, by the BIOS module of the blade server in dependence upon the one or more action identifiers of the parameter block, an address of at least one communications adapter of the blade server.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph E. Bolan, Gregory W. Dake, Scott N. Dunham, Andrew B. McNeill, JR., Martin J. Tross, Theodore B. Vojnovich, Ben-Ami Yassour
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Patent number: 7519773Abstract: A cache on-demand module employing a cache performance module for managing size adjustments to a cache size of a cache memory in view of supporting an optimal performance of a storage subsystem employing the cache memory by determining an optimal cache size of the cache memory for supporting the optimal performance of the storage subsystem, and reporting any size adjustment to the cache size of the cache memory based on the determined optimal cache size of the cache memory. The cache on-demand module further employs a cache accounting module for managing a client expense account associated with the cache memory by determining whether a client charge or a client rebate is warranted as a function of any size adjustment to the cache size of the cache memory by the cache performance module.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Andrew B. McNeill, Jr.
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Patent number: 7409582Abstract: A storage subsystem such as an array of disk drives, method of managing disk drives in the storage subsystem and program product therefor. The storage subsystem may be a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) and the individual disks drives may be Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) capable drives. When one of the drives gives an indication of an impending failure, a disk image of the failing disk is built on an available spare disk. Once the image is complete, the failing disk may be replaced without down time for rebuilding a failed disk.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew B. McNeill, Jr., Thomas H. Newsom
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Patent number: 7328309Abstract: A cache on-demand module employing a cache performance module for managing size adjustments to an active cache size of a cache memory in view of supporting an optimal performance of a storage subsystem employing the cache memory by determining an optimal active cache size of the cache memory for supporting the optimal performance of the storage subsystem, and reporting any size adjustment to the active cache size of the cache memory based on the determined optimal active cache size of the cache memory. The cache on-demand module further employs a cache accounting module for managing a client expense account associated with the cache memory by determining whether a client charge or a client rebate is warranted as a function of any size adjustment to the active cache size of the cache memory by the cache performance module.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Andrew B. McNeill, Jr.