Abstract: A system, computer-implementable method, and computer-readable medium for improving sequential serial attached small computer system interface storage device performance. According to a preferred embodiment, a microprocessor within a target device receives a collection of tasks from at least one initiator device via a collection of initiator paths. The target device is a cyclic non-volatile memory medium. The microprocessor queues the collection of tasks according to a collection of task list. Each task list corresponds to a respective initiator path. The microprocessor combines the collection of tasks in an execution queue. The collection of tasks on the execution queue is reordered based on a priority scheme. The microprocessor executes the collection of tasks from the execution queue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for allocating a portion of the OD zone of a hard drive disk to be a non-volatile (NV) caching space, where all writes to the disk are carried out. These write operations can be performed much faster than with conventional techniques, and storage costs may be significantly reduced. The disk drive controller manages the cache, and the host system sees improved throughput, especially for write intensive operations. In one embodiment a method is provided for writing specified data to a disk drive in a computer configuration, the disk drive having a magnetic disk and a volatile cache memory. A specified portion of the OD zone of the disk is reserved for an NV cache space, and the specified data is initially stored in the volatile memory, in response to a write command.

Abstract: A system, computer-implementable method, and computer-readable medium for improving sequential serial attached small computer system interface storage device performance. According to a preferred embodiment, a microprocessor within a target device receives a collection of tasks from at least one initiator device via a collection of initiator paths. The target device is a cyclic non-volatile memory medium. The microprocessor queues the collection of tasks according to a collection of task list. Each task list corresponds to a respective initiator path. The microprocessor combines the collection of tasks in an execution queue. The collection of tasks on the execution queue is reordered based on a priority scheme. The microprocessor executes the collection of tasks from the execution queue.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for controlling accesses of drives in a storage subsystem. A first array of a first type of drive is provided. The first type of drive is a server class of drive. A second array of a second type of drive is provided. The second type of drive is a PC class drive. The first and second arrays are bound together to form a single array of drives. The single array of drives is presented to a host that is coupled to the storage subsystem as a single array. The host is unaware that the single array includes two different types of drives. Data is stored in the second array of drives. Data is migrated from the second array of drives to the first array of drives when an access rate of the second array of drives exceeds a threshold access rate for the second type of drive.

Abstract: A telephone answering system associated with a telephone receiving terminal, either wired or mobile wireless, including an implementation for predetermining a set of different types of incoming telephone calls; the type of calls may be based on who the caller is and/or based upon the identifier of the incoming call. This is combined with a calendar listing time of day segments of the schedule of the recipient of an incoming telephone call. Storage is provided for a set of different vocal responses, for each time segment, to each of said set of different types of telephone calls. Then, responsive to an incoming call, there is provided the appropriate stored vocal for the type of said incoming call based upon the type or nature of the caller and the recipient's calendar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for allocating a portion of the OD zone of a hard drive disk to be a non-volatile (NV) caching space, where all writes to the disk are carried out. These write operations can be performed much faster than with conventional techniques, and storage costs may be significantly reduced. The disk drive controller manages the cache, and the host system sees improved throughput, especially for write intensive operations. In one embodiment a method is provided for writing specified data to a disk drive in a computer configuration, the disk drive having a magnetic disk and a volatile cache memory. A specified portion of the OD zone of the disk is reserved for an NV cache space, and the specified data is initially stored in the volatile memory, in response to a write command.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for controlling accesses of drives in a storage subsystem. A first array of a first type of drive is provided. The first type of drive is a server class of drive. A second array of a second type of drive is provided. The second type of drive is a PC class drive. The first and second arrays are bound together to form a single array of drives. The single array of drives is presented to a host that is coupled to the storage subsystem as a single array. The host is unaware that the single array includes two different types of drives. Data is stored in the second array of drives. Data is migrated from the second array of drives to the first array of drives when an access rate of the second array of drives exceeds a threshold access rate for the second type of drive. The data that is chosen to be migrated from the second array to the first array is the data in the second array of drives that is accessed more frequently.

Abstract: A method, system and computer instructions for mitigating and recovering from the inefficient behavior of one or more peripheral devices attached to a shared I/O bus are disclosed. In one implementation, a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) for a drive monitors the time duration that a shared bus is busy, and can cause an interruption of the operation of that drive if a predetermined time threshold is exceeded. The HBA for that drive can cause the bus to be reset, if necessary, and can cause the target device utilizing the bus to be disconnected so that another target device can access the bus. Alternatively, the HBA for a drive can note that the bus is busy and restart any timers needed if relatively lengthy bus operations occur.