Abstract: A computing device has a file stored on a storage volume by a file system and accessed through such file system. The file is defined to include data and metadata relating to the data, and at least a portion of the data of the file is removed from the file and stored at an alternate location such that the data does not occupy substantially any space on the volume and the file is in a reduced, ghosted form. The ghosted file is reconstituted for use by retrieving the data from the alternate location and associating such retrieved data with such ghosted file to form the reconstituted file.

Abstract: To reconstitute a ghosted file for use, a single ghosting filter on a computing device locates ghosting information in the metadata of the ghosted file and locates within the ghosting information an identification of a particular ghosting manager of the computing device, where the identified ghosting manager is responsible for the ghosted file. Thereafter, the ghosting filter communicates to the identified ghosting manager a request to obtain data of the ghosted file from a corresponding alternate location, and the identified ghosting manager does in fact obtain such requested data from such alternate location. Upon receiving the requested data of the ghosted file from the identified ghosting manager, then, the ghosting filter reconstitutes the received data to the ghosted file. The single ghosting filter is generic to all of the ghosting managers of the computing device.

Abstract: Files on a computing device are defined to include data and metadata relating to the data. Data from each file has been removed therefrom and stored at an alternate location and the file is in a reduced, ghosted form. Each of at least some ghosted files has been fully or partially reconstituted for use by retrieving the data thereof from the alternate location and associating such retrieved data with such ghosted file to form the reconstituted file. Upon receiving a trigger based on a triggering event, files are selected from among the fully and partially reconstituted files and never-ghosted files based on first predetermined selection criteria, and each of at least some of the selected files are re-ghosted.

Abstract: A ghosting filter on a computing device perceives that a file is in a ghosted form and commands a file system of the device to retrieve ghosting information from the ghosted file. The ghosting filter receives a read command from an application on the device with respect to a portion of the data of the ghosted file. The read command has parameters including an offset into the portion of the data and a read length with respect to such portion. The ghosting filter initiates reconstituting of the portion of the data of the ghosted file based on the received ghosting information and data of the ghosted file at an alternate location, and after the portion of the data of the ghosted file has been reconstituted responds to the read command with the portion of the data requested.

Abstract: I/O request data for user-mode programs is recorded into a log, which later allows the I/O requests to be replayed. By substantially exact replay, tests are performed with different versions/combinations of kernel components using the same I/Os as when recorded. A user-mode record/replay program and kernel-mode filter driver record a program's I/O requests, such as data I/O request packet (IRP) data received by the filter driver. While recording, tests exclude IRPs not directly resulting from program requests. Recorded I/O request data is maintained in log file records. At replay time, the records are read and corresponding I/O requests sent towards the storage volume as if requested by the original program. Tables are maintained for information relevant to the replay context, such as file handles, file IDs, and short names that vary from the record context. Substitution from the tables allows I/O requests to be replayed as originally issued.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the integrity of a storage volume. When volume verification is desired, a shadow copy of the volume is created. A verification tool operates on the shadow copy and provides a report that indicates if any errors are found in the shadow copy. If errors are found on the shadow copy, this indicates that the same errors likely still exist on the live volume. In the event of errors, a system administrator or the like may take the live volume off-line and fix the errors found.

Abstract: A method for automatically tuning object sizes in an integrated circuit includes the steps of providing a circuit having objects disposed therein, inputting equations associated with the objects to provide a relationship between a size of the object and timing information of signals transmitted between the objects, extracting transition times of the signals transmitted between objects by simulating the circuit in operation by evaluating the equations and adjusting the sizes of the objects in the circuit according to the timing information and the transition times until user defined criteria are achieved for the circuit. Systems are also provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method of automatically selecting object size in an integrated circuit includes the steps of providing a circuit topology having objects disposed therein, inputting equations associated with the objects to provide sizing adjustment for the objects, assigning parameter values in the equations based on physical constraints of the circuit for one or more objects, selecting one or more objects to be sized, evaluating cones of influence for the objects selected to identify influenced objects influenced by a change in the selected object and computing for each selected object and influenced objects, a size in accordance with the associated equation until a user defined criteria is achieved for the circuit. A system for performing the method of the present invention is also described.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing magnetic particles of barium or strontium hexaferrites exhibiting a good dispersibility and improved magnetic properties. The process involves coprecipitating an iron salt with a barium or strontium salt, filtering and neutralizing the resulting coprecipitate, and washing it with a solution of a barium or strontium salt having a concentration in the range of 2.times.10.sup.-3 0.2 M.