Abstract: A method, and corresponding system, is provided for generating replicas or copies of data objects that are used to serve data streams. The method includes determining one of the storage devices is operating at a load above a predetermined overload value. The method continues with identifying the data objects being served by data streams from the near overload storage device and then, selecting one of these served data objects for replication. To create a replica, the method includes writing data from the selected data object to another less busy one of the data storage devices, with the writing being done using data from one or more of the streams being served from the selected data object on the near-overload storage device. During replica creation, one or more streams from the selected data object provide data concurrently to a stream consumer or client device and to the replica.

Abstract: A component positioning and securing bracket assembly includes a front rail, a rear rail, and a bottom rail to define a front, a rear, and a bottom boundary of the component positioning and securing bracket assembly. The front rail, the rear rail, and the bottom rail define a structure into which is received the component in a first direction of movement, and a lever provides leveraged motion in a second direction of movement to connect a port of the component to a component connector and to secure the component in the component positioning and securing bracket assembly. The component positioning and securing bracket assembly is in an array of a plurality of components, in which any one component can be installed or removed without installing or removing any other component in the array.

Abstract: A storage array interconnection fabric may be configured using multiple independent paths. A storage system including a plurality of communication paths is configured for connecting each node of a plurality of nodes forming an interconnection fabric. Each of the communications paths is an independent communications path. In addition, a first portion of the plurality of nodes is configured to communicate with a plurality of mass storage devices such as disk drives. A second portion of the plurality of nodes may be configured to communicate with a host.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, a device for addressing a shared resource is disclosed. The device includes at least one register in communication with the shared resource. The at least one register is configured to hold an address that is to be provided to the shared resource upon receipt of a clock signal. The device also includes a multiplexer for providing a next address to the at least one register. The multiplexer is disposed outside of a critical timing path for addressing the shared resource. The device for addressing the shared resource allows multiple users to be connected to the shared resource without adversely affecting both a speed of the shared resource and a number of users that can be achieved in an actual implementation of the shared resource.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, a bandwidth matching device is provided for transforming a number of incoming data streams each having a first bandwidth into an outgoing data stream having a second bandwidth. More specifically, the bandwidth matching device provides an assembler and a disassembler. The assembler incorporates a stepped arrangement of cells for transforming the number of incoming data streams having a given bandwidth into an outgoing data stream having a larger bandwidth, wherein each portion of the outgoing data stream represents a concatenation of a number of portions of each of the incoming data streams. As a complement to the assembler, the disassembler uses a stepped arrangement of cells to transform the concatenated output generated by the assembler back into the number of incoming data streams originally received by the assembler.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for creating a snapshot of a data store. A command to create a snapshot of an original data store, stored to a parent virtual logical unit (VLU), is received. A deferred propagation data structure (DPDS) is associated with the parent VLU. The DPDS is capable of containing data propagation records and separators, each data propagation record contains a previous version of one or more data blocks of the parent VLU, each separator contains a pointer to a particular child VLU storing a snapshot of the original data store and separating the data propagation records pertaining to the particular child VLU. A child VLU to store the copy of the original data store is created. A new separator containing a pointer to the child VLU is created in the DPDS. A search pointer pointing to the DPDS is implemented in the child VLU.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for performing accumulation operations on block operands are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a memory, a functional unit that performs an operation on block operands, and a cache accumulator. The cache accumulator is configured to provide a block operand to the functional unit and to store the block result generated by the functional unit. The cache accumulator is configured to provide the block operand to the functional unit in response to an instruction that uses an address in the memory to identify the block operand. Thus, the cache accumulator behaves as both a cache and an accumulator.

Abstract: An interconnecting device for a data processing system. The interconnecting device comprises a first plurality of connection ports for connecting to first components of the data processing system. The interconnecting device further comprises a second plurality of connection ports for connecting to second components of the data processing system. And, a cover is affixed over the first plurality of connection ports to restrict access to the first plurality of connection ports.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, an apparatus for efficiently utilizing a shared packet buffer memory in a switch and a method for operating the same is provided. More specifically, the apparatus includes a memory having a number of buffers configured to be operated in a ratcheted manner. The ratcheted manner in which the memory is operated causes each incoming data stream to be distributed across the number of buffers. Each stored data stream can also be retrieved from the number of buffers for output from the memory in a similar ratcheted manner. The memory uses a rotating selector to control the ratcheted manner of operation. Also, the memory is capable of simultaneously servicing each of a number of inputs and a number of outputs to which the memory is connected.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, an apparatus for efficiently utilizing a shared packet buffer memory in a switch and a method for operating the same is provided. More specifically, the apparatus includes a memory having a number of buffers configured to be operated in a ratcheted manner. The ratcheted manner in which the memory is operated causes each incoming data stream to be distributed across the number of buffers. Each stored data stream can also be retrieved from the number of buffers for output from the memory in a similar ratcheted manner. The memory uses a rotating selector to control the ratcheted manner of operation. Also, the memory is capable of simultaneously servicing each of a number of inputs and a number of outputs to which the memory is connected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to restore data redundancy in a storage system with a storage virtualization engine. In one aspect of the invention, a method to restore data redundancy includes: receiving input indicating loss of redundancy for first data on a first storage unit; copying the first data from the first storage unit to a second storage unit so that the first data stored on the second storage unit has redundancy; and mapping (or configuring a storage virtualization engine to map) logical addresses for accessing the first data to physical addresses for the second storage unit in which the first data is stored. In one example according to this aspect, a portion of the second storage unit is determined and the first data is copied onto the portion of the second storage unit. The first and second storage units can be in a same storage subsystem under control of a storage controller or in different storage subsystems under control of separated storage controllers (e.g., disk controllers).

Abstract: Methods and systems for data storage are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary process includes receiving a first data being directed to a first storage volume, receiving a second data being directed to a second storage volume, writing the first data, as part of a first I/O (input/output) process which begins before a selected time, to a first storage image and a second storage image, the first storage image and the second storage image forming a data mirror prior to the selected time, wherein writes to one image are replicated to the other image, and writing the second data, as part of a second I/O process which begins after the selected time, to the second storage image but not to the first storage image, the second I/O process being capable of running while the first process runs. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a disk array storage system includes multiple disk drive modules that contain sets of drives and a number of storage controllers. Each storage controller is connected to a group of disk drives from two or more disk drive modules. The number of disk drives from the same disk drive module that are connected to the storage controller does not exceed a predefined number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for routing messages in an interconnection fabric are provided. The fabric includes a plurality of nodes, each node having, for example, four ports coupled to adjacent nodes in the fabric. A source node initiating a message in the fabric can transmit the message out of one of its four ports. Between a source node and a destination node, there are at least four independent paths which may be taken, depending on the output port from the source node. However, the precise path is not expressly delineated in the message. Instead, the message contains the address of the destination node, the address of the originating node, and a target region for the message. Each intermediate node is configured to receive a message via one of its four ports, and then select an appropriate output port based on the location of the port which received the message combined with the address and target information contained in the message.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a block operation includes a functional unit, which performs an operation on one or more block operands, and an accumulator memory. The accumulator memory includes two independently interfaced memory banks. A control unit controls the memory banks in the accumulator memory so that each time the operation is performed, an operand is provided from one of the memory banks and a result is stored in the other memory bank. Since the memory banks are independently interfaced, the operand may be provided at the same time as the result is being stored. Additionally, since the result is stored in a different memory bank than the operand, the operation may be restarted if an error occurs.

Abstract: A light guide for an interconnecting device. The light guide comprises a first section having a Fiber Channel connector disposed therein and a second section having a Fiber Channel receptacle disposed therein. The second section is coupled to the first section. A mirror section is disposed within either the second section or the first section to direct light out the Fiber Channel receptacle.

Abstract: A single field replaceable storage or computer system may include a processor coupled to a peripheral bus by a bridge device. The field replaceable unit (FRU) may also include system memory coupled to the processor and a network interface coupled to the peripheral bus. One or more drive controllers may also be included coupled to the peripheral bus. Additionally, the single field replaceable unit includes an array of disk drives coupled to the one or more drive controllers. The array of disk drives may be configured as one or more RAID logical volumes and exported or presented to client machines as one or more file systems through the network interface. The processor, system memory, network interface, drive controllers, and array of disk drives are all packaged together as a single field replaceable unit. The processor, system memory, network interface, drive controllers, and array of disk drives may be configured not to be individually field serviceable or replaceable.

Abstract: Methods and systems preserving data in a data storage system are described. In one aspect of the invention, the exemplary process includes receiving a command to preserve data in a data storage system, executing for a first data a first I/O (input/output) process directed to a first storage volume wherein the first I/O process begins at a first time which is prior to receiving the command, creating a data structure, in response to the command, for at least a second image which corresponds to a second storage volume, writing a second data directed to the first storage volume as part of a second I/O process which begins after the first time, and determining from the data structure whether data corresponding to the second data is stored in the second image and if it is, modifying the data structure to indicate that the second data is not stored in the second image and storing the second data in the first image. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Techniques for preserving data in a data storage system are described herein. In one aspect, when a command to preserve data in a data storage system is received, a first input and output (I/O) process is executed in the data storage system which exists at a selected time relative to the command. A second I/O process is executed in the data storage system which begins after the selected time. The second I/O process being capable of executing while the first I/O process is executing, wherein the second I/O process is capable of accessing the same data, in the data processing system, as the first I/O process. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for one-way data mirror are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, the exemplary process includes receiving a first data being written to a data block on a first storage volume, indicating the data block being stored on a first storage image, the indication information being associated with a first storage image which is a copy on write snapshot, and writing the first data to the data block on the first storage image. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.