Abstract: A mechanism is provided for a one card to filter false signals due to a another card being hot-plugged. A discriminator circuit in the card receives a low-state signal via an input and, responsive to receiving the low-state signal, the discriminator circuit compares the low-state signal to a static signal. Responsive to the low-state signal being greater than the static signal, the discriminator circuit outputs a high-voltage signal. The high-voltage signal output by the discriminator circuit indicates that the low-state signal is a false low signal. Responsive to the low-state signal being less than or equal to the static signal, the discriminator circuit outputs a low-voltage signal. The low-voltage signal output by the discriminator circuit indicates that the low-state signal is a valid low signal.

Abstract: A blade server system includes a plurality of blade slots, a management module, and a plurality of switch modules. The switch modules provide connectivity to a plurality of communications fabrics. At least one switch module includes an integrated redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controller. A storage enclosure may be connected to the switch with the integrated RAID controller without having to include a stand-alone RAID controller, such as in one of the blade slots, and without having to include a RAID controller within the storage enclosure.

Abstract: Mechanisms for thresholding system power loss notifications in a data processing system are provided. Power loss detection modules are provided in a data processing system having one or more data processing devices, such as blades in an IBM BladeCenter® chassis. The power loss detection modules detect the type of infrastructure of the data processing system, a position of a corresponding data processing device within the data processing system, and a capability of the data processing system to provide power during a power loss scenario. The detection module detects various inputs identifying these types of data processing system and power system characteristics and provides logic for defining a set of behaviors during a power loss scenario, e.g., behaviors for sending system notifications of imminent power loss. The detection of the various inputs and the defining of a set of behaviors may be performed statically and/or dynamically.

Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system with a plurality of slots, the blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system. The storage system arranges a logical configuration of the server blades in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. The server blade slot versus WWN information is collected and provided to the storage system. The storage system converts the “golden” configuration file slot information to WWNs. The server blades are enabled for access to said storage system as they log on with WWNs in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for unique identification of each endpoint in a storage area network interconnect that is bridged by a specialized cable. Each endpoint is capable of querying peer endpoints for a unique identification. Once a unique identifier is obtained for all peer connections to a given endpoint, the endpoint may perform a comparison to validate that the cable connection terminations are connected to valid endpoints. If all endpoints are valid, then the mechanism enables the ports connected to the cable.

Abstract: A computing device comprising a plurality of devices and a plurality of visual indicators is disclosed. Each of the plurality of visual indicators is interconnected with a power source and is associated with a different one of the plurality of devices. None of the plurality of visual indicators comprises a capacitor.

Abstract: A radio frequency identifier (RFID) active/passive tag is provided to identify failed sub-CRU and location within a higher level CRU. When an error occurs on the base blade or within one of the sub-CRUs, the embedded processor writes failure information to the RFID. RFID tags may also contain data identifying the locations, of the sub-CRUs of the blade. Thus, when there is a failure, the RFID may report the failed component as well as the location of a failed sub-CRU. Sub-CRUs may also include an embedded processor and RFID tag. When a service action is initiated to repair or replace a blade, the RFID tag may be read by a RFID reader. The RFID reader device may then present failure information, including the identification of the failed sub-CRU and other associated information to the operator. The RFID reader device may also request associated information from a server computer.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting and reporting network mis-cabling. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a detection module, a comparison module, and a cabling connection module. The detection module is configured to detect a new connection at a network switch. The new connection is formed by physically connecting a network cable to the network switch, at one termination, and to another network device, at another termination. The comparison module is configured to compare the new connection to a connection rule, where the connection rule defines either a legal cabling connection or an illegal cabling connection. The cabling connection module is configured to control whether or not the new connection is inserted into the data network or maintained isolated from the data network.

Abstract: A method of configuring a blade enclosure is provided in which, in a first step, slots are identified whose SAS connectors are to be connected to SAS device blades in a minimum capacity configuration. In a second step, slots are identified whose SAS connectors are to be connected to the SAS device blades in a maximum capacity configuration. A path is then established from the SAS switch to the SAS connector of each slot identified in either the first step or the second step. Blade devices, such as RAID controller blades and disk enclosure blades are installed in the identified slots. Thus, the SAS switch within the enclosure selectively and efficiently interfaces with a predetermined number of blade slots rather than with all slots.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selective cross communications between autonomous storage modules. A RAID controller communicates through a first cascading communications loop comprising a first storage module. The first storage module includes a plurality of storage devices and is disposed in an enclosure. The RAID controller also communicates through a second cascading communications loop comprising a second storage module. The second storage module also includes a plurality of storage devices and is disposed in the enclosure. An interface module transmits messages of the first loop through the second storage module. In one embodiment, the RAID controller communicates a cross communications command to the interface module through the second storage module to enable the interface module to transmit the messages of the first loop through the second storage module in response to a failure of the first loop upstream of the first storage module.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing a redundant array of inexpensive disks (“RAID”) storage subsystem within a processor blade enclosure. A first RAID controller blade is included and configured to fit in a processor blade enclosure. At least one processor in communication with the first RAID controller blade is included. A disk enclosure blade is provided that includes a plurality of hard disk drives. The disk enclosure blade is configured to fit in the processor blade enclosure and the hard disk drives are in communication with the first RAID controller blade.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and discriminator circuit are provided for filtering false signals. A discriminator circuit receives a low-state signal via an input and, responsive to receiving the low-state signal, the discriminator circuit compares the low-state signal to a static signal. Responsive to the low-state signal being greater than the static signal, the discriminator circuit outputs a high-voltage signal. The high-voltage signal output by the discriminator circuit indicates that the low-state signal is a false low signal. Responsive to the low-state signal being less than or equal to the static signal, the discriminator circuit outputs a low-voltage signal. The low-voltage signal output by the discriminator circuit indicates that the low-state signal is a valid low signal.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for integrating a blade RAID controller and storage. A storage blade enclosure communicates with a blade chassis. The storage blade enclosure is mounted within the blade chassis. A RAID controller disposed in the storage blade enclosure receives a command through the storage blade enclosure. In one embodiment, the command is communicated through the blade chassis from a processor blade mounted in the blade chassis. The RAID controller redundantly stores data to or retrieves data from a storage module disposed in the storage blade enclosure in response to the command using a RAID redundancy methodology.

Abstract: A blade enclosure is provided which may accommodate a first configuration which includes integrated drive enclosure blades (I-DEBs) or a second configuration which includes I-DEBs and non-integrated or switched DEBs (S-DEBs). Each I-DEB includes a pair of redundant RAID controllers, each having two configurable ports. In the first configuration, all four ports are configured as host adapter (HA) ports through which data is exchanged with server blades. In the second configuration, one port of each RAID controller is configured as an HA port, through which data is exchanged with server blades, and the other port of each RAID controller is configured as a device adapter (DA) port, through which data may be exchanged with the S-DEB. Zones may also be established to separate traffic between the servers and the I-DEB from traffic between the I-DES and the S-DEB.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for integrating redundant array of independent disk (“RAID”) storage within a blade center. A plurality of mutually autonomous storage subsystems mount within the blade center through a switch. Each storage subsystem includes a storage module comprising a plurality of storage devices and a RAID controller. A server blade mounted within the blade center may access a first storage subsystem through a switch module. The switch module is a non-blocking, cross-point switch. In one embodiment, the switch module restricts the server blade's access to a second storage subsystem.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to provide power to a plurality of data storage devices disposed in a data storage system. The data storage system comprises a system controller comprising a data storage device power-up algorithm and a plurality of data storage devices, where each of the plurality of data storage devices cannot automatically provide a device present signal. The method detects the presence of each of the plurality of data storage devices, and then provides power to each of the detected data storage devices using the data storage device power-up algorithm.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to store, retrieve, and search both analog data and digital data. The method encodes information comprising a plurality of analog datasets in a holographic data storage medium to form an encoded holographic data storage medium, and further encodes digital data abstracted from the plurality of analog datasets to one or more of a plurality of non-holographic data storage media. The method then selects an analog dataset, wherein digital data abstracted from that analog dataset is written to a digital storage address on the one or more non-holographic data storage media, and illuminates the encoded holographic data storage medium with an analog dataset beam comprising the analog dataset. The encoded holographic data storage medium emits a dataset reference beam that strikes the second optical detector at one or more dataset reference beam coordinates. The method then associates the analog dataset with the dataset reference beam coordinate and with the digital storage address.

Abstract: A computer system uses a Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) network to communicate with mass storage devices. The FC-AL network provides alternative communication paths to the mass storage devices. The FC-AL communication network includes a first (60) FC-AL controller within the FC-AL switch (50). A first FC-AL mass storage drive (56) has second (80) and third (82) FC-AL controllers. A first output of the first FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the second FC-AL controller, and a second output of the first FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the third FC-AL controller. A second FC-AL mass storage drive (94) has fourth (96) and fifth (98) FC-AL controllers. A first output of the second FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the fourth FC-AL controller, and a first output of the third FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the fifth FC-AL controller. The alternative communication paths to the mass storage devices reduces incident of disk drive access failure.

Abstract: A method to store, retrieve, and search information is disclosed. The method encodes information comprising a plurality of datasets in a holographic data storage medium to form an encoded holographic data storage medium, and encodes that same information to one or more of a plurality of non-holographic data storage media. The method then selects a dataset comprising a portion of the information, where that dataset is written to a dataset storage address on the non-holographic data storage medium, and illuminates the encoded holographic data storage medium with a dataset beam comprising that dataset to produce a dataset reference beam, such that the dataset reference beam strikes the optical detector at one or more dataset reference beam coordinates. The method then associates the dataset with the one or more dataset reference beam coordinates and with the dataset storage address.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for integrating an enclosure. An initialization module initializes a second enclosure. A discovery module discovers a connection of the second enclosure to a first enclosure. An address module creates a valid address for the second enclosure. An assignment module assigns the address to the second enclosure. A power control module cycles power to the second enclosure to reinitialize the second enclosure and set the address.