Abstract: A multi-protocol storage appliance serves file and block protocol access to information stored on storage devices in an integrated manner for both network attached storage (NAS) and storage area network (SAN) deployments. A storage operating system of the appliance implements a file system that cooperates with novel virtualization modules to provide a virtualization system that “virtualizes” the storage space provided by the devices. Notably, the file system provides volume management capabilities for use in block-based access to the information stored on the devices. The virtualization system allows the file system to logically organize the information as named file, directory and virtual disk (vdisk) storage objects to thereby provide an integrated NAS and SAN appliance approach to storage by enabling file-based access to the files and directories, while further enabling block-based access to the vdisks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing asynchronous alarm correlation in packet networks are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trigger, and performs an asynchronous correlation of at least one root cause alarm with at least one symptom alarm.

Abstract: A system and method for clustered failover of storage appliances is provided. In the event of a failover of one storage appliance to a surviving storage appliance, the surviving storage appliance assumes the identity of the failed storage appliance. This assumption of the identifier is accomplished by activating a network interface controller or host bus adapter with a network address associated with the failed storage appliance and by mapping a iSCSI name from the failed storage appliance to the surviving storage appliance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring of a network device are disclosed. For example, the method receives a monitoring record from a network device, and determines whether the network device is listed in an active pool of monitored network devices. The method then automatically enables the monitoring of the network device if the network device is not listed in the active pool of monitored network devices.

Abstract: A method for undermounting a sink to a countertop includes preparing a countertop and a sink. Thereafter a primary channel is routed within the backside of the countertop, the primary channel including a base and being shaped and dimensioned for receipt of the sink flange, and a secondary channel is routed within the base of the primary channel along an interior circumference of the primary channel. Substrate material is then removed from the secondary channel to expose an underside of the decorative laminate and adhesive is applied within the secondary channel so that the underside of the decorative laminate is fully covered. A bead of adhesive is applied to the base of the primary channel and the sink flange is placed within the primary channel. A support plate is secured around the sink flange to provide support and a central portion of the countertop defined by the primary channel is cut out to expose the bowl of the sink.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing lun masking of a storage appliance is provided. Upon login, an initiator data structure containing a lun map is created and associated with each initiator connected to the storage system. When an initiator sends a message directed to a lun associated with the storage system, the storage system maps the lun sent by the initiator to a physical lun associated with the storage system using the lun map. If the lun map contains an appropriate entry, then the lun has been successfully exported and/or masked to the given initiator.

Abstract: A system and method for clustered failover of storage appliances is provided. In the event of a failover of one storage appliance to a surviving storage appliance, the surviving storage appliance assumes the identity of the failed storage appliance. This assumption of the identifier is accomplished by initializing a Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter on the surviving storage appliance with the NodeName and PortNames of the failed storage appliance.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing virtual ports associated with a physical port in a Fibre Channel adapter for use in a clustered storage system is disclosed. A plurality of virtual ports are created and associated with a physical port on a storage system. One of the virtual ports is utilized as a standby port to be used to assume the identity of a port associated with a failed storage system in the cluster. In the event of a failover operation, the standby port is activated and assumes the identity of the failed storage systems port. Data access requests previously directed to the failed storage system are received by the activated virtual port and processed by the surviving storage system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for inband management of a virtual disk. A novel volume information command, which is a vendor-specific SCSI command, is sent by a client to a storage appliance, in response, generates a data structure containing various path and networking data associated with a vdisk. This data structure is then returned to the requesting client via a SCSI connection. A client may then utilize the returned information for generating snapshots or other data integrity/backup features offered by the storage appliance.

Abstract: A system and method proxies data access commands across a cluster interconnect between storage appliances in a cluster. Each storage appliance activates two ports for data access, a local port for data access requests directed to clients of the storage appliance and a proxy port for data access requests directed to the partner storage appliance. Clients utilizing multi-pathing software may send data access requests to either the local port of the storage appliance or the proxy port of the storage appliance. The system and method improve high availability especially during a loss of connectivity due to non-storage appliance hardware failure.

Abstract: A technique enables efficient access to logical unit numbers (luns) or virtual disks (vdisks) stored on a storage system, such as a multi-protocol storage appliance. The technique allows a grouping of initiators by a “human friendly” logical name that is mapped to a lun or vdisk on the storage appliance. The initiators are clients operating in, e.g., a storage area network (SAN) environment that initiate requests for the vdisk using block-based access protocols, such as the Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) protocol encapsulated over TCP/IP (iSCSI) or over fibre channel (FCP). The technique enables access to the vdisk by all initiators that are members of the initiator group (igroup). An igroup is a logical named entity that is assigned to one or more addresses associated with one or more initiators. These addresses may comprise fibre channel (FC) world wide name (WWN) or iSCSI name identifiers (IDs).

Abstract: A probe assembly of an infrared thermometer is capable of detecting the surface temperature of a thermal radiation source and is suitable for holding over human skin or inserting into a patient's ear canal for accurately taking human body temperature. The probe assembly comprises a taper plastic tube, a conductive shell, an infrared radiation sensor and an adiabatic supporter, wherein the plastic tube has a radiation collection end and the conductive shell has a first open end. The infrared radiation sensor is placed in the first open end of the conductive shell, and has a base against the adiabatic supporter. The infrared radiation sensor has a hot junction toward the first open end of the conductive shell and a cold junction toward the adiabatic supporter.

Abstract: A system and method for clustered failover of storage appliances is provided. In the event of a failover of one storage appliance to a surviving storage appliance, the surviving storage appliance assumes the identity of the failed storage appliance. This assumption of the identifier is accomplished by initializing a Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter on the surviving storage appliance with the NodeName and PortNames of the failed storage appliance.

Abstract: A probe assembly of an infrared thermometer is capable of detecting the surface temperature of a thermal radiation source and is suitable for holding over human skin or inserting into a patient's ear canal for accurately taking human body temperature. The probe assembly comprises a taper plastic tube, a conductive shell, an infrared radiation sensor and an adiabatic supporter, wherein the plastic tube has a radiation collection end and the conductive shell has a first open end. The infrared radiation sensor is placed in the first open end of the conductive shell, and has a base against the adiabatic supporter. The infrared radiation sensor has a hot junction toward the first open end of the conductive shell and a cold junction toward the adiabatic supporter.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing lun masking of a storage appliance is provided. Upon login, an initiator data structure containing a lun map is created and associated with each initiator connected to the storage system. When an initiator sends a message directed to a lun associated with the storage system, the storage system maps the lun sent by the initiator to a physical lun associated with the storage system using the lun map. If the lun map contains an appropriate entry, then the lun has been successfully exported and/or masked to the given initiator.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer comprises a first case, a second case, a metal tip section, a temperature sensor device and a cap. The first case made of rigid material, being hollow body, has a recession disposed on an outer periphery thereof. The second case has a cover section and a connecting section, both made of flexible material and a probe section made of rigid material, the cover section covers overall the firsts case and catch on the recession, a mating stem integrally forms with shrinkage at a distal end of the cover section, the connecting section forms a first roughness thereof. The probe section has two end parts wherein one end part forms a second roughness for corresponding to the first roughness; accordingly, the mating stem can be insert into the probe section and the probe section can firmly engage with the connecting section by the first roughness and the second roughness when assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for inband management of a virtual disk. A novel volume information command, which is a vendor-specific SCSI command, is sent by a client to a storage appliance, in response, generates a data structure containing various path and networking data associated with a vdisk. This data structure is then returned to the requesting client via a SCSI connection. A client may then utilize the returned information for generating snapshots or other data integrity/backup features offered by the storage appliance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which dynamically alters SDRAM memory interface timings to provide minimum read access latencies for different types of memory accesses in a memory subsystem of a computer system. The dynamic alteration of the SDRAM memory interface timings is based on workload and is determined with information from the memory controller read queue.

Abstract: An improved computer memory subsystem determines the most efficient memory command to execute. The physical location and any address dependency of each incoming memory command to a memory controller is ascertained and that information accompanies the command for categorization into types of command. For each type of memory command, there exists a command FIFO and associated logic in which a programmable number of the memory commands are selected for comparison with each other, with the memory command currently executing, and with the memory command previously chosen for execution. The memory command having the least memory cycle performance penalty is selected for execution unless that memory command has an address dependency. If more than one memory command of that type has the least memory cycle performance penalty, then the oldest is selected for execution.

Abstract: An electrical thermometer comprises a metallic tip and a main body equipped with a probe portion. The front end of the probe portion is fitted into the opening of the metallic tip, which resembles a shell with a blunt end. The probe portion is formed on the main body. A thermal sensor, which is immersed and fixed in thermally conductive glue, is positioned inside the front inner end of the metallic tip. The remaining space within the metallic tip is filled up with a good thermally insulator. The metallic tip can be rapidly heated up with body temperature whenever touched, and the heat will be transferred to the thermal sensor via the thermally conductive glue. In additional, the thermally insulator can stop succeeding heat transfer.