Patents by Inventor Ian Robert Davies
Ian Robert Davies has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11119862Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a distributed data storage system, such as but not limited to a cloud computing environment. In some embodiments, snapshots of a data set are uploaded from a source storage subsystem to a cloud store, along with intervening difference information volumes (DIVs). The DIVs are data structures that identify a set of updated data blocks that have been changed by the source storage subsystem between each successive pair of the snapshots. A reader subsystem requests and uses the latest DIV to request the latest set of changed data blocks from the cloud store, and uses the latest set of changed data blocks to update a previous snapshot to generate a copy of the most recent snapshot. The source and reader subsystems can comprise Internet of Things (IoT) devices, client devices, edge computing devices, etc. from different vendors and which utilize different protocols.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Douglas William Dewey, Ian Robert Davies, Kenneth F. Day, III
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Publication number: 20210109814Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a distributed data storage system, such as but not limited to a cloud computing environment. In some embodiments, snapshots of a data set are uploaded from a source storage subsystem to a cloud store, along with intervening difference information volumes (DIVs). The DIVs are data structures that identify a set of updated data blocks that have been changed by the source storage subsystem between each successive pair of the snapshots. A reader subsystem requests and uses the latest DIV to request the latest set of changed data blocks from the cloud store, and uses the latest set of changed data blocks to update a previous snapshot to generate a copy of the most recent snapshot. The source and reader subsystems can comprise Internet of Things (IoT) devices, client devices, edge computing devices, etc. from different vendors and which utilize different protocols.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Douglas William Dewey, Ian Robert Davies, Kenneth F. Day, III
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Patent number: 10896088Abstract: A method includes identifying, using a controller, a first data error at a first data block stored in page metadata, the first data block having a first block logical ID. The method also includes identifying a second data block having the first block logical ID. The method also includes copying the second data block to the first data block based on the identified second data block.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Gomathirajan Authoor Velayuthaperumal, Adam Thomas Wolinski, Jeffery L. Shellhamer, Ian Robert Davies, Douglas William Dewey
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Publication number: 20200159621Abstract: A method includes identifying, using a controller, a first data error at a first data block stored in page metadata, the first data block having a first block logical ID. The method also includes identifying a second data block having the first block logical ID. The method also includes copying the second data block to the first data block based on the identified second data block.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Gomathirajan Authoor Velayuthaperumal, Adam Thomas Wolinski, Jeffery L. Shellhamer, Ian Robert Davies, Douglas William Dewey
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Patent number: 9513843Abstract: A method for a storage controller to write a data block to one of a plurality of storage components is provided. The storage controller receives a write request from a host computer, and determines at least a portion of the data block includes a Logical Block Address (LBA) that is not currently mapped to a physical page of storage. The storage controller calculates availability for each storage component within the plurality of storage components, and selects the storage component with a highest calculated availability from the plurality of storage components. The storage controller next determines a next available physical page within the selected storage component. Finally, the storage controller writes the at least a portion of the data block including LBAs that are not currently mapped to a physical page of storage to the next available physical page.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventor: Ian Robert Davies
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Patent number: 9176835Abstract: A network storage appliance is disclosed. The storage appliance includes a port combiner that provides data communication between at least first, second, and third I/O ports; a storage controller that controls storage devices and includes the first I/O port; a server having the second I/O port; and an I/O connector for networking the third I/O port to the port combiner. A single chassis encloses the port combiner, storage controller, and server, and the I/O connector is affixed on the storage appliance. The third I/O port is external to the chassis and is not enclosed therein. In various embodiments, the port combiner comprises a FiberChannel hub comprising a series of loop resiliency circuits, or a FiberChannel, Ethernet, or Infiniband switch. In one embodiment, the port combiner, I/O ports, and server are all comprised in a single blade module for plugging into a backplane of the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: DOT HILL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ian Robert Davies, Victor Key Pecone, George Alexander Kalwitz
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Patent number: 8990542Abstract: A method for protecting page-level metadata in a storage system is provided. The method includes providing in a page table first protection data, receiving a command to read data from a page of the storage system corresponding to the page table, and comparing first protection data to second protection data. If the first protection data is different than the second protection data, then the method includes identifying third protection data in the storage system and comparing the third protection data to the first protection data. If the third protection data is different than the first protection data, then the method includes determining that the page-level metadata is inconsistent.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventor: Ian Robert Davies
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Publication number: 20140075136Abstract: A method for protecting page-level metadata in a storage system is provided. The method includes providing in a page table first protection data, receiving a command to read data from a page of the storage system corresponding to the page table, and comparing first protection data to second protection data. If the first protection data is different than the second protection data, then the method includes identifying third protection data in the storage system and comparing the third protection data to the first protection data. If the third protection data is different than the first protection data, then the method includes determining that the page-level metadata is inconsistent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: DOT HILL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventor: Ian Robert Davies
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Patent number: 8321646Abstract: A method for a storage controller to rebalance storage components within a storage tier is provided. The method maintains a linked list for each component, and each component includes a plurality of pages. Each linked list is ordered according to hot and cold pages and includes an identifier for each page. The method calculates a percent range of hot and cold pages for each component, and identifies a fullest and least full component. The method compares a random percent to the hot and cold percent ranges for the fullest component. If the random percent falls within the hot range, the method moves a selected hot page from the fullest component to an empty page in the least full component. If the random percent falls within the cold range, the method moves a selected cold page from the fullest component to an empty page in the least full component.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventor: Ian Robert Davies
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Patent number: 8185777Abstract: A network storage appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a chassis enclosing a backplane, and a server enclosed in the chassis and coupled to the backplane. The appliance also includes storage controllers enclosed in the chassis, each coupled to the backplane, which control transfer of data between the server and storage devices coupled to the storage controllers. The storage controllers also control transfer of data between the storage devices and computers networked to the appliance and external to the appliance. The storage controllers and the server comprise a plurality of hot-replaceable blades. Any one of the plurality of blades may be replaced during operation of the appliance without loss of access to the storage devices by the computers. In one embodiment, the server executes storage application software, such as backup software for backing up data on the storage devices, such as to a tape device networked to the server.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventors: Ian Robert Davies, Victor Key Pecone, George Alexander Kalwitz
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Publication number: 20110252218Abstract: A method for a storage controller to write a data block to one of a plurality of storage components is provided. The storage controller receives a write request from a host computer, and determines at least a portion of the data block includes a Logical Block Address (LBA) that is not currently mapped to a physical page of storage. The storage controller calculates availability for each storage component within the plurality of storage components, and selects the storage component with a highest calculated availability from the plurality of storage components. The storage controller next determines a next available physical page within the selected storage component. Finally, the storage controller writes the at least a portion of the data block including LBAs that are not currently mapped to a physical page of storage to the next available physical page.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: DOT HILL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventor: Ian Robert Davies
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Publication number: 20110252210Abstract: A method for a storage controller to rebalance storage components within a storage tier is provided. The method maintains a linked list for each component, and each component includes a plurality of pages. Each linked list is ordered according to hot and cold pages and includes an identifier for each page. The method calculates a percent range of hot and cold pages for each component, and identifies a fullest and least full component. The method compares a random percent to the hot and cold percent ranges for the fullest component. If the random percent falls within the hot range, the method moves a selected hot page from the fullest component to an empty page in the least full component. If the random percent falls within the cold range, the method moves a selected cold page from the fullest component to an empty page in the least full component.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: DOT HILL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventor: Ian Robert Davies
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Publication number: 20100064169Abstract: A network storage appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a chassis enclosing a backplane, and a server enclosed in the chassis and coupled to the backplane. The appliance also includes storage controllers enclosed in the chassis, each coupled to the backplane, which control transfer of data between the server and storage devices coupled to the storage controllers. The storage controllers also control transfer of data between the storage devices and computers networked to the appliance and external to the appliance. The storage controllers and the server comprise a plurality of hot-replaceable blades. Any one of the plurality of blades may be replaced during operation of the appliance without loss of access to the storage devices by the computers. In one embodiment, the server executes storage application software, such as backup software for backing up data on the storage devices, such as to a tape device networked to the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: DOT HILL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ian Robert Davies, Victor Key Pecone, George Alexander Kalwitz
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Patent number: 7676600Abstract: A network storage appliance is disclosed. The storage appliance includes a port combiner that provides data communication between at least first, second, and third I/O ports; a storage controller that controls storage devices and includes the first I/O port; a server having the second I/O port; and an I/O connector for networking the third I/O port to the port combiner. A single chassis encloses the port combiner, storage controller, and server, and the I/O connector is affixed on the storage appliance. The third I/O port is external to the chassis and is not enclosed therein. In various embodiments, the port combiner comprises a FiberChannel hub comprising a series of loop resiliency circuits, or a FiberChannel, Ethernet, or Infiniband switch. In one embodiment, the port combiner, I/O ports, and server are all comprised in a single blade module for plugging into a backplane of the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventors: Ian Robert Davies, George Alexander Kalwitz, Victor Key Pecone
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Publication number: 20100049822Abstract: A network storage appliance is disclosed. The storage appliance includes a port combiner that provides data communication between at least first, second, and third I/O ports; a storage controller that controls storage devices and includes the first I/O port; a server having the second I/O port; and an I/O connector for networking the third I/O port to the port combiner. A single chassis encloses the port combiner, storage controller, and server, and the I/O connector is affixed on the storage appliance. The third I/O port is external to the chassis and is not enclosed therein. In various embodiments, the port combiner comprises a FibreChannel hub comprising a series of loop resiliency circuits, or a FibreChannel, Ethernet, or Infiniband switch. In one embodiment, the port combiner, I/O ports, and server are all comprised in a single blade module for plugging into a backplane of the chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: DOT HILL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ian Robert Davies, Victor Key Pecone, George Alexander Kalwitz
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Patent number: 7661014Abstract: A network storage appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a chassis enclosing a backplane, and a server enclosed in the chassis and coupled to the backplane. The appliance also includes storage controllers enclosed in the chassis, each coupled to the backplane, which control transfer of data between the server and storage devices coupled to the storage controllers. The storage controllers also control transfer of data between the storage devices and computers networked to the appliance and external to the appliance. The storage controllers and the server comprise a plurality of hot-replaceable blades. Any one of the plurality of blades may be replaced during operation of the appliance without loss of access to the storage devices by the computers. In one embodiment, the server executes storage application software, such as backup software for backing up data on the storage devices, such as to a tape device networked to the server.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventors: Ian Robert Davies, George Alexander Kalwitz, Victor Key Pecone
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Patent number: 7627780Abstract: An apparatus for deterministically performing active-active failover of redundant server blades hot-pluggable into a backplane of a network storage appliance chassis is disclosed. Each server monitors the other's heartbeat on a respective path in the backplane. Other paths between the two servers on the backplane enable one server to reliably kill the other server and take over its identity on the network in response to detecting a stopped heartbeat of the other server. The apparatus is superior to a conventional heartbeat link between servers in separate chassis, such as an Ethernet cable, because it is not prone to user removal or damage since the backplane cannot be removed by a user while the appliance is operational and enables each server to know a true heartbeat failure has occurred, as opposed to failure of a conventional external heartbeat link causing each server to each think the other has failed.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventor: Ian Robert Davies
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Patent number: 7565566Abstract: A network storage appliance including one or more integrated switching devices is disclosed. The appliance includes redundant storage controllers that transfer frames of data between storage devices and host computers. The integrated switching devices include a plurality of I/O ports and a data transfer path between each of the I/O ports for providing simultaneous data transfers between multiple pairs thereof. The switches enable the appliance to simultaneously transfer frames between its I/O ports and storage device I/O ports and/or host I/O ports, thereby providing increased data transfer bandwidth over arbitrated loop configurations. Additionally, the switches are intelligent and may be programmed to achieve improved fault isolation. The appliance may also include servers that include I/O ports coupled to the switches for simultaneously transferring data with the storage controllers and/or I/O ports of devices external to the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventors: Ian Robert Davies, George Alexander Kalwitz, Victor Key Pecone
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Patent number: 7558897Abstract: A method for adopting an orphaned I/O port of a storage controller is disclosed. The storage controller has first and second redundant field-replaceable units (FRU) for processing I/O requests and a third FRU having at least one I/O port for receiving the I/O requests from host computers coupled to it. Initially the first FRU processes the I/O requests received by the I/O port and the third FRU routes to the first FRU interrupt requests generated by the I/O port in response to receiving the I/O requests. Subsequently, the second FRU determines that the first FRU has failed and is no longer processing I/O requests received by the I/O port, and configures the third FRU to route the interrupt requests from the I/O port to the second FRU rather than the first FRU, in response to the determining that the first FRU has failed.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventors: Ian Robert Davies, Victor Key Pecone
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Patent number: 7543096Abstract: A fault-tolerant mass storage system includes two RAID controllers that communicate via a PCI-Express link. Each controller has a bus bridge coupled to the link, a cache memory that caches user data for storage on disk drives controlled by the controllers, and a CPU. The CPU fetches and executes program instructions from a CPU memory coupled to it. The CPU programs the bus bridge with window information defining a window of locations within the CPU memory, which is less than an entirety of the CPU memory. The bus bridge receives data on the link from the other controller and if the header of a packet containing the data indicates it is destined for the CPU memory, the bus bridge translates the address of the data so as to write the data safely to the CPU memory, but only within the window and nowhere else within the CPU memory.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Dot Hill Systems CorporationInventor: Ian Robert Davies