Abstract: A method and apparatus stores media content in a variety of storage devices, with at least a portion of the storage devices having different performance characteristics. The system can deliver media to a large number of clients while maintaining a high level of viewing experience for each client by automatically adapting the bit rate of a media being delivered to a client using the client's last mile bit rate variation. The system provides clients with smooth viewing of video without buffering stops. The client does not need a custom video content player to communicate with the system.

Abstract: A device receives, from a client device, a request for a resource, and determines, based on information provided in the request, whether to terminate a connection for the request at the device. The device forwards the request to a network when the connection is not terminated at the device, and selects a target device for the resource when the connection is terminated at the device. The device also provides the request to the selected target device, receives the resource from the selected target device, and provides the resource to the client device.

Abstract: A device receives, from a client device, a request for a resource, where the request provides an identifier of the client device. The device selects a target device for the resource, connects with the selected target device, and provides a proxy of the request to the selected target device, where the proxy of the request hides the identifier of the client device. The device receives the resource from the selected target device, where the resource provides an identifier of the target device. The device provides a proxy of the resource to the client device, where the proxy of the resource hides the identifier of the target device.

Abstract: A device receives, from a client device, a request for a resource, and accesses a table that includes one or more items of information. The device compares information provided in the request to the one or more items of information provided in the table, and terminates a connection for the request at the device when the information provided in the request matches at least one of the one or more items of information provided in the table. The device forwards the request to a network when the connection is not terminated at the device, and selects a target device for the resource when the connection is terminated at the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically transcoding and delivering variable bit rate media files delivers media files to client systems. The media server dynamically transcodes a content file to a bit rate requested by a client using an original content file or other transcoded content files. The media server can dynamically select a segment of a content file to transcode. The file format required by the client is determined and the transcoded segment is formatted to the file format. The formatted segment is delivered to the client.

Abstract: A method of performing a file search with specified attribute criteria includes generating or having access to a file system image of the data storage system. A substantially sequential scan of the file system image can then be performed. Based on the scan, a list of inodes (called a specified criteria inode map) on the file system image that have the specified attribute criteria can be built. This sequential scan eliminates the random scan of the file system image, thereby dramatically reducing the total time associated with reading of the inodes. A file tree of the data storage system can then be walked to find inodes (in the file tree) that match inodes in the specified criteria inode map. A list of files that correspond to matching inodes can thus be quickly and easily generated.

Abstract: A device receives, from a client device, a request for a resource that is available from an origin device, and determines whether the resource is cached in a cache server or not cached in the cache server. The device forwards the request to the cache server regardless of whether or not the resource is cached in the cache server, and receives, when the resource is not cached in the cache server, a redirect command from the cache server based on the request. The device forwards the received redirect command to the client device, where the redirect command instructs the client device to obtain the resource from the origin device. The device receives, from the cache server and based on the request, the resource when the resource is cached in the cache server, and forwards the received resource to the client device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically transcoding and delivering variable bit rate media files delivers media files to client systems. The media server dynamically transcodes a content file to a bit rate requested by a client using an original content file or other transcoded content files. The media server can dynamically select a segment of a content file to transcode. The file format required by the client is determined and the transcoded segment is formatted to the file format. The formatted segment is delivered to the client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering variable bit rate media files delivers media files to client systems. The media server can dynamically detect when a client can accept a different bit rate version of a media content. The media server can smoothly switch between different bit rate versions of the media content as it delivers the media content to client systems. A client system can also request different bit rate versions of a media content while it is playing the media content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus optimizes storage on solid-state memory devices. The system aggregates object storage write requests. The system determines whether objects associated with the object storage requests that have been aggregated fit in a block of the solid-state memory device within a defined tolerance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically transcoding and delivering variable bit rate media files delivers media files to client systems. The media server dynamically transcodes a content file to a bit rate requested by a client using an original content file or other transcoded content files. The media server can dynamically select a segment of a content file to transcode. The file format required by the client is determined and the transcoded segment is formatted to the file format. The formatted segment is delivered to the client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus stores media content in a variety of storage devices, with at least a portion of the storage devices having different performance characteristics. The system can deliver media to a large number of clients while maintaining a high level of viewing experience for each client by automatically adapting the bit rate of a media being delivered to a client using the client's last mile bit rate variation. The system provides clients with smooth viewing of video without buffering stops. The client does not need a custom video content player to communicate with the system.

Abstract: A computer system can advantageously include a location service that minimizes changes to a directory in the event of moving a storage unit. Each storage unit can use its meta data to indicate the persistent objects the storage unit contains. The directory can store a translation between a persistent object and its corresponding storage unit. The servers can register their corresponding storage units using the location service. Based these registrations, the access network of the system can successfully request persistent objects from the appropriate servers. Advantageously, this system configuration allows a storage unit to be moved without changing a directory entry, thereby minimizing both time and system resources.

Abstract: A method for increasing locality of disk references for data storage in a single file system is provided. This locality results in higher system throughput for delivery and access to the data. The data is separated into meta data and content. Both meta data and the content are densely packed in quasi-reserved sections of the disk space. The content is allocated using time based locality.

Abstract: The data from a plurality of primary data sources, such as disk drives or disk arrays, are interleaved and captured in a secondary data source, such as a tape drive, during a backup operation. The interleaving of data allows the overlap of read/write operations performed by the plurality of primary data sources, thereby optimizing the performance of the backup as well as the restore.

Abstract: The data from a plurality of primary data sources, such as disk drives or disk arrays, are interleaved and captured in a secondary data source, such as a tape drive, during a backup operation. The interleaving of data allows the overlap of read/write operations performed by the plurality of primary data sources, thereby optimizing the performance of the backup as well as the restore.

Abstract: The data from a plurality of primary data sources, such as disk drives or disk arrays, are interleaved and captured in a secondary data source, such as a tape drive, during a backup operation. The interleaving of data allows the overlap of read/write operations performed by the plurality of primary data sources, thereby optimizing the performance of the backup as well as the restore.

Abstract: A method for increasing locality of disk references for data storage in a single file system is provided. This locality results in higher system throughput for delivery and access to the data. The data is separated into meta data and content. Both meta data and the content are densely packed in quasi-reserved sections of the disk space. The content is allocated using time based locality.

Abstract: A computer system includes a central processing unit and a memory management unit having a plurality of functional units, such as a memory interface unit, a remote interface unit, a cache interface unit, and a translation unit. Each functional unit has a low priority error queue for storing error information for errors having a low priority. Some functional units also have a high priority error queue for storing error information for errors having a high priority error. Based on the status of the error queues, the memory management unit prioritizes and handles errors caused by hardware failures. For low priority errors, an interrupt request signal is sent to the central processing unit. For high priority errors, a RED ALERT signal is sent to the processing unit to cause the processing unit to give immediate attention to the error. For high priority error queue overflows, a failure signal is generated which causes the system to be halted and the contents of the system to be scanned out.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to efficient message passing support and memory access protections in scalable shared memory multiprocessing computer systems. In a multiprocessor system, processors need to communicate with one another to coordinate their work. Prior art multiprocessors only permit message passing or unprotected direct memory access. The present invention allows direct memory access with protection. The mechanism of the present invention permits processors to directly access each other's memory while retaining protection against faulty software or hardware. Security in the face of malicious intent of the communicating software is not maintained in the preferred embodiment, although a variation of the mechanism provides additional protection against malicious software albeit at the expense of slightly more complex hardware.