Abstract: Techniques to display and analyze reliability data about a large population of objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, reliability data is arranged in an array, comprising a plurality of linear arrays each of which includes reliability data for a corresponding reporting period. The reliability data includes for each of a plurality of subpopulations a corresponding reliability metric for that subpopulation with respect to the reporting period. A statistics-based conditional formatting is applied to at least a subset of cells comprising the array. The statistics-based conditional formatting may be applied by invoking a function or other automated method to apply a first cell formatting to a first set of cells having a first degree of statistical significance relative to a reference population of cells and a second cell formatting to a second set of cells having a second degree of statistical significance relative to the reference population.

Abstract: A test module is provided for testing system modules. All the test circuitry and test connectors reside on the test module. The test module is coupled to the system modules during testing, and is removed from the system after testing. Test connectors and test circuitry on the test module support such test functions as voltage margining, CPU emulation, and JTAG boundary scanning. A JTAG selection function can also be provided for selecting one or more JTAG loops for testing individually or as a single loop. The test module further includes level shifters for converting between 3.3V and 1.2V.

Abstract: A hot-pluggable I/O annex module of a storage processor assembly includes interface circuitry providing connections to an optional I/O interface module. The I/O annex module includes redundant cooling fans providing cooling airflow to an I/O annex mounting area, main power conversion circuitry for generating main operating power for the interface circuitry, auxiliary power conversion circuitry for generating auxiliary power, a controller for monitoring and controlling the operation of cooling fans; and monitoring circuitry powered by the auxiliary power for monitoring correct operation of the controller and, upon detecting incorrect operation, disabling the main power conversion circuitry.

Abstract: Described is an adaptable electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) shield adapted to reduce unwanted EMI/RFI at an electrically conductive equipment panel having an elongated aperture. The aperture provides external access to a mounting bracket of an expansion board assembly. The mounting bracket (e.g., for a PCI expansion board) abuts an interior surface of the equipment panel at the elongated aperture and includes an angled flange extending through the elongated aperture. The EMI/RFI shield includes an electrically conductive shield extension slidable between open and closed positions. The shield extension includes a flange receptacle for receiving the angled flange of the mounting bracket and a shielding plate. The shielding plate overlaps an adjustable portion of the elongated aperture such that in a closed position the shielding plate together with the mounting bracket cover substantially the entire elongated aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed are ways of providing a highly flexible high availability storage system. Disk drive carriers for insertion into enclosures in a storage system include several disk drives. The enclosures accept carriers that include drives of different sizes, and drives compatible with different storage technologies, for instance Fibre Channel, SATA, or SAS. Drives oriented in their carriers in a manner that allows them to be connected to a common medium via identical flex circuits that are configured based on the orientation of the drives. Redundant controllers include redundant serial buses for transferring management information to the carriers. The carriers include a controller for monitoring the multiple serial buses and producing storage technology specific management commands for the disk drives.