Abstract: For use in a storage network comprising a plurality of network elements and operable with a block mode access storage protocol, a method of operating a compression system operatively coupled to at least one computer and to one or more storage devices configured as at least one storage logical unit accommodating data compressed by the compression system, the computer, the storage devices and the compression system are configured as separate network elements. According to the method, the compression system is configured to hold a virtual logical unit, the virtual logical unit is configured to virtually represent in non-compressed form the compressed data stored in the at least one storage logical unit. The size of the virtual logical unit corresponds to an estimated size of raw data which, being compressed, would substantially amount to a size of the storage logical unit.

Abstract: A method and system for creating, reading and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit whilst maintaining de-fragmented structure of the LU.

Abstract: A method and system for creating, reading and writing compressed files in a computer system comprising a file system coupled with storage medium and at least one application program interface (API) configured to communicate with the file system by means of file access-related requests. The file access-related requests are intercepted in order to provide at least one of the following: a) to derive and compress data corresponding to the intercepted file access request and to facilitate storing the compressed data at the storage medium as a compressed file; b) to facilitate restoring at least part of compressed data corresponding to the intercepted file request and communicating the resulting data through the API. The compressed files comprise plurality of compressed units. One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire file whilst maintaining de-fragmented structure of the compressed file.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a computer system including host computers and storage elements. The host computers may be configured into a host domain and the storage elements configured into a storage domain. The storage domain includes a plurality of primary storage devices and a secondary storage device. The secondary storage device may be coupled to a plurality of the primary storage devices through a network. In another embodiment, the secondary storage device may send and receive information from a heterogeneous set of host computers. In another embodiment, connections for transfer of data onto the secondary storage element are created automatically.

Abstract: A method and system for creating, reading and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit whilst maintaining de-fragmented structure of the LU.

Abstract: A method and system for creating, reading and writing compressed files for use with a file access storage. The compressed data of a raw file are packed into a plurality of compressed units and stored as compressed files. One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need for restoring the entire file whilst maintaining de-fragmented structure of the compressed file.

Abstract: A method and system for creating, reading and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit whilst maintaining de-fragmented structure of the LU.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for copying and backing up logical objects in a computer storage system. The logical objects are comprised of data blocks. The data blocks may be copied in any order. The data blocks may be copied or written from a storage media, such as a tape, in parallel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for copying and backing up logical objects in a computer storage system. The logical objects are comprised of data blocks. The data blocks may be copied in any order. The data blocks may be copied or written from a storage media, such as a tape, in parallel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a computer system including host computers and storage elements. The host computers may be configured into a host domain and the storage elements configured into a storage domain. The storage domain includes a plurality of primary storage devices and a secondary storage device. The secondary storage device may be coupled to a plurality of the primary storage devices through a network. In another embodiment, the secondary storage device may send and receive information from a heterogeneous set of host computers. In another embodiment, connections for transfer of data onto the secondary storage element are created automatically.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for copying and backing up logical objects in a computer storage system. The logical objects are comprised of data blocks. The data blocks may be copied in any order. The data blocks may be copied or written from a storage media, such as a tape, in parallel.

Abstract: A computer program product is used with a programmable device to provide a data item reconstruction element for reconstructing information stored on a back-up information storage subsystem associated with at least one protected volume. The back-up information storage subsystem includes a plurality of storage media, each associated with one of a plurality of sets, the information associated with the protected volume being stored on storage media associated with one of the sets. The data item reconstruction element during the reconstruction operation retrieves in parallel information from a plurality of the storage media associated with the one of the sets on which information associated with the at least one protected volume is stored, to obtain the information which is associated with the protected volume.

Abstract: A digital data processing system comprises a host information generating device, a mass storage subsystem, and a back-up information storage subsystem. The host information generating device generates information and provides it to the mass storage subsystem for storage. The mass storage subsystem receives the generated information from the host information generating device and transfers the generated information to the storage element for storage, and further transfers the generated information to the back-up information storage subsystem. The back-up information storage subsystem receives and stores the generated information from the mass storage subsystem's control element. The back-up information storage subsystem includes a filter/buffer module, a tape log module and a reconstruction module. The filter/buffer module filters and buffers the information received from the mass storage subsystem and provides the buffered information to the tape log module for storage.

Abstract: A digital data processing system comprises a host information generating device, a mass storage subsystem, and a back-up information storage subsystem. The host information generating device generates information and provides it to the mass storage subsystem for storage. The mass storage subsystem receives the generated information from the host information generating device and transfers the generated information to the storage element for storage, and further transfers the generated information to the back-up information storage subsystem. The back-up information storage subsystem receives and stores the generated information from the mass storage subsystem's control element. The back-up information storage subsystem includes a filter/buffer module, a tape log module and a reconstruction module. The filter/buffer module filters and buffers the information received from the mass storage subsystem and provides the buffered information to the tape log module for storage.

Abstract: A computer system includes a host computer, a mass storage subsystem and a backup subsystem for backing up information stored on the mass storage subsystem. The mass storage subsystem stores information on a series of tracks. A backup bit map includes a plurality of bits each associated with a respective one of the tracks and indicates the backup status of the track during a backup operation. Initially, during a backup operation, the bits associated with the tracks to be backed up will be set. Generally, the mass storage subsystem transfers information from the track to be backed up in order of the bits in the bit map, and after each track is backed up, it will clear the track's bit. However, when the host is to store information in the mass storage subsystem, it will determine whether the bit associated with the track in which the information is to be stored is set and, if so, enable the mass storage subsystem to back up the track out of turn, and to re-set the track's bit.

Abstract: A digital data processing system comprises a host information generating device, a mass storage subsystem, and a back-up information storage subsystem. The host information generating device generates information and provides it to the mass storage subsystem for storage. The mass storage subsystem receives the generated information from the host information generating device and transfers the generated information to the storage element for storage, and further transfers the generated information to the back-up information storage subsystem. The back-up information storage subsystem receives and stores the generated information from the mass storage subsystem's control element. The back-up information storage subsystem includes a filter/buffer module, a tape log module and a reconstruction module. The filter/buffer module filters and buffers the information received from the mass storage subsystem and provides the buffered information to the tape log module for storage.