Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to dynamically selecting a storage array and corresponding input/output (IO) paths between a host and the storage array. In embodiments, a virtual storage volume (VSV) can be established for a host entity using one or more storage device portions from a plurality of storage arrays. In addition, IO servicing metric parameters can be dynamically measured. For example, the servicing metric parameters can define metrics corresponding to the VSV's assigned ports on each storage array or network latency between the host and each storage array. Further, a primary storage array from the plurality of storage arrays can be selected based on the IO servicing metrics.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving at one or more cloud storage nodes a data block to be validated in connection with adding the data block to a digital ledger. The data block is received from a party storage node corresponding to a party of a plurality of parties that are members of a blockchain computing environment. The party storage node executes a first portion of a validation operation for the data block. The one or more cloud storage nodes execute a second portion of the validation operation for the data block. In the method, the data block is added to the digital ledger responsive to validating the data block, and at least a portion of the digital ledger is stored in the one or more cloud storage nodes.

Abstract: The condition of SFP transceivers of RDF port pairs is monitored and used to project port pair data transmission rate degradation. Responsive to receipt of a command to migrate data from a source volume to a target volume, ability of port pairs to accommodate the additional load associated with data migration is calculated based on projected data transmission rate and normal load. Only port pairs that are capable of accommodating the additional load in view of the condition of the SFP transceivers are considered as candidates. Utilization of the source volume is monitored and the target volume is created with a size based on projected growth of utilization of the source volume.

Abstract: A management appliance communicates with host servers and a storage array to determine per-path loading. Based on the loading, the management appliance selects a host server with an uncredentialed path for reconfiguration. Unique endpoint authentication credentials are sent from the management appliance to the selected host server and the storage array. The uncredentialed path is placed in standby mode and the selected host server and the storage array are updated with the unique endpoint authentication credentials, which are then used to reactivate the path with endpoint authentication. Tight coupling between the MPIO software management appliance, storage array, and MPIO drivers on the host servers enables reconfiguration to be automated and based on host server loading, storage array loading, and loading of uncredentialed paths.

Abstract: A management appliance communicates with host servers and a storage array to determine per-path loading. Based on the loading, the management appliance selects a host server with an uncredentialed path for reconfiguration. Unique endpoint authentication credentials are sent from the management appliance to the selected host server and the storage array. The uncredentialed path is placed in standby mode and the selected host server and the storage array are updated with the unique endpoint authentication credentials, which are then used to reactivate the path with endpoint authentication. Tight coupling between the MPIO software management appliance, storage array, and MPIO drivers on the host servers enables reconfiguration to be automated and based on host server loading, storage array loading, and loading of uncredentialed paths.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for path management and failure prediction in a multipath environment using target port power levels. One method comprises obtaining, by a first entity that communicates with a second entity via multiple paths, a transmit power level and/or a receive power level of a target port associated with the second entity; evaluating the transmit power level and/or the receive power level of the target port relative to a threshold; and setting, by the first entity, a path state of one or more paths between the first entity and the target port to a standby state based on the evaluating, wherein the first entity establishes paths between the first entity and one or more other target ports of the second entity in an active state. Existing communications on the one or more paths between the first entity and the target port may be allowed to complete in the standby state.

Abstract: Multipath hosts with the ability to detect path latency, report latency values on paths between the Latency Detecting (LD) host and a set of storage systems. The detected latency values are used by the storage system to create a data structure correlating path information with the detected latency values. When hosts without the ability to detect path latencies (non-LD hosts) connect to the storage systems, the path information about paths used by the non-LD hosts is used to determine reported latency values for paths with similar path information, to generate presumed latency values for the paths used by the non-LD hosts. Where paths used by non-LD hosts have higher latency values, the storage system sets a path attribute value, such as an ALUA state for the path, to signal non-LD hosts to preferentially use paths with lower presumed latency values.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one processing device that is configured to control delivery of input-output operations from a host device to a storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through a network. The at least one processing device is further configured to detect a reduction in performance of one or more of the input-output operations over one or more paths of the plurality of paths, to identify a physical initiator component corresponding to the one or more paths, and to notify the storage system about the reduction in performance and the identified physical initiator component. The at least one processing device is also configured to receive a notification from the storage system indicating one or more virtual initiator instances of a plurality of virtual initiator instances corresponding to the identified physical initiator component, and to deactivate the one or more virtual initiator instances.

Abstract: Multipath hosts with the ability to detect path latency, report latency values on paths between the Latency Detecting (LD) host and a set of storage systems. The detected latency values are used by the storage system to create a data structure correlating path information with the detected latency values. When hosts without the ability to detect path latencies (non-LD hosts) connect to the storage systems, the path information about paths used by the non-LD hosts is used to determine reported latency values for paths with similar path information, to generate presumed latency values for the paths used by the non-LD hosts. Where paths used by non-LD hosts have higher latency values, the storage system sets a path attribute value, such as an ALUA state for the path, to signal non-LD hosts to preferentially use paths with lower presumed latency values.

Abstract: A layered-infrastructure blockchain-based system for software license distribution includes a distributed cloud of blockchain full nodes. Each blockchain full node contains a blockchain data structure on which a complete set of license key transactions are recorded. The layered-infrastructure also includes a plurality of storage systems. Each respective storage system contains a blockchain light data structure on which only a subset of license key transactions associated with that respective storage system are recorded. A plurality of hosts connect to the plurality of storage systems. As the hosts connect to the storage systems, license key transactions are generated, such that the license key transactions that are recorded in the blockchain-based system for software license distribution are associated with the connection events between the plurality of hosts and the plurality of storage systems.

Abstract: A layered-infrastructure blockchain-based system for software license distribution includes a distributed cloud of blockchain full nodes. Each blockchain full node contains a blockchain data structure on which a complete set of license key transactions are recorded. The layered-infrastructure also includes a plurality of storage systems. Each respective storage system contains a blockchain light data structure on which only a subset of license key transactions associated with that respective storage system are recorded. A plurality of hosts connect to the plurality of storage systems. As the hosts connect to the storage systems, license key transactions are generated, such that the license key transactions that are recorded in the blockchain-based system for software license distribution are associated with the connection events between the plurality of hosts and the plurality of storage systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to establishing a tightly coupled integration between a decentralized blockchain network and a centralized storage array. In embodiments, a first set of storage operations on a snapshot of a storage array are performed. Further, data blocks generated from the snapshot are broadcast to at least one computing network for the at least one computing network's nodes to perform a second set of storage operations.

Abstract: Switch topology-aware path selection in an information processing system is provided. For example, an apparatus comprises a host device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The host device is configured to communicate with a storage system over a network with a plurality of switches. The host device is further configured to obtain topology information associated with the plurality of switches in the network, and select a path from the host device to the storage system through one or more of the plurality of switches based at least in part on the obtained topology information.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to establishing and controlling virtual network communications between storage arrays. In embodiments, Input/Output (IO) workloads received by a source device are monitored. IO operations of each IO workload to be transmitted to one or more target devices of a plurality of target devices can be identified. Transmissions of one or more of the identified IO operations can be controlled based on one or more characteristics of each identified IO operation.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to using at least one service-level objective (SLO) to control data communications between two or more devices over a network. In embodiments, a notification is received by a source device. The notification can include status information of at least one of a plurality of communication paths between the source device and a target device. A communications control technique can be performed based on the indicated status. The communications control technique can include prioritizing one or more data packets based on a data payload corresponding to each packet. The technique can also include controlling the transmission of one or more data packets based on each data packet's priority.

Abstract: A storage system may manage I/O communications between the storage system and other components on a storage network based on the state information of transceivers (e.g., SFPs) along I/O paths between the storage system and other network components. A storage system may send one or more queries to a switch of a data storage network. The query may request the state information of transceivers within any port on any I/O path through the switch between the storage system and another component on the storage network, for example, a host system or another storage system. The storage system may receive the requested transceiver state information in one or more responses, and manage I/O communications between the storage system and the other network component based on the received transceiver state information. The received state information may include, for each transceiver, an RX power level and/or a TX Power level for the transceiver.

Abstract: Path components associated with I/O paths between another network component and a target system may be determined, and the health of target ports on such I/O paths may be determined. Failed I/O communications may be redirected based on the determined path components and the determined health of target ports. In response to a failed I/O communication, it may be determined which of the remaining I/O paths between the host system and the storage system has the least amount of associated path components in common with the failed I/O path, and the I/O communication may be redirected on such I/O path. The redirect I/O path also may be selected based on the health ranking of target ports of the I/O paths.

Abstract: Path components associated with I/O paths between another network component and a target system may be determined, and the health of target ports on such I/O paths may be determined. Failed I/O communications may be redirected based on the determined path components and the determined health of target ports. In response to a failed I/O communication, it may be determined which of the remaining I/O paths between the host system and the storage system has the least amount of associated path components in common with the failed I/O path, and the I/O communication may be redirected on such I/O path. The redirect I/O path also may be selected based on the health ranking of target ports of the I/O paths.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one processing device that is configured to control delivery of input-output operations from a host device to a storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through a network. The at least one processing device is further configured to detect a reduction in performance of one or more of the input-output operations over one or more paths of the plurality of paths, to identify a physical initiator component corresponding to the one or more paths, and to notify the storage system about the reduction in performance and the identified physical initiator component. The at least one processing device is also configured to receive a notification from the storage system indicating one or more virtual initiator instances of a plurality of virtual initiator instances corresponding to the identified physical initiator component, and to deactivate the one or more virtual initiator instances.

Abstract: A storage system may manage I/O communications between the storage system and other components on a storage network based on the state information of transceivers (e.g., SFPs) along I/O paths between the storage system and other network components. A storage system may send one or more queries to a switch of a data storage network. The query may request the state information of transceivers within any port on any I/O path through the switch between the storage system and another component on the storage network, for example, a host system or another storage system. The storage system may receive the requested transceiver state information in one or more responses, and manage I/O communications between the storage system and the other network component based on the received transceiver state information. The received state information may include, for each transceiver, an RX power level and/or a TX Power level for the transceiver.