Abstract: A technique for managing file system expansions includes receiving a request to perform a file system expansion, the request specifying or implying an increase in size of a file system to a new target size. The request is received while a previous file system expansion is already in progress. The technique includes merging the previous file system expansion into the file system expansion specified by the request, to increase the size of the file system to the new target size.

Abstract: A technique for managing copy sessions in a data storage system supports active and inactive copy-session states and reclaims memory for inactive copy sessions to reduce their memory footprints. When a copy session transitions from the active state to the inactive state, the copy session persists certain copy-progress data in non-volatile storage and frees structures in memory previously storing that copy-progress data. The inactive copy session continues to run but performs no copying and consumes less memory. When the copy session later transitions back to the active state, the copy session reads the copy-progress data back into memory and resumes copying.

Abstract: A method includes (a) receiving a command to create an upper-deck filesystem of a specified size, the upper-deck filesystem residing within a logical volume expressed from a container file of a lower-deck filesystem, (b) provisioning a plurality of storage provisioning units (SPUs) from a storage pool of the data storage system to the container file in an order reflecting proximity of the SPUs within storage devices of the data storage system, the plurality of SPUs providing storage for the entire container file, and (c) subsequent to provisioning the plurality of SPUs to the container file, executing a plurality of threads in parallel to write metadata of the upper-deck filesystem to the plurality of SPUs, representing the upper-deck filesystem. Other embodiments are directed to a system, a computerized apparatus, and a computer program product for performing methods similar to that described above.

Abstract: An embodiment of a computer-implemented method for use in managing allocation of a storage pool in a data storage system by calculating an allocation mode for the storage pool based on a policy is described. Also described are embodiments of a system and computer program product enabled for carrying out such computer-implemented allocation management.

Abstract: A method is used for managing consistency groups in storage systems. A consistency group comprising multiple logical objects is created and multiple replicas of the consistency group are created. The consistency group is restored to one of the multiple replicas.

Abstract: A storage system uses a block-level file system to manage physical storage of data blocks of logical units, the file system being mounted on an owning one of a set of storage processors. The storage processors redirect received storage requests to the owning storage processor, and periodically the amount of redirection is evaluated. If the amount of redirection is higher than a threshold, then the file system is dismounted at the owning storage processor and mounted at another storage processor to reduce the amount of redirection.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for identifying a target storage device upon which a plurality of logical storage devices are to be defined. The target storage device includes a plurality of physical storage blocks. At least a first logical storage device and a second logical storage device are defined for mapping within the target storage device. Each of the first and second logical storage devices includes a plurality of logical storage slices. At least a portion of the logical storage slices for each of the first and second logical storage devices are non-sequentially mapped to at least a portion of the plurality of physical storage blocks included within the target storage device to generate an interlaced target storage device.

Abstract: A method is used in managing restore operations in storage systems. A state of a logical object is retrieved and a second logical object is placed in a pre-step mode. An instantaneous restore operation between the first logical object and the second logical object is performed. Drivers that are associated with the instantaneous restore and utilize data-less writes are identified. A granularity value representative of a size at which the identified driver tracks changes is determined. Changed data extents in the first logical object are identified. Data-less writes are sent at the lowest determined granularity to any identified extents in the first logical object.

Abstract: A method is used in managing restore operations in storage systems. A state of a logical object is retrieved and a second logical object is placed in a pre-step mode. An instantaneous restore operation between the first logical object and the second logical object is performed. Changed data extents in the first logical object are identified. Data-less writes are sent to any identified extents in the first logical object.

Abstract: A method is used for managing snapshot mount points in storage systems. A request to resize a snapshot mount point is received and a file object associated with the snapshot mount point is retrieved. The file object is analyzed to determine a file attached to the snapshot mount point and a file ID is determined for an underlying file associated with the determined file. The file associated with the file ID is resized.

Abstract: In a data storage system, a fixture communication channel is created for communications between a fixture and another component, where the fixture is a component of a device driver that provides extended input/output functionality with respect to one or more storage devices. A handle identifies the fixture communication channel, and callbacks are registered with a driver handler and reference callback functions of the fixture. Fixture communication messages each include the handle and a message-specific operation code for an operation to be performed by the fixture, and each is conveyed by (1) issuing a fixture-control input/output control command to the handler that includes the handle and message-specific operation code, and (2) at the handler, using the handle and message-specific operation code to select a callback and invoke a corresponding callback function of the fixture.

Abstract: A system for performance optimization of storage allocation to virtual logical units includes a storage entity having data storage space divided into slices for storing data. A slice allocation table stores slice allocation status. A memory stores statistics regarding the allocation of slices to logical units. A management database stores information regarding the allocation of slices to logical units. An allocation module performs an allocation process in response to receiving an I/O write request. A management module performs scheduled post-I/O management processes asynchronously with allocation processes, including updating the management database to reflect the allocation of the selected slice, and updating the status of the selected slice in the slice allocation table to indicate that the post-I/O management process for the selected slice has been performed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for tracking storage pool reservations are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for tracking storage pool reservations. The system includes a storage entity having data storage space for storing data, the data storage space being divided into a plurality of slices. The system also includes one or more portions of non-volatile memory, different from the data storage space, for storing slice reservation statistics and information about requests that affect slice reservation statistics, wherein storing information in the portion of non-volatile memory is an atomic operation. The system further includes a control module for receiving a request that affect slice reservation statistics, storing information about the request in the portion of non-volatile memory, performing the request, and updating the slice reservation statistics and clearing the information about the request in the portion of non-volatile memory.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for triggering and coordinating pool storage reclamation are disclosed. According to one example, the method includes receiving an issued hint triggered by the execution of a data storage optimization operation applied to a mapped logical unit (MLU), wherein the MLU is one of a plurality of MLUs residing in a storage array, and computing an unused portion amount of an allocated storage space in the MLU, wherein the allocated storage space comprises a plurality of slices. If the unused portion amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value, detecting at least one of the slices to be released from the allocated storage space. The method also includes transferring data contained in a detected slice to at least one of the remaining slices in the allocated storage space, and removing the detected slice from the allocated storage space in the MLU to a common storage pool in the storage array, wherein the removed slice is allocated to any one of the plurality of MLUs.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for assisting the performance of incremental copying of data in a data storage environment and includes a tracking mechanism. In one embodiment, the tracking mechanism is implemented in such a way that it is able to track changes while allowing access to production data by carrying out unique methodology. In other embodiments, implementations include a system, a computer program product, or an apparatus, wherein each embodiment is configured for carrying out the steps involved in the methodology.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method copying with unmarked data along with a capability for incremental copying of data in a data storage environment.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for assisting the performance of incremental copying of data in a data storage environment and includes a tracking mechanism. In one embodiment, the tracking mechanism is implemented in such a way that it is able to track changes while allowing access to production data by carrying out unique methodology. In other embodiments, implementations include a system, a computer program product, or an apparatus, wherein each embodiment is configured for carrying out the steps involved in the methodology.

Abstract: A shared-disk cluster system includes a cluster membership manager framework which coordinates the joining or leaving among all nodes in a cluster including taking the multiple layers of involved subsystems through transitions. Subsystems are notified of transitions in particular order depending upon the transition, and all nodes' subsystems receiving a notification must process that notification prior to another layer of subsystems being notified. One of the subsystems registered for notification is an event manager in user space. The event manager carries out transfers of client services, including user applications, resulting from nodes joining and leaving the cluster. This includes a registration and launch service which registers a node, or multiple nodes, in a cluster which claims, or is assigned, responsibility for the service and provides an optional launching function which initiates the client service upon successful registration.