Abstract: In a storage controller connected to a flash memory module, an execute loop used to carry out tasks related to reading or writing data from the module. The loop includes reading a data structure from a queue and carrying out a task specified by the data structure, unless resources required by the task are not available, in which event the loop moves on to another data structure stored in another queue. Data structures bypassed by the loop are periodically revisited, until all tasks required are completed. Data structures store state information that is updated when tasks are completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of storage tiering with minimal use of DRAM memory for header overhead that utilizes the beginning of the volume to store frequently accessed or hot data. A solid state storage device is placed at the beginning of a tiered volume and is used to store frequently accessed data. When data becomes less frequently accessed it is moved to a cold data storage area on a hard disk drive in the tiered volume. The data exchange is performed on a one-to-one basis reducing the amount and use of DRAM.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage. Methods and systems of tape technology disclose optical tape media including: configurations, formulations, markings, and structure; optical tape manufacturing methods, systems, and apparatus methods and systems including: curing processes, coating methods, embossing, drums, testing, tracking alignment stamper strip; optical tape methods and systems including: pick up head adapted for the disclosed optical tape; and optical tape uses including optical storage media devices for multimedia applications.

Abstract: Digital objects are stored and accessed within a fixed content storage cluster by using a page mapping table and a pages index. A stream is read from the cluster by using a portion of its unique identifier as a key into the page mapping table. The page mapping table indicates a node holding a pages index indicating where the stream is stored. A stream is written to the cluster by storing the stream on any suitable node and then updating a pages index stored within the cluster. The cluster recovers from a node failure by first replicating streams from the failed node and reallocating a page mapping table to create a new pages index. The remaining nodes send records of the unique identifiers corresponding to objects they hold to the new pages index. A node is added to the cluster by reallocating a page mapping table.

Abstract: Write protection for data of a rewritable data storage cartridge having partitions is provided in certain circumstances by providing logical write protection; and in response to detection of an application issuing at least one partition-based command with respect to the rewritable data storage cartridge, the logical write protection is disabled with respect to the detected application. Thus, where the cartridge has a non-default index addressing location, in response to detection of an application issuing at least one command initially addressing a location other than the non-default index location, logical write protection is enabled with respect to the detected application; and if the non-default index location is addressed, the logical write protection is disabled.

Abstract: A hybrid hard disk drive includes a hard disk drive controller to receive a plurality of write commands from a host, a buffer to receive and store write data, which are input through the hard disk drive controller and correspond to each of the plurality of write commands, a command history tracker to receive the plurality of write commands and analyze a pattern of the plurality of write commands, and a CPU to control storage of the write data, which correspond to each of the plurality of write commands, on a disk or in a flash memory device based on the analysis result by the command history tracker. The drive may determine whether to store write data on the disk or in the flash memory device without operation system support.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a virtual tape library (VTL) domain capable of being coupled to a host are provided. One system includes a plurality of VTL nodes configured to store multiple scratch erased volumes. Each VTL node comprises a processor configured to perform at least a portion of the below method. One method includes receiving a request from the host to de-mount a volume in one of the plurality of VTL nodes, transferring the volume to a scratch category in response to receiving the request, erasing data in the volume and categorizing the volume as a scratch erased volume, and providing ownership of the scratch erased volume to a VTL node in the plurality of VTL nodes based on pre-determined criteria for the plurality of VTL nodes. Also provided are computer storage mediums including computer code for performing the above method.

Abstract: Methods and structure are disclosed for improved processing of fast path I/O requests in a storage controller utilizing version information embedded in the fast path I/O requests. The version information allows the storage controller to determine if the mapping information utilized by the host system in generating a fast path I/O request specifies the mapping information utilized by the storage controller. The controller comprises a fast path I/O request processing circuit tightly coupled with host system drivers for fast processing of requests directed to storage devices of a logical volume. The controller also comprises a logical volume I/O processing software stack for processing I/O requests from a host system directed to a logical volume. If the mapping information utilized by the host does not match the mapping information utilized by the storage controller, fast path I/O requests are transferred to the I/O request processing stack for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A storage battery control device detects an overhead wire supply current value showing a sum of a current value output from a storage battery and a current value output from a transformer substation, and charging or discharging of the storage battery is controlled so that a charging rate of the storage battery becomes a charging rate target value when the detected overhead wire supply current value is less than a first threshold. In addition, charging or discharging of the storage battery is controlled so that the output voltage of the storage battery control device is maintained at a constant voltage control mode when the detected overhead wire supply current value is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing live backups may include identifying a request to perform a live backup on a volume of data. The computer-implemented method may also include creating a snapshot of the volume. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying each attempt to write to the volume during the live backup. The computer-implemented method may additionally include, for each write attempt, identifying a block of data that the write attempt will overwrite and copying the block of data to a backup queue before allowing the write attempt. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tape performance optimization method may include accumulating data in a memory, monitoring the accumulation of data, determining whether a certain amount of data has been accumulated in the memory, causing the accumulated data to be migrated to a tape in a tape library, and tracking physical locations of files stored on tape. In one embodiment, the amount of data to be accumulated is set to be two wraps or a multiple thereof. In one embodiment, two copies of data are written to two tapes in an alternating fashion. When a file is to be read, a tape is accessed if it has a copy of the file whose physical location is determined to be closest to beginning of tape. Since file location on tape determines the time it takes to position the tape, this method can shorten the amount of time required to retrieve a file from tape.

Abstract: A data writing apparatus includes a tape drive, a buffer and non-volatile memory. When a synchronization request is received from a device sending data to be written to a tape, the apparatus is operable to copy data corresponding to the synchronization request from the buffer to the non-volatile memory. The data may be stored in the non-volatile memory until at least the time when the data which it is a copy of is written to the tape from the buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for clients, a control module, and storage modules to participate in a unified address space in order to and read and write data efficiently using direct-memory access. The method for reading data includes determining a first location in a first memory to write a first copy of the data, a second location in a second memory to write a second copy of the data, where the first memory is located in a first storage module including a first persistent storage and the second memory is located in a second storage module including a second persistent storage. The method further includes programming a direct memory access engine to read the data from client memory and issue a first write request to a multicast address, where the first location, the second location, and a third location are associated with the multicast address.

Abstract: A data storage system stores logical data object(s), each identified by a logical identifier. A control is configured to assign a unique WORM (Write Once Read Many) identifier to the logical data object, and stores the unique WORM identifier as associated with the logical identifier, in a database maintained by the control so as to be persistent. Data storage is configured to write the logical data object with a header with the unique WORM identifier. The control, in order to allow the logical data object to be accessed externally to the control, requires matching the unique WORM identifier in the header of a logical data object to the unique WORM identifier of the persistent database for the logical object. The unique WORM identifier is formed of a checksum hash value related to nonce fields comprising at least the logical identifier of the logical data object, and an incrementing token.

Abstract: Methods, software suites, and systems of generating a recovery snapshot and creating a virtual view of the recovery snapshot are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes generating a recovery snapshot at a predetermined interval to retain an ability to position forward and backward when a delayed roll back algorithm is applied and creating a virtual view of the recovery snapshot using an algorithm tied to an original data, a change log data, and a consistency data related to an event. The method may include redirecting an access request to the original data based on a meta-data information provided in the virtual view. The method may further include substantially retaining a timestamp data, a location of a change, and a time offset of the change as compared with the original data.

Abstract: Provided are a data storage medium accessing method of accessing a data storage medium of a data storage device according to a virtual address (VA), the data storage device to access the data storage medium according to the VA, and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program to access the data storage medium accessing method.

Abstract: A desktop sharing and remote control system where the server (the computer being controlled) and the client (the computer controlling the server) are connected by a connecting device using the USB protocol. The connecting device includes a control unit (MCU) and two USB controllers. The MCU transfers data between the two USB controllers. The server-side USB controller emulates a USB CD-ROM/keyboard/mouse composite device; the client-side USB controller emulates a USB CD-ROM. The server continuously writes video data (desktop image) to the server-side emulated CD-ROM and the client continuously reads the data from the client-side emulated CD-ROM and applies it to its monitor. Keyboard and mouse data is transferred in the opposite direction via the client-side emulated CD-ROM and server-side emulated keyboard and mouse devices. The connecting device stores applications programs to be automatically executed by the server and client using auto-run functions of the emulated CD-ROMs to accomplish plug-and-play.

Abstract: A computerized method for sharing removable storage media in a network, the method comprising associating, in an index entry, a first piece of removable storage media in a first storage device with at least a first storage policy copy and a second storage policy copy; copying, to the first piece of removable storage media, data associated with the first storage policy copy; and copying, to the first piece of removable storage media, data associated with the second storage policy copy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for determining a heat index for a block of data, such as an extent, for storage tiering. Weighted scores are used for read and write operations, since solid state devices operate better with read operations than write operations. The heat index associated with each extent is a function of a base score, rather than an absolute value. The base score is determined by adding the number of extents in a hot tier plus the access score, divided by the number of extents in the hot tier. In this fashion, the base score measures the weighted I/O activity relative to the size of the hot tier.

Abstract: A method, computer management apparatus, and computer program product are provided for processing data stored on a sequential storage media within a computational computing environment. A block reference table and most often read blocks are loaded from a modified tape format of a sequential storage media into an internal memory of a sequential storage media device. During write command processing, a data deduplication procedure is performed using a modified block reference table. It is determined if entries from the block reference table must be deleted and responsive to this identifying and deleting host block and device block entries from the block reference table.

Abstract: Timing at which a rotation of a physical disk can stop is taken to more appropriately stop the rotation of the physical disk.

Abstract: A storage system, a disk controller, a disk drive and a method of operating thereof. The method includes: configuring a disk drive in a manner enabling executing one or more read requests concurrently with executing one or more write requests addressed to the same data track of the disk drive; responsive to a received write request addressed to a certain track of the disk drive, identifying with the help of the control layer one or more read requests concurrent to received write request and addressed to the same track; if the received write request and the identified one or more read requests match a predefined criterion, generating and issuing, with the help of the control layer, a command to the disk drive for executing a single task corresponding to the concurrent read and write requests combined in accordance with a certain mask.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method, and computer program product for sharing resources within a robotic media library having multiple media types and multiple device types amongst a plurality of connected servers.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a medium name storage unit that stores medium name conversion information in which a virtual medium name specifying a storage medium in a read/write request from a host is related to a real medium name specifying the storage medium in the library apparatus, a conveying mechanism unit that conveys the storage medium, a drive that reads/writes data from/to the storage medium conveyed by the conveying mechanism unit in response to the received read/write request, a conversion unit that converts the virtual medium name included in the received read/write request to the real medium name on the basis of the medium name conversion information stored in the medium name storage unit, and a conveying mechanism control unit that controls the conveying mechanism unit to convey the storage medium having the real medium name converted by the conversion unit to the drive.

Abstract: In address generation processors, the start and the end of the processing for address generation need to be controlled in addition to controlling the processing for base address generation. A timing control unit manages control for address conversion on a clock cycle basis. The difference between the processing speed in the address generation processors and the processing speed in the address conversion circuit is absorbed by buffers.

Abstract: A method of recording, and an apparatus for recording, data on a write-once disc, and the write-once disc used with the method and the apparatus. The write-once disc includes a plurality of update areas in which to record a predetermined type of updated information, at least one main access information area (AIA) in which to record main access information (AI), the main AI indicating a final update area in which finally updated information is recorded, among the plurality of update areas, and at least one sub AIA in which to record sub AI, the sub AI indicating a location of the finally updated information recorded in the final update area.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes forming a virtualized grid consistency group to replicate a logical unit, running a first grid copy on a first data protection appliance (DPA) replicating a first portion of the logical unit, running a second grid copy on a second DPA replicating a second portion of the logical unit, sending IOs to the first DPA if the IOs are to a first set of offsets and sending IOs to the second DPA if the IOs are to a second set of offsets.

Abstract: A storage device is disclosed comprising control circuitry. A write command is received from a host, wherein the write command comprises a host block and corresponding host block address. The host block is partitioned into a plurality of sub blocks, and a plurality of sub block addresses are generated in response to the host block address, wherein each sub block address corresponds to one of the sub blocks. Error detection code (EDC) data is generated for each sub block in response to the sub block and corresponding sub block address. Each sub block and corresponding EDC data are combined to generate a plurality of partial codewords that are written to one or more data sectors corresponding to the sub block addresses.

Abstract: A key data recording device includes a key data recording medium section which stores key data of the encrypted data; and a reading/writing section which reads and writes the key data from and into the key data recording medium section, which sections are contained in a cartridge casing accommodatable in a library unit. When the cartridge casing is irregularly ejected from the library unit, the key data recorded in the key data recording medium section is deleted. This configuration can enhance the confidentiality of encrypted data because the key data is not leaked even when the recording medium in which key data of the encrypted data is recorded is carried away.

Abstract: A hybrid storage apparatus including a non-volatile memory module, a hard disk module, and a hybrid storage medium controller is provided. The hybrid storage medium controller groups physical blocks of the non-volatile memory module into at least a storage area and a replacement area, and the hybrid storage medium controller configures a plurality of logical blocks for mapping to the physical blocks in the storage area and configures a plurality of logical disk addresses for mapping to physical disk addresses of the hard disk module. The hybrid storage medium controller further configures a plurality of logical access addresses to be accessed by a host system and initially maps a portion of the logical access addresses to the logical blocks and the other logical access addresses to a portion of the logical disk addresses. Accordingly, the hybrid storage apparatus can have improved data access performance and prolonged lifespan.

Abstract: A request is received from a client machine via a web interface for content presented on a web page. A globally unique identifier (GUID) that is associated with the user is accessed and a number is generated based on the GUID. The generated number is utilized as an index to locate the storage device from the number of storage devices. Here, the storage device stores a user profile associated with the user. The user profile is read from the located storage device and the web page is personalized based on this user profile. The personalized web page is then communicated to the client machine. Other techniques for locating a storage device are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for performing diagnostics on a computer system having a plurality of physical hardware devices includes associating a logical device with a physical hardware device of the computer system. The logical device is provided with a programmatic interface that abstractly reproduces a functionality of the physical hardware device associated with the logical device and insulates the logical device from device-specific particulars needed to communicate with the physical hardware device. The logical device is associated with a translator that is capable of communicating with the physical hardware device associated with the logical device using the device-specific particulars needed to communicate with that physical hardware device.

Abstract: A system and method for clients, a control module, and storage modules to participate in a unified address space in order to and read and write data efficiently using direct-memory access. The method for reading data includes determining a first location in a first memory to write a first copy of the data, a second location in a second memory to write a second copy of the data, where the first memory is located in a first storage module including a first persistent storage and the second memory is located in a second storage module including a second persistent storage. The method further includes programming a direct memory access engine to read the data from client memory and issue a first write request to a multicast address, where the first location, the second location, and a third location are associated with the multicast address.

Abstract: A method of operating a disk drive is disclosed, the disk drive comprising a head actuated over a disk surface, and a first non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM). Calibrated parameters are stored in the first NVSM, wherein the calibrated parameters for accessing the disk surface. Prior to altering the disk drive, the calibrated parameters are uploaded from the disk drive to a host. After altering the disk drive, the calibrated parameters are downloaded from the host to the disk drive and the calibrated parameters are stored in a second NVSM.

Abstract: The invention discloses a memory management system and a memory management method are disclosed. The memory management system includes a first memory, at least one secondary memory, and a memory management device. The first memory includes a normal access memory bank and at least one switching access memory bank. The secondary memory includes at least one secondary access memory bank corresponding to the switching access memory bank. The memory management device reads/writes the normal access memory bank or the secondary access memory bank.

Abstract: A method for storing data and two sets of distributed mirrored data disposed as data stripes which permits data recovery without the necessity of parity calculations, is described. Redundant data are stored in groups of five physical hard drives which are logically segmented into stripe groups, each stripe group having three data stripe sets wherein one data stripe is protected by two distributed mirror stripes in accordance with an algorithm. The present method provides protection for all one- and two-disk failures and certain three-disk drive failures, for each physical five disk group, and retains a usable disk capacity of 33%.

Abstract: A data storage subsystem includes a volatile memory in which stored data can be denoted as being data that should be preserved in the event of an interruption in the power supply to the volatile memory. The available capacity for such data storage is dynamically allocated between multiple firmware client components of the storage subsystem, such that each client component has its own (varying) allocation of the available capacity. A higher priority for the storage of such data is given to client components on which other client components depend, such as lower layers of the software stack, thereby allowing them to get a larger share of the available capacity for such data storage when needed and complete their input/output requests faster.

Abstract: A message tracking and verifying system for verifying the correctness of messages being passed may comprise a tracking module for tracking a request message and a verifying module for verifying a response message. The tracking module may be configured to store a calculated source address and a calculated response address range. The verifying module may be configured to obtain an actual source address from the response message and an actual response address range for the response message. The correctness of the response message is determined based on the comparison of the calculated source address with the actual source address and the comparison of the calculated response address range with the actual response address range.

Abstract: Described are systems that employ configurable on-die termination elements that allow users to select from two or more termination topologies. One topology is programmable to support rail-to-rail or half-supply termination. Another topology selectively includes fixed or variable filter elements, thereby allowing the termination characteristics to be tuned for different levels of speed performance and power consumption. Termination voltages and impedances might also be adjusted.

Abstract: This invention provides a user or an operator with a management apparatus or method for displaying logical connection information between an interface connected to a computer and a switch and a storage system or a logical unit in the storage system in a virtual storage system, wherein the switch receives a first access request from said computer, converts said first access request to a second access request to one of said plural storage systems, and sends said second access request to one of said plural storage systems or one logical unit.

Abstract: A cartridge storage system has at least one peripheral device that controls access to a system component of the storage system and memory storing configuration data indicative of a configuration of the peripheral device. The system further has logic that automatically configures a replacement peripheral device of the at least one peripheral device based upon the stored configuration data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing storage operations on electronic data in a network. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a first set of selection logic, a media management component is selected to manage the storage operation. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a second set of selection logic, a network storage device to associate with the storage operation. The selected media management component and the selected network storage device perform the storage operation on the electronic data.

Abstract: A memory module having reduced access granularity. The memory module includes a substrate having signal lines thereon that form a control path and first and second data paths, and further includes first and second memory devices coupled in common to the control path and coupled respectively to the first and second data paths. The first and second memory devices include control circuitry to receive respective first and second memory access commands via the control path and to effect concurrent data transfer on the first and second data paths in response to the first and second memory access commands.

Abstract: Provided is a storage controller that will not impair the operation of a storage control system even when a new storage area is added to a pool corresponding to an AOU volume. This storage controller includes a logical volume accessible by a host system; a pool associated with the logical volume and including one or more physical storage areas configuring a storage area of the logical volume; and a memory for storing attribute information showing an attribute of a physical storage area included in the pool; wherein the controller is configured to add a new physical storage area to the pool based on the attribute information.

Abstract: A storage system comprises a storage apparatus which includes a processor, storage disks, and a memory storing a page mapping table, a page mapping program, and a page-filename mapping program. A file system manages a file tree of files with filenames. The page mapping table specifies a relationship between data volumes in the storage apparatus and the storage disks and the file system, the data volumes each including pages, each page including segments, each segment including sectors. The file tree has for each storage apparatus a hierarchy of directories and files based on relationships among the data volumes, the pages, and the segments. The page mapping program and the page-filename mapping program are executable by the processor to specify, by page, a location of data contained in the I/O request by referring to the page mapping table and the file tree.

Abstract: A method of dynamically sharing a media volume in a network includes associating a first media management module with a first media volume of a first storage device, associating a second media management module with the first media volume, the second media management module mounting the media volume and creating an access path to the media volume, and delegating management of the created access path to the second media management module.

Abstract: A method for offloading volume space reclamation operations to virtual tape systems is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, such a method includes writing instruction information to a virtual tape system for use in performing a reclamation operation on a source virtual tape volume. The instruction information identifies the source virtual tape volume as well as valid objects in the source virtual tape volume. The virtual tape system then transforms the source virtual tape volume by retaining valid objects in the source virtual tape volume, removing invalid objects in the source virtual tape volume, and updating metadata associated with the source virtual tape volume to reflect changes made thereto. This generates an updated source virtual tape volume of reduced size. A corresponding computer program product and system are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A memory management device which is capable of allocating a memory unit accessible at a higher speed to data which is stored in a storage device having memory units different in access speed, without being limited in an storage area. The storage device comprises a BLC flash memory accessible at a predetermined access speed, an MLC flash memory accessible at a lower access speed than the predetermined access speed, a controller, and a RAM. The controller manages the BLC flash memory and the BLC flash memory in units each formed by a plurality of physical pages, and writes data in the physical pages, and the RAM holds page allocation information in which logical pages designated when writing data and the physical pages are associated with each other.

Abstract: A unique system and method for ordering commands may reduce disc access latency while giving preference to pending commands. The method and system involves giving preference to pending commands in a set of priority queues. The method and system involve identifying a pending command and processing other non-pending commands in route to the pending command if performance will not be penalized in doing so. The method and system include a list of command node references referring to a list of sorted command nodes that are to be scheduled for processing.

Abstract: Various method, system, and computer program product embodiments for selective device access control in a data storage system are provided. In one such embodiment, a plurality of access groups associated with logical devices used to access the data storage system is initialized. Each of the plurality of access groups corresponds to a range of the logical devices. An access group name of one of the access groups is bound to a logical volume of the data storage system at a volume creation. The logical volume, once bound to the access group name, is granted access by those of the logical devices in a range of the logical devices corresponding to the one of the access groups.