Abstract: A method for managing power consumption in a data storage system is provided. The method comprises receiving a first input/output (I/O) request identifying an I/O operation to be performed by a storage device; delaying scheduling of the first I/O request to manage amount of power consumed by servicing the first I/O request; and forwarding the first I/O request to a storage controller associated with the storage device. The storage controller schedules the first I/O request using a scheduling mechanism, and the storage device services the first I/O request according to the scheduling mechanism.

Abstract: A method for maximizing a utility of a service contract by optimizing target response time for a performance service level objective is provided. A set of criteria are provided to ensure that performance requirements for the service are met. The method comprises determining one or more usage windows for providing a service, wherein each usage window is associated with a performance requirement and a time period; extracting usage patterns for each usage window based on historical data provided from monitoring requests for service in each usage window; extracting response time per transaction associated with said requests based on historical data provided from monitoring responses provided to said requests in each usage window; and calculating optimal probability for breach in each usage window (Pi) and determining the associated target response time, based on the usage pattern for each window and the response time per transaction.

Abstract: A method for replay of program executions using cross-entropy is provided. The method comprises identifying a first sequence of decision points, wherein the first sequence represents a first execution of a logic code; identifying a second sequence of decision points, wherein the second sequence represents a second execution of the logic code; computing a distance between the first and second executions; and minimizing the distance between the first and second executions using cross-entropy, in response to determining that the second execution is not within a predetermined threshold distance of the first execution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely installing software on a computing system while the computing system is running on a first bootable image, so that the computing system is not removed from operation during the installation of a second bootable image. The method comprises constructing the second bootable image on a storage medium accessible to the computing system while the computing system is operating in a first operating environment in association with the first bootable image, customizing the second bootable image so that the computing system can operate in a second operating environment in association with the second bootable image, disassociating the computing system from the first bootable image, and associating the computing system with the second bootable image.

Abstract: A practice selection method is provided. The method comprises recording first information describing one or more characteristics of a first project in at least one storage medium; determining whether a first practice is likely to have a successful impact on the first project based on the first information; and suggesting the first practice, in response to determining that the first practice is likely to have a successful impact on the first project. The first information may comprise subjective and objective information and may also be used to select a second practice for a second project.

Abstract: A method for determining power consumption in a data storage system is provided. The method comprises determining data access patterns for at least a first storage device in a storage system based on operations performed by the first storage device; and calculating power consumption for the storage system by interpolating costs associated with the operations performed by the first storage device, wherein the cost associated with each operation is determined based on: (1) various levels of activities for the first storage device and a mix of workload characteristics, and (2) predetermined power consumption measurements obtained from one or more benchmarks for same operations performed by a second storage device in a test environment.

Abstract: A method for managing data transfer in a network environment, the method is provided. The method comprises receiving a request to transfer first data from a first source in a source domain comprising a plurality of sources to a first target in a target domain comprising a plurality of targets. If the first source is configured to transfer data in a first mode or if the first source is configured to transfer data in a second mode and the first data has previously been transferred to the target domain, a signature of the first data is transferred to the first target instead of the first data. If the first source is configured to operate in the second mode and the first data has not previously been transferred to the target domain, the first data is transferred to the first target.

Abstract: A carrying apparatus comprising: an upper portion having at least one terminal end cantileverly extending from a first point in the upper portion; a lower portion comprising at least one terminal end having a receiving area formed on a first side of the lower portion on which at least a looped handle of a carrying item may rest, wherein at least one terminal end of the upper portion engages in an interlocking operational relationship with at least one terminal end of the lower portion.

Abstract: A data processing method is provided. The method comprises collecting a stream of data records from one or more devices in a network; loading one or more persistent indexes associated with the stream of data records into memory; identifying duplicate data records in the stream of data records using the in-memory indexes; and updating a repository such that the duplicate data records are not stored in the repository or managed differently than non-duplicate data records.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a storage policy for a storage system based on simulation results associated with a state of the storage system is provided. The method comprises receiving a target function applicable to a storage system, wherein the target function represents a measure of values associated with storage parameters related to productivity and loss tolerance of the storage system; wherein the simulation results for a state of the storage system are calculated based on a least one of (a) the storage system simulated response to a set of simulated file-related storage operation requests generated based on one or more simulation rules, (b) the state of the storage system before responding to the set of simulated file-related storage operation requests, (c) the storage system target function; and (d) rules for simulating file-related storage operation requests.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment comprises an upper portion; a lower portion comprising at least one terminal end having a receiving area formed on a first side of the lower portion, facing the upper portion, on which at least a looped handle may rest and a handling area formed on a second side of the lower portion opposite the first side forming a grip to lift the apparatus; and a connection mechanism for connecting the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the connection mechanism allows the upper portion to swivel in relation to the lower portion, such that in an open position the looped handle may be placed on the receiving area, and in a closed position the upper portion swivels to cover the terminal end of the lower portion and the receiving area in a closed loop to secure the looped handle, eliminating possibility of the looped handle sliding off the receiving area and the terminal end of the lower portion.

Abstract: A data storage method comprises storing first data in at least a first data chunk, wherein the first data chunk is a logical representation of one or more sectors on at least a first disk drive in a storage system; storing first metadata, associated with the first data, in at least a first appendix, wherein the first appendix is a logical representation of a sector region on at least the first disk drive in the storage system, and wherein the first metadata comprises first atomicity metadata (AMD) and first validity metadata (VMD) associated with the first data; and storing a copy of the first VMD for the first data in at least one low latency non-volatile storage (LLNVS) device.

Abstract: Data validation systems and methods are provided. Data is recorded in N data chunks on one or more storage mediums. A first validation chunk independently associated with said N data chunks comprises first validation information for verifying accuracy of data recorded in said N data chunks. The first validation chunk is associated with a first validation appendix comprising second validation information, wherein the first validation appendix is stored on a first storage medium independent of said one or more storage mediums.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communications between an external interface and at least first and second universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UARTs) respectively associated with first and second microcontrollers is provided.

Abstract: Process steps are provided for electronically sending promotional and advertising materials based upon consumer preferences by providing a unique identifier to a consumer's electronic mail address and sending electronic mail to the consumer, wherein the electronic mail includes a plurality of embedded Internet web sites. Thereafter, the consumer accesses the plurality of embedded Internet web sites in response to the sent electronic mail, and consumer movement within the plurality of accessed embedded Internet web sites is tracked. Promotional material can then be sent to the consumer based upon the tracked consumer movement within the embedded Internet web sites. Process steps are also provided to track consumer movement without the consumer's electronic mail address, if the consumer makes a purchase with a credit card while at a seller's web site. The IP address is linked to the credit card to track consumer movement within the web site.