Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing data recovery in data processing systems in which applications span multiple logical devices. A data processing system includes multiple standard devices for storing data and corresponding BCV devices for, in one mode, operating as mirrors of those standard devices. If certain of those BCV devices are associated with the same data set, a CONSISTENT SPLIT operation controls the way in which each of these BCV devices is detached from its corresponding standard device and made available to another application. Each command to an application for controlling the BCV devices is translated into one or more request data structures that identify the BCV devices as being involved in a consistent split operation and that establishes a system lock out for those particular devices during which those devices are split from their respective devices in a consistent manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data recovery in a system involving a first data store acting as a standard device and a physical moving mirror data store that operates as moving mirror with a first mode to be synchronized and in a second, isolated mode. In response to a command to establish a third or protected restore operating mode, the data to be transferred in response to that command is identified. A restoration procedure copies data from the second data store to the first store to recover any data that may have been corrupted in the second data store. An update procedure acts on the restored data concurrently with the restoration procedure.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance for lidded containers. A container is evacuated by placing a conventional container with a lid under a bell cover or by applying a special lid to an open container. An actuator assembly moves a valve to an sealed position and energizes an electrical vacuum pump. A vacuum switch and solenoid simultaneously terminate the operation of the vacuum pump and allow atmospheric pressure to be applied to the lid, thereby to seal the lid against the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling an on-line reconfiguration of striped data in a disk array storage device. A replicated copy of the striped logical device is made in parallel with host operations. A logical device with a new configuration is then substituted for access by the host application even before any data is transferred to locations within the newly configured logical device. Independent processes operating in this disk array storage device reconfigure the data transparently to any host operations while accommodating host I/O requests directed to locations in the new configuration.

Abstract: A loudspeaker having an annular speaker cone with a central orifice, a voice coil bobbin attached to the annular speaker cone and a permanent magnet for producing a magnetic field in an air gap. A dust barrier blocks the transfer of material, such as magnetically attracted dust, through the central orifice into the air gap.

Abstract: Load balancing of activities on physical disk storage devices is accomplished by monitoring reading and writing operations to blocks of contiguous storage locations on the physical disk storage devices. A list of exchangeable pairs of blocks is developed based on size and function. Statistics accumulated over an interval are then used to obtain access activity values for each block and each physical disk drive. A statistical analysis leads to a selection of one block pair. After testing to determine any adverse effect of making that change, the exchange is made to more evenly distribute the loading on individual physical disk storage devices.

Abstract: Components for constructing wooden frames for structures include top and bottom plates with transverse notches. The notches capture the ends of studs and tongues formed that extend from the ends of posts. The overall plate thickness equals a nominal plate thickness plus depth of the notch. For example, with two-by-fours and two-by-sixes, the actual plate thickness is 1½″ lumber thickness plus ½″ for notch depth. That is, the plate has an actual thickness of 2″.

Abstract: Load balancing of activities on physical disk storage devices is accomplished by monitoring reading and writing operations to blocks of contiguous storage locations on the physical disk storage devices. Statistics accumulated over an interval are then used to obtain access activity values for each block and each physical disk drive. A method is disclosed for efficiently generating disk access time based upon these statistics.

Abstract: A data storage facility for transferring data from a data altering apparatus, such as a production data processing site to a remote data receiving site. The data storage facility includes a first data store for recording each change in the data generated by the data altering apparatus. A register set records each change on a track-by-track basis. A second data store has first and second operating modes. During a first operating mode the second data store becomes a mirror of the first data store. During a second operating mode the second data store ceases to act as a mirror and becomes a source for a transfer of data to the data receiving site. Only information that has been altered, i.e., specific tracks that have been altered, are transferred during successive operations in the second operating mode. Commands from the local production site initiate the transfers between the first and second operating modes.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing input-output requests. Input-output requests are intercepted before any information transfers to a data storage facility. Commands in the input-output request are scanned to determine their starting and ending addresses. The scanned addresses are then converted into an address extent that is coextensive with all the starting and ending addresses associated with commands for transferring data to the data storage facility. That address extent is transferred to the data storage facility and may incorporate fewer addresses than are present in an initial address extent.

Abstract: A method for enabling for enabling overlapped input-output request to a logical device from multiple hosts with explicit allegiances. Parameters including an address range in a new input-output request are tested against corresponding address ranges in other input-output requests in a table assigned to the logical device. If a predetermined address range relationship exits, the new input-output guest transfers to an overlap polling queue.

Abstract: A method for enabling overlapped input/output requests to a logical device using assigned and parallel access unit control blocks. Each I/O request interrupts an operating system to assign a base and related unit control block to the input/output requests. In addition a parallel access control block is associated with each unit control block for a logical volume and a parallel access main control block is established with a logical volume through which each of the base and related unit control block can be identified. An input/output request to a logical device interrupts the operating system to assign one of the base and one of the assigned unit control blocks to the input/output requests after which control transfers back to the operating system. At a disk storage facility, the input/output request is located in a table with other input/output requests and corresponding parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring update activity, particularly in the form of write requests, to a data storage facility, over at least one cycle to identify any write operation or update that occurs to that data storage facility on a track-by-track basis. At the end of each cycle a list of changed tracks is stored in a data set. After information has been accumulated by a collector application, a reporter application manipulates the data to obtain information concerning the track changes and to estimate communication path requirements.

Abstract: A data network with data storage facilities for providing redundant data storage and for enabling concurrent access to the data for multiple purposes. A first data processing system with a first data facility stores a data base and processes transactions or other priority applications. A second data storage facility, that may be physically separated from the first data storage facility, mirrors the data in the first data storage facility. In a concurrent access operating mode, the second data storage facility makes the data available to an application concurrently with, but independently of, the operation of the other application. On completion of the concurrent operation, the second data storage facility can reconnect with and synchronizes with the first data storage facility thereby to reestablish the mirroring operation.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the performance of an application on a data processing system that operates with a disk array storage device in which the completion of tasks associated with different transactions with one logical storage device are conditions precedent to the completion of other transactions. Specific tasks related to the one logical device are given priority over tasks related to all other logical storage devices. In a specific implementation reconnect tasks are given the highest priority with reconnect tasks from the one logical storage device being given the highest priority. A second category of tasks related to the one logical storage device can be given priority over all other tasks except reconnect tasks. All other tasks are given a priority below that of the first and second task categories.

Abstract: A method for enabling a data processing system with a host running under an operating system and with a disk array storage device organized by logical devices to process panel I/O requests to a logical device from one or more host processors concurrently. The system includes a parallel access control block that identifies unit control blocks assigned to the same logical device. If an I/O request is received while a main UCB unit is busy, the main control block identifies another unit control block to enable an overlapped access to the logical device.