Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for message receipt version management in a distributed computing environment including a plurality of nodes is provided. At least one translation vector is received in at least one additional node of the plurality of nodes from a first node. The translation vector provides information for the at least one additional node to translate between multiple message versions. A message is translated between versions according to the at least one translation vector. The translated message is forwarded to an application program. In one embodiment, the at least one translation vector is stored for future use.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a support member, an electrical circuit, a button and an account identifier. The support member at least partially depicts a measurement device. The electrical circuit is coupled to the support member, and the button is in communication with the electrical circuit such that user interaction with the button activates the electrical circuit causing the electrical circuit to automatically indicate a reading of the measurement device. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage system includes a shell having a plurality of walls and a plurality of rails. The plurality of walls are coupled to one another to form a storage chamber therebetween and to define a plurality of intersection edges. Each of the plurality of intersection edges is formed at a corresponding boundary of two adjacent ones of the plurality of walls. The plurality of rails each extend outwardly from a corresponding one of the plurality of intersection edges with an angled orientation relative to each of the two adjacent ones of the plurality of walls. A cross-sectional thickness of each of the plurality of rails increases as each of the plurality of rails extends away from one of the plurality of intersection edges. Related storage and organization systems, pillows, accessories and methods are also disclosed and provide additional advantages.

Abstract: A transaction card includes an audio circuit, housing and an account identifier. The audio circuit includes memory configured to store an audio file having audio properties. The audio circuit is configured to transform at least one audio property of the audio file such that upon playback of the audio file, the audio file sounds different than when the audio file was initially stored to the memory. The housing substantially encloses the audio circuit, and the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-coil automatic transfer switch (ATS) adapted for automatically switching an appropriately rated component to render the ATS operational over a worldwide voltage range is provided. A low voltage contactor includes a low voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open low voltage main contact. A high voltage contactor is coupled in parallel with the low voltage contactor. The high voltage contactor includes a high voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open high voltage main contact. A normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact is magnetically linked with the high voltage coil. The normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact has a phase opposite the normally open high voltage main contact. The high voltage contactor opens the normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact to disconnect the low voltage coil.

Abstract: A method for data storage includes accepting a management command by a first storage controller, which exchanges data for storage with at least a second storage controller over a dedicated communication connection using a dedicated storage protocol. The management command is addressed to a destination storage controller and contains an instruction to modify or report a data storage configuration in the destination storage controller. Upon determining that the destination storage controller is different from the first storage controller, the management command is forwarded over the dedicated communication connection from the first storage controller to the second storage controller using the dedicated storage protocol.

Abstract: A storage system, consisting of one or more data storage logical units (LUs) formed in physical media. The LUs are adapted to receive command and respond to the commands to store and recall data. The storage system further includes a plurality of ports, each port being adapted to maintain a respective LU command queue for each of the LUs, such that upon receiving a command directed to one of the LUs, the port places the received command in the respective LU command queue. The port converts the received command to one or more converted commands at least some of which are directed to the physical media of the one of the LUs. The port then conveys the commands directed to the physical media in an order determined by the respective LU command queue.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for logging and identifying microcode errors in a computing environment is provided. Each of a plurality of errors in the microcode is logged using a plurality of error logging commands. Each of the plurality of errors is indexed to generate a plurality of indexed errors. A plurality of unique keys is associated to each of the plurality of indexed errors. A master index of the plurality of unique keys is created.

Abstract: A transaction card includes a housing, a first roller, a second roller and a machine readable link. The first roller is rotatably coupled to and at least partially stored within the housing and has a first rotational axis. The second roller is rotatably coupled to and at least partially stored within the housing and has a second rotational axis. The second rotational axis differs from the first rotational axis. The machine readable link to an account or record is coupled with the housing. The account or record is configured to track an associated value available for application toward one of a purchase and a use of one or more of goods and services. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for performing a data exchange between an initiator and a receiver in a fiber channel protocol (FCP) is provided. A control flag is set in a write command to indicate the presence of an identifier. The identifier is copied into a command descriptor block (CDB) of the write command and appended to a data frame. The write command and data frame, including the identifier, is sent from the initiator to the receiver.

Abstract: An intrinsically phase-balanced direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided. The DC UPS includes first, second, and third alternating current (AC) phase inputs. First, second, and third rectifiers are coupled to the first, second, and third AC phase inputs. A common node is coupled to the first, second, and third rectifiers. At least one DC output is coupled to the common node. The at least one DC output is adapted for connection to at least one electrical load. A battery is coupled to the common node. A blocking diode is coupled between the battery and the common node.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for enabling multiple asynchronous direct memory access task executions. DMA I/O operations and performance are improved by reducing the overhead in DMA chaining events by creating a software DMA queue when a hardware DMA queue overflows and dynamically linking new DMA requests to the software queue until a hardware queue becomes available at which time the software queue is put on the hardware queue. Thus, microcode does not need to manage the hardware queues and keep the DMA engine running continuously because it no longer has to wait for microcode to reset the DMA chain completion indicator.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a memory, a housing, an electrical connector and an account identifier. The housing encloses the memory. The electrical connector is securely electrically coupled with the memory and is configured to be selectively received by a socket of a computing device such that the computing device can access the memory via the electrical connector. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record, the account identifier being machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account or record using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for logging a repetitive error in a computer system is provided. The repetitive error is logged after each of a series of progressively increasing time periods. The logging commences when the repetitive error is first identified and concludes when the repetitive error is no longer identified.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and computer program product embodiments for analyzing and configuring a fibre channel link and topology using a portable device are provided. A network microchip is programmed to select at least one of an available plurality of operating modes based on a first user input. The plurality of operating modes include a manual speed selection mode for manually selecting a link speed based on a second user input, an auto speed selection mode for automatically negotiating a highest supported link speed, an auto topology negotiation mode for discovering and reporting all possible port configurations, and a manual topology selection mode for selecting a fibre channel topology based on a third user input.

Abstract: A method of providing and processing a plurality of stored-value cards includes providing a stored-value card assembly including the plurality of stored-value cards in a housing. The plurality of stored-value cards includes a first stored-value card and a last stored-value card. Each of the plurality of stored-value cards is associated with a different account identifier linking each one of the plurality of stored-value cards to a different financial record or account. The different account identifiers collectively define a series of account identifiers. The method further includes scanning the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card using a point-of-sale terminal, and scanning the different account identifier associated with the last stored-value card using the point-of-sale terminal. The housing indicates which of the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card and the last stored-value card should be scanned first.

Abstract: A system for implementing and controlling a plurality of server-specific policies for a plurality of servers using a management module in communication with the plurality of servers is provided. A policy controller module is operational on the management module. The policy controller module is adapted for defining a first policy of a plurality of policies for each of the plurality of servers, managing a plurality of rules relevant to an execution of the first policy, and coordinating the execution of the first policy with an execution of a second policy of the plurality of policies.

Abstract: A method for creating logical volume snapshots in a data storage system, including receiving a first write command to write first data to a partition of a logical volume, generating a first partition descriptor record (PDR), and storing the first data at a first physical location associated with the first PDR. A snapshot command is then received to form a snapshot of the logical volume, after which a second write command is received to write second data to the partition. In response to the second write command, a second PDR is generated and the second data is stored at a second physical location associated with the second PDR. A pointer between the first PDR and the second PDR is generated. In response to a read command indicating a number of a desired snapshot of the logical volume, the first PDR is accessed using the pointer.

Abstract: A method for operating a data storage system that includes a plurality of mass storage devices, which are configured to store data redundantly, the method including determining a characteristic service level of one or more of the mass storage devices and defining a reduced service level, which is less than the characteristic service level. The method further includes performing the following steps automatically: detecting the reduced service level on a first mass storage device in the data storage system; determining that data on the first mass storage device is stored redundantly on a second mass storage device in the data storage system; and in response to detecting the reduced service level, diverting an input/output (IO) request for the data directed to the first mass storage device to the second mass storage device, while operating the first mass storage device at the reduced service level.