Abstract: An improved policy enforcement architecture includes several components that improve the performance of policy enforcement in a hierarchical storage environment. A File System Query instruction permits a richer set of queries to be expressed by a policy engine, thereby permitting more complex policies to be implemented with ease. The File System result is generated at the file server, and only files of interest are forwarded to the policy engine. The file system query advantageously may be applied against a pre-generated index having one more characterizing attributes to further reduce the processing required to retrieve policy data. An Index Build instruction, added to a programming interface, allows a policy engine generate the characterizing indices in advance of use. Index maintenance techniques maintain consistency between the index and the file system to ensure that the policy can be enforced using accurate file information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for achieving scalable communication within a distributed system using dynamic communication trees. In a client server environment, and particularly in such an environment in which storage systems and storage area networks are managed by distributed management software, embodiments of the present invention are presented by which communication trees are built in a manner that evenly distributes load throughout nodes in the network, whereby scalability is enhanced allowing a larger number of nodes than otherwise allowable without such trees. Other advantages achievable by utilization of such trees are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protocol translator for use in a storage system or storage area network for translating between incompatible communication protocols. Apparatus, methodology, computer program product and interface embodiments are disclosed, and code examples are provided, for translating between Common Information Model/eXtensible Markup Language/Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (CIM/XML/HTTP) and Windows Management Interface/Distributed Component Object Model (WMI/DCOM) communication protocols for distributed management software used within a storage system or storage area network in a client server environment.

Abstract: A communication mechanism and method for assisting in the transfer of information between at least two processes through a data storage system is provided. The communication mechanism is provided between a protocol family and the process, and is capable of communicating with both. Both the processes and the protocols may differ depending on the functions desired. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the communication mechanism is a socket interface which it utilized through the use of a series of calls contained in a socket library. The calls contained in the socket library are used to create a socket, and such socket is then used to effectuate a transfer between at least two processes through a data storage system to another process.

Abstract: A backup appliance that can be disposed on a computer adapter card mid-plane internal to a data storage system. The appliance includes logic on the computer adapter card. The logic is configured for selectively allowing either directly controlling the robot picker through the fiber channel connection or indirectly controlling the robot picker by communicating with the backup server. The logic is also configured for controlling buffering of data stored in the data storage system and communicating directly with media backup drives for writing the data from buffers in the data storage system onto the backup media drives.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing resource contention in parallel data backup processes that share a variety of resources in a computer environment to access target data to be backed-up. The target data is distributed among the backup processes based on an availability of one or more resources in the computer environment used by a backup storage system to access the target data. In one example, each data file of the target data is assigned to a particular backup process based on the availability of one or more resources and a total size of the target data. The data files of the target data are assigned to the backup processes such that each backup process backs-up a respective portion of the target data, and such that the collection of backup processes that make up a backup operation are completed in a shortened time as a result of reduced resource contention.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for managing the risk that errors in interpreting program code may lead to costly problems. A code difference criterion related to code value and position is used to lower such risk. Satisfying the criterion ensures that one or more other program codes interpreted in a subsequent instance will be sufficiently different enough from a first program code to be interpreted in a first instance that such problems may be avoided. One aspect of satisfying the difference criterion is requiring that every code have a minimum 2 bits difference from any other code.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, method, apparatus and computer program product for managing a storage system including a SAN within a computer network. The storage system can be managed in object-oriented computer language. Object trees of each component in the storage system or SAN are obtained and combined on each storage processor in the storage system. The user interface (UI) can therefore select one storage processor within the storage system, and request such combined object tree information for the entire storage system or SAN from only that singular storage processor on which such combined information is stored. This eliminates a severe computational drain on the UI, which otherwise would be required to make these object tree combinations, and further allows a single point of storage management contact between UI and storage system or SAN by way of that singular storage or portal processor.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for performing a data management function using correlated data obtained from analyzing work performed on data stored in a data storage system.

Abstract: A system for providing high speed external backup and restoration of data in a data storage system. Individual data objects are backed up in logical order on backup media such as magnetic tape so that they may be retrieved individually. Minimized descriptions of backed up data are transmitted between the host and backup systems to control high speed transfer of data between data servers and backup devices on a separate data channel. The descriptions are manipulated by the backup system to comply with formats of any number of host systems and data storage systems and to efficiently map the backed up data onto the backup devices. The system also provides for restoration of data to the data storage system by using a host system to pre-allocate space for the restored data, obtaining mapping information for the allocated space from the host system, and then directly writing the restored data into the allocated space, based on the mapping information.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for replaying workload data that may be accessed in a data storage environment and then replayed for testing or other reasons. The invention has the capability to extract a trace of all I/Os to a data storage system for an extended period of time and then replay these I/Os back to that or another system. Variables may also be manipulated though the play back system to increase testing flexibility at a lower cost than actually introducing new physical variables.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for preparing workload data that may be accessed in a data storage environment and then replayed for testing or other reasons. The invention has the capability to prepare a trace of I/Os to a data storage system for an extended period of time for replaying these I/Os back to that or another system. Variables may also be manipulated through a preparation process and is particularly useful for customizing benchmarking tests, or consolidation, or trouble-shooting, or capacity planning.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing clarity and simplicity to the task of screening for errors occurring in a data storage system and improving the effectiveness of the response to these errors. The system and method includes and employs a graphical user interface (GUI) for providing clarity and simplicity. Also by constraining entry texts into a controlled entry field, the likelihood of text-entry errors are greatly reduced. Further by providing menu options, simplicity and clarity are improved while likelihood of text-entry errors are also further reduced. Text-entry error checking tools are also provided to further decrease the probability that such errors will occur. The system and method employ a mechanism to allow for remote error screening and responding to the error from a remote location also.

Abstract: There is disclosed a client-server configuration including a peripheral device wherein multiple servers interface with both the client and the peripheral. Management software for determining the operating state of the peripheral, known as server agent software, is employed in the multiple servers under control of the client. In order to avoid conflicting information reflecting multiple operating states of the peripheral, a primary/secondary algorithm is used to enable the client to determine only one peripheral operating state while allowing each server to also verify its connectivity to the peripheral and to the client.

Abstract: This invention is configured to create and use a special data structure containing a data storage device's identification information for a storage device that will be duplicated. Upon such duplication, the special data is stored in a predetermined location on another device receiving the copied data and a flag bit is set to indicate whether or not the information in the data structure should be used to respond to a host inquiry regarding the identification of the storage device. Without reconfiguring the host's operating software, the system employs a method to respond to and satisfy a host inquiry for the storage device's identification information by employing the special data structure. This is done to avoid host conflict errors that might result from a conflict between identification information being replicated from the storage device and the other storage device to where its data is copied.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for use in connection with a host computer connected to a mass storage subsystem, the mass storage subsystem storing information for use in connection with processing of at least one program by the host computer. The arrangement comprises a program input/output interface, a mass storage subsystem interface and a file system control. The program input/output interface is configured to receive program input/output read and write requests from a program, each program input/output read and write request initiating an input/output operation in connection with information stored on a mass storage subsystem. The mass storage subsystem interface is configured to facilitate communications with the mass storage subsystem, including transferring a storage subsystem input/output read and write request thereto and receiving information therefrom.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for efficiently carrying out a restore operation in a data storage environment. The present invention is a system and method for restoring data in a manner that reduces wait time of associated resources. Logic, which is part of the invention, determines whether a restore is in progress when an application on a computer system is involved in trying to perform an I/O operation on a track of data. A protective scheme is used to keep such data from being updated while the restore is taking place. Importantly the system resources do not have to wait for the restore to complete to carry out I/O operations, which are accounted for separately from the data itself and then a synchronization occurs following completion of the restore.

Abstract: A management information transfer system is disclosed for use in connection with a network including one or more host computers and a mass storage subsystem interconnected by a plurality of switching nodes, the management information transfer system being configured to transfer processed management information to a management service center located remotely from the network. The management information transfer system includes a management server that is configured to receive management information from the switching nodes, and possibly the host computers, which may be directed to failures or other malfunctions in connection with their operations. The management server is configured to perform a filtering operation in connection with the management information that it receives from the switching nodes using filtering policies that may be established by, for example, a network administrator.

Abstract: A storage system is provided which includes an internal local area network. The local area network is achieved by providing a separate Ethernet bus as well as Ethernet hardware on each host and disk/tape controller within the storage system. Each host controller and disk/tape controller is coupled to the Ethernet bus via the Ethernet interface hardware. Also coupled to the Ethernet bus is a service processor. The service processor is coupled to the Ethernet bus via an Ethernet hub. All communications between the service processor and the controllers occurs over the Ethernet bus. This allows communications with the controllers which does not materially impact the operation of the storage system in providing storage services to the attached host computers.

Abstract: A backup server controls the backing up of data stored on a mass storage subsystem in response to a backup request from a host identifying data to be backed up during a backup operation, the mass storage subsystem storing data in a plurality of mirrored copies. The backup server comprises a discovery module, a preparation module, an execution module and a clean-up module. The discovery module receives the backup request and identifies, during a discovery phase, at least one storage location on the mass storage subsystem on which data to be backed up during the backup operation is stored. The preparation module, during a preparation phase following the discovery phase, enables the mass storage subsystem to sever one of said mirrored copies and make it available to backup server for the backup operation.