Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a disk-to-disk-to-tape backup method and system responsive to a combined backup request to backup a dataset to a backup disk according to a disk backup schedule and then to backup the dataset from the backup disk to a backup tape according to a tape backup schedule. The combined backup method completes a backup of the dataset to the backup disk and then to a backup tape device in accordance with a resolved schedule that considers potential conflicts between the schedules. To restore, aspects of the invention receive a request to restore a backup of the dataset from a backup-tape and the resolved schedule derived from the tape backup schedule and the disk backup schedule. The restoration verifies that a backup tape holds the target dataset by matching a combined backup identifier from the request against a corresponding combined backup identifier held in storage.

Abstract: An archive method and system receives a backup request for a target dataset used by an application on a primary storage system to be backed up on a secondary storage system. Different applications may each have a corresponding proprietary application format for storing their datasets. An application translator module is loaded into an extensible backup manager that converts between a proprietary application format associated with the target dataset and a predetermined storage format used by the extensible backup manager. The application translator module converts from the proprietary application format into the predetermined storage format when the baseline backup of the target dataset has not yet been performed. An incremental backup uses the application translator module to convert from the proprietary application format associated with the application into the predetermined storage format of the extensible backup manager.

Abstract: Featured is a storage container having a rectangular base with a front wall folded upwardly along a front edge of the rectangular base, a back wall folded upwardly along a back edge of the rectangular base, a outer cover panel extension to the front wall having a pair of widths and having a cover tuck flap, wherein each edge along the pair of widths in the outer cover panel extension has cutouts in a smooth shape, an inner cover panel extension to the back wall having a pair of widths folded along a top edge of the back wall, each edge along the pair of widths of the inner cover panel extension has cutouts in a smooth shape and a pair of end walls extending upwardly along a side edge of the rectangular base with a pair of grab areas allowing fingers extending towards outer cover panel passing over cutouts having the smooth shape.

Abstract: A method of transmitting audio content over a communication network includes generating a predetermined audio content in a format capable of being transmitted to members in the publisher's network; receiving a request for the predetermined audio content from the members interested in receiving the audio content; embedding advertisements into the predetermined audio content selected according to details describing each of the members and transmitting to each of the members the predetermined audio content embedded with the advertisements selected specifically for each member. Additionally, a communication method selectively transmits messages between a publisher and members of a publisher's network.

Abstract: A method and system to add a storage controller in a SAN includes receiving a storage controller node to add to a logical storage controller in the storage area network having a logical nodename and a sequence of logical ports, adopting the logical nodename from the logical storage controller in place of the predetermined nodename associated with the storage controller and renumbering a set of ports associated with the storage controller to extend the sequence of logical ports associated with the logical storage controller. Removing the storage controller includes removing a storage controller node from the logical storage controller in the storage area network having a logical nodename and a sequence of logical ports, deleting the set of ports associated with the removed storage controller from the sequence of logical ports associated with the logical storage controller and renumbering the sequence of logical ports to accommodate the deleted ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting information from ports on a storage network and performing flow control is provided. The data collection method and apparatus includes, identifying a data type transported on the storage network, selecting a port-storage identifier to measure the data type transported across the storage network, monitoring the port-storage identifier on the storage network for the data type, and enumerating occurrences of the data type associated with the port-storage identifier while monitoring the port-storage identifier and the data type.

Abstract: A portable magnification stand includes an upper planar lens unit that holds a lens for magnifying objects. Swingable extensions to the upper planar lens unit shaped as trapezoidal planar materials can be used in lieu of adjustable arms to provide the appropriate magnification in a more compact and lighter weight design. These extensions are longer in the front portion of the stand compared with the back portion of the stand causing the magnification of objects to appear greater near the front portion of the upper planar lens unit compared with objects near the near the back portion of the upper planar lens unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention feature a storage container formed from cardboard material. This particular storage container has a rectangular base unit having a front wall folded upwardly along a folded front edge of the rectangular base, a back wall folded upwardly along a folded back edge of the rectangular base with at least one cover slot and integral cover secure flap extending from within the at least one cover slot. On the top of the storage container, a outer cover panel extension to the front wall is folded in a spaced and parallel relationship to the rectangular base along a folded top edge of the front wall and having at least one cover tuck flap with an integral cover secure slot both cooperating with the at least one cover slot and integral cover secure flap respectively. Under the cardboard outer cover panel is an inner cover panel extension to the back wall folded along a folded top edge of the back wall in a spaced and parallel relationship to the rectangular base.

Abstract: Provided is a computer implemented method and interface for mapping image intensities on a computing device. The processing method includes displaying an image on a display device having a range of intensities, subdividing the range of intensities from the image on the display device into a set of intensity zones, associating each intensity zone with one or more segments of a graphical diagram to be displayed on a computer device and moving a partition separating the one or more segments of the graphical diagram displayed on the computer device to change the intensity levels of the displayed image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to discover and integrate applications in an application router framework. The discovery operation includes receiving a registration notification for an application on a network, adding information describing the application to a repository into a data structure and publishing the data structure onto an application router. The association operations include querying one or more application routers on an application network for meta-data and other information on applications, exchanging the meta-data and other information between the application routers and associating the applications together automatically using their respective application protocols.

Abstract: One or more circuits that validate data frames are provided. The validation may validate information for a fiber channel header and information for a small computer system interface (SCSI) header. The validation is performed by one or more circuits at wire speed.

Abstract: A storage server in a storage area network (SAN) environment connecting host computers and storage devices. The storage server includes a plurality of storage processors and a switching circuit. Data is routed between the storage processors via the switching circuit according to routing tags. The routing tags are examined prior to completely receiving the data, allowing the data to be routed with minimal delay.

Abstract: A method and system to enter a time out interval in a storage area network includes identifying a time slot in a sequence of time slots to insert a time out event for the event in the storage area network, determining if other events in the storage network already have corresponding other time out events in the same time slot and inserting the time out event for the event in the identified time slot along with the other time out events and the other corresponding events. Monitoring time out intervals for the events includes receiving a request to determine if events in the storage area network have timed out, identifying events associated with a current time slot, determining if the identified current time slot is empty, removing events from the identified current time slot in response to the determination and notifying a time-out handler to perform appropriate time-out related processing.

Abstract: A sleep system includes sensors capable of gathering sleep data from a person and environmental data during a sleep by the person. A processor executes instructions that analyze this data and control the sleep of the person and the environment surrounding the person. Typically, the instructions are loaded in a memory where they execute to generate an objective measure of sleep quality from the sleep data from the person and gather environmental data during the sleep by the person. Upon execution, the instructions receive a subjective measure of sleep quality from the person after the sleep, create a sleep quality index from the objective measure of sleep quality and subjective measure of sleep quality, correlate the sleep quality index and a current sleep system settings with a historical sleep quality index and corresponding historical sleep system settings.

Abstract: A cache connected to the virtualization engine in the center of a storage area network. The invention caches data in a virtual cache, without requiring translation to the physical location. The cache is done as the data crosses the network through the virtualization engine, eliminating the need to do the further translation and forwarding over the network to the actual storage controller in the event the data is in the cache. In addition, the invention eliminates the need for multiple caches at each physical storage controller.