Abstract: An assembler/disassembler mechanism in a data transfer pipeline receives data from FIFOs on a write operation to a memory, and transfers data to FIFOs on a read operation from memory. An enhanced parity mechanism is implemented in the assembler/disassembler to generate a pseudo-random number for each data byte. Enhanced parity generated in another pipeline component and accompanying data transferred from the FIFO (on a write to memory) is exclusive-ORed with LFSR data generated by enhanced parity circuitry in the assembler/disassembler. Integral registers provide a pathway for a respective line processor to access the data string, and allow the processor to access the memory. A counter mechanism counts/controls the amount of data read into and out of the FIFOS. Setting the amount of data to be transferred in and out of the FIFOs, allows data transfer to effectively run independent of the line processor.

Abstract: Power supply slew time testing is performed on units that require a power supply for operation. A power supply voltage is applied to a unit under test. The power supply voltage has a test slew time that is selected to evaluate operation of the unit under test in a system. A response of the unit under test to the power supply having the test slew time is observed, and the condition of the unit under test is determined based on the response to the power supply having the test slew time. The test may involve application of the power supply voltage having a maximum test slew time and application of the power supply voltage having a minimum test slew time. The test slew times are selected based on the expected range of power supply slew times when the unit is installed in a system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating data in a storage device that is coupled to a host computer. Manipulations that can be performed by the storage device include moving non-contiguous blocks of data between the host computer and the storage device in a single operation. Other manipulations can be performed directly by the storage device without passing data to or from the host computer and include copying data from one logical object that is defined on the host computer to another, initializing, backing-up, transforming, or securely deleting a logical object that is defined by the host computer with a single command. In one embodiment, an application programming interface is provided that allows a relationship between logical objects on a host computer and storage locations on a storage device to be communicated between the host computer and the storage device.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis which is generally U-shaped in lateral cross-section and a cover which together define an internal cavity. A fan pack for cooling the computer system is removably disposed within the internal cavity. The fan pack includes three stacked pairs of individual fan units which are disposed in a row within a rectangular housing. The computer system also includes three power supplies for providing power for the computer system, each power supply being slidably disposed within associated power supply receiving channel formed in the chassis. Each power supply includes a housing, power supply electronics disposed within the housing, and a male electrical connector having both alternating and direct current connection capabilities.

Abstract: File locks and file metadata are distributed from a file manager to clients in a data network to permit the clients to share access to file data in data storage. The file manager is permitted to grant a second lock upon the file data without necessarily receiving notification from a client that it has relinquished a first lock on the file data while ensuring that conflicting locks are never granted. The client sets the beginning of a first period of time over which the client may access the file data once the first lock on the file data has been granted by the file manager, and the client sends a lock request to the file manager. The file manager responds by setting the beginning of a second period of time such that the first period of time is certain to have expired once the second period of time has expired, granting the first lock upon the file data to the client, and transmitting a lock grant message to the client.

Abstract: A data storage system wherein end-user data is transferred between a host computer and a bank of disk drives through an interface. The interface includes a memory and a plurality of directors interconnected through an interface state data bus and a plurality of end-user data busses. At least one front-end one of the directors is in communication with the host computer and at least one rear-end one of the directors is in communication with the bank of disk drives. The interface state data bus section is in communication with: both the at least one front-end one and the at least one rear-end one of the directors; and to the memory. Each one of the plurality of end-user data buses has a first end coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors and a second end coupled to the memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying and repairing data coherence problems in a storage system including redundant information. The verification and repair process may be initiated during on-line processing. The verification and repair process may proceed during on-line operation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for distributing solder paste using a tool that defines a solder paste aperture having a non-circular cross-sectional shape. When the non-circular shape coincides with a pad and at least a portion of a stringer leading to the pad during a solder paste distribution process, solder paste is deposited over the pad and the stringer portion. Since solder paste now resides on the stringer portion, solder is not drawn from the pad toward the stringer portion during the soldering process as with some conventional situations. Rather, solder within the solder paste that resides on the stringer portion tends to adhere to the stringer portion, while some of the solder volume over the stringer pulls back to join the solder over the pad due to surface tension of the solder. The end result is a robust solder joint between the pad and corresponding component contact.

Abstract: An electrical cabinet stores, or houses, a variety electrical components. The electrical components within the cabinet may be interconnected and may be connected to other electrical components external to the cabinet. The cabinet has an access door with a door stop that allows the door to be locked in an open position. The cabinet contains a workstation with a pivoting platform that supports an electrical component. The cabinet has an extendable bracket that extends allows an electrical component to be extended from the cabinet and removed by lifting the component in an upward direction. The cabinet has a board guide module that aligns a circuit board with an electrical connector in the cabinet. The cabinet has a bulkhead connector that reduces electromagnetic degradation in electrical cables that extend from the cabinet.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for obtaining a connection characteristic (e.g., pin wipe) of a connection assembly having a first set of contacts (e.g., pin-receiving contacts of circuit board connectors) and a second set of contacts (e.g., pins of backplane connectors) using less destructive approaches than a conventional disassembly approach. In particular, the invention does not rely on disassembling a backplane from a card cage and cutting connectors. Rather, in one arrangement, the invention uses a test structure in place of a normal operating circuit board. The test structure includes a support member (e.g., circuit board material) that supports the first set of contacts, and that is capable of moving relative to the second set of contacts. The test structure further includes a detection circuit, coupled to the support member, that detects an electrical event resulting from movement of the first set of contacts relative to the second set of contacts (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indenting changes to a logical object on a host computer by examining information relating to a physical level in a data storage system wherein the logical object is stored. In one embodiment, a method for determining changes to a logical object subsequent to a reference time is described for a logical object that belongs to an application layer of a host computer in a computer system. The computer system includes the host computer, a storage system, and at least one mapping layer that maps the logical object to a physical layer relating to physical storage locations on the storage system. The physical layer includes physical change information relating to changes made to the physical storage locations on the storage system subsequent to the reference time.

Abstract: Data reduction for testing results obtained from the diagnostic testing of signal integrity at node points along a PC board using a Rank-of-Ranks data analysis methodology. The Rank-of-Ranks methodology including a reduction of node points along the PC board by the application of a node point reduction algorithm. Calculating a ratio of the Standard Deviation by the Mean for each node point and for each testing parameter to arrive at a Coefficient of Variation. Each node point is sorted and ranked based on the Coefficient of Variation for each tested parameter at a time. At each node point, Rank values of all the parameters are summed and then sorted on the basis of the Rank values. The node points are Re-ranked based on the sorted Rank values. The Re-ranked node points are entered into an ordered list or matrix where critical node points are chosen from the top of the Re-ranked node points for study, re-design and/or further testing of the PC board.

Abstract: A handheld computer system for data collection tasks includes a front housing having a first set of spaced apart ribs and a rear housing having a second set of spaced apart ribs. A logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and serves as the motherboard for the computer system. A digital camera electrically connected to the logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and provides the computer system with bar code recognition and monochrome imaging capabilities. A 2.4 Ghertz, spread spectrum radio frequency transmitter electrically connected to the logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and provides the computer system with data transmission capabilities.

Abstract: A safety sensor mechanism (10) for a rotary sterilizer (16) including a slider plate (40) positioned in the revolving path of cans (11) and movable away from a discharge opening (28) of the sterilizer. The safety mechanism includes slider bars (44) and tubular housings (48) with coil springs (50) for creating a spring-loaded slider plate that yields if engaged by a misaligned can that does not proper eject from the sterilizer.

Abstract: A test clip is provided for electrically interfacing an electronic component to test equipment used to electrically test the component and/or an electronic unit incorporating the component. The test clip is readily aligned on and secured to the electronic component to convert the component leads into accessible test points that may be probed or easily connected to the test equipment. The test clip may include one or more replaceable contacts that can be replaced, either individually or in one or more groups, when a contact becomes damaged or worn. The replaceable contacts may include one or more lead contacts that are electrically connected to test point contacts. The lead contacts may be adjustably supported on the test clip so that they can be properly aligned with the component leads. The contacts may also include one or more replaceable interface connectors, which may be provided with a resilient interconnector, for electrically interconnecting the component leads to the lead contacts of the test clip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a common data set to be utilized by multiple data processes. During a first operating mode, first and second data stores in a data storage facility with a common buffer attach to a first data process and act as mirrors. Data to be written transfers to the common buffer and then to the data stores. A second command produces a split whereby the first data store remains attached to the first data process and the second data store is available to the second data process. After the second command is executed, any data in the common buffer is transferred to the corresponding data stores in parallel with and transparently to the actions between the first and second data processes and the first and second data stores, respectively.

Abstract: A data storage system is constructed to rapidly respond to a physical backup request for backup of a physical storage unit such as a disk volume or cylinder. A user, however, may request backup of a logical data structure such as a file having a rather complex mapping to a number of physical storage components such as a number of disk tracks. For backup and restore of such a logical data structure, a backup agent requests an application interface routine to backup a physical storage unit that includes the logical data structure. The application interface routine issues a corresponding physical backup request to the data storage system, and creates a catalog of information about content of the physical storage unit that would be needed for restoring the logical data structure from the backup version of the physical storage unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for backup in restoring data on a computer system are disclosed. Backups may include a differential backup. In a differential backup, only some (but not all) segments of data in a primary copy are backed up. The segments may correspond to physical segments of storage in a storage system, rather than logical level segments of storage. The method and apparatus may include constructing a complete copy of a backed up element from an earlier fill backup and a subsequent differential backup.

Abstract: A method for copying a data file from a source device to a destination device. In response to a copy command from a requesting host application identifying the source file and the storage locations in a destination, an extents track is formed to establish an environment in which the file will be copied. The calling system receives an immediate response that the copy operation is complete even though no data has been copied. Application programs may access the file in either the source or the destination. A copy program transfers the file on a track-by-track basis to the destination storage locations. Procedures assure that any data access to a particular track in either the source or destination by any application prior to the transfer of that track are accommodated to maintain data integrity.

Abstract: A method and a control device is provided for upgrading computer system hardware, for example, on a printed circuit board, with system revision information. The method includes receiving, a serial data stream having data bits associated with the system revision information through a serial input of the control device, determining the start of the data bits, and storing at least a portion of the data bits associated with the system revision information within a read-only register of the control device.