Abstract: A fiber channel network is configured into different zones. A first zone of the fiber channel network is configured with an initiator port, a first virtual port for a first physical port on a storage proxy, and a first virtual port for a second physical port on the storage proxy. A second zone of the fiber channel network is configured with a storage target port, a second virtual port for the first physical port on a storage proxy, and a second virtual port for the second physical port on the storage proxy. The virtual ports configured on the storage proxy increase the amount of bandwidth in the fiber channel available for asymmetric data transfers.

Abstract: A storage control system monitors storage operations directed to storage blocks in a storage device. The storage control system uses arrays of counters to track a number of the storage operations, sizes of the storage operations, types of transitions between the storage operations, and time durations between different types of successive storage operations. The storage blocks are classified into different behavioral groups based on the access pattern history of the individual blocks. The behavioral group classifications are then used by the storage control system to determine when to access the storage blocks from the storage device, when to load the storage blocks into a tiering media, or when to time out the storage blocks from the tiering media.

Abstract: A system analyzes access patterns in a storage system. Logic circuitry in the system identifies different address regions of contiguously accessed memory locations. A statistical record identifies a number of storage accesses to the different address regions and a historical record identifies previous address regions accessed prior to the address regions currently being accessed. The logic circuitry is then used to prefetch data from the different address regions according to the statistical record and the historical record.

Abstract: A fibre channel proxy proxies storage operations in a fibre channel storage network. A first set of fibre channel proxy ports are configured to receive storage operations from one or more initiators. A second set of fibre channel proxy ports are configured to forward the storage operations to one or more storage targets. Fibre channel port identifiers for the storage targets are used to communicate with the initiators during the storage operations over the first set of fibre channel proxy ports. Fibre channel port identifiers for the initiators are used to communicate with the storage targets during the storage operations over the second set of fibre channel proxy ports. This scheme allows the fibre channel to operate transparently in the fibre channel network.