Abstract: A storage system creates an abstraction of flash Solid State Device (SSD) media allowing random write operations of arbitrary size by a user while performing large sequential write operations of a uniform size to an SSD array. This reduces the number of random write operations performed in the SSD array and as a result increases performance of the SSD array. A control element determines when blocks from different buffers should be combined together or discarded based on fragmentation and read activity. This optimization scheme increases memory capacity and improves memory utilization and performance.

Abstract: A cluster of storage control members connect different clients to different storage disks. Connection path information between the different clients and disks is discovered and distributed to the storage cluster members. The connection path information is then used to maintain coherency between tiering media contained in the different storage cluster members. Unique Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) identifiers may be associated with the different connection paths to uniquely identify particular storage disks connected to the clients.

Abstract: A storage control system includes performance monitor logic configured to track performance parameters for different volumes in a storage array. Service level enforcement logic is configured to assign target performance parameters to the different volumes and generate metrics for each of the different volumes identifying how much the performance parameters change for the different volumes responsive to changes in the amounts of tiering media allocated to the different volumes. Resource allocation logic is configured to allocate the tiering media to the different volumes according to the performance parameters, target performance parameters, and metrics for the different volumes.

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 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 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.