Abstract: A transfer device includes a device body, and an articulated transfer platform. The articulated transfer platform include a distal platform segment and a plurality of intermediate platform segments. A distal locking mechanism is releasably securable to a locking mechanism of a lead intermediate platform segment, and locking mechanisms of successive intermediate platform segment are releasably securable to locking mechanisms of preceding intermediate platform segment. In a stowed position, the successive intermediate platform segments are positioned below the lead intermediate platform segment. In an extended position, the distal platform segment is located laterally away from the device body, the distal locking mechanism is secured to the locking mechanism of the lead intermediate platform segment, and the locking mechanism of a successive intermediate platform segment is secured to the locking mechanism of the lead intermediate platform segment.

Abstract: A method and system for sharing data reduction metadata with storage systems. Specifically, the disclosed method and system entail communicating, to a storage system, information known to host devices from which data (submitted to-be-written to the storage system) may originate. This a priori reduction-pertinent information, which may include the potential to improve storage system efficiency and/or performance at least with respect to data reduction processing of the data submitted to-be-written, had previously been considered incommunicable to the storage system. The disclosed method and system, however, lift this previous limitation and enable communication of any storage system performance-improving information, applicable to the data submitted to-be-written, to the storage system.

Abstract: A method and system for sharing data reduction metadata with storage systems. Specifically, the disclosed method and system entail communicating, to a storage system, information known to host devices from which data (submitted to-be-written to the storage system) may originate. This a priori reduction-pertinent information, which may include the potential to improve storage system efficiency and/or performance at least with respect to data reduction processing of the data submitted to-be-written, had previously been considered incommunicable to the storage system. The disclosed method and system, however, lift this previous limitation and enable communication of any storage system performance-improving information, applicable to the data submitted to-be-written, to the storage system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing resource quality estimation in a resource sharing platform having a master and resources on slaves. Embodiments include storing resource performance data for the resources and estimating resource performance using the stored performance data. A framework can use the estimated resource performance data to select between a first resource offer and a second resource offer, which can be equivalent.