Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a production server using a storage array. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a storage array may include a memory coupled to a processor, the memory having program instructions configured to cause and/or enable the storage array to: receive hardware information from a multipath input/output (MPIO) module of each of a plurality of production servers in communication with the storage array; provide the hardware information to a management server in communication with the storage array; receive a command from the management server targeting a selected production server; and transmit the command to a selected MPIO module of the selected production server.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for IO leveling comprising receiving an IO, determining if there is a delay for processing IO because of pending IO, based on a positive determination there is a delay for processing IO, determining a priority for the IO, and based on the priority of IO determining whether to process the IO.

Abstract: A backup engine of a first storage system receives a request to perform a backup session from the first storage system to a second storage system based on a backup service level objective (SLO) that has been configured for the backup session. In response to the request, it is determined that a first backup resource allocated for the backup session by the first storage system cannot satisfy the SLO based on statistics of prior backup sessions in view of characteristics of the backup session to be performed. A dynamic resource allocation (DRA) module is to dynamically perform a first DRA to modify the first backup resource to satisfy the SLO. The backup engine then initiates the backup session by transmitting backup data from the first storage system to the second storage system using the modified first backup resource.

Abstract: A backup copy of a production device is used to quantify suitability of host application data for placement on individual managed drives and virtualized managed drives based on storage capabilities associated with those drives. A data analysis program on a data backup storage array may generate block backup statistics to indicate that a production device or certain chunks, blocks or volumes of host application data are highly compressible or reducible via deduplication. The block backup statistics are sent from the data backup storage array to the primary storage array. The primary storage array uses the block backup statistics to select a particular storage resource with suitable storage capabilities for the data. Highly compressible data may be stored on a storage virtualization storage array with data compression capability, and data that is neither highly compressible nor reducible with deduplication may be stored on local resources.

Abstract: One example method includes receiving an IO associated with a process initiated by an application, where the IO is identified by a tag that corresponds to the process. The method further includes saving the tag on a device that is an element of a storage group (SG) that is specific to the application, and correlating the tag with a data protection process that is associated with the application. When a request is received to perform an SG protection process, the SG protection process is performed on the tagged device.

Abstract: A host server in a server cluster has a memory allocator that creates a dedicated host application data cache in storage class memory. A background routine destages host application data from the dedicated cache in accordance with a destaging plan. For example, a newly written extent may be destaged based on aging. All extents may be flushed from the dedicated cache following host server reboot. All extents associated with a particular production volume may be flushed from the dedicated cache in response to a sync message from a storage array.

Abstract: A host server in a server cluster has a memory allocator that creates a dedicated host application data cache in storage class memory. A background routine destages host application data from the dedicated cache in accordance with a destaging plan. For example, a newly written extent may be destaged based on aging. All extents may be flushed from the dedicated cache following host server reboot. All extents associated with a particular production volume may be flushed from the dedicated cache in response to a sync message from a storage array.

Abstract: Techniques for inter-host communication may include issuing a first message from a first host; and sending the first message from the first host to a second host. Sending the first message may include transmitting the first message indirectly to the second host over a first connection between a first data storage system and a second data storage system. The first connection may be used in connection with data replication to maintain a first device of the first data storage system and a second device of the second data storage system as synchronous mirrored copies of a first logical device. Multiple logical devices configured for synchronous replication may be used for inter-host communication. Alternatively, a single logical device configured for synchronous replication may be used for inter-host communication.

Abstract: I/O storage processing behavior is controlled on a storage system based on an application instance of an I/O request. I/O storage processing behavior may be associated with application instances on a host by creating a table or other data structure that assigns identifiers to each application instance and specifies associate behavior(s) with the application instance. The table may associate behavior to application instances based on logical groupings of application instances, which may be based on existing defined groups or other logical entities, for example, a container or VM. A host may communicate the table to a storage system, and the storage system may store information from the table. An I/O request on the host may be tagged with an ID from the table, and sent to the storage system, which controls the I/O storage processing of the I/O request according to the tagged ID.

Abstract: Techniques for processing I/O operations may include: receiving, an I/O operation including a tag value denoting a process of a database application that issued the I/O operation; determining, in accordance with the tag value, whether the I/O operation is directed to a data file storing content of a database or a log file of recorded operations of the database; and responsive to determining the I/O operation is directed to a data file storing content of the database, performing processing including: determining a current configuration setting of the database that indicates whether the database is configured for use with the database application as an in-memory database; and determining, in accordance with current configuration setting of the database, a first service level objective for the I/O operation, wherein the first service level objective for the I/O operation is a default service level objective or a revised service level objective.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a server and a storage array. The server includes a memory buffer that stores data for an operating system executed within the server. The server detects that a shut down of the server has been initiated, and provides a signal indicating that the shut down has been initiated. The storage array receives the signal from the server, and increases a service level objective of write commands from the server in response to the signal being received.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems, and a computer program product for detecting and avoiding storage array performance degradation. The method includes anticipating an unpredictable performance state of a storage device in a storage array that degrades storage array functionality according to a performance profile for a storage device type of the storage device. In response, performance of the storage array may be adjusted to avoid the storage device entering the unpredictable performance state.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises a set of input-output queues and a multi-path input-output driver configured to select input-output operations from the set of input-output queues for delivery to the storage system over the network. The multi-path input-output driver is further configured to determine data reduction control indicators for the input-output operations, and to provide the data reduction control indicators to the storage system in association with the input-output operations. Different data reduction control indicators are associated with different ones of the input-output operations that are generated by different processes running on the host device. The storage system adapts its performance of data reduction for the different ones of the input-output operations based at least in part on their associated data reduction control indicators.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises a set of input-output queues and a multi-path input-output driver configured to select input-output operations from the set of input-output queues for delivery to the storage system over the network. The multi-path input-output driver is further configured to generate a command comprising a cluster identifier of a cluster that includes the first host device and at least a second host device, and to send the command to the storage system over the network. The command is configured for utilization by the storage system to verify that the second host device is part of the same cluster as the first host device. The command may further comprise a group identifier for utilization by the storage system to identify the first host device of the cluster having the cluster identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises a set of input-output queues and a multi-path input-output driver configured to select input-output operations from the set of input-output queues for delivery to the storage system over the network. The multi-path input-output driver is further configured to send a predetermined command to the storage system over each of a plurality of paths from the host device to the storage system, to monitor a response time for the predetermined command on each of the paths, and to detect a performance issue with at least a given one of the paths based at least in part on the monitored response time. The predetermined command illustratively comprises a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) “immediate” command of a particular type, such as a Test Unit Ready (TUR) command.

Abstract: Systems and methods for replicating data are disclosed. Data stored in a compressed form on a source storage array or device can be read and transmitted to a destination storage array or device. The replication of data is achieved without having to decompress the data.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises a set of input-output queues and a multi-path input-output driver configured to select input-output operations from the set of input-output queues for delivery to the storage system over the network. The multi-path input-output driver is further configured to determine data reduction control indicators for the input-output operations, and to provide the data reduction control indicators to the storage system in association with the input-output operations. Different data reduction control indicators are associated with different ones of the input-output operations that are generated by different processes running on the host device. The storage system adapts its performance of data reduction for the different ones of the input-output operations based at least in part on their associated data reduction control indicators.

Abstract: Described are techniques for processing I/O operations that may include: issuing, by a process of an application on a host, an I/O operation; tagging the I/O operation with a tag value in accordance with a process name associated with the process that issued the I/O operation; sending the I/O operation from the host to a data storage system; and determining, on the data storage system, an service level objective (SLO) for the I/O operation in accordance with the tag value of the I/O operation. The process name may include a first portion and a second customizable or configurable portion used to distinguish between different instance of the same application process. It may be determined which of multiple time-dependent SLOs for the process name is active and used with the I/O operation based on a receipt or processing time associated with the I/O operation.

Abstract: Execution of I/O operations for an application is managed to improve consistency of performance for an I/O performance metric for the application. Such control may be achieved by defining a value for a performance resilience objective (PRO) parameter, and applying the PRO value to I/O requests of the application. The PRO value may define a value indicative of an extent to which I/O performance can deviate from a performance objective (e.g., as defined by a service level) over time; i.e., a tolerance for such deviation. Components of a computer network may be configured to apply PRO values to I/O requests for one or more applications. The PRO values of applications may be distributed to one or more components of a data storage system and one or more components of a host system, and these components may be configured to apply the PRO values to I/O requests of the subject applications.

Abstract: A system for storing data is disclosed that includes a server and a de-duplication signature processor configured to operate on the server and to generate a de-duplication signature for a data block. The server is configured to access a storage array over a network and to transmit the de-duplication signature to the storage array, and to receive a response from the storage as a function of the de-duplication signature.