Abstract: A disclosed method includes assigning a unique identifier to a computer product instance, such as a server, switch, router, or storage device, to be deployed at a data center or other location on behalf of a customer, generating security credentials for the computer product dependent on the identifier, obtaining the credentials by a customer-side automated deployment agent, and using them by the deployment agent during deployment of the computer product. The credentials may be generated by a supplier-side credential management system, then requested and received by the deployment agent over a secure communication channel. The credentials may be generated by a program shared between the supplier-side credential management system and the deployment agent. The identifier may identify a hardware or software component or be selected by the supplier or customer. The credentials may include a username, password, token, cryptographic key, or digital certificate for a first login.

Abstract: A cluster deployment and management system includes a networking device that is coupled to a network and to each of a plurality of node devices in a cluster system. The networking device discovers then validates using a cluster profile each of the plurality of node devices in the cluster system. The networking device may then configure itself and any other networking devices according to the cluster profile. The networking device may then configure each of the plurality of node devices according to the cluster profile and deploy one or more applications and data to the node devices. The networking device may negotiate which of at least two networking devices present on the network and may perform lifecycle management operations on the at least one of the node. The networking device performs lifecycle management on at least one of the node devices during operation of the cluster system.

Abstract: A cluster deployment and management system includes a networking device that is coupled to a network and to each of a plurality of node devices in a cluster system. The networking device discovers then validates using a cluster profile each of the plurality of node devices in the cluster system. The networking device may then configure itself and any other networking devices according to the cluster profile. The networking device may then configure each of the plurality of node devices according to the cluster profile and deploy one or more applications and data to the node devices. The networking device may negotiate which of at least two networking devices present on the network and may perform lifecycle management operations on the at least one of the node. The networking device performs lifecycle management on at least one of the node devices during operation of the cluster system.

Abstract: Providing a service in a storage system includes using a predicate that corresponds to a subset of storage objects in a set of storage objects stored in the storage system. The predicate is used to select or reject the objects to which the service is to be provided. The predicate is applied to the set of storage objects to obtain the subset of storage objects. The service is then invoked for the subset of storage objects selected according to the predicate. A trigger event causes invocation of the service. The trigger event may be periodic and/or may be a storage object lifecycle event, a storage object access related event, an event corresponding to a state change of the storage system, or an event that is external to the storage system. The trigger event may include the predicate being modified.

Abstract: Providing a snapshot copy of data includes selectively collecting a plurality of data objects based on evaluation of a predicate associated with each of the data objects and performing a snapshot operation in connection with modifying at least one of the plurality of data objects. The snapshot operation may be performed prior to modifying the at least one of the plurality of data objects. The snapshot operation may be a copy on write operation. Providing a snapshot copy of data may also include providing a data structure that maintains a plurality of snapshot instances. The data structure may be a table. Each of the snapshot instances may include at least one of: an object set description, a timestamp indicating when the snapshot was initiated, a snapshot name and a handling policy.

Abstract: Determining at least one resource node for deployment of an application in a system having a plurality of compute and storage resource nodes includes determining criteria for nodes based on a policy provided for the application, pruning nodes that do not meet a criteria for deploying the application to provide a plurality of remaining nodes, determining a cost of deploying the application on each of the plurality of remaining nodes, where the cost is based on a metric associated with the application, and selecting for deployment a node having a lowest cost. The application may be a vApp that includes a plurality of virtual machine images. The nodes may be interconnected by communication links having associated therewith costs of moving the application from one node to another.

Abstract: A network storage controller uses a non-volatile solid-state memory (NVSSM) subsystem which includes raw flash memory as stable storage for data, and uses remote direct memory access (RDMA) to access the NVSSM subsystem, including to access the flash memory. Storage of data in the NVSSM subsystem is controlled by an external storage operating system in the storage controller. The storage operating system uses scatter-gather lists to specify the RDMA read and write operations. Multiple client-initiated reads or writes can be combined in the storage controller into a single RDMA read or write, respectively, which can then be decomposed and executed as multiple reads or writes, respectively, in the NVSSM subsystem. Memory accesses generated by a single RDMA read or write may be directed to different memory devices in the NVSSM subsystem, which may include different forms of non-volatile solid-state memory.

Abstract: A network storage controller uses a non-volatile solid-state memory (NVSSM) subsystem which includes raw flash memory as stable storage for data, and uses remote direct memory access (RDMA) to access the NVSSM subsystem, including to access the flash memory. Storage of data in the NVSSM subsystem is controlled by an external storage operating system in the storage controller. The storage operating system uses scatter-gather lists to specify the RDMA read and write operations. Multiple client-initiated reads or writes can be combined in the storage controller into a single RDMA read or write, respectively, which can then be decomposed and executed as multiple reads or writes, respectively, in the NVSSM subsystem. Memory accesses generated by a single RDMA read or write may be directed to different memory devices in the NVSSM subsystem, which may include different forms of non-volatile solid-state memory.

Abstract: Scheduling operations such as asynchronous file system operations in a network storage system is accomplished by applying a bid-price online auction methodology, in which bid (willingness-to-pay) values and price (cost) values are dynamically set by storage clients and a storage server, respectively, based on utilization of computing resources. The system provides a framework for adaptively scheduling asynchronous file system operations, managing multiple key resources of the distributed file system, including network bandwidth, server I/O, server CPU, and client and server memory utilization. The system can accelerate, defer, or cancel asynchronous requests to improve application-perceived performance. Congestion pricing via online auctions can be employed to coordinate the use of system resources by clients, so clients can detect shortages and adapt their resource usage.

Abstract: Providing a snapshot copy of data includes selectively collecting a plurality of data objects based on evaluation of a predicate associated with each of the data objects and performing a snapshot operation in connection with modifying at least one of the plurality of data objects. The snapshot operation may be performed prior to modifying the at least one of the plurality of data objects. The snapshot operation may be a copy on write operation. Providing a snapshot copy of data may also include providing a data structure that maintains a plurality of snapshot instances. The data structure may be a table. Each of the snapshot instances may include at least one of: an object set description, a timestamp indicating when the snapshot was initiated, a snapshot name and a handling policy.

Abstract: Automatic network configuration of cluster paths to access data within a cluster is described. Each node of the cluster presents to clients an image of the cluster as a single system. Each node also stores information regarding what node has particular data, as well as information about network addresses and corresponding network capabilities for the various network addresses for each node. When a node receives a request for data, the node determines a node where the request data can be accessed, determines network addresses and network capabilities for each network address of the node, and selects a path to access the node based on the determined information. The receiving node may select the path based on network type and capability, as well as load and performance of the network.

Abstract: Automatic network configuration of cluster paths to access data within a cluster is described. Each node of the cluster presents to clients an image of the cluster as a single system. Each node also stores information regarding what node has particular data, as well as information about network addresses and corresponding network capabilities for the various network addresses for each node. When a node receives a request for data, the node determines a node where the request data can be accessed, determines network addresses and network capabilities for each network address of the node, and selects a path to access the node based on the determined information. The receiving node may select the path based on network type and capability, as well as load and performance of the network.

Abstract: Automatic network configuration of cluster paths to access data within a cluster is described. Each node of the cluster presents to clients an image of the cluster as a single system. Each node also stores information regarding what node has particular data, as well as information about network addresses and corresponding network capabilities for the various network addresses for each node. When a node receives a request for data, the node determines a node where the request data can be accessed, determines network addresses and network capabilities for each network address of the node, and selects a path to access the node based on the determined information. The receiving node may select the path based on network type and capability, as well as load and performance of the network.

Abstract: A processing system includes a plurality of virtual machines which have shared access to a non-volatile solid-state memory (NVSSM) subsystem, by using remote direct memory access (RDMA). The NVSSM subsystem can include flash memory and other types of non-volatile solid-state memory. The processing system uses scatter-gather lists to specify the RDMA read and write operations. Multiple reads or writes can be combined into a single RDMA read or write, respectively, which can then be decomposed and executed as multiple reads or writes, respectively, in the NVSSM subsystem. Memory accesses generated by a single RDMA read or write may be directed to different memory devices in the NVSSM subsystem, which may include different forms of non-volatile solid-state memory.

Abstract: Scheduling operations such as asynchronous file system operations in a network storage system is accomplished by applying a bid-price online auction methodology, in which bid (willingness-to-pay) values and price (cost) values are dynamically set by storage clients and a storage server, respectively, based on utilization of computing resources. The system provides a framework for adaptively scheduling asynchronous file system operations, managing multiple key resources of the distributed file system, including network bandwidth, server I/O, server CPU, and client and server memory utilization. The system can accelerate, defer, or cancel asynchronous requests to improve application-perceived performance. Congestion pricing via online auctions can be employed to coordinate the use of system resources by clients, so clients can detect shortages and adapt their resource usage.

Abstract: A network storage controller uses a non-volatile solid-state memory (NVSSM) subsystem which includes raw flash memory as stable storage for data, and uses remote direct memory access (RDMA) to access the NVSSM subsystem, including to access the flash memory. Storage of data in the NVSSM subsystem is controlled by an external storage operating system in the storage controller. The storage operating system uses scatter-gather lists to specify the RDMA read and write operations. Multiple client-initiated reads or writes can be combined in the storage controller into a single RDMA read or write, respectively, which can then be decomposed and executed as multiple reads or writes, respectively, in the NVSSM subsystem. Memory accesses generated by a single RDMA read or write may be directed to different memory devices in the NVSSM subsystem, which may include different forms of non-volatile solid-state memory.