Abstract: A system for data backup is provided. The system includes a memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein and a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to receive a request for full data and/or incremental backup for a volume and to perform a full backup of the volume based on a first block size in response to a full data backup request. The processor is configured to generate a digital fingerprint of the full backup and determine if the full backup exists on a backup media based on the generated digital fingerprint and to upload the full backup to the backup media if it is determined that the first backup is unavailable on the backup media and perform an incremental backup of the volume based on a second block size in response to an incremental backup request. The second block size is substantially smaller than the first block size.

Abstract: A system for data backup is provided. The system includes a memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein and a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to receive a request for full data and/or incremental backup for a volume and to perform a full backup of the volume based on a first block size in response to a full data backup request. The processor is configured to generate a digital fingerprint of the full backup and determine if the full backup exists on a backup media based on the generated digital fingerprint and to upload the full backup to the backup media if it is determined that the first backup is unavailable on the backup media and perform an incremental backup of the volume based on a second block size in response to an incremental backup request. The second block size is substantially smaller than the first block size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliable I/O performance anomaly detection. In one embodiment of the method, input/output (I/O) performance data values are stored in memory. A first performance data value is calculated as a function of a first plurality of the I/O performance data values stored in the memory. A first value based on the first performance data value is calculated. An I/O performance data value is compared to the first value. A message is generated in response to comparing the I/O performance value to the first value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliable I/O performance anomaly detection. In one embodiment of the method, input/output (I/O) performance data values are stored in memory. A first performance data value is calculated as a function of a first plurality of the I/O performance data values stored in the memory. A first value based on the first performance data value is calculated. An I/O performance data value is compared to the first value. A message is generated in response to comparing the I/O performance value to the first value.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for cooperative tiering between an application and a storage device. One method can include receiving information from the application where the information identifies a storage object and identifies a location in a storage device. The location identifies one or more tiers of a plurality of tiers included in the storage device, and the storage object is assigned to the one or more tiers. The method also involves detecting whether the storage object is stored in the one or more tiers. If not, the storage device copies the storage object to the identified location. The information can also include an instruction by the application to move the storage object from a first tier to a second tier.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing tiering-aware data defragmentation. One method can involve receiving tiering information from a storage device that comprises multiple tiers. The information specifies a tiering attribute and tiering attribute value for the tiers. The method involves establishing zones that have zone attribute values corresponding to the received tiering attribute values. The method then involves storing a given block in a particular zone in response to detecting that a block attribute value of the block corresponds to a zone attribute value for the zone.

Abstract: Various systems and methods can decide whether information being evicted from a level one (L1) operating system cache should be moved to a level two (L2) operating system cache. The L2 operating system cache can be implemented using a memory technology in which read performance differs from write performance. One method involves detecting that a portion of a file (e.g., a page) is being evicted from a L1 operating system cache. In response to detecting the imminent eviction of the portion of the file, the method determines whether the portion of the file has been read more frequently or written more frequently. Based upon this determination (e.g., in response to determining that the portion of the file has been read more frequently, if the L2 cache provides better read than write performance), the method decides to copy the portion of the file to the L2 operating system cache.