Abstract: A host computer dispatches storage I/O operations to a storage array by, in an I/O dispatch context, (i) identifying an I-T-L nexus based on a minimum-weight I-T nexus and a logical device of a storage I/O operation, (ii) dispatching the I/O on the identified I-T-L nexus, and (iii) updating a dispatch weight for the minimum-weight I-T nexus and logical device. In an I/O completion context, a completion weight is updated for an I-T nexus and logical device of a completed I/O. A background process is performed regularly for selecting the minimum-weight I-T nexus, including (a) for each I-T nexus, calculating a current weight value as a sum of difference values for all logical devices, each being the difference between the dispatch weight and the completion weight for the I-T nexus and logical device, and (b) selecting the I-T nexus having a minimum current weight value as the minimum-weight I-T nexus.

Abstract: A technique provides secure access to a set of credentials within a data storage system. The technique involves obtaining a unique identifier (e.g., a hostname which is unique to the system) and a set of stable values (e.g., machine-generated codes which are random to users of the system); and, in response to a storage request from a client application, storing a set of credentials of the client application within a data security mechanism of the data storage system. The set of credentials is in encrypted form when stored within the data security mechanism of the data storage system. The technique further involves configuring the data security mechanism of the data storage system to provide the set of credentials in non-encrypted form in response to new fingerprints matching a system fingerprint which is formed at least in part from the unique identifier and the set of stable values.