Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for grouping connection paths for lock attention data. A grouping request module is included to receive a request to establish a group of connection paths. Each connection path is configured to communicate lock attention data between a host and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control a storage device containing data accessible to a plurality of processes. A connection path selection module is included to select a plurality of connection paths between the host and the control unit and a grouping assignment module configured to assign the plurality of connection paths to a group. In one embodiment, an attention selection module is included to select an attention connection path for communicating lock attention data from any of the connection paths in the group. The attention selection module may select an attention connection path using a load balancing function.

Abstract: A storage controller receives an interrupt control directive from a host. The storage controller generates a first plurality of interrupts, in response to access requests received from the host for at least one storage device coupled to the storage controller, wherein the first plurality of interrupts indicates whether access to the at least one storage device is allowed to the host. The storage controller generates a second plurality of interrupts, wherein the second plurality of interrupts comprises unsolicited interrupts for the host that are different from the first plurality of interrupts. The storage controller controls how many of the first plurality of interrupts and how many of the second plurality interrupts to send to the host, based on the received interrupt control directive.

Abstract: A storage controller receives an interrupt control directive from a host. The storage controller generates a first plurality of interrupts, in response to access requests received from the host for at least one storage device coupled to the storage controller, wherein the first plurality of interrupts indicates whether access to the at least one storage device is allowed to the host. The storage controller generates a second plurality of interrupts, wherein the second plurality of interrupts comprises unsolicited interrupts for the host that are different from the first plurality of interrupts. The storage controller controls how many of the first plurality of interrupts and how many of the second plurality interrupts to send to the host, based on the received interrupt control directive.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to control access to stored information. The method supplies a control unit in communication with a computing device and in communication with stored information. If the computing device requests access to that stored information, the method determines if access to the stored information is available. When access to the stored information becomes available, then the method reserves a communication pathway interconnecting the control unit and the requesting computing device, thereby disallowing the sending of non-MPLF unsolicited status via that reserved communication pathway, and provides a message to the computing device, using that reserved communication pathway, granting access to the stored information.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an alternate lock facility connection path. A request module receives a connection request to establish redundant connection paths between a control unit and a host. A primary connection module establishes a first connection path between the control unit and the host through a first communication channel. An alternate connection module establishes a second connection path between the control unit and the host through a second communication channel. A detection module detects a failure of the first connection path. A redirection module redirects communication between the control unit and the host through the second connection path upon detection of a failure of the first connection path.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting mismatches in a mirror volume. A receive module receives a start indicator from a primary storage system. The start indicator includes a starting location of a first block to be modified on a track in a secondary storage system. The first block corresponds to an identically located first block of a modified record in the primary storage system. The tracks the first blocks on the primary and secondary storage systems each comprise irregular count key data (“CKD”) tracks. A compare module compares the first block location indicated by the start indicator with block locations listed in track metadata. The track metadata describes user records on the irregular CKD tracks of the secondary storage system. An alert module generates an alert in response to the first block not aligning with a beginning block of a record on the secondary storage system.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an alternate lock facility connection path. A request module receives a connection request to establish redundant connection paths between a control unit and a host. A primary connection module establishes a first connection path between the control unit and the host through a first communication channel. An alternate connection module establishes a second connection path between the control unit and the host through a second communication channel. A detection module detects a failure of the first connection path. A redirection module redirects communication between the control unit and the host through the second connection path upon detection of a failure of the first connection path.