Abstract: The present invention is directed to an architecture for promoting improved cloud computing. The architecture includes a plurality of diskless server nodes. The architecture further includes a plurality of Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) switches, the plurality of SAS switches being connected to the plurality of diskless server nodes. The architecture further includes a storage system, the storage system configured for being communicatively coupled to the plurality of servers via the plurality of SAS switches. Further, the storage system is configured for implementing Controlled Replication Under Scalable Hashing (CRUSH) redundancy. Still further, the architecture is configured for dynamically mapping data stores of the storage system to the diskless server nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and controlling a data storage system comprising a web server that has an ability to send and receive communications with one or more data storage systems through the storage system's main data communication path or through an alternate path. The web server may include a routine which continuously monitors the status of the storage system as well as a routine which pushes changed data to a client device operating a browser. The system and method may consolidate the status and provide control of many different independent data storage systems simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method for removing one volume of a redundant data storage system, keeping a delta log of subsequent changes to the remaining volumes of the redundant data storage system, replacing the volume, and rebuilding the volume by using the delta log is disclosed. The system and method are applicable to redundant data storage systems such as RAID systems and mirrored backup systems including remote mirrored systems.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for flexible scalability of storage systems. In one aspect, a storage controller may include an interface to a fabric adapted to permit each storage controller coupled to the fabric to directly access memory mapped components of all other storage controllers coupled to the fabric. The CPU and other master device circuits within a storage controller may directly address memory an I/O devices directly coupled thereto within the same storage controller and may use RDMA features to directly address memory an I/O devices of other storage controllers through the fabric interface.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and controlling a data storage system comprising a web server that has an ability to send and receive communications with one or more data storage systems through the storage system's main data communication path or through an alternate path. The web server may include a routine which continuously monitors the status of the storage system as well as a routine which pushes changed data to a client device operating a browser. The system and method may consolidate the status and provide control of many different independent data storage systems simultaneously.

Abstract: An array of disk drives may be mounted onto a backplane that may slide as a single unit into an enclosure, such as a rack mounted enclosure. The backplane may allow the disk drives to be arranged in multiple columns and rows such that the disk drives are generally parallel to each other. Such an arrangement affords excellent airflow around the disk drives and greatly simplifies servicing of the disk array.

Abstract: Two sets of disk drives are mounted in a grid arrangement onto a backplane to form a removable multi-disk drive unit for a high capacity disk storage system. The removable units may be mounted into an enclosure that contains a RAID controller. The disk drives are mounted such that the longest edge of the disk drive is perpendicular to the plane of the backplane.

Abstract: A network has a finite number of addressable devices plus an additional number of spare devices. A system and method is provided for switching out a failed device and switching in a spare device. A controller is connected to a switch for each device, allowing the controller to connect the device to the network. When a device is switched off the network and a new device connected thereto, the newly connected device is able to arbitrate for the address previously allocated to the removed device. In such a manner, an unlimited number of spare devices may be provided for a network with only a finite number of addressable devices.

Abstract: A method of increasing computer system bandwidth for computer system having two or more memory complexes is disclosed in which exclusive OR operations are performed on the data from the data regions to generate parity information which is stored in the same single cache pool as the data regions. By using a single cache pool for related data regions, bandwidth and performance are improved.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for improving scalability of a storage system. In one embodiment, a storage system comprising a stand-alone storage element that is reconfigurable to improve storage performance features of the storage system. The storage element comprises a plurality of disk drives, each configured for storing data. The storage element also comprises a storage controller communicatively adapted for coupling to a host computer system and configured for processing I/O requests received from the host computer system. The storage controller is also adaptable to interface with another storage controller added to the storage system. When adapted to communicate with the other storage controller, the storage controller of the stand-alone storage element can route the I/O requests to the other storage controller through a switching fabric.

Abstract: An array of disk drives may be mounted onto a backplane that may slide as a single unit into an enclosure, such as a rack mounted enclosure. The backplane may allow the disk drives to be arranged in multiple columns and rows such that the disk drives are generally parallel to each other. Such an arrangement affords excellent airflow around the disk drives and greatly simplifies servicing of the disk array.

Abstract: A system and method for removing one volume of a redundant data storage system, keeping a delta log of subsequent changes to the remaining volumes of the redundant data storage system, replacing the volume, and rebuilding the volume by using the delta log is disclosed. The system and method are applicable to redundant data storage systems such as RAID systems and mirrored backup systems including remote mirrored systems.

Abstract: Two sets of disk drives are mounted in a grid arrangement onto a backplane to form a removable multi-disk drive unit for a high capacity disk storage system. The removable units may be mounted into an enclosure that contains a RAID controller. The disk drives are mounted such that the longest edge of the disk drive is perpendicular to the plane of the backplane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a host interface bypass on a fabric based array controller. An apparatus of the present invention may include an external electronic device suitable for performing a function, a controller and a fabric connection. The controller includes at least one internal module, the internal module providing a controller function. The fabric connection communicatively connects the external device to the controller, wherein the module of the controller is directly accessible by the external electronic device.