Abstract: A data storage and retrieval system includes a head carriage unit having a working surface and multiple heads disposed at the working surface. The head carriage unit is adapted for rotational motion about an axis oriented substantially normal to the working surface. The system also includes a tape drive unit for moving a tape media past the working surface of the head carriage unit, the tape media having a width approximately equal to a width of the working surface of the head carriage unit. The multiple heads are configured to record multiple data tracks on or retrieve multiple data tracks from the tape media as the head carriage unit rotates while the tape media moves past the working surface of the head carriage unit.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval system includes a head carriage unit having a working surface and multiple heads disposed at the working surface. The head carriage unit is adapted for rotational motion about an axis oriented substantially normal to the working surface. The system also includes a tape drive unit for moving a tape media past the working surface of the head carriage unit, the tape media having a width approximately equal to a width of the working surface of the head carriage unit. The multiple heads are configured to record multiple data tracks on or retrieve multiple data tracks from the tape media as the head carriage unit rotates while the tape media moves past the working surface of the head carriage unit.

Abstract: A heat sink for use with a heat generating component includes a molded cooling block including a molded cooling passage for receiving a cooling medium. The cooling block is configured to be positioned in sufficient heat transfer relationship with respect to the heat generating component so that the cooling medium receives heat from the heat generating component.

Abstract: A data deduplication method using a small hash digest dictionary in fast-access memory. The method includes receiving customer data, dividing the data into smaller chunks, and assigning hash values to each chunk. For each chunk, the method includes performing lookup for a duplicate chunk by accessing a small dictionary in memory with the chunk's hash value. When no entry, the small dictionary is updated to include the hash value to fill the dictionary with earliest received data. When an entry is found, the entry's hash value is compared with lookup value and if matched, reference data is returned and an entry counter is incremented. If not matched, additional accesses are attempted such as with additional indexes calculated using the hash value. Collisions may trigger an entry replacement such that some initially entered entries are replaced when determined to not be most repeating values such as based on their counter value.

Abstract: A head carriage unit in a data storage and retrieval system and method has a substantially planar working surface and multiple heads disposed at the working surface. The head carriage unit is adapted for rotational motion about an axis oriented substantially normal to the working surface. A tape drive unit moves a tape media past the working surface of the head carriage unit, the tape media having a width approximately equal to a width of the working surface of the head carriage unit. The multiple heads record multiple data tracks on or retrieve multiple data tracks from the tape media as the head carriage unit rotates while the tape media moves past the working surface of the head carriage unit.

Abstract: A data deduplication method using a small hash digest dictionary in fast-access memory. The method includes receiving customer data, dividing the data into smaller chunks, and assigning hash values to each chunk. For each chunk, the method includes performing lookup for a duplicate chunk by accessing a small dictionary in memory with the chunk's hash value. When no entry, the small dictionary is updated to include the hash value to fill the dictionary with earliest received data. When an entry is found, the entry's hash value is compared with lookup value and if matched, reference data is returned and an entry counter is incremented. If not matched, additional accesses are attempted such as with additional indexes calculated using the hash value. Collisions may trigger an entry replacement such that some initially entered entries are replaced when determined to not be most repeating values such as based on their counter value.

Abstract: The classification of data stored on a storage medium is dynamically modified without the data being relocated to another storage medium. Data stored on a plurality of storage mediums is classified independent of the physical location at which the data resides. Rather than moving data to storage media that possess different classifications, the data itself receives a classification apart from the storage medium. Data which is considered high priority would be afforded maximum use of the storage medium resources and bandwidth availability. Data that is of lower interest is classified with a lower classification resulting in differing levels of resources authorized to access that data. Throughout this reclassification process the data remains resident on the same storage medium.

Abstract: An active membrane creates a secure area around one or more devices. The active membrane forms a physical barrier between the encased secure area and an external environment. Linked to the membrane and acting as the sole interface between the secure area and the outside environment is a boundary interface. The boundary interface tunnels data to the secure area in a secure fashion. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the boundary interface utilizes symmetric and/or asymmetric cryptographic techniques to secure the data path. The boundary interface is also coupled to the active membrane, and upon the membrane sensing a breach of the membrane (thus signifying an intrusion of the secure area), the boundary interface can be configured to sever the data paths linking the secure area with the unsecured area as well as take other active steps to ensure that data within the secure area is not compromised.

Abstract: A heat sink for use with a heat generating component includes a molded cooling block including a molded cooling passage for receiving a cooling medium. The cooling block is configured to be positioned in sufficient heat transfer relationship with respect to the heat generating component so that the cooling medium receives heat from the heat generating component.

Abstract: The state of a computing environment is captured and heterogeneously stored on a network using self-organizing data portions. Altered portions of data of a captured computing state are replicated a plurality of times and each are embedded with a rule set that governs the distribution of the data. The rule set of each portion directs that data portion to relocate itself and remain as distant as possible from other replicated copies of that particular captured state and stored on a heterogeneous storage medium. Simultaneously, data portions that are associated with a similar file or other data structure are directed to maintain proximity with each other within a replicated copy forming a self-organized distribution of data portions.

Abstract: A method for automated resource load balancing in a computing system includes partitioning a plurality of physical resources to create a plurality of dedicated resource sets. A plurality of separate environments are created on the computing system. Each created separate environment is associated with at least one dedicated resource set. The method further includes establishing a user policy that includes a utilization threshold, and for each separate environment, monitoring the utilization of the associated at least one dedicated resource set. The physical resources associated with a particular separate environment are automatically changed based on the monitored utilization for the particular separate environment, and in accordance with the user policy. This provides automated resource load balancing in the computing system.

Abstract: A modularized computing system includes a plurality of modular components that are coupled together forming a network. Each modular component includes a standard network interface. The system further includes an initialization module, a monitor module, a storage medium, and a management module. As a module unit is coupled to the network, the initialization module automatically configures the component to an operable state. The monitor module monitors network operations including performance parameters of each modular component based on a plurality of system policies. Based on information gathered by the monitor module, the management module actively modifies network structure and resource allocation to optimize network performance.

Abstract: A modularized computing system includes a plurality of modular components that are coupled together forming a network. Each modular component includes a standard network interface. The system further includes an initialization module, a monitor module, a storage medium, and a management module. As a module unit is coupled to the network, the initialization module automatically configures the component to an operable state. The monitor module monitors network operations including performance parameters of each modular component based on a plurality of system policies. Based on information gathered by the monitor module, the management module actively modifies network structure and resource allocation to optimize network performance.

Abstract: The classification of data stored on a storage medium is dynamically modified without the data being relocated to another storage medium. Data stored on a plurality of storage mediums is classified independent of the physical location at which the data resides. Rather than moving data to storage media that possess different classifications, the data itself receives a classification apart from the storage medium. Data which is considered high priority would be afforded maximum use of the storage medium resources and bandwidth availability. Data that is of lower interest is classified with a lower classification resulting in differing levels of resources authorized to access that data. Throughout this reclassification process the data remains resident on the same storage medium.

Abstract: An active membrane creates a secure area around one or more devices. The active membrane forms a physical barrier between the encased secure area and an external environment. Linked to the membrane and acting as the sole interface between the secure area and the outside environment is a boundary interface. The boundary interface tunnels data to the secure area in a secure fashion. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the boundary interface utilizes symmetric and/or asymmetric cryptographic techniques to secure the data path. The boundary interface is also coupled to the active membrane, and upon the membrane sensing a breach of the membrane (thus signifying an intrusion of the secure area), the boundary interface can be configured to sever the data paths linking the secure area with the unsecured area as well as take other active steps to ensure that data within the secure area is not compromised.

Abstract: The state of a computing environment is captured and heterogeneously stored on a network using self-organizing data portions. Altered portions of data of a captured computing state are replicated a plurality of times and each are embedded with a rule set that governs the distribution of the data. The rule set of each portion directs that data portion to relocate itself and remain as distant as possible from other replicated copies of that particular captured state and stored on a heterogeneous storage medium. Simultaneously, data portions that are associated with a similar file or other data structure are directed to maintain proximity with each other within a replicated copy forming a self-organized distribution of data portions.

Abstract: A system for providing a configurable graphical user interface useful in managing network devices connected to a network, the system using one or more servers and one or more clients, each server receiving messages from and sending messages to a set of the network devices via a standard server/device protocol, each client communicating with at least one server via a client/server protocol and providing a graphical user interface for receiving requests from a user and displaying information to the user relating to the network devices, the client initiating a graphical user interface in response to a user input by sending an initiation message to the server, and the server then sending resource information and a data stream relating to the current state of the network devices, the client creating a graphical user interface that provides a display relating to the state of the network devices based upon the resource information and data stream, the resource information providing a context for data in the data str