Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for generating fractional checkpoints on a distributed file system by snapshotting subcomponents referred to as “file sets.” The techniques include capturing a present time; calculating from configured parameters a future wakeup time for a subsequent set of checkpoints from the present time; walking a database of meta file set objects to locate at least one meta file set object; calculating a retention period for a snapshot that is being created; and generating a global data-less snapshot for the meta file set object and remote data file set objects associated with the meta file set object, and then repeating the process for subsequent file set objects in the database.

Abstract: Embodiments for enabling snapshot backups in a global name space of a cluster network, by representing the name space of cluster network in an MTree, storing data files organized in a B+ Tree format on one or more data nodes, storing name specific information of the data files in a B+ Tree format in a meta node, wherein a B+ Tree of the meta node accesses each corresponding B+ Tree in each of the one or more data nodes. The process takes snapshot backups of individual MTree limbs, and links the limbs of each snapshot into groups based on a cluster identifier and snapshot identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments for enabling snapshot backups in a global name space of a cluster network, by representing the name space of cluster network in an MTree, storing data files organized in a B+ Tree format on one or more data nodes, storing name specific information of the data files in a B+ Tree format in a meta node, wherein a B+ Tree of the meta node accesses each corresponding B+ Tree in each of the one or more data nodes. The process takes snapshot backups of individual MTree limbs, and links the limbs of each snapshot into groups based on a cluster identifier and snapshot identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for generating fractional checkpoints on a distributed file system by snapshotting subcomponents referred to as “file sets.” The techniques include capturing a present time; calculating from configured parameters a future wakeup time for a subsequent set of checkpoints from the present time; walking a database of meta file set objects to locate at least one meta file set object; calculating a retention period for a snapshot that is being created; and generating a global data-less snapshot for the meta file set object and remote data file set objects associated with the meta file set object, and then repeating the process for subsequent file set objects in the database.

Abstract: Described is a system (and technique) to determine an appropriate path to a storage device and scheduling a data transfer by taking into consideration bandwidth, device performance, and the nature of the transfer. The system may use an efficient implementation to reduce overhead when making such a determination by utilizing a reservation table and selecting a dispatch that is efficient for a particular data transfer. For example, the system may determine a first-fit and a future-fit scheduling for an I/O request for each path to a storage device. The system may determine completion times for each of the types of scheduling for each of the paths, and accordingly, select the path and schedule with the earliest completion time.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a requirements-based performance monitor (RBPM) that presents users, through a command line interface or graphical user interface, with a single number in the range of 1-100% and/or a color-coded indicator that allows users to readily tell if the I/O needs of their primary applications in a virtualized computing system are being sufficiently satisfied. The RBPM takes into account both device latency, throughput, IOPS, and slow I/O measurements and primary application requirements. The process uses detailed device latency tables for each device to allow a user to find the particular device and time that performance degradation occurred.

Abstract: Described is a system (and technique) to determine an appropriate path to a storage device and scheduling a data transfer by taking into consideration bandwidth, device performance, and the nature of the transfer. The system may use an efficient implementation to reduce overhead when making such a determination by utilizing a reservation table and selecting a dispatch that is efficient for a particular data transfer. For example, the system may determine a first-fit and a future-fit scheduling for an I/O request for each path to a storage device. The system may determine completion times for each of the types of scheduling for each of the paths, and accordingly, select the path and schedule with the earliest completion time.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a test result of a first disk that was removed from a storage system and tested at a remote testing facility is received. A data analysis is performed on operational statistics data associated with the first disk based on one or more predetermined data patterns, where the operational statistics data was periodically collected from the storage system during operations of the storage system. A failure category of the first disk is determined based on the data analysis by comparing the operational statistics data against the predetermined data patterns. At least one of the data patterns is adjusted for subsequent determination of failure categories in view of an analysis result of the analysis, the failure category, and the testing result received from the testing facility.

Abstract: Described is a system (and technique) to determine an appropriate path to a storage device and scheduling a data transfer by taking into consideration bandwidth, device performance, and the nature of the transfer. The system may use an efficient implementation to reduce overhead when making such a determination by utilizing a reservation table and selecting a dispatch that is efficient for a particular data transfer. For example, the system may determine a first-fit and a future-fit scheduling for an I/O request for each path to a storage device. The system may determine completion times for each of the types of scheduling for each of the paths, and accordingly, select the path and schedule with the earliest completion time.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of optimizing disk striping input/output (I/O) operations to an array of storage devices, by identifying an I/O request as a full stripe write request that stripes data across a plurality of storage devices of the array, converting the full stripe write request to a SCSI command block (CDB), and putting the SCSI command block in one of a stripe cache or a non-stripe cache that comprises a sorted linked list where each node of the linked list is a link to one of the plurality of storage devices.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for determining performance degradation of one or more disks at a storage system include analyzing disk performance statistics of a target storage system periodically collected during a storage of data from a source storage system to the target storage system, wherein the target storage system is a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) storage system comprising of one or more arrays, each array comprising of a plurality of disks. The methods further include creating a predictive model based on the analysis of the collected performance statistics, and predicting, using the predictive model, that one or more disks of an array of the one or more arrays of the RAID storage system has degraded in performance.

Abstract: A device for heating a food item therein is provided, which includes a spout disposed on the exterior of the device through which a food item can be introduced into and dispensed from the device. The spout is selectively covered by a cover when in use to hold the food item within the device while being heated, and the cover can be removed to enable a food container to be engaged with the spout such that the food item can be dispensed from the device into the food container. Additionally, the device can include a number of compartments within the device, one of which can be accessed utilizing a recloseable seal on the device to position a second food item for heating within the device. The volume of the interior space of the device is formed to urge the food item positioned therein to completely surround a temperature-changing element positioned within the device, such that the entire element is insulated by the food item from the exterior of the device when heating or cooling the food item.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermometer assembly adapted to be utilized to sense the temperature of a material within a container, such as a food item heating or cooling container. The assembly includes a spout connected to the container, a closure releasably engageable with the spout, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the closure. The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the container and emits both visible and audible signals regarding the temperature of the food item.

Abstract: The present invention is an ingestible carrier for a medication to be taken orally by an individual. The carrier includes a cavity into which one or more medications can be inserted and frictionally retained by the carrier. The carrier is formed of an easily ingestible material and is shaped in a suitable mold to include the cavity within which the medication can be positioned and retained. The carrier can be easily formed in a mold to enable the dosage form to be quickly easily made available for use.

Abstract: A locking container cap is provided that includes a closure positionable over the top of a container, and a locking ring engaged with the container below the closure and releasably engageable with the closure. The locking member includes a number of lugs that can be engaged within notches formed in the lower end of the closure to securely hold the closure on the container and prevent the removal of the closure by a child. To disengage the closure, the lugs must be disengaged from the notches in the closure prior to rotating either the closure or locking ring with regard to the container.

Abstract: A bagging station is disclosed in which a number of plastic bags on a bag roll can be dispensed from the station in a manner in which enables the bags to be easily opened and filled with various items on the station. The bags are held on the roll within a bag mounting portion on the device and are drawn vertically upwardly into a bag filling portion. The bag is oriented and held in an opened configuration in the bag filling portion to enable to a number of items to be positioned within the bag and maintained on the bag filling portion. Once the bag is filled, the bag can be closed and drawn upwardly out of the bag filling portion, which operates to pull a subsequent bag off of the roll from the bag mounting portion into the bag filling portion prior to separating the filled bag from the subsequent bag, such that the subsequent bag is available for immediate use for filling with other items.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas dispersion container in which a number of gas-generating devices, such as meals ready-to-eat (MREs), can be positioned. The undesirable gases, such as hydrogen gas, that can be generated by the MREs are dispersed from within the container in a manner that maintains the gas levels in the container below minimum safe levels to avoid an unsafe increase in the concentration of the undesirable gases within the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermometer assembly adapted to be utilized to sense the temperature of a material within a container, such as a food item heating or cooling container. The assembly includes a spout connected to the container, a closure releasably engageable with the spout, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the closure. The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the container and emits both visible and audible signals regarding the temperature of the food item.

Abstract: The present invention is a game set for use in an object throwing game in which projectiles are rolled, tossed or otherwise moved towards a target object. Each projectile includes a distance measuring means disposed within the projectile that can send and receive signals from a control device. The distance measuring system including the measuring means and the control devices allow for an individual or individuals playing the game to measure in a highly accurate manner the positioning of the projectiles with regard to the target object and with regard to one another in order to determine the exact locations of the projectiles, and which projectile or projectiles are positioned closer to the target object than the remaining projectiles. All information regarding the distance between the projectiles and the target object can be received and displayed on the control device for easy administration of the game.

Abstract: The present invention is a device releasably attachable to a beverage-containing can or bottle that is operable to selectively heat or cool a beverage dispensed from the container and through the device for consumption by an individual. The device includes an outer sleeve securable to the beverage container and an inner cartridge containing reactants utilized to generate an endothermic or exothermic reaction within the cartridge. The reaction created by the reactants heats or cools beverages dispensed from the container as the beverage flows through conduits disposed in thermal contact with the reactants that extend from a beverage inlet adjacent a lower end of the cartridge to a dispensing outlet adjacent an upper end of the cartridge. The device is removable from the container for use with additional containers, or for disposal and replacement of the cartridge within the sleeve after each use.