Patents by Inventor Dai Taninaka

Dai Taninaka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8296468
    Abstract: A storage controller that performs user-friendly information display, simplifies updating of support information, has external storage controllers to provide sufficient input/output performance, and expands the range of external storage controllers to be supported; and a controlling method for that storage controller. The storage controller includes a code extract/convert unit for converting a first code indicating a vendor name and/or device name of an external storage controller, obtained based on inquiry data transmitted from the external storage controller, into a second code indicating a real vendor name and/or real device name of the external storage controller. The storage controller creates support information that compiles information of each model regarding whether or not it can be connected to the respective external storage controllers. Furthermore, a path control system and a timeout time can be set for the respective external storage controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosaku Kambayashi, Dai Taninaka
  • Publication number: 20120265955
    Abstract: A storage control apparatus comprises a virtualization control part in addition to a copy control part determining whether or not a PVOL (a copy-source VOL) attribute set and a SVOL (a copy-destination VOL) attribute set are the same and carrying out a data copy between VOLs in a case where the result of this determination is affirmative. The virtualization control part creates either a virtual PVOL which is a VOL obtained by virtualizing the PVOL and which comprises the SVOL attribute set, or a virtual SVOL which is a VOL obtained by virtualizing the SVOL and which comprises the PVOL attribute set. As a result, either the VOL attribute set of the virtual PVOL and the SVOL attribute set become the same, or the PVOL attribute set and the VOL attribute set of the virtual SVOL become the same, and the copy control part can thereby carry out a copy between VOLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Sou Kawabe, Dai Taninaka
  • Patent number: 8223652
    Abstract: Proposed are a storage system, a path management method and a path management device capable of ensuring the processing performance demanded by a user while seeking to improve the access performance from a host system to a storage apparatus. Path switching control for dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system according to the loaded condition of the respective paths between the host system and the storage apparatus is executed; and a path is selected as needed according to a policy containing path switching rules created by a user, and path switching control for excluding the selected path from the target and dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sachiko Hinata, Dai Taninaka, Misako Tamura
  • Publication number: 20120023266
    Abstract: A storage controller that performs user-friendly information display, simplifies updating of support information, has external storage controllers to provide sufficient input/output performance, and expands the range of external storage controllers to be supported; and a controlling method for that storage controller. The storage controller includes a code extract/convert unit for converting a first code indicating a vendor name and/or device name of an external storage controller, obtained based on inquiry data transmitted from the external storage controller, into a second code indicating a real vendor name and/or real device name of the external storage controller. The storage controller creates support information that compiles information of each model regarding whether or not it can be connected to the respective external storage controllers. Furthermore, a path control system and a timeout time can be set for the respective external storage controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Kosaku KAMBAYASHI, Dai Taninaka
  • Patent number: 8051225
    Abstract: A storage controller that performs user-friendly information display, simplifies updating of support information, has external storage controllers to provide sufficient input/output performance, and expands the range of external storage controllers to be supported; and a controlling method for that storage controller. The storage controller includes a code extract/convert unit for converting a first code indicating a vendor name and/or device name of an external storage controller, obtained based on inquiry data transmitted from the external storage controller, into a second code indicating a real vendor name and/or real device name of the external storage controller. The storage controller creates support information that compiles information of each model regarding whether or not it can be connected to the respective external storage controllers. Furthermore, a path control system and a timeout time can be set for the respective external storage controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosaku Kambayashi, Dai Taninaka
  • Patent number: 7966448
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes: a management unit for managing mapping, to a logical volume, of a second dynamically allocated storage area volume in an external storage apparatus, and also managing a management unit for a storage area in the second dynamically allocated storage area volume for storing data sent from the host computer; a volume creation unit for creating, when creating the first dynamically allocated storage area volume in accordance with an externally given command, the first dynamically allocated storage area volume by setting the management unit for the first dynamically allocated storage area volume based on a management unit for a storage area in the second dynamically allocated storage area volume; and a write data writing unit for writing, in accordance with a command from the host computer, the write data sent from the host computer to a storage area in a relevant second dynamically allocated storage area volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keishi Tamura, Dai Taninaka
  • Publication number: 20100198987
    Abstract: Proposed are a storage system, a path management method and a path management device capable of ensuring the processing performance demanded by a user while seeking to improve the access performance from a host system to a storage apparatus. Path switching control for dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system according to the loaded condition of the respective paths between the host system and the storage apparatus is executed; and a path is selected as needed according to a policy containing path switching rules created by a user, and path switching control for excluding the selected path from the target and dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Sachiko HINATA, Dai TANINAKA, Misako TAMURA
  • Patent number: 7716440
    Abstract: This storage system has a first disk array device for providing a first volume that stores data transmitted from a host system, a second disk array device for providing a second volume that is virtualized with the first disk array device, and a management terminal for managing the first disk array device; wherein the first disk array device includes a first management unit for managing volume information of the virtualized volume that was virtualized in the first disk array device by being mapped with the second volume; and a first transmission unit for transmitting, based on an external operation, the volume information of the virtualized volume managed with the first management unit to the management terminal; and wherein the management terminal includes a second management unit for managing the volume information of the virtualized volume transmitted from the first transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dai Taninaka
  • Patent number: 7656806
    Abstract: Proposed are a storage system, a path management method and a path management device capable of ensuring the processing performance demanded by a user while seeking to improve the access performance from a host system to a storage apparatus. Path switching control for dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system according to the loaded condition of the respective paths between the host system and the storage apparatus is executed; and a path is selected as needed according to a policy containing path switching rules created by a user, and path switching control for excluding the selected path from the target and dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sachiko Hinata, Dai Taninaka, Misako Tamura
  • Patent number: 7603507
    Abstract: The present invention uses memory resources effectively and connects each storage device by a plurality of paths in a switchable manner, thus improving reliability and ease of use, by virtualizing external memory resources as internal memory resources. External storage 2 is connected to the main storage 1, and the actual volume 2A is mapped onto the virtual volume 1A. A plurality of paths is connected between the storage 1 and 2. When a failure occurs in a path in use (S3), the path having the next highest priority is selected (S4), and processing is continued using this path (S5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Yagi, Dai Taninaka, Takao Mashima
  • Publication number: 20090193218
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes: a management unit for managing mapping, to a logical volume, of a second dynamically allocated storage area volume in an external storage apparatus, and also managing a management unit for a storage area in the second dynamically allocated storage area volume for storing data sent from the host computer; a volume creation unit for creating, when creating the first dynamically allocated storage area volume in accordance with an externally given command the first dynamically allocated storage area volume by setting the management unit for the first dynamically allocated storage area volume based on a management unit for a storage area in the second dynamically allocated storage area volume; and a write data writing unit for writing, in accordance with a command from the host computer, the write data sent from the host computer to a storage area in a relevant second dynamically allocated storage area volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Keishi Tamura, Dai Taninaka
  • Patent number: 7519786
    Abstract: Provided is a storage system having one or more logical devices mapped to a virtual device provided in a mapping destination storage system, and a storage controller for controlling the reading and writing of data from and to the logical devices. Upon receiving a reserve command from the mapping destination storage system, the storage controller restricts the access from an initiator other than the mapping destination storage system to a logical device to which access restriction is designated with the reserve command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Sekine, Dai Taninaka, Keishi Tamura
  • Patent number: 7512888
    Abstract: A method for performing a system reconfiguration of a storage system includes displaying a configuration window visually showing a configuration of a plurality of components in the storage system within an operation screen. An input area is displayed within the operation screen, the input area being provided for entering one or more components to be reconfigured. A performance window is displayed within the operation screen, the preference window providing bandwidth utilization information of one or more of the components in the storage system. The configuration window, performance window, and the input area are all viewable at the same time without activating another operation screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Sugino, Kozue Fujii, Toshimichi Kishimoto, Dai Taninaka
  • Publication number: 20090013112
    Abstract: A storage controller that performs user-friendly information display, simplifies updating of support information, has external storage controllers to provide sufficient input/output performance, and expands the range of external storage controllers to be supported; and a controlling method for that storage controller. The storage controller includes a code extract/convert unit for converting a first code indicating a vendor name and/or device name of an external storage controller, obtained based on inquiry data transmitted from the external storage controller, into a second code indicating a real vendor name and/or real device name of the external storage controller. The storage controller creates support information that compiles information of each model regarding whether or not it can be connected to the respective external storage controllers. Furthermore, a path control system and a timeout time can be set for the respective external storage controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Kosaku Kambayashi, Dai Taninaka
  • Publication number: 20080228987
    Abstract: The present invention uses memory resources effectively and connects each storage device by a plurality of paths in a switchable manner, thus improving reliability and ease of use, by virtualizing external memory resources as internal memory resources. External storage 2 is connected to the main storage 1, and the actual volume 2A is mapped onto the virtual volume 1A. A plurality of paths is connected between the storage 1 and 2. When a failure occurs in a path in use (S3), the path having the next highest priority is selected (S4), and processing is continued using this path (S5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Shuichi Yagi, Dai Taninaka, Takao Mashima
  • Patent number: 7424582
    Abstract: Provided is a storage system having a first storage controller and a second storage controller. An actual device of the second storage controller is mapped to a virtual device of the first storage controller. The first storage controller has a port for transmitting control cylinder information to be written in a control information area of the actual device. As the format data to be transmitted from the first storage controller to the second storage controller, it will suffice so as long as control cylinder information is transmitted, and high speed formatting can be performed since it is not necessary to transmit 0 data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Takayama, Dai Taninaka, Keishi Tamura
  • Patent number: 7415593
    Abstract: A storage control system having no risk of changing the storage content of a logical volume by a data update to a virtual logical volume. A logical volume, which is not correspondent to a virtual logical volume, can be specified when defining a virtual logical volume correspondent to a logical volume. A first storage controller comprises a port capable of connecting to both a logical volume of the first storage controller, and a logical volume of a second storage controller; a virtual logical volume, which is set in association with a logical volume connected to this port; and a virtual logical volume-setting controller for controlling the setting of a virtual logical volume. The virtual logical volume-setting controller is constituted such that the virtual logical volume cannot be set in a logical volume of the first storage controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Mashima, Dai Taninaka
  • Patent number: 7412573
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to change over a volume transparently with respect to a host. A first storage device 2A and a second storage device 2B are connected through a communication network 3B; a volume 8 provided by the second storage device 2B is mapped as a volume of the first storage device 2A. A host 1 is capable of accessing either of the volume 6 or volume 8 via a virtual LU 4. A connection control unit 5, which may be constructed of tables or the like, connects the virtual LU 4 to either one of volume 6 and volume 8. Changeover of the connection target is performed transparently with respect to the host 1 and so is not recognized by the host 1. Consequently, the actual data storage target volume can be changed over while the host 1 always accesses the same virtual LU 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Uratani, Kiichiro Urabe, Dai Taninaka
  • Patent number: 7366838
    Abstract: In an exclusive lock management in common to both the In-Band and the Out-of-band, a lock control technique of a storage system capable of removing the factor that may cause the discrepancy in the configuration information in a disk array system is disclosed. In the storage system, a shared memory in a DKC of a storage subsystem has lock management information for uniformly managing the operation authority for the configuration information in the shared memory that is used in common by both the channels of the host terminals and the management client terminals, and a CPU in the DKC gives the operation authority for changing the configuration information to either the host machine or the management client based on the lock management information in the shared memory in response to an access request from the host terminals or the management client terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dai Taninaka, Toshimichi Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 7363439
    Abstract: The control device is a device which can be connected to an external device that transmits data, comprising a computer program which analyzes data received from the abovementioned external device using data format information related to the format of the data, wherein the abovementioned data format information is stored in a separate location from said computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Miyagaki, Dai Taninaka