Abstract: A rear structure for a motor vehicle includes two longitudinal members, a front cross member and a rear cross member. The front cross member and the rear cross member connect the longitudinal members to one another. The rear structure is a single-piece die-cast component. A motor vehicle includes such a rear structure.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is for movably coupling first and second members, one being movable relative to the other. A plain bearing section includes an inner ring having a bore for receiving the first member and an outer cylindrical bearing surface. An outer ring is disposed about the inner ring and has an inner cylindrical bearing surface disposed against the inner ring bearing surface, one bearing surface sliding against the other when the movable member displaces about a first axis. The two rings engage to prevent relative displacement between the rings when the movable member displaces about a second axis. An elastomeric bearing section is disposed about the plain bearing section, is connected with the second member and is formed such that at least a portion of the elastomeric bearing section flexes when the movable member angularly displaces about the second axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing data mirroring operations are disclosed. One or more data channels can be selected from among a plurality of data channels associated with a data-processing system, such that the selected data channel or data channels can comprise a data channel that is the least occupied data channel among the plurality of data channels. A plurality of data mirroring operations can then operate simultaneously on the selected data channel or data channels, in response to selecting the data channel form among the plurality of data channels, thereby optimizing data mirroring operations associated with said data-processing system.

Abstract: A method for validating operation of a fiber link when the fiber link is initialized includes the steps of entering a trial link up state upon receiving a command to initialize the fiber link so that normal commands to other devices within the fiber channel loop are not resumed, and thereafter entering a final link up state and resuming normal commands to other devices within the fiber channel loop. In exemplary embodiments, the method may be implemented by devices within a system such as a disk array system of a storage area network (SAN), or the like.

Abstract: A system identifies one or more devices having faults in a communication loop. The system includes an interface, a decision module, and a connection processor. The interface is configured for sending requests for information to each device of the communication loop and for receiving responses to the requests. The devices may include computer disk drives for use in a storage system. The requests may include Read-Link Status (RLS) commands sent to the computer disk drives. The RLS commands may provide diagnostics of the disk drives connected to the loop. The decision module is communicatively connected to the interface for weighting the responses of each device to identify the devices having the faults. The responses may be weighted based on the relative potential for disrupting operability of the system. The communication loop may include an FC loop that allows communications between a host system and the computer disk drives.

Abstract: A system identifies one or more devices having faults in a communication loop. The system includes an interface, a decision module, and a connection processor. The interface is configured for sending requests for information to each device of the communication loop and for receiving responses to the requests. The devices may include computer disk drives for use in a storage system. The requests may include Read-Link Status (RLS) commands sent to the computer disk drives. The RLS commands may provide diagnostics of the disk drives connected to the loop. The decision module is communicatively connected to the interface for weighting the responses of each device to identify the devices having the faults. The responses may be weighted based on the relative potential for disrupting operability of the system. The communication loop may include an FC loop that allows communications between a host system and the computer disk drives.

Abstract: A method for validating operation of a fibre link when the fibre link is initialized includes the steps of entering a trial link up state upon receiving a command to initialize the fibre link so that normal commands to other devices within the fibre channel loop are not resumed, and thereafter entering a final link up state and resuming normal commands to other devices within the fibre channel loop. In exemplary embodiments, the method may be implemented by devices within a system such as a disk array system of a storage area network (SAN), or the like.

Abstract: A method for partitioning a disk array into logical storage units distinct from the physical storage units within the array. A set of individual drives within the array are partitioned into multiple partitions. Corresponding partitions from the individual drives are grouped together to form a logical unit which is addressed as, and functions as, an independent disk array. The partitions within the logical unit are addressed as, and function as, disk drives within the logical array. Thus, a single set of disk drives may be divided into two or more logical storage units, each functioning as an independent disk array, and each employing a different RAID level scheme for storing data. Alternatively, multiple sets of disk drives within the array can combined together into a logical storage unit which functions as a single set of drives. Corresponding drives from each set of drives are addressed as a single disk drive within the logical unit.