Abstract: A RAID controller attached to a storage network can detect the presence of multiple pathways to the same physical storage device. A path collection module can dynamically maintain all valid pathways to all attached storage devices. A path selection module can automatically and dynamically balance and rebalance desired paths to each storage device so as to simultaneously optimize data flow and provide continuity of I/O service throughout the attached storage network.

Abstract: An improved system and method within a storage area network (SAN) for establishing predictive grouping and presentation of target devices contained within the same physical enclosure(s) in an iSCSI/iSER to SAS/SATA storage router. Target devices within an enclosure are dynamically discovered in slot order and placed in an iSCSI/iSER storage node to facilitate access by SAN initiator devices.

Abstract: A RAID controller attached to a storage network can detect the presence of multiple pathways to the same physical storage device. A path collection module can dynamically maintain all valid pathways to all attached storage devices. A path selection module can automatically and dynamically balance and rebalance desired paths to each storage device so as to simultaneously optimize data flow and provide continuity of I/O service throughout the attached storage network.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved device, system and method for representation of target devices in a storage router. In one aspect, a device, system and method are provided for predictive representation of SAS/SATA-based target devices in a storage router corresponding to the physical layout of the target devices. In another aspect, a storage router is communicatively connectable to a plurality of target storage devices. In one embodiment, a router discovery manager or module is configured to discover the physical layout of the target storage devices; a host system interface receives and responds to data storage commands; a computer bus interface connects/communicates with SAS and SATA storage; and a plurality of host system interface to target storage device maps correspond to the physical layout of the target storage devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and system of improving the efficiency, and ensuring the integrity, of a data transfer in a serverless backup, or third party copy, system having one or more physical storage devices. The present invention provides improvements to the processing of serverless copy, or EXTENDED COPY, commands, and transfers of data associated with such commands. These improvements increase the speed at which such commands are executed and completed, and increase the capabilities of copy managers in serverless backup systems. The improvements also make better use of the storage devices involved in the data backup process. Certain aspects of the invention allow for execution of data segments of any size, and providing a compiler for generating input/output actions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved device, system and method for representation of target devices in a storage router. In one aspect, a device, system and method are provided for predictive representation of SAS/SATA-based target devices in a storage router corresponding to the physical layout of the target devices. In another aspect, a storage router is communicatively connectable to a plurality of target storage devices. In one embodiment, a router discovery manager or module is configured to discover the physical layout of the target storage devices; a host system interface receives and responds to data storage commands; a computer bus interface connects/communicates with SAS and SATA storage; and a plurality of host system interface to target storage device maps correspond to the physical layout of the target storage devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and system of improving the efficiency, and ensuring the integrity, of a data transfer in a serverless backup, or third party copy, system having one or more physical storage devices. The present invention provides improvements to the processing of serverless copy, or EXTENDED COPY, commands, and transfers of data associated with such commands. These improvements increase the speed at which such commands are executed and completed, and increase the capabilities of copy managers in serverless backup systems. The improvements also make better use of the storage devices involved in the data backup process. Certain aspects of the invention allow for execution of data segments of any size, and providing a compiler for generating input/output actions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and system of improving the efficiency, and ensuring the integrity, of a data transfer in a serverless backup, or third party copy, system having one or more physical storage devices. The present invention provides improvements to the processing of serverless copy, or EXTENDED COPY, commands, and transfers of data associated with such commands. These improvements increase the speed at which such commands are executed and completed, and increase the capabilities of copy managers in serverless backup systems. The improvements also make better use of the storage devices involved in the data backup process. The method broadly includes determining a desired manner of execution of segment descriptors, or instructions, as a function of components of those instructions. Other aspects of the invention allow for execution of data segments of any size, and validation of segment descriptors and target descriptors prior to data transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and system of improving the efficiency, and ensuring the integrity, of a data transfer in a serverless backup, or third party copy, system having one or more physical storage devices. The present invention provides improvements to the processing of serverless copy, or EXTENDED COPY, commands, and transfers of data associated with such commands. These improvements increase the speed at which such commands are executed and completed, and increase the capabilities of copy managers in serverless backup systems. The improvements also make better use of the storage devices involved in the data backup process. The method broadly includes determining a desired manner of execution of segment descriptors, or instructions, as a function of components of those instructions. Other aspects of the invention allow for execution of data segments of any size, and validation of segment descriptors and target descriptors prior to data transfer.

Abstract: In association with a storage system, dividing or splitting file system I/O commands, or generating I/O subcommands, in a multi-connection environment. In one aspect, a host device is coupled to disk storage by a plurality of high speed connections, and a host application issues an I/O command which is divided or split into multiple subcommands, based on attributes of data on the target storage, a weighted path algorithm and/or target, connection or other characteristics. Another aspect comprises a method for generating a queuing policy and/or manipulating queuing policy attributes of I/O subcommands based on characteristics of the initial I/O command or target storage. I/O subcommands may be sent on specific connections to optimize available target bandwidth. In other aspects, responses to I/O subcommands are aggregated and passed to the host application as a single I/O command response.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and system of improving the efficiency, and ensuring the integrity, of a data transfer in a serverless backup, or third party copy, system having one or more physical storage devices. The present invention provides improvements to the processing of serverless copy, or EXTENDED COPY, commands, and transfers of data associated with such commands. These improvements increase the speed at which such commands are executed and completed, and increase the capabilities of copy managers in serverless backup systems. The improvements also make better use of the storage devices involved in the data backup process. The method broadly includes determining a desired manner of execution of segment descriptors, or instructions, as a function of components of those instructions. Other aspects of the invention allow for execution of data segments of any size, and validation of segment descriptors and target descriptors prior to data transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved disk drive carrier (10) for use in a disk storage system. The disk drive carrier includes a plurality of disk drives (11A, 11B) secured to a single printed circuit board (13), and a connector (14) with at least one input/output interface portion (22). In some aspects of the invention, the disk drives are ATA disk drives or Serial ATA disk drives. In other aspects of the invention, the disk drive carrier includes a single connector. In other aspects of the invention, the connector includes a bus portion (21), and in others, the bus portion (21) includes at least one I2C bus. Other aspects of the invention include non-volatile memory (15), power controlled circuitry (16), LEDs (23A, 23B, 24) and electrode-static discharge strips (17A, 17B, 17C). The present invention provides such a disk drive carrier compatible with industry-standard rack systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of ensuring the integrity of command instructions exchanged between a host and an ATA device of an array of one or more ATA devices. The invention discloses a method of error detection for transfers of both control information and command information. The invention broadly includes the steps of: writing control information to one or more locations on the selected ATA device; reading the information stored at the corresponding locations; and comparing the control information to the information stored. Other aspects of the invention include writing command information to the ATA device; reading the information stored at the location to which the command information is written; and comparing the command information to the information stored. Other aspects of the invention terminate the command instruction if any compared information is not equal; or if the command instruction is not completed within a preset time interval.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for providing animals with cool fresh liquid (e.g., water). The feeder has self-cleaning and self-refilling features that provide periodic replacement of hot, stale or dirty fluid with cool fresh refills. Solenoid valves are controlled by one or more liquid sensors, a time delay relay, timer and optional thermostat to provide flexibility and customizing of drain/refill cycles as desired in order to reflect varying ambient conditions in which the equipment is operated. Provision is also made for remote actuation of drain and refill cycles.