Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving a write request that includes data and a client address at which to store the data. The data is segmented into the one or more storage units. A storage unit identifier for each of the one or more storage units is computed that uniquely identifies content of a storage unit. A mapping between each storage unit identifier to a block server is determined. For each of the one or more storage units, the storage unit and the corresponding storage unit identifier is sent to a block server. The block server stores the storage unit and information on where the storage unit is stored on the block server for the storage unit identifier. Multiple client addresses associated with a storage unit with the same storage unit identifier are mapped to a single storage unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, computer-readable mediums, and methods for receiving client quality of service values associated with a first client. Client metrics of a volume in a storage system are determined for the first client. The client metrics reflect usage of the storage system by the first client. A client load value based is determined upon the client metrics. A quality of service management policy for the first client is determined from a plurality of quality of service management policies based upon the client load value. Each quality of service management policy comprises a formula based on a quality of service parameter. A client target performance value is determined based upon the formula of the quality of service management policy and the received client quality of service values. Performance of the storage system is adjusted for the first client based upon the client target performance value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a previous client performance value in terms of a performance metric for a volume in a storage system. The previous client performance value is related to previous access for a client to the volume. Also, the storage system is storing data for a plurality of volumes where data for each of the plurality of volumes is striped substantially evenly across drives of the storage system. The method applies criteria to the previous performance value to determine a target performance value. Performance of the client with respect to access to the volume is regulated in terms of the performance metric based on the target performance value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for using tags to manage software across a product life cycle, including storing by a server computer (i) a tag prototype database and (ii) a tag instance database, the method including the steps of creating a tag for a client software component, storing the tag in the tag instance database, receiving, by a client computer, the tag and the client software component, from an electronic software distribution computer, receiving a request from the client computer to initiate a session of the client software component, obtaining the tag, by the server computer, from the client computer, verifying the tag obtained from the client computer, updating the tag to include information about the session, and replacing the tag in the client computer with the updated tag.

Abstract: Technologies related to time based IP address hopping are generally described. In some examples, IP communications may involve IP network nodes including source nodes, which may configure and send IP packets via a network, gateway nodes, which may receive IP packets from the network and may send the IP packets to end point nodes, and end point nodes. The IP network nodes may hop between different IP addresses, which different IP addresses may be identified at least in part using shared time values.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving a write request that includes data and a client address at which to store the data. The data is segmented into the one or more storage units. A storage unit identifier for each of the one or more storage units is computed that uniquely identifies content of a storage unit. A mapping between each storage unit identifier to a block server is determined. For each of the one or more storage units, the storage unit and the corresponding storage unit identifier is sent to a block server. The block server stores the storage unit and information on where the storage unit is stored on the block server for the storage unit identifier. Multiple client addresses associated with a storage unit with the same storage unit identifier are mapped to a single storage unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, computer-readable mediums, and methods for receiving an input/output operation regarding data associated with a distributed storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices. A key identifier associated with the I/O operation is determined. The key identifier identifies a key that has been divided into a number of key pieces. Two or more storage devices of the plurality of storage devices that contain one or more of the key pieces are determined and at least a threshold number of key pieces are requested from the two or more storage devices. The minimum number of key pieces needed to reconstruct the key is the threshold number. The key is reconstructed from the requested key pieces. A cryptographic function is performed on data associated with the I/O operation using the reconstructed key and the I/O operation is completed based upon the performed cryptographic function.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for removing unused storage units is provided. One or more storage units are referenced by multiple client addresses. The method includes constructing, on a metadata server, a filter on at least a portion of block identifiers that identify storage units currently being referenced by client addresses. The metadata server stores information on which storage unit identifiers are referenced by which client addresses. The filter is transmitted from the metadata server to a block server. The filter is used by the block server to test whether storage unit identifiers that exist on the block server are present in the filter. The block server stores information on where a storage unit is stored on the block server for a storage unit identifier. Storage unit identifiers not present in the filter and associated storage units are deleted from the block server.

Abstract: An access request including a client address for data is received. A metadata server determines a mapping between the client address and storage unit identifiers for the data. Each of the one or more storage unit identifiers uniquely identifies content of a storage unit and the metadata server stores mappings on storage unit identifiers that are referenced by client addresses. The one or more storage unit identifiers are sent to one or more block servers. The one or more block servers service the request using the one or more storage unit identifiers where the one or more block servers store information on where a storage unit is stored on a block server for a storage unit identifier. Also, multiple client addresses associated with a storage unit with a same storage unit identifier are mapped to a single storage unit stored in a storage medium for a block server.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, computer-readable mediums, and methods for receiving client quality of service values associated with a first client. Client metrics of a volume in a storage system are determined for the first client. The client metrics reflect usage of the storage system by the first client. A client load value based is determined upon the client metrics. A quality of service management policy for the first client is determined from a plurality of quality of service management policies based upon the client load value. Each quality of service management policy comprises a formula based on a quality of service parameter. A client target performance value is determined based upon the formula of the quality of service management policy and the received client quality of service values. Performance of the storage system is adjusted for the first client based upon the client target performance value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a previous client performance value in terms of a performance metric for a volume in a storage system. The previous client performance value is related to previous access for a client to the volume. Also, the storage system is storing data for a plurality of volumes where data for each of the plurality of volumes is striped substantially evenly across drives of the storage system. The method applies criteria to the previous performance value to determine a target performance value. Performance of the client with respect to access to the volume is regulated in terms of the performance metric based on the target performance value.

Abstract: Various techniques for software license inventory and asset management are disclosed. A fingerprint may be generated and associated with various copies of software applications installed on a software licensee's computer systems. Upon generation, each fingerprint may be stored in a license information database system along with relevant license information for that copy of the software application. A software inventory tool may then be used to collect fingerprints on installed copies of software applications and provide these fingerprints to the license information database system to obtain the corresponding license information. The output of the software inventory tool may be used by a licensee to comply with software license agreements and/or efficiently allocate information technology resources. Methods and systems that provide and process secured, dynamic and persistent tagging of software deployments and usage are also disclosed.

Abstract: Circuits (20, 220, 320, 420) are provided for applying electrical charge collected from a piezoelectric device (22) to a charge storage device (24, 224, 424). The circuits comprise a peak detector (32, 232) and a switch(es) (34, 134, 234, 434) which is/are operated to initiate transfer of the electrical charge from the piezoelectric device to the charge storage device upon detection by the peak detector (32, 232) of a peak voltage across the piezoelectric device (22). In an example embodiment, the peak detector (32, 232) comprises a peak-detection capacitance (C4); a gain element (42, 242); and a non-linear PN junction circuit (40). The circuits can also comprise charge multiplier circuit (300) configured to continue application of the electrical charge to the charge storage device (224) after the switch (262) has been turned off and/or after a point in time when magnitude of the voltage across the charge storage device (224) equals the magnitude of the voltage across the piezoelectric device (22).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for removing unused storage units is provided. One or more storage units are referenced by multiple client addresses. The method includes constructing, on a metadata server, a filter on at least a portion of block identifiers that identify storage units currently being referenced by client addresses. The metadata server stores information on which storage unit identifiers are referenced by which client addresses. The filter is transmitted from the metadata server to a block server. The filter is used by the block server to test whether storage unit identifiers that exist on the block server are present in the filter. The block server stores information on where a storage unit is stored on the block server for a storage unit identifier. Storage unit identifiers not present in the filter and associated storage units are deleted from the block server.

Abstract: An access request including a client address for data is received. A metadata server determines a mapping between the client address and storage unit identifiers for the data. Each of the one or more storage unit identifiers uniquely identifies content of a storage unit and the metadata server stores mappings on storage unit identifiers that are referenced by client addresses. The one or more storage unit identifiers are sent to one or more block servers. The one or more block servers service the request using the one or more storage unit identifiers where the one or more block servers store information on where a storage unit is stored on a block server for a storage unit identifier. Also, multiple client addresses associated with a storage unit with a same storage unit identifier are mapped to a single storage unit stored in a storage medium for a block server.

Abstract: A motion amplifier (22) comprises piezoelectric diaphragm (30) and drive electronics (26) for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm. The motion amplifier preferably comprises (in addition to the piezoelectric diaphragm) a reaction mass (34) connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm; a reacted mass (40) connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm; and, a reacted mass spring (50, 270) for resiliently carrying the reacted mass. Motion or displacement of the piezoelectric diaphragm (30) is amplified to produce a greater displacement or motion of an actuator region or surface (46) of the reacted mass (40).

Abstract: Circuits (20, 220, 320, 420) are provided for applying electrical charge collected from a piezoelectric device (22) to a charge storage device (24, 224, 424). The circuits comprise a peak detector (32, 232) and a switch(es) (34, 134, 234, 434) which is/are operated to initiate transfer of the electrical charge from the piezoelectric device to the charge storage device upon detection by the peak detector (32, 232) of a peak voltage across the piezoelectric device (22). In an example embodiment, the peak detector (32, 232) comprises a peak-detection capacitance (C4); a gain element (42, 242); and a non-linear PN junction circuit (40). The circuits can also comprise charge multiplier circuit (300) configured to continue application of the electrical charge to the charge storage device (224) after the switch (262) has been turned off and/or after a point in time when magnitude of the voltage across the charge storage device (224) equals the magnitude of the voltage across the piezoelectric device (22).

Abstract: A software tagging application is configured to measure software application usage within an enterprise deployment. The software tagging application using the concepts of tags, and extends the use of tags to convey monitored software usage. This usage data is written to the tag and secured with a signature calculated using public/private key cryptography. The signature ensures that the usage data collected is correct and has not been tampered with. Usage data refers to both the number of client versions of the software and specific software features installed, and any type of metric for monitoring real usage of the specific software features, for example the number of minutes used, and the start and stop times that the feature was executed. Monitoring usage in this manner provides a dynamic usage model that tracks current and historical software usage, from an enterprise-wide level down to a specific user and feature level.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies comprise an actuator element and two piezoelectric assemblies, with the two piezoelectric assemblies being configured and arranged for controlling movement of the actuator element. In some example implementations, the first piezoelectric assembly and the second piezoelectric assembly are constructed and arranged so that a temperature dependency of the first piezoelectric assembly is cancelled by the temperature dependency of the second piezoelectric assembly. In a first example embodiment, a first piezoelectric assembly comprises a first or main piezoelectric diaphragm connected to the actuator element for displacing the actuator element in response to displacement of the first piezoelectric diaphragm. The first piezoelectric diaphragm and the second piezoelectric diaphragm are fixedly mounted to a movable carriage.

Abstract: A queuing system, method and computer program product is provided for transferring electronic information over a data network, such as the Internet. A host or system administrator monitors host resources by preventing one or more host resource limits from being exceeded. Where a resource limit is reached, a queuing protocol is initiated with a client requesting data. The queuing protocol permits the client to enter a queue and wait until host resources may be allocated to service the data request. The queue is maintained by the host, which may provide periodic updates to the client regarding queue length, position and estimated wait time. Clients may advance through the queue in accordance with a first-in-first-out algorithm, or some alternative priority scheme. When a client reaches the head of the queue, host resources are checked. If sufficient resources are available to service the client request, they are allocated to the client at the head of the queue.