Abstract: Optimizing copy operations in a storage array, including: receiving a plurality of copy operations; detecting a triggering event that causes a storage array controller to initiate execution of the plurality of copy operations; and combining, in dependence upon a metadata optimization policy, the plurality of copy operations into a single copy operation.

Abstract: Recovery for storage systems synchronously replicating a dataset, including: receiving, by at least one storage system among the plurality of storage systems synchronously replicating the dataset, a request to modify the dataset; generating recovery information indicating whether the request to modify the dataset has been applied on all storage systems in the plurality of storage systems synchronously replicating the dataset; and responsive to a system fault, applying a recovery action in dependence upon the recovery information indicating whether the request to modify the dataset has been applied on all storage systems in the plurality of storage systems synchronously replicating the dataset.

Abstract: Transitioning between replication sources for data replication operations, including: delaying a transition from using a first data repository as a source for data replication to using a second data repository as the source for data replication after detecting that one or more storage operations directed to the first data repository have not been replicated to the second data repository; and promoting the second data repository as the source for data replication such that storage operations received after completing the transition are directed to the second data repository.

Abstract: Converting data formats in a storage system: converting first data in a first format to second data in a second format, wherein second data in the second format includes a reference to the first data, wherein the first data and the second data are associated with a dataset, including updating the second data to include: a reference to first data associated with a portion of the dataset that precedes a data-converted portion of the dataset; second data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset, wherein the second data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset is in the second data format; and a reference to first data associated with a portion of the dataset that follows the data-converted portion of the dataset; and replacing first data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset with a reference to the second data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset.

Abstract: An illustrative method includes a data protection system identifying one or more attributes of a storage element within a storage system, determining, based on the one or more attributes of the storage element, a data protection policy for a dataset associated with the storage system, and applying the data protection policy to the dataset.

Abstract: The described embodiments are directed to a system and methods of calibrating a fluorescence microscope and/or light detection device using a calibrating apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a main body housing, a sensor head, and a microcontroller assembly disposed within the housing. The housing may include an adapter to mechanically couple the housing to a microscope. The sensor head may comprise (i) an optical power sensor to produce a power signal representative of an optical power magnitude of light applied to the optical power sensor, (ii) an optical wavelength sensor configured to produce wavelength information associated with the light applied to the optical wavelength sensor, and (iii) a light source configured to direct light toward a detection device associated with the microscope. The microcontroller assembly may be configured to generate an optical power magnitude value based on the power signal and adjusted according to the wavelength information.

Abstract: Determining active membership among storage systems synchronously replicating a dataset, where determining active membership includes: detecting, by a particular storage system of the storage systems, a communication fault with one or more of the storage systems, where the particular storage system is configured to request mediation from a mediation target; determining that at least one of the one or more storage systems is configured to request mediation from the mediation target responsive to the communication fault; and responsive to determining that one or more of the storage systems is configured to request mediation from the mediation target, determining whether to request mediation from the mediation target.

Abstract: Cloning a tracking copy of replica data, including receiving, at a target data repository from a source data repository, metadata describing one or more updates to a dataset stored within the source data repository; generating, based on the metadata describing the one or more updates to the dataset, a tracking copy of replica data on the target data repository; and generating, based on the tracking copy, a cloned image of the dataset that is modifiable without modifying the tracking copy of the replica data.

Abstract: Determining active membership among a set of storage systems synchronously replicating a dataset, where determining active membership includes: determining that a membership event corresponds to a change in membership to the set of storage systems synchronously replicating the dataset; applying, in dependence upon the membership event, one or more membership protocols to determine a new set of storage systems to synchronously replicate the dataset; and for one or more I/O operations directed to the dataset, applying the one or more I/O operations to the dataset synchronously replicated by the new set of storage systems.

Abstract: Performing a non-disruptive upgrade of data in a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices and a storage controller, including: creating new data in a new data format, wherein the new data includes a reference to old data in an old data format, wherein system software in the storage system can utilize data in the new data format and the old data format; determining that a portion of the volume has changed; and responsive to determining that the portion of the volume has changed, updating the new data to include a reference to old data associated with a portion of the volume that precedes the changed portion of the volume, new data associated with the changed portion of the volume, and a reference to old data associated with a portion of the volume that follows the changed portion of the volume.

Abstract: Resilient mediation between storage systems replicating a dataset, including: receiving, by a mediation service from one or more storage systems that synchronously replicate a dataset, a request to resolve which storage system continues to service a dataset after the request; and sending, from the mediation service to at least one of the storage systems, a positive mediation result, wherein: the storage systems that received the positive mediation result continue to process data storage requests directed to the dataset, and the storage systems that did not receive a positive mediation result from the mediation service do not continue to process data storage requests directed to the dataset.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transitioning a replica of a file system are described. An illustrative method includes updating a replica file system on a target data repository to be a replica of a source file system as the source file system existed on the source data repository at a point in time, where the replica file system is constructed of block objects at the target data repository that store metadata for individual files and directories of the replica file system and support access to blocks of data associated with the files and directories of the target file system at the target data repository, and where the updating includes updating the block objects of the replica file system to be replicas of block objects of the source file system as the block objects of the source file system existed on the source data repository at the point in time.

Abstract: A method of data loss prevention during transitions from a replication source, the method including: initiating a transition from using a first data repository as a source for data replication to using a second data repository as the source for data replication; prior to completing the transition and responsive to determining that one or more storage operations directed to the first data repository have not been replicated to the second data repository, delaying transition of the second data repository as the source for data replication; and responsive to completing the transition, promoting the second data repository as the source for data replication such that all storage operations received after completing the transition are directed to the second data repository.

Abstract: Systems and methods for view filtering for a file storage system are described. An illustrative method includes receiving a request to access content of a managed directory of a file system; filtering, without regard to how the content of the managed directory is being accessed, the content of the managed directory based on a visibility filter policy attached to the managed directory; and providing, responsive to the request, the filtered content of the managed directory.

Abstract: Modifying a synchronously replicated dataset, including: receiving, by a leader storage system, a request to modify a dataset that is synchronized across a plurality of storage systems; sending, from the leader storage system to a follower storage system, information describing the request to modify the dataset, wherein the leader storage system and the follower storage system each store a copy of the dataset; processing, by the leader storage system on the copy of the dataset that is stored on the leader storage system, the request to modify the dataset; receiving, from the follower storage system, an indication that the follower storage system has processed the request to modify the dataset on the copy of the dataset that is stored on the follower storage system; and acknowledging, by the leader storage system, completion of the request to modify the dataset.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a heated stage assembly that can achieve high temperatures (i.e., 40 degrees Celsius and higher and more specifically, 55 degrees Celsius and higher) for use in microscopy including fluorescence microscopy. The microscope stage heater assembly includes a mounting adapter element, a sample holder element mounted within the mounting adapter element, one or more heating elements attached to the sample holder element, and an optical window holder element disposed on a surface of the sample holder element that encloses an optical window element. The optical window element may be in contact with a microscope sample such that the optical window element is heated by the sample holder element to uniformly distribute heat to the specimen.

Abstract: The invention provides for a system and methods of directly delivering excitation light to a sample by a path that avoids traveling though the objective and dichroic mirror. Certain embodiments of the system may include an excitation light source, and a series of mirrors and lenses to direct the excitation light to a diffuser unit. The diffuser unit may then generate a configurable illumination profile to evenly illuminate a sample.

Abstract: Mediating between storage systems synchronously replicating a dataset, including: requesting, by a first storage system in response to detecting a triggering event, a lock for a shared resource from a mediation service; requesting, by a second storage system in response to detecting the triggering event, the lock for the shared resource from the mediation service; and responsive to acquiring the lock from the mediation service, the first storage system, instead of the second storage system, processing data storage requests directed to the dataset that is synchronously replicated across the first storage system and the second storage system.

Abstract: A storage system switching mediators within a storage system synchronously replicating data, where the switching between mediators includes: determining, among one or more of the plurality of storage systems, a change in availability of a first mediator service, wherein one or more of the plurality of storage systems are configured to request mediation from the first mediator service; communicating, among the plurality of storage systems and responsive to determining the change in availability of the first mediator service, a second mediator service to use in response to a fault; and switching, in dependence upon the change in availability of the first mediator service, from the first mediator service to the second mediator service.

Abstract: Servicing I/O operations directed to a dataset that is synchronized across a plurality of storage systems, including: receiving, by a follower storage system, a request to modify the dataset; sending, from the follower storage system to a leader storage system, a logical description of the modification to the dataset; receiving, from the leader storage system, information describing the modification to the dataset; processing, by the follower storage system, the request to modify the dataset; receiving, from the leader storage system, an indication that the leader storage system has processed the request to modify the dataset; and acknowledging, by the follower storage system, completion of the request to modify the dataset.