Patents by Inventor David R. Blea

David R. Blea 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: 9460182
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for networking-assisted I/O order preservation for data replication are provided herein. A method includes identifying, from one or more devices at a primary site, (i) each of multiple data changes and (ii) input/output chronological order information associated with the multiple data changes; determining one or more forwarding rules to be implemented in connection with delivering a command associated with each of said multiple data changes to one or more devices at a secondary site, wherein said forwarding rules are based on said input/output chronological order information; and delivering the command associated with each of said multiple data changes to one or more devices at the secondary site in accordance with said one or more forwarding rules to maintain a chronological order of the multiple data changes from the primary site to the secondary site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yang Song, Ramani R. Routray, David R. Blea, Kavita Chavda
  • Patent number: 9405628
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present description, data is migrated to a replacement source storage unit of a storage subsystem while being mirrored from the original source storage unit of a storage subsystem to an original target storage unit of a storage subsystem, and the original source storage unit and the replacement storage unit are swapped in a multi-storage volume swap to write updates to the replacement source storage unit instead of the original source storage unit, in input/output operations issued by at least one host. Further, data stored in the replacement source storage unit, is mirrored from the replacement source storage unit to the original target unit. Other aspects are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, William J. Rooney, John J. Wolfgang
  • Publication number: 20160132580
    Abstract: A processor determines a predicted quantity of updates to be made to a set of data using a history of updates. The set of data is associated with a category of replication that indicates a first frequency of data replication to be applied to the set of data. The processor determines whether the first predicted quantity of updates meets a first threshold for a frequency of replication of the set of data. The first threshold indicates an allowed number of updates and meeting the first threshold indicates that an adjustment to the frequency of replication of the set of data is to be initiated. The processor responds to a determination that the first threshold has been met by associating the set of data with a category of replication that has a second frequency of data replication to be applied to the set of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Matthew E. Brooks, Steven M. Kern, Khang N. Nguyen, Scott N. Trevett
  • Patent number: 9298567
    Abstract: A method for improving system availability in data replication environments is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting a suspend trigger, where the suspend trigger indicates that data mirroring between a primary volume and a secondary volume has been suspended. The method further detects a swap trigger some time after detecting the suspend trigger. The swap trigger indicates that I/O directed to the primary volume has failed. In the event the swap trigger is detected within a specified amount of time after detecting the suspend trigger, the method redirects I/O from the primary volume to the secondary volume. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Tri M. Hoang, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Tabor R. Powelson, William J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20160048435
    Abstract: A method for improving system availability in data replication environments is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting a suspend trigger, where the suspend trigger indicates that data mirroring between a primary volume and a secondary volume has been suspended. The method further detects a swap trigger some time after detecting the suspend trigger. The swap trigger indicates that I/O directed to the primary volume has failed. In the event the swap trigger is detected within a specified amount of time after detecting the suspend trigger, the method redirects I/O from the primary volume to the secondary volume. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Tri M. Hoang, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Tabor R. Powelson, William J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20150363286
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for establishing copy pairs from primary volumes to secondary volumes in multiple secondary storage systems for a failover session. For each of the copy pairs, data is mirrored from the primary storage system to the associated secondary storage system in the copy pair. A failure is detected at the primary storage system. Selection is made of a selected secondary storage system of the secondary storage systems in response to detecting the failure, wherein a plurality of the secondary storage systems are available for selection. The selected secondary storage system is indicated as a new primary storage system to which host requests are directed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Susan K. Candelaria, Nicolas M. Clayton, Lisa J. Gundy, Tri M. Hoang, Bengt E. Larsson, William J. Rooney, Michael J. Shannon, Corey G. Smeaton, Warren K. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20150278331
    Abstract: A processor determines a predicted quantity of updates to be made to a set of data using a history of updates. The set of data is associated with a category of replication that indicates a first frequency of data replication to be applied to the set of data. The processor determines whether the first predicted quantity of updates meets a first threshold for a frequency of replication of the set of data. The first threshold indicates an allowed number of updates and meeting the first threshold indicates that an adjustment to the frequency of replication of the set of data is to be initiated. The processor responds to a determination that the first threshold has been met by associating the set of data with a category of replication that has a second frequency of data replication to be applied to the set of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Matthew E. Brooks, Steven M. Kern, Khang N. Nguyen, Scott N. Trevett
  • Publication number: 20150269238
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for networking-assisted I/O order preservation for data replication are provided herein. A method includes identifying, from one or more devices at a primary site, (i) each of multiple data changes and (ii) input/output chronological order information associated with the multiple data changes; determining one or more forwarding rules to be implemented in connection with delivering a command associated with each of said multiple data changes to one or more devices at a secondary site, wherein said forwarding rules are based on said input/output chronological order information; and delivering the command associated with each of said multiple data changes to one or more devices at the secondary site in accordance with said one or more forwarding rules to maintain a chronological order of the multiple data changes from the primary site to the secondary site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yang Song, Ramani R. Routray, David R. Blea, Kavita Chavda
  • Patent number: 9032173
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving instruction to change from an original target storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration-to a new target storage subsystem. Second copy services relationships are created between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and one or more source volumes on a source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality. Existing first copy services relationships between the source storage subsystem and the original target storage subsystem are terminated after all of the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Patent number: 9003142
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for adding point-in-time copy relationships to a data processing system. A request is received to establish a first point-in-time copy relationship. Responsive to determining that a first target of the first point-in-time copy relationship is target write inhibited, that a source of the first point-in-time copy relationship is a source of a first continuous synchronous copy relationship, that a target of the first continuous synchronous copy relationship is part of a second point-in-time copy relationship, and that the source of the first point-in-time copy relationship is part of a volume swap configuration, a volume swap relationship is added between the first point-in-time target volume and the second point-in-time target volume to the volume swap configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, William J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20150088821
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present description, data is migrated to a replacement source storage unit of a storage subsystem while being mirrored from the original source storage unit of a storage subsystem to an original target storage unit of a storage subsystem, and the original source storage unit and the replacement storage unit are swapped in a multi-storage volume swap to write updates to the replacement source storage unit instead of the original source storage unit, in input/output operations issued by at least one host. Further, data stored in the replacement source storage unit, is mirrored from the replacement source storage unit to the original target unit. Other aspects are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, William J. Rooney, John J. Wolfgang
  • Publication number: 20150052324
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving instruction to change from an original target storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration-to a new target storage subsystem. Second copy services relationships are created between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and one or more source volumes on a source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality. Existing first copy services relationships between the source storage subsystem and the original target storage subsystem are terminated after all of the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Patent number: 8904131
    Abstract: A system according to one embodiment, includes one or more source volumes on a source storage subsystem from which data is copied in first copy services relationships, the one or more source volumes being accessible to an application; one or more original target volumes on an original target storage subsystem to which data is copied in the first copy services relationships; logic configured for selecting a new target storage subsystem to replace the original target storage subsystem; logic configured for creating second copy services relationships between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and the one or more source volumes on the source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality; and logic configured for terminating the first copy services relationships after all of the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Patent number: 8892836
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for switching a storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration includes receiving instruction to change from an original target storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration including: a source storage subsystem including one or more source volumes from which data is copied in first copy services relationships, the one or more source volumes being accessible to an application, and the original target storage subsystem including one or more original target volumes to which data is copied in the first copy services relationships; selecting a new target storage subsystem to replace the original target storage subsystem, creating second copy services relationships between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and the one or more source volumes on the source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality, and terminating the first copy services relationships after all the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Patent number: 8799602
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to data migration and/or disaster recovery. One embodiment enables merging of bitmaps to allow for automation of the process of switching to a different target volume on the same storage subsystem without major interruption of data recovery capability and limited interruption of host I/O to the source volumes during the migration. In one approach, the migration of data onto a new target volume within the same storage subsystem as the original target volume is automated, without requiring the user to manually create or remove any new copy relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Patent number: 8793456
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to data migration and/or disaster recovery. One embodiment enables merging of bitmaps to allow for automation of the process of switching to a different target volume on the same storage subsystem without major interruption of data recovery capability and limited interruption of host I/O to the source volumes during the migration. In one approach, the migration of data onto a new target volume within the same storage subsystem as the original target volume is automated, without requiring the user to manually create or remove any new copy relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Patent number: 8788877
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, configured for: validating a replication of copy services between a first storage system and a second storage system, removing a plurality of existing copy relationships between the first storage system and a failed storage system, creating a plurality of copy relationships between the first storage system and the second storage system, and synchronizing a plurality of data between the first storage system and the second storage system. In more embodiments, a system includes logic for performing the above functionality, and a method includes steps for performing the above functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, William D. Olsen, John J. Wolfgang
  • Publication number: 20140059009
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for switching a storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration includes receiving instruction to change from an original target storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration including: a source storage subsystem including one or more source volumes from which data is copied in first copy services relationships, the one or more source volumes being accessible to an application, and the original target storage subsystem including one or more original target volumes to which data is copied in the first copy services relationships; selecting a new target storage subsystem to replace the original target storage subsystem, creating second copy services relationships between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and the one or more source volumes on the source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality, and terminating the first copy services relationships after all the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Publication number: 20140059307
    Abstract: A system according to one embodiment, includes one or more source volumes on a source storage subsystem from which data is copied in first copy services relationships, the one or more source volumes being accessible to an application; one or more original target volumes on an original target storage subsystem to which data is copied in the first copy services relationships; logic configured for selecting a new target storage subsystem to replace the original target storage subsystem; logic configured for creating second copy services relationships between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and the one or more source volumes on the source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality; and logic configured for terminating the first copy services relationships after all of the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang
  • Publication number: 20140059003
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to data migration and/or disaster recovery. One embodiment enables merging of bitmaps to allow for automation of the process of switching to a different target volume on the same storage subsystem without major interruption of data recovery capability and limited interruption of host I/O to the source volumes during the migration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy N. Blea, David R. Blea, Gregory E. McBride, John J. Wolfgang