Abstract: A system and method of transposed storage in RAID arrays includes a storage manager with an interface for receiving storage requests associated with multi-segment blocks stored in a storage array, a controller for processing the received storage requests and controlling the storage manager, and a write request handler. The storage array includes a plurality of storage devices for which consecutive logical addresses are assigned to different ones of the storage devices. The write request handler is configured to process block write requests and send segment write requests to the storage array based on the write requests so that each segment of a given multi-segment block is written to a single respective one of the storage devices in the storage array. In some embodiments, the storage manager further includes a read request handler configured to determine logical addresses of requested segments and send segment read requests to the storage array.

Abstract: A system and method of transposed storage in RAID arrays includes a storage manager with an interface for receiving storage requests associated with multi-segment blocks stored in a storage array, a controller for processing the received storage requests and controlling the storage manager, and a write request handler. The storage array includes a plurality of storage devices for which consecutive logical addresses are assigned to different ones of the storage devices. The write request handler is configured to process block write requests and send segment write requests to the storage array based on the write requests so that each segment of a given multi-segment block is written to a single respective one of the storage devices in the storage array. In some embodiments, the storage manager further includes a read request handler configured to determine logical addresses of requested segments and send segment read requests to the storage array.

Abstract: A system and method of transposed storage in RAID arrays includes a storage manager with an interface for receiving storage requests associated with multi-segment blocks stored in a storage array, a controller for processing the received storage requests and controlling the storage manager, and a write request handler. The storage array includes a plurality of storage devices for which consecutive logical addresses are assigned to different ones of the storage devices. The write request handler is configured to process block write requests and send segment write requests to the storage array based on the write requests so that each segment of a given multi-segment block is written to a single respective one of the storage devices in the storage array. In some embodiments, the storage manager further includes a read request handler configured to determine logical addresses of requested segments and send segment read requests to the storage array.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for performing background initialization on protection information enabled storage volumes or drives. In some embodiments, a storage controller generates multiple I/O requests for stripe segments of each drive (e.g., disk) of multiple drives of a RAID-based system (e.g., RAID-based disk array). The I/O requests are then sorted for each of the drives according to a pre-determined arrangement and initiated in parallel to the disks while enforcing the pre-determined arrangement. Sorting and issuing the I/O requests in the manner described herein can, for example, reduce drive head movement resulting in faster storage subsystem initialization.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for performing background initialization on protection information enabled storage volumes or drives. In some embodiments, a storage controller generates multiple I/O requests for stripe segments of each drive (e.g., disk) of multiple drives of a RAID-based system (e.g., RAID-based disk array). The I/O requests are then sorted for each of the drives according to a pre-determined arrangement and initiated in parallel to the disks while enforcing the pre-determined arrangement. Sorting and issuing the I/O requests in the manner described herein can, for example, reduce drive head movement resulting in faster storage subsystem initialization.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for performing background initialization on protection information enabled storage volumes or drives. In some embodiments, a storage controller generates multiple I/O requests for stripe segments of each drive (e.g., disk) of multiple drives of a RAID-based system (e.g., RAID-based disk array). The I/O requests are then sorted for each of the drives according to a pre-determined arrangement and initiated in parallel to the disks while enforcing the pre-determined arrangement. Sorting and issuing the I/O requests in the manner described herein can, for example, reduce drive head movement resulting in faster storage subsystem initialization.

Abstract: A system and method of transposed storage in RAID arrays includes a storage manager with an interface for receiving storage requests associated with multi-segment blocks stored in a storage array, a controller for processing the received storage requests and controlling the storage manager, and a write request handler. The storage array includes a plurality of storage devices for which consecutive logical addresses are assigned to different ones of the storage devices. The write request handler is configured to process block write requests and send segment write requests to the storage array based on the write requests so that each segment of a given multi-segment block is written to a single respective one of the storage devices in the storage array. In some embodiments, the storage manager further includes a read request handler configured to determine logical addresses of requested segments and send segment read requests to the storage array.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for performing background initialization on protection information enabled storage volumes or drives. In some embodiments, a storage controller generates multiple I/O requests for stripe segments of each drive (e.g., disk) of multiple drives of a RAID-based system (e.g., RAID-based disk array). The I/O requests are then sorted for each of the drives according to a pre-determined arrangement and initiated in parallel to the disks while enforcing the pre-determined arrangement. Sorting and issuing the I/O requests in the manner described herein can, for example, reduce drive head movement resulting in faster storage subsystem initialization.

Abstract: Methods and systems for migrating data between storage tiers may include various operations, including, but not limited to: determining at least one activity index of at least one data storage region; receiving an input/output request addressing at least one data segment included in the at least one data storage region; qualifying a data segment addressed by the input/output request for migration to at least one higher-performing storage device; and adding a data segment reference associated with a qualified data segment to a priority queue according to the at least one activity index.

Abstract: methods and systems for monitoring data activity may include various operations, including, but not limited to: modifying a value of at least one counter in response to one or more input/output requests directed to at least one data storage region during a first time interval; storing a first cumulative value of the counter modified in response to one or more input/output requests directed to at least one data storage region during the first time interval following the expiration of the first time interval; modifying a value of at least one counter in response to one or more requests directed to the at least one data storage region during a second time interval; storing a second cumulative value of the counter modified in response to one or more requests directed to the at least one data storage region during the second time interval following the expiration of the second time interval; and computing at least one activity index for the at least one data storage region from at least the first cumulative value

Abstract: Methods and systems for migrating data between storage tiers may include various operations, including, but not limited to: determining at least one activity index of at least one data storage region; receiving an input/output request addressing at least one data segment included in the at least one data storage region; qualifying a data segment addressed by the input/output request for migration to at least one higher-performing storage device; and adding a data segment reference associated with a qualified data segment to a priority queue according to the at least one activity index.

Abstract: methods and systems for monitoring data activity may include various operations, including, but not limited to: modifying a value of at least one counter in response to one or more input/output requests directed to at least one data storage region during a first time interval; storing a first cumulative value of the counter modified in response to one or more input/output requests directed to at least one data storage region during the first time interval following the expiration of the first time interval; modifying a value of at least one counter in response to one or more requests directed to the at least one data storage region during a second time interval; storing a second cumulative value of the counter modified in response to one or more requests directed to the at least one data storage region during the second time interval following the expiration of the second time interval; and computing at least one activity index for the at least one data storage region from at least the first cumulative value

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing rebuild time on a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) device. A first stripe of the RAID device is selected. Write-back caching on a drive being built is enabled. Data and/or parity may be read from at least one other drive. The at least one other drive and the drive being built belong to a same stripe of the RAID device. When a RAID level of the RAID device is 5, the at least one of data or parity is XORed (exclusive ORed) to obtain a result. When the RAID level of the RAID device is 1, the at least one of data or parity is data and treated as the result. The result is written to a second drive, which is a repaired, replaced, or hot-spare drive for the drive being built.

Abstract: Methods and associated structures for utilizing write-back cache management modes for local cache memory of disk drives coupled to a storage controller while maintaining data integrity of the data transferred to the local cache memories of affected disk drives. In one aspect hereof, a state machine model of managing cache blocks in a storage controller cache memory maintains blocks in the storage controller's cache memory in a new state until verification is sensed that the blocks have been successfully stored on the persistent storage media of the affected disk drives. Responsive to failure or other reset of the disk drive, the written cache blocks may be re-written from the copy maintained in the cache memory of the storage controller. In another aspect, an alternate controller's cache memory may also be used to mirror the cache blocks from the primary storage controller's cache memory as additional data integrity assurance.

Abstract: A method for returning a logical volume which is part of a redundant data storage system to on-line status following a disk failure within the logical volume during the time when another of that volume's disks is unavailable as a result of having its firmware updated, as an example. Data which would otherwise be changed in the logical volume due to host write requests is directed to a logging facility within the data storage system, but outside of the logical volume undergoing upgrade.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for disabling and recreating a snapshot volume. A method of disabling repository volume activity corresponding to a point-in-time image and retaining repository volume attributes may include initiating a command in a electronic data storage system. The command disables copy-on-write activity to a repository volume created in relation to a first point-in-time image of a base volume, in which repository volume attributes are retained suitable for providing a repository volume corresponding to a second point-in-time image. A method of creating a point-in-time image of a base volume may include initiating a command to create a second point-in-time image of a base volume. The second point-in-time image is created utilizing a repository volume having attributes retained from a repository volume created previously with respect to a first point-in-time image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for disabling and recreating a snapshot volume. A method of disabling repository volume activity corresponding to a point-in-time image and retaining repository volume attributes may include initiating a command in a electronic data storage system. The command disables copy-on-write activity to a repository volume created in relation to a first point-in-time image of a base volume, in which repository volume attributes are retained suitable for providing a repository volume corresponding to a second point-in-time image. A method of creating a point-in-time image of a base volume may include initiating a command to create a second point-in-time image of a base volume. The second point-in-time image is created utilizing a repository volume having attributes retained from a repository volume created previously with respect to a first point-in-time image.