Patents by Inventor Ellen J. Grusy
Ellen J. Grusy 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).
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Patent number: 10108362Abstract: A director node of a plurality of nodes determines a plurality of data arrays, where the plurality of data arrays have been discovered at boot time. The director node determines global metadata information, based on reading boot sectors of at least one of the plurality of data arrays discovered at boot time. A determination is made from the global metadata information as to how many data arrays had been previously configured. In response to determining that the plurality of data arrays discovered at boot time is not equal in number to the previously configured data arrays, the director node determines that all configured data arrays have not been discovered.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Kurt A. Lovrien, Karl A. Nielsen, Jacob L. Sheppard
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Patent number: 9983819Abstract: Systems and methods for initializing a memory system are provided. One system includes a processor and a memory including a storage volume coupled to the processor. The storage volume includes a first bitmap for tracking an initialization process for the storage volume and a second bitmap for tracking a copying process for the storage volume. A method includes performing, via the processor, an initialization process for the storage volume and tracking, via the processor utilizing the first bitmap, the initialization process. The method further includes performing, via the processor, a copying process for the storage volume prior to completing the initialization process and tracking, via the processor utilizing the second bitmap, the copying process. Also provided are computer storage mediums including computer program code for performing the above method.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Brian D. Hatfield, Kurt A. Lovrien, Richard A. Ripberger, Matthew Sanchez
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Patent number: 9858180Abstract: A storage controller receives a request to establish a point-in-time copy operation by placing a space efficient source volume in a point-in-time copy relationship with a space efficient target volume, wherein subsequent to being established the point-in-time copy operation is configurable to consistently copy the space efficient source volume to the space efficient target volume at a point in time. A determination is made as to whether any track of an extent is staging into a cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume. In response to a determination that at least one track of the extent is staging into the cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume, release of the extent from the space efficient target volume is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Theresa M. Brown, Ellen J. Grusy, Lokesh M. Gupta, Brian D. Hatfield, Kurt A. Lovrien, Carol S. Mellgren, Raul E. Saba
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Patent number: 9665282Abstract: Various embodiments for storage initialization and data destage in a computing storage environment are provided. At least a portion of data on a storage device is initialized using a background process, while one of simultaneously and subsequently destaging the at least the portion of the data to the storage device using a foreground process is performed. A persistent metadata bitmap, adapted to indicate whether the at least the portion of the data has been initialized, is staged to cache, the cache operable in the computing storage environment. The background process maintains a volatile bitmap indicating a status of the initialization of the at least the portion of the data in direct correspondence to the metadata bitmap. As the background process initializes the at least the portion of the data, an applicable bit on the persistent metadata bitmap is cleared and a corresponding bit is set on the volatile bitmap.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Matthew J. Kalos, Kurt A. Lovrien, Matthew Sanchez
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Patent number: 9483408Abstract: Various embodiments for initializing metadata in a computing storage environment by a processor. A Release Generation Number (RGN) is associated with a volume, and an RGN is associated with a metadata track. Upon a release of storage space in the volume, the RGN associated with the volume is incremented. Upon an initialization of the metadata track, the RGN associated with the metadata track is updated to be consistent in generation with the RGN associated with the volume. Upon an access of the metadata track, the RGN of the metadata track is compared against the RGN of the volume, and the metadata track is initialized if a match is not found.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Lokesh M. Gupta, Kurt A. Lovrien, Kenneth W. Todd
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Patent number: 9471241Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer storage mediums including a computer program product method for formatting storage volumes are provided. One method includes creating a storage volume including a global counter and partitioned into multiple storage segments including a segment counter and partitioned into multiple stripes, wherein the global counter and each segment counter match at an initial time. The method further includes receiving a command to write data to a first stripe, comparing a first segment counter associated with the segment, determining if the segment and global counters match, and re-initializing first metadata associated with the segment to indicate the first segment requires formatting if the counters do not match. One system includes a processor for performing the above method and one computer storage medium includes a computer program product configured to perform the above method.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Brian D. Hatfield, Kurt A. Lovrien, Matthew Sanchez
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Publication number: 20160299848Abstract: Various embodiments for initializing metadata in a computing storage environment by a processor. A Release Generation Number (RGN) is associated with a volume, and an RGN is associated with a metadata track. Upon a release of storage space in the volume, the RGN associated with the volume is incremented. Upon an initialization of the metadata track, the RGN associated with the metadata track is updated to be consistent in generation with the RGN associated with the volume. Upon an access of the metadata track, the RGN of the metadata track is compared against the RGN of the volume, and the metadata track is initialized if a match is not found.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. GRUSY, Lokesh M. GUPTA, Kurt A. LOVRIEN, Kenneth W. TODD
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Patent number: 9336012Abstract: A plurality of data arrays are coupled to a plurality of nodes via a plurality of adapters. The plurality of adapters discover the plurality of data arrays during startup, and information about the plurality of data arrays are communicated to corresponding local nodes of the plurality of nodes, wherein the local nodes broadcast the information to other nodes of plurality of nodes. A director node of the plurality of nodes determines which data arrays of the plurality of data arrays are a current set of global metadata arrays, based on the broadcasted information.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Kurt A. Lovrien, Karl A. Nielsen, Jacob L. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20160117128Abstract: Systems and methods for initializing a memory system are provided. One system includes a processor and a memory including a storage volume coupled to the processor. The storage volume includes a first bitmap for tracking an initialization process for the storage volume and a second bitmap for tracking a copying process for the storage volume. A method includes performing, via the processor, an initialization process for the storage volume and tracking, via the processor utilizing the first bitmap, the initialization process. The method further includes performing, via the processor, a copying process for the storage volume prior to completing the initialization process and tracking, via the processor utilizing the second bitmap, the copying process. Also provided are computer storage mediums including computer program code for performing the above method.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2016Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. GRUSY, Brian D. HATFIELD, Kurt A. LOVRIEN, Richard A. RIPBERGER, Matthew SANCHEZ
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Publication number: 20160034283Abstract: A plurality of data arrays are coupled to a plurality of nodes via a plurality of adapters. The plurality of adapters discover the plurality of data arrays during startup, and information about the plurality of data arrays are communicated to corresponding local nodes of the plurality of nodes, wherein the local nodes broadcast the information to other nodes of plurality of nodes. A director node of the plurality of nodes determines which data arrays of the plurality of data arrays are a current set of global metadata arrays, based on the broadcasted information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Kurt A. Lovrien, Karl A. Nielsen, Jacob L. Sheppard
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Patent number: 9244621Abstract: A plurality of data arrays are coupled to a plurality of nodes via a plurality of adapters. The plurality of adapters discover the plurality of data arrays during startup, and information about the plurality of data arrays are communicated to corresponding local nodes of the plurality of nodes, wherein the local nodes broadcast the information to other nodes of plurality of nodes. A director node of the plurality of nodes determines which data arrays of the plurality of data arrays are a current set of global metadata arrays, based on the broadcasted information.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Kurt A. Lovrien, Karl A. Nielsen, Jacob L. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20160019003Abstract: A director node of a plurality of nodes determines a plurality of data arrays, where the plurality of data arrays have been discovered at boot time. The director node determines global metadata information, based on reading boot sectors of at least one of the plurality of data arrays discovered at boot time. A determination is made from the global metadata information as to how many data arrays had been previously configured. In response to determining that the plurality of data arrays discovered at boot time is not equal in number to the previously configured data arrays, the director node determines that all configured data arrays have not been discovered.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Kurt A. Lovrien, Karl A. Nielsen, Jacob L. Sheppard
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Patent number: 9235348Abstract: Systems and methods for initializing a memory system are provided. One system includes a processor and a memory including a storage volume coupled to the processor. The storage volume includes a first bitmap for tracking an initialization process for the storage volume and a second bitmap for tracking a copying process for the storage volume. A method includes performing, via the processor, an initialization process for the storage volume and tracking, via the processor utilizing the first bitmap, the initialization process. The method further includes performing, via the processor, a copying process for the storage volume prior to completing the initialization process and tracking, via the processor utilizing the second bitmap, the copying process. Also provided are computer storage mediums including computer program code for performing the above method.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Brian D. Hatfield, Kurt A. Lovrien, Richard A. Ripberger, Matthew Sanchez
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Publication number: 20150378610Abstract: Various embodiments for storage initialization and data destage in a computing storage environment are provided. At least a portion of data on a storage device is initialized using a background process, while one of simultaneously and subsequently destaging the at least the portion of the data to the storage device using a foreground process is performed. A persistent metadata bitmap, adapted to indicate whether the at least the portion of the data has been initialized, is staged to cache, the cache operable in the computing storage environment. The background process maintains a volatile bitmap indicating a status of the initialization of the at least the portion of the data in direct correspondence to the metadata bitmap. As the background process initializes the at least the portion of the data, an applicable bit on the persistent metadata bitmap is cleared and a corresponding bit is set on the volatile bitmap.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. GRUSY, Matthew J. KALOS, Kurt A. LOVRIEN, Matthew SANCHEZ
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Patent number: 9207868Abstract: A director node of a plurality of nodes determines a plurality of data arrays, where the plurality of data arrays have been discovered at boot time. The director node determines global metadata information, based on reading boot sectors of at least one of the plurality of data arrays discovered at boot time. A determination is made from the global metadata information as to how many data arrays had been previously configured. In response to determining that the plurality of data arrays discovered at boot time is not equal in number to the previously configured data arrays, the director node determines that all configured data arrays have not been discovered.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Kurt A. Lovrien, Karl A. Nielsen, Jacob L. Sheppard
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Patent number: 9152344Abstract: Various embodiments for storage initialization and data destage in a computing storage environment are provided. At least a portion of data on a storage device is initialized using a background process, while one of simultaneously and subsequently destaging the at least the portion of the data to the storage device using a foreground process is performed. A persistent metadata bitmap, adapted to indicate whether the at least the portion of the data has been initialized, is staged to cache, the cache operable in the computing storage environment. The background process maintains a volatile bitmap indicating a status of the initialization of the at least the portion of the data in direct correspondence to the metadata bitmap. As the background process initializes the at least the portion of the data, an applicable bit on the persistent metadata bitmap is cleared and a corresponding bit is set on the volatile bitmap.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Matthew J. Kalos, Kurt A. Lovrien, Matthew Sanchez
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Publication number: 20150227455Abstract: A storage controller receives a request to establish a point-in-time copy operation by placing a space efficient source volume in a point-in-time copy relationship with a space efficient target volume, wherein subsequent to being established the point-in-time copy operation is configurable to consistently copy the space efficient source volume to the space efficient target volume at a point in time. A determination is made as to whether any track of an extent is staging into a cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume. In response to a determination that at least one track of the extent is staging into the cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume, release of the extent from the space efficient target volume is avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Theresa M. Brown, Ellen J. Grusy, Lokesh M. Gupta, Brian D. Hatfield, Kurt A. Lovrien, Carol S. Mellgren, Raul E. Saba
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Patent number: 9058293Abstract: A storage controller receives a request to establish a point-in-time copy operation by placing a space efficient source volume in a point-in-time copy relationship with a space efficient target volume, wherein subsequent to being established the point-in-time copy operation is configurable to consistently copy the space efficient source volume to the space efficient target volume at a point in time. A determination is made as to whether any track of an extent is staging into a cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume. In response to a determination that at least one track of the extent is staging into the cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume, release of the extent from the space efficient target volume is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Theresa M. Brown, Ellen J. Grusy, Lokesh M. Gupta, Brian D. Hatfield, Kurt A. Lovrien, Carol S. Mellgren, Raul E. Saba
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Publication number: 20150074369Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer storage mediums including a computer program product method for formatting storage volumes are provided. One method includes creating a storage volume including a global counter and partitioned into multiple storage segments including a segment counter and partitioned into multiple stripes, wherein the global counter and each segment counter match at an initial time. The method further includes receiving a command to write data to a first stripe, comparing a first segment counter associated with the segment, determining if the segment and global counters match, and re-initializing first metadata associated with the segment to indicate the first segment requires formatting if the counters do not match. One system includes a processor for performing the above method and one computer storage medium includes a computer program product configured to perform the above method.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ellen J. GRUSY, Brian D. HATFIELD, Kurt A. LOVRIEN, Matthew Sanchez
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Patent number: 8914605Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer storage mediums including a computer program product method for formatting storage volumes are provided. One method includes creating a storage volume including a global counter and partitioned into multiple storage segments including a segment counter and partitioned into multiple stripes, wherein the global counter and each segment counter match at an initial time. The method further includes releasing the storage segments prior to completely reformatting the storage volume and subsequently incrementing the global counter such that the global counter and each segment counter no longer match at a subsequent time. The method further includes enabling a user to write data to the storage segments prior to completely reformatting the storage volume in response to incrementing the global counter. One system includes a processor for performing the above method and one computer storage medium includes a computer program product configured to perform the above method.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ellen J. Grusy, Brian D. Hatfield, Kurt A. Lovrien, Matthew Sanchez