Abstract: A storage controller coupled to a storage array comprising one or more storage devices receive a request to write data to one of the storage devices. The storage controller determines a first data block on the storage device comprising a list of deallocated data blocks on the storage device, the list comprising a block number of each deallocated data block and an access operation count value at which each deallocated data block was deallocated. The storage controller identifies a second data block from the list of deallocated data blocks on the storage device based on a corresponding access operation count value from the list and writes the data to the second data block.

Abstract: Dynamically managing control information in a storage device, including: querying, by an array management module executing on a storage array controller, the storage device for a location of control information for the storage device, the control information describing the state of one or more memory blocks in the storage device; and issuing, by the array management module in dependence upon the location of the control information for the storage device, a request to retrieve the control information for the storage device.

Abstract: Offloading device management responsibilities from a storage device in an array of storage devices, including: retrieving, from the storage device, control information describing the state of one or more memory blocks in the storage device; and performing, in dependence upon the control information, a storage device management operation.

Abstract: Maintaining data associate with a storage device is described. A method may include receiving, by an application executed by a storage array controller of a host server of a solid-state storage array comprising a plurality of solid-state storage devices, an indication of a change in state of a solid-state storage device of the plurality of solid-state storage devices. In response to receiving the indication, the method may also include retrieving a plurality of tables stored at a volatile memory of the solid-state storage device, the plurality of tables comprising information associated with characteristics of a plurality of data blocks of the solid-state storage device. The method may also include identifying one or more rules associated with the plurality of tables and creating, by the storage array controller, a new plurality of tables based on the one or more rules.

Abstract: A storage controller coupled to a storage array comprising one or more storage devices receive a request to write data to one of the storage devices. The storage controller determines a first data block on the storage device comprising a list of deallocated data blocks on the storage device, the list comprising a block number of each deallocated data block and an access operation count value at which each deallocated data block was deallocated. The storage controller identifies a second data block from the list of deallocated data blocks on the storage device based on a corresponding access operation count value from the list and writes the data to the second data block.

Abstract: A request to perform an operation at a storage device of a storage array may be received. Schedulable units of the storage device may be identified. An availability of each schedulable unit of the schedulable units of the storage device may be determined. The requested operation may be scheduled based on the availability of each of the schedulable units of the storage device. Furthermore, the requested operation may be performed at the storage device based on the scheduling.

Abstract: An indication of a power-up of a storage device may be received. In response to receiving the indication, a first data structure that is stored at a volatile memory of the storage device may be retrieved. The first data structure may include first information associated with characteristics of a plurality of data blocks of the storage device. A second data structure stored at a non-volatile memory of the storage device may be retrieved where the second data structure includes second information associated with the characteristics of the plurality of data blocks of the storage device. A new data structure may be created based on the first information and the second information and a rule where an entry of the new data structure is provided a value from one of the first information or the second information based on the rule.

Abstract: A storage device associated with a storage array may be identified. Information specifying an organization of data included in a data structure may be retrieved from the storage device. The data may be associated with characteristics of a plurality of data blocks of the storage device. A read operation or a write operation may be performed for the storage device based on the information specifying the organization of the data included in the data structure that is associated with the characteristics of the plurality of data blocks of the storage device.

Abstract: Dynamically managing control information in a storage device, including: querying, by an array management module executing on a storage array controller, the storage device for a location of control information for the storage device, the control information describing the state of one or more memory blocks in the storage device; and issuing, by the array management module in dependence upon the location of the control information for the storage device, a request to retrieve the control information for the storage device.

Abstract: Offloading device management responsibilities from a storage device in an array of storage devices, including: retrieving, from the storage device, control information describing the state of one or more memory blocks in the storage device; and performing, in dependence upon the control information, a storage device management operation.

Abstract: Dynamically managing control information in a storage device, including: querying, by an array management module executing on a storage array controller, the storage device for a location of control information for the storage device, the control information describing the state of one or more memory blocks in the storage device; and issuing, by the array management module in dependence upon the location of the control information for the storage device, a request to retrieve the control information for the storage device.

Abstract: An integrated multi-channel Fiber Channel analyzer provides coordinated and cooperative triggering and capture of data across multiple channels in a Fiber Channel network. The integrated multi-channel analyzer accommodates up to sixteen separate analyzer channels in a single cabinet. Each analyzer channel is comprised of an input port connection to the Fiber Channel network, a trace buffer memory that captures data and logic circuitry that controls the operation of the trace buffer memory in response to a status condition. A high speed status bus is connected to each analyzer channel and propagates the status conditions of each analyzer channel to all other analyzer channels. In this way, the integrated multi-channel analyzer allows for distributive control over triggering decisions across multiple analyzer channels, and also allows for multi-level triggering where different conditions may be detected by different analyzer channels.