Abstract: A method for generating a storage drive qualification test plan includes receiving input values for a plurality of variables for a qualification test of a storage drive model. Each variable has a drive requirement weight and/or a testing schedule weight. The method includes determining a plurality of weighted drive requirement values by adjusting each input value having a corresponding drive requirement weight by the corresponding drive requirement weight and determining a plurality of weighted testing schedule values by adjusting each input value having a corresponding testing schedule weight by the corresponding testing schedule weight. The method also includes determining a storage drive requirement by increasing or decreasing a baseline storage drive requirement according to the weighted drive requirement values. The method includes determining a testing schedule by increasing or decreasing a baseline testing schedule according to the weighted testing schedule values.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a demand module that determines a demand for a product offered from a plurality of suppliers. A pricing module receives cost factors associated with the product to determine a base per unit cost of the product. A quality module receives quality factors associated with the product to determine a per unit quality cost adder. A cost module calculates a procurement cost of the product. A supplier module receives production factors describing a supplier's ability to provide the product. A social module monitors social media for social data describing events related to a supplier's ability to provide the product. A procurement module determines, based on the per unit procurement cost of the product, the production factors, and the social data, a product order allocation for each supplier that fulfills the demand.

Abstract: A method for generating a storage drive qualification test plan includes receiving input values for a plurality of variables for a qualification test of a storage drive model. Each variable has a drive requirement weight and/or a testing schedule weight. The method includes determining a plurality of weighted drive requirement values by adjusting each input value having a corresponding drive requirement weight by the corresponding drive requirement weight and determining a plurality of weighted testing schedule values by adjusting each input value having a corresponding testing schedule weight by the corresponding testing schedule weight. The method also includes determining a storage drive requirement by increasing or decreasing a baseline storage drive requirement according to the weighted drive requirement values. The method includes determining a testing schedule by increasing or decreasing a baseline testing schedule according to the weighted testing schedule values.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for sending a data request from a host bus adapter logic processor to a hard disk drive, setting a standard time out period for receiving a reply from the hard disk drive, sensing vibration in the hard disk drive, sending a vibration alert signal from the hard disk drive to the host bus adapter logic processor in response to the sensed vibration exceeding a predetermined amount of vibration, and, in response to receiving the vibration alert signal from the hard disk drive, the host bus adapter logic processor establishing an extended time out period for receiving the reply. The rotational vibration sensor used by the hard disk drive for repositioning the read/write head may also be used to sense the vibration and form the basis for the vibration alert signal, such as a vibration error code. By extending the time out period during high vibration events, the hard disk drive can ride out the event without being tagged as having failed.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for sending a data request from a host bus adapter logic processor to a hard disk drive, setting a standard time out period for receiving a reply from the hard disk drive, sensing vibration in the hard disk drive, sending a vibration alert signal from the hard disk drive to the host bus adapter logic processor in response to the sensed vibration exceeding a predetermined amount of vibration, and, in response to receiving the vibration alert signal from the hard disk drive, the host bus adapter logic processor establishing an extended time out period for receiving the reply. The rotational vibration sensor used by the hard disk drive for repositioning the read/write head may also be used to sense the vibration and form the basis for the vibration alert signal, such as a vibration error code. By extending the time out period during high vibration events, the hard disk drive can ride out the event without being tagged as having failed.

Abstract: A reduced-vibration air mover assembly comprises a first blade housing to support a first motor housing and a first motor through a first set of struts, the first motor rotatably coupled to a first blade, and a second blade housing to support a second motor housing and a second motor through a second set of struts, the second motor rotatably coupled to a second blade, and a layer of damping material having a first surface adhered to at least one of the first motor housing, the first set of struts and the first blade housing, and a second surface adhered to at least one of the second motor housing, the second set of struts and the second blade housing. A method of reducing vibration transfer to a computer chassis comprises adhesively securing a layer of damping material intermediate a first air mover and a second air mover.

Abstract: A carrier for a hot-pluggable disk drive has a frame with a pair of side walls, a front bezel, and a rear connector assembly. The disk drive mounts to the frame within its confines. The carrier also has pipes for transmitting light to the front bezel. The light pipes extend along the side wall from the front bezel to the rear connector assembly. The carrier is installed in the disk drive docking bay of a computer system. The rear end of the docking bay has a docking connector for interconnecting with the rear connector assembly, which also interconnects with the drive. The rear connector assembly is provided with a retainer for supporting the rearward ends of the light pipes. When the carrier is seated in the docking bay, the light pipes precisely align with activity lights at the back of the docking bay. The light emitted by the activity lights is transmitted through the light pipes and displayed at the front bezel for viewing by the user.

Abstract: A “hot-pluggable” hard disk drive is mounted in a removable hard disk drive tray. The hard disk drive tray has a vibration dampening system for reducing vibration between the hard disk drive, the hard disk drive tray, and a hard disk drive docking bay located within a computer system. The vibration dampening system has three primary components. The first component is a strip of polymeric material located between an end of the hard disk drive tray and the docking bay. The second component of the vibration dampening system is a set of polymeric strips located between an inner surface of the tray and the hard disk drive. The third component of the vibration dampening system is a set of spring assemblies. Each spring assembly is located between the sides of the tray and the docking bay.

Abstract: A carrier for a hot-pluggable hard disk drive has a frame with a pair of side walls, a front bezel, and a rear connector assembly. The hard disk drive mounts to the frame within its confines. One of the side walls has a pair of channels in its outer surface. The carrier also has a visible light pipe mounted in each of its channels. The light pipes extend along the side wall from the front bezel to the rear connector assembly. The carrier is installed in the hard disk drive docking bay of a computer system. The rear end of the docking bay has a docking connector for interconnecting with the drive, and a pair of activity lights. When the carrier is seated in the docking bay, the rear ends of the light pipes are precisely aligned with the activity lights and separated from them by a small clearance. The light emitted by the activity lights is transmitted through the light pipes and displayed at the front bezel for viewing by the user.

Abstract: A carrier for a hot-pluggable hard disk drive has a frame with a pair of side walls, a front end, and a rear end. The hard disk drive mounts to the frame within its confines. A connector is provided for electrically coupling the hard disk drive to a computer system. A channel is formed in one side wall and a guide surface is formed on the other side wall of the frame. Each side wall has a recess at the front ends of the channel and guide surface. The recesses house shock dampening yokes. Each yoke is a C-shaped member with a hub and a pair of fingers. The carrier mounts in a computer system having a docking bay. Each side of the bay has a guide rib and a docking connector is mounted at the rear. As the carrier is inserted into the bay, the ribs simultaneously engage the channel and the guide surface in the side walls and are directed into the yokes. The yokes allow some compliant motion and deflect to a preload position against the ribs upon contact.

Abstract: A "hot-pluggable" hard disk drive is mounted in a removable hard disk drive tray. The hard disk drive tray has a vibration dampening system for reducing vibration between the hard disk drive, the hard disk drive tray, and a hard disk drive docking bay located within a computer system. The vibration dampening system has three primary components. The first component is a strip of polymeric material located between an end of the hard disk drive tray and the docking bay. The second component of the vibration dampening system is a set of polymeric strips located between an inner surface of the tray and the hard disk drive. The third component of the vibration dampening system is a set of spring assemblies. Each spring assembly is located between the sides of the tray and the docking bay.