Patents by Inventor Erik Smith

Erik Smith 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: 12265737
    Abstract: Embodiments of using command tags are described to prevent data corruption in a multi-path network in an NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-OF) environment. A command tag is incorporated in a written command send from a host for command identification. Once the host detects an issue of a first link between the host and namespace, the host may immediately send, using a second link, a retry of a command that was previously sent by the host to a first controller via the first link. The retry of the command comprises the same command tag which allows the first and second controllers to detect an execution condition of the first write command, and thus avoiding repeat execution of the first write command by the first controller and the second controller. Therefore, data corruption may be addressed efficiently to the root cause.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Erik Smith, David Black, Boris Glimcher, Vinay Rao
  • Publication number: 20250097269
    Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for reactive hard zoning. In one or more embodiments, a monitoring and visibility services (MVS) controller receives zoning information from a centralized discovery controller and also receives data traffic flow information from traffic samplers that continuously monitor network traffic flows (e.g., using SFLOW) in the network. Responsive to the MVS detecting a violating data traffic flow (i.e., zoning configuration does not allow a host to access a storage port), an enforcement engine of the MVS may cause one or more actions to be taken relative to the detected violation. An action may comprise adding a networking configuration (e.g., ACL or disable (a.k.a., fence) the interface on the switch that the host is attached to) to deny that communication, flagging the communication, etc. The network configuration may be reset to a default policy either automatically (e.g., timeout) or manually via administrative configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Pawan Kumar SINGAL, Balaji RAJAGOPALAN, Erik SMITH, Badrinath VISWANATHAN, Balaji Thope JANAKIRAM, Shanmugapriya SAKTHIRAJAN
  • Publication number: 20250088455
    Abstract: Systems and methods use zoning configuration to construct border gateway protocol (BGP) route maps. The constructed route maps may be used to selectively advertise routes between BGP peer devices without having to advertise all available routes to all entities or subsystems in a network. Advantageously, this significantly reduces potential security risks to the network and improves scalability of services in non-volatile memory express over Fabric and other systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Pawan Kumar SINGAL, Erik SMITH, Balaji RAJAGOPALAN
  • Patent number: 12220608
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems or devices, such as removable attachments, bars, multi-bars, or handles, are disclosed that allow binding to a wide variety of dumbbells and barbells available on the market. Binding to dumbbells and barbells of various sizes, types, brands, shapes, weights, dimensions, diameters and/or handle diameters, etc., is advantageous to allow interoperability and adaptability. In some examples, the variety of exercises that can be performed with a single dumbbell or barbell may be expanded to include two-handed techniques with minimal additional equipment. In some examples, this can reduce costs of additional equipment, storage space needed to store additional equipment, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Inventor: Erik Smith
  • Publication number: 20240425971
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a system and method for controlling film thickness, and a film deposition system and method using same. In one such embodiments, a vapour deposition system for spatially controlling a deposited film thickness on a substrate comprises: an emission source; a substrate holder; and a translatable shutter comprising a flux barrier disposed between said emission source and the substrate and operable to translate said flux barrier through a deposition flux according to a designated linear translation profile designated to spatially control the deposited film thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Boulanger, David Pitts, Andrew Campbell, Erik Smith, Paul Clarke, Timothy Brenner, Mike Miller, Craig Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20240419625
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein address issues related to discovery controller collaboration in multi-cloud operating environments, in which a resource storage system and a destination storage system may not be managed by the same team or process. Therefore, providing a single Centralized Discovery Controller (CDC) that can be directly utilized by both the source and destination may not be possible. To address the multi-datacenter configuration concerns, embodiments of a Federated Discovery Controller (FDC) are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, an FDC comprises a primary CDC (PCDC) and one or more non-primary Discovery Controllers (NDCs). After initial configuration and connection establishment, a bi-directional connection between the PCDC and each NDC may be established for desired namespace discovery and storage capacity utilization across different Discovery Controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Erik SMITH, Pawan Kumar SINGAL, Joseph LaSalle WHITE, Balaji RAJAGOPALAN
  • Patent number: 12170610
    Abstract: Systems and methods use zoning configuration to construct border gateway protocol (BGP) route maps. The constructed route maps may then be used to selectively advertise routes between BGP peer devices without having to advertise all available routes to all entities or subsystems in a network. Advantageously, this significantly reduces potential security risks to the network and improves scalability of services in non-volatile memory express over Fabric and other systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Pawan Kumar Singal, Erik Smith, Balaji Rajagopalan
  • Publication number: 20240401186
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a system and method for controlling film thickness, and a film deposition system and method using same. In one such embodiments, a vapour deposition system for spatially controlling a deposited film thickness on a substrate comprises: an emission source; a substrate holder; and a translatable shutter comprising a flux barrier disposed between said emission source and the substrate and operable to translate said flux barrier through a deposition flux according to a designated linear translation profile designated to spatially control the deposited film thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Boulanger, David Pitts, Andrew Campbell, Erik Smith, Paul Clarke, Timothy Brenner, Mike Miller, Craig Reynolds
  • Patent number: 12141477
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein enable non-volatile memory express (NVMe®) subsystem-driven command execution requests. By configuring subsystems as pull model devices, subsystems can request a centralized discovery controller to perform one or more operations. Embodiments may leverage a command execution request architecture to achieve the subsystem-driven pull model functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Claudio Desanti, Erik Smith, Pawan Kumar Singal, Sakti Lakshmiy R Paulchamy
  • Patent number: 12118231
    Abstract: A traditional storage platform performs many basic functions, such as storage partitions allocation (i.e., namespace masking) and many advanced functions, such as deduplication or dynamic storage allocation. These functions need to be managed and this results in a multiple management system paradigm in which a fabric management application manages the fabric connectivity policies (i.e., zoning), while a storage management application manages the storage namespace mappings and advanced functions. Embodiments herein provide for centralized management for both connectivity and storage namespace mapping, among other advanced features. Namespace zoning information may comprise namespace zone groups, namespace zones, namespace zone members, namespace zone aliases, and namespace zone alias members, which expand the Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) zoning framework from just connectivity control to full namespace allocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Claudio Desanti, Joseph LaSalle White, Erik Smith
  • Publication number: 20240256181
    Abstract: Embodiments of using command tags are described to prevent data corruption in a multi-path network in an NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-OF) environment. A command tag is incorporated in a written command send from a host for command identification. Once the host detects an issue of a first link between the host and namespace, the host may immediately send, using a second link, a retry of a command that was previously sent by the host to a first controller via the first link. The retry of the command comprises the same command tag which allows the first and second controllers to detect an execution condition of the first write command, and thus avoiding repeat execution of the first write command by the first controller and the second controller. Therefore, data corruption may be addressed efficiently to the root cause.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Erik SMITH, David BLACK, Boris GLIMCHER, Vinay RAO
  • Patent number: 12039199
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize discovery log entry identifiers (DLEIDs) to identify individual discovery log page entries (DLPEs) in a discovery log page, for example, to allow a name server to manipulate DLPEs and perform specific operations, including zoning operations. Thus, DLEIDs advantageously reduce data flow and repetitive full discovery log page requests and responses and associated processing times; especially, in scenarios where changes to data are minimal. Further, a DLEID-based get log page command may be used to perform push and pull registrations, e.g., to query a specific set of end devices. Advantageously, this reduces message size or sizes and, thus, the number of messages that need to be exchanged, e.g., during an addition or deletion of end devices, especially in larger environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Sakti Lakshmiy R Paulchamy, Balasubramanian Muthukrishnan, Kavitha Govindasami, Erik Smith, Pawan Kumar Singal
  • Patent number: 12026402
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize discovery log entry identifiers (DLEIDs) to identify individual discovery log page entries (DLPEs) in a discovery log page, for example, to allow a name server to manipulate DLPEs and perform specific operations, including zoning operations. Thus, DLEIDs advantageously reduce data flow and repetitive full discovery log page requests and responses and associated processing times; especially, in scenarios where changes to data are minimal Further, a DLEID-based get log page command may be used to perform push and pull registrations, e.g., to query a specific set of end devices. Advantageously, this reduces messages size and, thus, the number of messages that need to be exchanged, e.g., during an addition or deletion of end devices, especially in larger environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Sakti Lakshmiy R Paulchamy, Balasubramanian Muthukrishnan, Kavitha Govindasami, Erik Smith, Pawan Kumar Singal
  • Patent number: 11989461
    Abstract: In the case of FC-NVMe (NVMe over Fabrics using Fibre Channel (FC) as a transport), zoning is typically performed using the interface WWPNs, but the masking of NVMe namespaces is performed using a host's NVMe Qualified Name (NQN or HOSTNQN). The use of two identifiers (i.e., one identifier used for zoning and another identifier used for masking) introduces a potential security related concern. A bad actor may obtain the NQN of a host that has access to sensitive information and use it to access this sensitive information. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, by correlating different identifiers and using a combination of the different identifiers, access can easily be provided to the appropriate host adapters while prohibiting access to rogue hosts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Erik Smith, David Black, Ramprasad Shetty, Marina Shem Tov
  • Publication number: 20240161051
    Abstract: A method and system documenting the distribution of durable medical equipment (DME) is disclosed. A user authenticates their access via an authentication token and enters or scans a unique identifier from one or more physical supply boxes that have been previously designated for distribution to patients. This unique identifier and the authentication token are sent to a server. The server validates the unique identifier and authentication token and responds with a collection of data necessary to document a proof of transaction. The collection of data is presented in an electronic format to the patient who reviews the data and electronically signs for the DME products. The signature, collection of data, user authentication token, and a timestamp are then sent back to the server for storage in memory in a Proof of Delivery file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: RX Redefined, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen Radloff, Jayme Hanson, Erik Smith, Brandon Boots
  • Patent number: 11985066
    Abstract: Solutions to configure congestion reaction behavior of end devices of a Fibre Channel (FC) fabric, to the extent that any such solutions exist, are inefficient, cumbersome, and unscalable. The present document discloses embodiments of a distributed Congestion Control Service that may use FC services and communication paths to distribute congestion control actions (e.g., during login or at other times such as configuration parameters change). Embodiments also allow for congestion configuration parameters to be provided to end devices in a transport-agnostic way. Furthermore, congestion control actions may be delivered on-demand or at other times, such as after a change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Erik Smith, Vinay Sawal, Joseph LaSalle White
  • Publication number: 20240115900
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems or devices, such as removable attachments, bars, multi-bars, or handles, are disclosed that allow binding to a wide variety of dumbbells and barbells available on the market. Binding to dumbbells and barbells of various sizes, types, brands, shapes, weights, dimensions, diameters and/or handle diameters, etc., is advantageous to allow interoperability and adaptability. In some examples, the variety of exercises that can be performed with a single dumbbell or barbell may be expanded to include two-handed techniques with minimal additional equipment. In some examples, this can reduce costs of additional equipment, storage space needed to store additional equipment, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Erik Smith
  • Patent number: 11907530
    Abstract: Centralized quality-of-service (QoS) policies administration in a storage area network (SAN) is a problem without meaningful solutions. Current implementations require explicit administration of end points, which is error-prone and not scalable. Zoning for NVMe-oF is defined as a method to specify connectivity access control information on the Discovery Controller (DC) of an NVMe-oF fabric, not as a way to specify QoS policies. Embodiments comprise centrally specifying one or more QoS parameters as part of NVMe-oF zoning definitions maintained at an NVMe-oF DC to centrally controlled QoS parameters. Accordingly, embodiments provide mechanisms to specify QoS parameters in a centralized manner to eliminate requiring a system administrator having to perform per-connection QoS provisioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Claudio Desanti, Erik Smith
  • Publication number: 20240020057
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize discovery log entry identifiers (DLEIDs) to identify individual discovery log page entries (DLPEs) in a discovery log page, for example, to allow a name server to manipulate DLPEs and perform specific operations, including zoning operations. Thus, DLEIDs advantageously reduce data flow and repetitive full discovery log page requests and responses and associated processing times; especially, in scenarios where changes to data are minimal. Further, a DLEID-based get log page command may be used to perform push and pull registrations, e.g., to query a specific set of end devices. Advantageously, this reduces messages size and, thus, the number of messages that need to be exchanged, e.g., during an addition or deletion of end devices, especially in larger environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Sakti Lakshmiy R PAULCHAMY, Balasubramanian MUTHUKRISHNAN, Kavitha GOVINDASAMI, Erik SMITH, Pawan Kumar SINGAL
  • Publication number: 20240020055
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein enable non-volatile memory express (NVMe®) subsystem-driven command execution requests. By configuring subsystems as pull model devices, subsystems can request a centralized discovery controller to perform one or more operations. Embodiments may leverage a command execution request architecture to achieve the subsystem-driven pull model functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Claudio DESANTI, Erik SMITH, Pawan Kumar SINGAL, Sakti Lakshmiy R PAULCHAMY