Abstract: A surface portion modification apparatus is provided which is co-operable with a 3D printer. It includes a head nozzle follower assembly. The follower assembly is co-operable with a 3D printer head nozzle assembly and is operable for modifying at least a portion of a surface of the material of a 3D object printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer. It may be used to smooth the surface of an object printed by the 3D printer.

Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.

Abstract: Proposed are concepts for rebuilding data in a data storage system. Embodiments rebuild data in order of priority as defined by a rebuild policy. Data rebuilding may therefore be undertaken so that important data is rebuilt before less important data for example. For instance, according to one embodiment, a method of rebuilding data in a data storage system includes: determining data to be rebuilt; identifying a plurality of data blocks, each data block comprising data to be rebuilt having a common characteristic; assigning a priority to each of the plurality of data blocks in accordance with a rebuild policy representing a priority to be assigned to a data block based on the common characteristic of its data; and rebuilding the data of each the plurality of data blocks in order of their assigned priority.

Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.

Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer programs have been provided for mitigating a problem of non-optimal recovery from storage device failures. A method involves determining a required write performance for rebuilding data of a failed device, based at least partly on the potential read performance of storage devices in a data rebuild; and allocating a virtual storage area within available storage, which allocation of virtual storage is based at least partly on the required write performance. Data is rebuilt by writing to the allocated virtual storage area, and data recovery is completed by migrating this rebuilt data to at least one data storage device such as a spare physical storage device within the array.

Abstract: For storage area network configuration across redundant fabrics, a set of redundant fabrics is defined. A fabric is a network between devices of a storage area network. A first fabric communicates with the other fabrics in a set of redundant fabrics to send configuration information. Each redundant fabric examines the first fabric's configuration information for devices to which the redundant fabric is also connected and resolves ports for devices to which the first fabric and the redundant fabric are connected to provide ports on the redundant fabric equivalent to the ports on the first fabric.

Abstract: Various method, system, and computer program product embodiments for performing a backup of a source storage volume to a target storage volume are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a flashcopy of the source storage volume to the target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.

Abstract: A flashcopy of a source storage volume to a target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.

Abstract: A flashcopy of a source storage volume to a target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.

Abstract: An apparatus for validating a value of a variable data item in a software routine in execution includes a profile set generator that generates a profile set of typical values of the variable data item, a profile rule generator that generates a profile rule representing the profile set, and a profile checker that determines if a value of the variable data item satisfies the profile rule.

Abstract: Following a loss of power, a storage system switches to a local power supply. The system switches to the local power supply, prevents the receipt of input/output commands and copies the content of cache memory to a local storage device. On detecting resumption of external power, the system charges a local power supply, copies the content of the local storage device to the cache memory and processes the content of the cache memory with respect to at least one storage volume. When the charge stored on the local power supply exceeds the charge required to copy the content of the cache memory to the local storage device by a predetermined amount, the system allows the receipt of input/output commands using a reduced portion of the cache memory. Once the charge stored on the local power supply has reached a predetermined level, the system allows the receipt of input/output commands using all cache memory.

Abstract: Following a loss of power, a storage system switches to a local power supply. The system switches to the local power supply, prevents the receipt of input/output commands and copies the content of cache memory to a local storage device. On detecting resumption of external power, the system charges a local power supply, copies the content of the local storage device to the cache memory and processes the content of the cache memory with respect to at least one storage volume. When the charge stored on the local power supply exceeds the charge required to copy the content of the cache memory to the local storage device by a predetermined amount, the system allows the receipt of input/output commands using a reduced portion of the cache memory. Once the charge stored on the local power supply has reached a predetermined level, the system allows the receipt of input/output commands using all cache memory.

Abstract: A method of operating a storage system comprises detecting a cut in an external power supply, switching to a local power supply, preventing receipt of input/output commands, copying content of cache memory to a local storage device and marking the content of the cache memory that has been copied to the local storage device. When a resumption of the external power supply is detected, the method continues by charging the local power supply, copying the content of the local storage device to the cache memory, processing the content of the cache memory with respect to at least one storage volume and receiving input/output commands. When detecting a second cut in the external power supply, the system switches to the local power supply, prevents receipt of input/output commands, and copies to the local storage device only the content of the cache memory that is not marked as present.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for adapting a network topology, in which the network topology comprises a plurality of points, a plurality of connections, each connection connecting a pair of points, and a zoneset comprising a plurality of zones, each zone defining a series of points that are connected. The mechanism performs operations of receiving one or more user inputs, each user input comprising a change to a zone, performing an analysis of the or each user input, to determine one or more consistent universal changes to the zoneset, presenting an output to the user comprising one or more of the determined consistent universal changes to the zoneset, receiving a selection user input selecting a presented consistent universal change to the zoneset, and changing the zoneset according to the selected consistent universal change to the zoneset.

Abstract: A method of operating a storage system comprises detecting a cut in an external power supply, switching to a local power supply, preventing receipt of input/output commands, copying content of cache memory to a local storage device and marking the content of the cache memory that has been copied to the local storage device. When a resumption of the external power supply is detected, the method continues by charging the local power supply, copying the content of the local storage device to the cache memory, processing the content of the cache memory with respect to at least one storage volume and receiving input/output commands. When detecting a second cut in the external power supply, the system switches to the local power supply, prevents receipt of input/output commands, and copies to the local storage device only the content of the cache memory that is not marked as present.

Abstract: Various method, system, and computer program product embodiments for performing a backup of a source storage volume to a target storage volume are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a flashcopy of the source storage volume to the target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.

Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.

Abstract: For storage area network configuration across redundant fabrics, a set of redundant fabrics is defined. A fabric is a network between devices of a storage area network. A first fabric communicates with the other fabrics in a set of redundant fabrics to send configuration information. Each redundant fabric examines the first fabric's configuration information for devices to which the redundant fabric is also connected and resolves ports for devices to which the first fabric and the redundant fabric are connected to provide ports on the redundant fabric equivalent to the ports on the first fabric.

Abstract: A flashcopy of a source storage volume to a target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.