Abstract: Obtaining immutable snapshots in storage systems for recovery after corrupted data detection. The method includes triggering an immutable snapshot without forcing an active storage write cache to flush so that active write cache data is not contained in the snapshot. The method includes analyzing current active writes in the write cache to identify compromised writes. Triggering the immutable snapshot may be in response to detection of a corrupted data risk and may be in addition to scheduled immutable snapshots or at the time of scheduled immutable snapshots.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system are provided for testing drives in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) array. The method includes: mirroring data from a selected drive to be tested in a RAID array to spare storage space in the RAID array; and, once the data is successfully mirrored, testing the selected drive to identify a preemptive failure of the selected drive. The RAID may be a traditional RAID (TRAID) array and the spare space may be a spare physical drive independent of array drive members. The RAID array may alternatively be a distributed RAID (DRAID) array and the spare space may be spare capacity spread through the array drive members.

Abstract: A device (3000) for loading fluid into nozzle(s) of a nozzle-bearing body (3070) includes a first member (3010), having a first surface (3016), and a second member (3020) protruding from the first member (3010). The second member (3020) has second and third surfaces (3028, 3026), the second surface (3028) extending from the first surface (3016) at an angle. The first surface (3016) substantially complements the shape of the nozzle-bearing body's surface (3070). The device (3000) has a recess (3023) defined therein at least in part by the first and second surfaces (3016, 3028).

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product and computer program for managing a storage system, the storage system comprising a first storage device, a second storage device, a source storage device, a target storage device, and a cache, the method comprising: receiving a first host access request for a data block on the first storage device; receiving a mapping between the source storage device and the target storage device; and in response to the first host access request and the mapping: accessing a corresponding data block on the second storage device; and updating metadata for the cache.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing a storage system, comprising: analyzing an access request for a first storage block of the set of storage blocks; in response to the access request comprising a read request: in response to the first storage block residing in the cache: processing the read request from the cache; promoting the first storage block within the cache; and destaging the first storage block to the storage device with the first compression ratio; and in response to the first storage block not residing in the cache: processing the read request from the storage device; and copying the first storage block to the cache; in response to the access request comprising a write request: writing the first storage block to the cache; and destaging the first storage block to the storage device using the first compression ratio.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system are provided for testing drives in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) array. The method includes: mirroring data from a selected drive to be tested in a RAID array to spare storage space in the RAID array; and, once the data is successfully mirrored, testing the selected drive to identify a preemptive failure of the selected drive. The RAID may be a traditional RAID (TRAID) array and the spare space may be a spare physical drive independent of array drive members. The RAID array may alternatively be a distributed RAID (DRAID) array and the spare space may be spare capacity spread through the array drive members.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting data storage errors includes storing first data in a first block corresponding to a first virtual volume, storing second data in a second block corresponding to a second virtual volume, generating parity information for the first data and the second data, and storing the parity information in non-volatile memory at a location corresponding to the logical block address to produce stored parity information. A system and computer program product corresponding to the above method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product and computer program for managing a storage system, the storage system comprising a first storage device, a second storage device, a source storage device, a target storage device, and a cache, the method comprising: receiving a first host access request for a data block on the first storage device; receiving a mapping between the source storage device and the target storage device; and in response to the first host access request and the mapping: accessing a corresponding data block on the second storage device; and updating metadata for the cache.

Abstract: A system for managing a storage array in a storage system may include an analysis component for analyzing a set of compression ratios used for a set of storage blocks written on a first storage device and a second storage device to determine a pattern. The system may include a determination component for determining, responsive to the pattern, a first compression ratio and a second compression ratio; the first compression ratio may be different from the second compression ratio. The system may include a data read/write component for writing a storage block to the first storage device with the first compression ratio and writing the storage block to the second storage device with the second compression ratio.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing a storage system, comprising: analyzing an access request for a first storage block of the set of storage blocks; in response to the access request comprising a read request: in response to the first storage block residing in the cache: processing the read request from the cache; promoting the first storage block within the cache; and destaging the first storage block to the storage device with the first compression ratio; and in response to the first storage block not residing in the cache: processing the read request from the storage device; and copying the first storage block to the cache; in response to the access request comprising a write request: writing the first storage block to the cache; and destaging the first storage block to the storage device using the first compression ratio.

Abstract: A fluid ejector for ejecting discrete volumes of ejectant includes a body with opposing first and second surfaces. One or more nozzles are defined as conduits extending through the body between the surfaces to connect first and second orifices at the first and second surfaces respectively. The fluid ejector further includes a gas supply means having a gas outlet and an ejectant supply means. The ejectant supply means supplies the ejectant to the nozzles at a pressure above ambient via their supply orifices. The supply orifice is defined in a conduit's side or is the second orifice. Relative movement of the gas supply means and body exposes first orifices to the gas outlet allowing the gas supply means to supply gas at a pressure above ambient, wherein a pressure difference thereby created between the first and second orifices causes ejection of the ejectant from the nozzles through the second orifices.

Abstract: A fluid ejector for ejecting discrete volumes of ejectant includes a body with opposing first and second surfaces. One or more nozzles are defined as conduits extending through the body between the surfaces to connect first and second orifices at the first and second surfaces respectively. The fluid ejector further includes a gas supply means having a gas outlet and an ejectant supply means. The ejectant supply means supplies the ejectant to the nozzles at a pressure above ambient via their supply orifices. The supply orifice is defined in a conduit's side or is the second orifice. Relative movement of the gas supply means and body exposes first orifices to the gas outlet allowing the gas supply means to supply gas at a pressure above ambient, wherein a pressure difference thereby created between the first and second orifices causes ejection of the ejectant from the nozzles through the second orifices.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for defragmentation in deduplication storage systems. Machine language determines using deduplication metadata that at least some of an incoming input/output stream is a duplicate of at least part of a source volume whose physical locations of its stored data are fragmented in backend storage. Subsequently, defragmentation is carried out on the stored data by using the incoming input/output stream to write the data into sequential chunks at new physical locations in the backend storage and updating the source volume location mappings to the new physical locations.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for defragmentation in deduplication storage systems. Machine language determines using deduplication metadata that at least some of an incoming input/output stream is a duplicate of at least part of a source volume whose physical locations of its stored data are fragmented in backend storage. Subsequently, defragmentation is carried out on the stored data by using the incoming input/output stream to write the data into sequential chunks at new physical locations in the backend storage and updating the source volume location mappings to the new physical locations.

Abstract: A bumper step (1) for installation on a vehicle, such as a truck, having a step portion (3) and a tube armature (10) and a Z-clip bracket (11). The tube armature is inserted into a rear tube chassis (5) of the vehicle and the bumper step is secured to the vehicle by bolting the Z-clip bracket to s slot (8) in a side chassis rail (7) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bumper step (1) for installation on a vehicle, such as a truck, having a step portion (3) and a tube armature (10) and a Z-clip bracket (11). The tube armature is inserted into a rear tube chassis (5) of the vehicle and the bumper step is secured to the vehicle by bolting the Z-clip bracket to s slot (8) in a side chassis rail (7) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device (3000) for loading fluid into nozzle(s) of a nozzle-bearing body (3070) includes a first member (3010), having a first surface (3016), and a second member (3020) protruding from the first member (3010). The second member (3020) has second and third surfaces (3028, 3026), the second surface (3028) extending from the first surface (3016) at an angle. The first surface (3016) substantially complements the shape of the nozzle-bearing body's surface (3070). The device (3000) has a recess (3023) defined therein at least in part by the first and second surfaces (3016, 3028).

Abstract: Garbage collection is performed for a virtualized storage system whose virtual address space is addressed in extents. Valid data in source extents is copied via a cache into destination extents. Once all valid data in a source extent is copied into one or more destination extents, the source extent may be reused. A source extent is released for reuse only after the one or more destination extents that received the valid data copied from the source extent are determined to be full, and the valid data copied from the source extent to the destination extent via the cache is flushed out of the cache.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor assembly (10) for detecting the angular position of the rotor (104) of a motor. The assembly (10) includes at least one sensor (12) and a sensor target (14) which is moveable relative to the sensor (12). The sensor target (14) comprises a tubular body (16) with a plurality of integrally-formed radially-extending sections (18). These sections (18) include two radial upper edge portions (24) which are supported by a radially-extending support which is set back from the edge portions (24). Each of the two upper edge portions (24) provide a target for the sensor. A sensor target (14) for use in a position sensor assembly (10), a method of production of the sensor target (14), and an electromechanical actuator which utilises the rotary position sensor assembly (10) are also provided.

Abstract: Garbage collection is performed for a virtualized storage system whose virtual address space is addressed in extents. Valid data in source extents is copied via a cache into destination extents. Once all valid data in a source extent is copied into one or more destination extents, the source extent may be reused. A source extent is released for reuse only after the one or more destination extents that received the valid data copied from the source extent are determined to be full, and the valid data copied from the source extent to the destination extent via the cache is flushed out of the cache.