Abstract: A method for providing data indicative of the performance of a competing algorithm and an incumbent algorithm includes evaluating an incumbent-algorithm score indicative of a performance of an incumbent algorithm. The performance of a competing algorithm executing in place of the incumbent algorithm is then simulated. On the basis of the simulation, a competing-algorithm score predictive of a performance of the competing algorithm is evaluated. These scores are then provided to an output device.

Abstract: A system for distributing logical volumes to an HSM system front end by ordering an array of logical volumes so that each volume that is likely to conflict with another volume is significantly separated from that other volume. Ordering is done iteratively, beginning with the disk type, and then iterating through the logical volume level, next through a target level (the physical disk), then SCSI level, then the disk adapter level, then system level until all the disks in all the disk adapters in the HSM system have been ordered. As each iteration occurs, units in a source array from the level being operated on are ordered so that those close to each other are moved apart, within the space available, in the destination array according to a procedure that establishes a gap between them that is based on an approximate ratio of the number of units in the source array to the number of spaces available in the destination array.