Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating data in a storage device that is coupled to a host computer. Manipulations that can be performed by the storage device include moving non-contiguous blocks of data between the host computer and the storage device in a single operation. Other manipulations can be performed directly by the storage device without passing data to or from the host computer and include copying data from one logical object that is defined on the host computer to another, initializing, backing-up, transforming, or securely deleting a logical object that is defined by the host computer with a single command. In one embodiment, an application programming interface is provided that allows a relationship between logical objects on a host computer and storage locations on a storage device to be communicated between the host computer and the storage device.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the performance of a data processor system includes data collection, analysis, and report generation. The data collection involves the periodic selection of a number of metrics, which are measurable values in the data processing system, and system parameters, which are system values that can be adjusted. The analysis involves the application of certain rules comparing metrics and parameters to corresponding thresholds. The report generation includes the display of recommendations to be taken when certain rules have triggered a certain number of times, and, if desired, the presentation of displays of certain work load characteristics of either the data processor system by itself or of a network of such data processor system.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the performance of a data processor system includes data collection, analysis, and report generation. The data collection involves the periodic selection of a number of metrics, which are measurable values in the data processing system, and system parameters, which are system values that can be adjusted. The analysis involves the application of certain rules comparing metrics and parameters to corresponding thresholds. The report generation includes the display of recommendations to be taken when certain rules have triggered a certain number of times, and, if desired, the presentation of displays of certain work load characteristics of either the data processor system by itself or of a network of such data processor system.