Abstract: A system and method for clustered failover of storage appliances is provided. In the event of a failover of one storage appliance to a surviving storage appliance, the surviving storage appliance assumes the identity of the failed storage appliance. This assumption of the identifier is accomplished by activating a network interface controller or host bus adapter with a network address associated with the failed storage appliance and by mapping a iSCSI name from the failed storage appliance to the surviving storage appliance.

Abstract: A system and method supports a plurality of levels of acceleration in an iSCSI session between a client and a storage system. The iSCSI session includes multiple connections and the levels of acceleration include different types of transport provider hardware. An iSCSI session manager is configured to manage a different type of transport provider hardware over one or more connections of the session. The use of a multi-connection session with differing levels of acceleration enables the client to use standard multi-pathing algorithms, such as active/passive and/or weighted path selection, to maximize performance by employing the highest accelerated connection as a preferred data pathway.

Abstract: A system and method for zero copy block protocol write operations obviates the need to copy the contents of memory buffers (mbufs) at a storage system. A storage operating system of the storage system receives data from a network and stores the data in chains of mbufs having various lengths. An iSCSI driver processes (interprets) the received mbufs and passes the appropriate data and interpreted command to a SCSI target module of the storage operating system. The SCSI target module utilizes the mbufs and the data contained therein to perform appropriate write operations in response to write requests received from clients.

Abstract: A multi-protocol storage appliance serves file and block protocol access to information stored on storage devices in an integrated manner for both network attached storage (NAS) and storage area network (SAN) deployments. A storage operating system of the appliance implements a file system that cooperates with novel virtualization modules to provide a virtualization system that “virtualizes” the storage space provided by the devices. Notably, the file system provides volume management capabilities for use in block-based access to the information stored on the devices. The virtualization system allows the file system to logically organize the information as named file, directory and virtual disk (vdisk) storage objects to thereby provide an integrated NAS and SAN appliance approach to storage by enabling file-based access to the files and directories, while further enabling block-based access to the vdisks.

Abstract: A retrofittable automatic turn signal deactivation system is provided including a pair of solenoid assemblies each having a retracted orientation and an extended orientation only upon the actuation thereof for forcing a turn signal lever to its neutral position. The solenoid assemblies are each mounted on a retrofittable collar which is positioned about a steering column of the vehicle. A timer mechanism is included for actuating at least one of the solenoid assemblies only after the cessation of a predetermined delay.