Patents by Inventor Katsumi Hirezaki

Katsumi Hirezaki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9329788
    Abstract: In a storage system, a real page is allocated from a pool to a write destination virtual page in a virtual volume. The real page includes multiple real regions. The storage system moves all valid data stored in two or more move-source real pages respectively allocated to two or more virtual pages, to move-destination real pages the number of which is less than the number of move-source real pages in units of real regions. Each piece of valid data can be used by any one of the access sources. The storage system writes the predetermined data to all move-source real regions in each of move-source real pages, so that each of the move-source real pages is set as a recovery target real page which is a real page storing only the predetermined data, and performs real capacity recovery for making each recovery target real page into an unallocated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Inoue, Katsumi Hirezaki
  • Publication number: 20150324139
    Abstract: In a storage system, a real page is allocated from a pool to a write destination virtual page in a virtual volume. The real page includes multiple real regions. The storage system moves all valid data stored in two or more move-source real pages respectively allocated to two or more virtual pages, to move-destination real pages the number of which is less than the number of move-source real pages in units of real regions. Each piece of valid data can be used by any one of the access sources. The storage system writes the predetermined data to all move-source real regions in each of move-source real pages, so that each of the move-source real pages is set as a recovery target real page which is a real page storing only the predetermined data, and performs real capacity recovery for making each recovery target real page into an unallocated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi INOUE, Katsumi HIREZAKI
  • Patent number: 8868934
    Abstract: A controller unit, a plurality of storage devices, a log area, and a normal area are provided. A quantity of log storage devices forming the log area is smaller than a quantity of normal storage devices forming the normal area. In an operational period, in which the controller unit may accept an input-output command, a power consumption condition of the log storage devices is constantly in a normal condition in which an input or output of data can be carried out, while a power consumption condition of the normal storage devices is in an energy saving condition in which a power consumption is lower than in the normal condition. The controller unit, when receiving the input-output command if the power consumption condition of the normal storage devices is the normal condition, carries out an input or output with respect to both the normal area and the log area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Akira Murotani
  • Patent number: 8706961
    Abstract: Data is managed efficiently by switching between block level hierarchical control and file level hierarchical control according to file characteristics. A storage apparatus which is connected via a network to a host computer which requests data writing comprises storage media of a plurality of types of varying performance, a volume management unit which manages storage areas provided by the storage media of the plurality of types as different storage tiers and manages storage tiers of the same type or different types as a pool and provides predetermined areas of the pool to the host computer as volumes, and a file management unit which constructs file systems, for managing data in file units configured from a plurality of blocks, in the volumes, and receives file unit data write requests from the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Nobuyuki Saika
  • Patent number: 8510526
    Abstract: [Problem] Providing a storage apparatus and a snapshot control method for the same for preventing, even after long-term operation of snapshots as a means for backup, an increase in the amount of pre-update data retained in a differential volume. [Solution] According to this invention, snapshots utilizing pre-update data are replaced with snapshots utilizing update data so that the areas, in the differential volume, storing the pre-update data are released as free areas correspondingly, thereby avoiding accumulation of the pre-update data in the differential volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Murotani, Katsumi Hirezaki
  • Publication number: 20130111171
    Abstract: Data is managed efficiently by switching between block level hierarchical control and file level hierarchical control according to file characteristics. A storage apparatus which is connected via a network to a host computer which requests data writing comprises storage media of a plurality of types of varying performance, a volume management unit which manages storage areas provided by the storage media of the plurality of types as different storage tiers and manages storage tiers of the same type or different types as a pool and provides predetermined areas of the pool to the host computer as volumes, and a file management unit which constructs file systems, for managing data in file units configured from a plurality of blocks, in the volumes, and receives file unit data write requests from the host computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Nobuyuki Saika
  • Publication number: 20110238937
    Abstract: [Problem] Providing a storage apparatus and a snapshot control method for the same for preventing, even after long-term operation of snapshots as a means for backup, an increase in the amount of pre-update data retained in a differential volume. [Solution] According to this invention, snapshots utilizing pre-update data are replaced with snapshots utilizing update data so that the areas, in the differential volume, storing the pre-update data are released as free areas correspondingly, thereby avoiding accumulation of the pre-update data in the differential volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Murotani, Katsumi Hirezaki
  • Patent number: 7870402
    Abstract: When power to a storage device is turned on and the storage device can accept a data input and output request being transmitted from an information processing device, the storage device transmits a power-on request for turning on power to the information processing device. The storage device, when it accepts a stop-power instruction, transmits a stop-power request for stopping power to the information processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Koji Nagata, Yosuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20100058080
    Abstract: To keep to a minimum a frequency of an occurrence of a necessity of changing a power consumption condition of a storage device from an energy saving condition to a normal condition. A controller unit and a plurality of storage devices being furnished, a log area and a normal area are provided based on the plurality of storage devices. A quantity of log storage devices forming a basis of the log area is smaller than a quantity of normal storage devices forming a basis of the normal area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Akira Murotani
  • Patent number: 7657721
    Abstract: Snapshots are implemented by combining original data in a place where an operational volume has been updated with data in a place where the operational volume has not been updated. A snapshot management table maintains a value indicating that update has not been conducted, or a storage place of original data, for each of combinations of blocks in the operational volume and the snapshots. If there is a snapshot in which update has not been conducted in a update place at the time of update, then original data is copied and the snapshot management table is updated. The copied original data is managed by a difference block management table, which has a value indicating whether respective snapshots are referencing the data. If a snapshot is deleted, then the value indicating that the snapshot is referencing is altered in all entries in the difference block management table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakano, Koji Sonoda, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Takashi Horiuchi, Katsumi Hirezaki
  • Publication number: 20080016382
    Abstract: When power to a storage device is turned on and the storage device can accept a data input and output request being transmitted from an information processing device, the storage device transmits a power-on request for turning on power to the information processing device. The storage device, when it accepts a stop-power instruction, transmits a stop-power request for stopping power to the information processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Koji Nagata, Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 7302541
    Abstract: The present invention suppresses the generation of redundant I/O and improves the response to the host during data migration. When migrating data from the migration source volume to the migration destination volume, the access destination of the host is switched to the second storage device. When data requested by the host has not yet been migrated, data is read from the first storage device. When the frequency of access to the non-migrated area reaches a prescribed value, the target IP address is changed and discovery is implemented so as to switch the access destination of the host to the first storage device. When the frequency of access to the migrated area in the first storage device reaches a prescribed value, the access destination of the host is switched to the second storage device. The access destination of the host is controlled based on the data migration state and access state, and the generation of redundant I/O can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Tetsuya Shirogane
  • Publication number: 20070233978
    Abstract: Snapshots are implemented by combining original data in a place where an operational volume has been updated with data in a place where the operational volume has not been updated. A snapshot management table maintains a value indicating that update has not been conducted, or a storage place of original data, for each of combinations of blocks in the operational volume and the snapshots. If there is a snapshot in which update has not been conducted in a update place at the time of update, then original data is copied and the snapshot management table is updated. The copied original data is managed by a difference block management table, which has a value indicating whether respective snapshots are referencing the data. If a snapshot is deleted, then the value indicating that the snapshot is referencing is altered in all entries in the difference block management table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakano, Koji Sonoda, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Takashi Horiuchi, Katsumi Hirezaki
  • Patent number: 7246248
    Abstract: When power to a storage device is turned on and the storage device can accept a data input and output request being transmitted from an information processing device, the storage device transmits a power-on request for turning on power to the information processing device. The storage device, when it accepts a stop-power instruction, transmits a stop-power request for stopping power to the information processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Koji Nagata, Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 7237076
    Abstract: Snapshots are implemented by combining original data in a place where an operational volume has been updated with data in a place where the operational volume has not been updated. A snapshot management table maintains a value indicating that update has not been conducted, or a storage place of original data, for each of combinations of blocks in the operational volume and the snapshots. If there is a snapshot in which update has not been conducted in a update place at the time of update, then original data is copied and the snapshot management table is updated. The copied original data is managed by a difference block management table, which has a value indicating whether respective snapshots are referencing the data. If a snapshot is deleted, then the value indicating that the snapshot is referencing is altered in all entries in the difference block management table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakano, Koji Sonoda, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Takashi Horiuchi, Katsumi Hirezaki
  • Publication number: 20060129858
    Abstract: When power to a storage device is turned on and the storage device can accept a data input and output request being transmitted from an information processing device, the storage device transmits a power-on request for turning on power to the information processing device. The storage device, when it accepts a stop-power instruction, transmits a stop-power request for stopping power to the information processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Koji Nagata, Yosuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20060107010
    Abstract: The present invention suppresses the generation of redundant I/O and improves the response to the host during data migration. When migrating data from the migration source volume to the migration destination volume, the access destination of the host is switched to the second storage device. When data requested by the host has not yet been migrated, data is read from the first storage device. When the frequency of access to the non-migrated area reaches a prescribed value, the target IP address is changed and discovery is implemented so as to switch the access destination of the host to the first storage device. When the frequency of access to the migrated area in the first storage device reaches a prescribed value, the access destination of the host is switched to the second storage device. The access destination of the host is controlled based on the data migration state and access state, and the generation of redundant I/O can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Tetsuya Sirogane
  • Patent number: 7032118
    Abstract: When power to a storage device is turned on and the storage device can accept a data input and output request being transmitted from an information processing device, the storage device transmits a power-on request for turning on power to the information processing device. The storage device, when it accepts a stop-power instruction, transmits a stop-power request for stopping power to the information processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Koji Nagata, Yosuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20040225903
    Abstract: When power to a storage device is turned on and the storage device can accept a data input and output request being transmitted from an information processing device, the storage device transmits a power-on request for turning on power to the information processing device. The storage device, when it accepts a stop-power instruction, transmits a stop-power request for stopping power to the information processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirezaki, Koji Nagata, Yosuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20040186900
    Abstract: Snapshots are implemented by combining original data in a place where an operational volume has been updated with data in a place where the operational volume has not been updated. A snapshot management table maintains a value indicating that update has not been conducted, or a storage place of original data, for each of combinations of blocks in the operational volume and the snapshots. If there is a snapshot in which update has not been conducted in a update place at the time of update, then original data is copied and the snapshot management table is updated. The copied original data is managed by a difference block management table, which has a value indicating whether respective snapshots are referencing the data. If a snapshot is deleted, then the value indicating that the snapshot is referencing is altered in all entries in the difference block management table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakano, Koji Sonoda, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Takashi Horiuchi, Katsumi Hirezaki