Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing feedback directed deferral on nonessential direct access storage device (DASD) operations. A kernel DASD I/O manager maintains a queue depth count value for a DASD unit and maintains a busy flag that indicates when the queue depth count value is greater than a predefined threshold. The kernel DASD I/O manager defers optional operations responsive to the busy flag being set for the DASD unit.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for managing a number of physical connections to a peripheral device. A multipath driver provides a logical connection interface to a client. This interface allows the client to efficiently access the peripheral device over one or more of the physical connections. In so doing, the logical connection interface associates connections with a primary connection, deletes inactive connections from memory, as well as updates and uses a list of active connections to seamlessly route data to the peripheral device.