Abstract: Data is migrated from a first CAS (contents addressed storage) system to a second CAS system. When the migration process is started, the second CAS system retrieves a list of the objects stored on the first CAS system. The second CAS system, based on the list, retrieves each object from the first CAS system, calculates an object ID for each object, and stores each object and the calculated object ID into the storage devices in the second CAS system. Methods for reducing downtime during the migration process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for object-level snapshot creation in an object-based storage system. The host device includes a first object management table (OMT) and a file system. The object-based storage system is connected to the host device and includes a controller and object-based storage devices (OSD). The controller includes a snapshot module, a second OMT. The snapshot module receives and processes OSD and other commands from the file system or a service processor, creates an original object and a mirror object in an OSD, and initiates a snapshot operation in an OSD. The first OMT may also reside at a metadata server. A snapshot operation may be a mirror operation or a copy on write operation. The first OMT and the second OMT maintain mapping information of a file identifier, a partition ID, and an object ID, and an object status and a generation number of snapshots.

Abstract: The source storage 1220 and source path 1230 constituting backup source information of all of the backup data in a computer system 1000, the destination storage 1240 and destination path 1250 constituting backup destination information and information regarding the backup time-point 1260 are held on an administration console 1010; a backup manager 1020 that runs on the administration console 1010 designates backup between the NAS's and gives instructions for restoration from the backed-up data by using these items of information.

Abstract: In a clustered file system or clustered NAS having a single namespace, data backup may be performed with only one backup request from a client host. When a backup request is received at one file server, that file server backs up data, if needed, and sends another backup request to another file server that also manages data in the namespace. This process is repeated until the backup process is completed. Similarly, during restore operations, when a restore request is received, the file server that receives the restore request issues additional restore requests to other file servers that manage data that is also requested to be restored.

Abstract: A storage system conducting remote copy functions such that, when data is updated at a local site, contents of the update can be referred to in real time by storage at a remote site. A disk-control unit at a remote site receives file data written in accordance with an update of a file in a storage system at a local site and a history of the file-management information from the storage system at the local site and stores the data and the history. A file-system processing unit refers to the history and updates the file-management information in a file-system cache in accordance with the update of the file in the storage system at the local site. When a client issues a read request, the file-system processing unit refers to the file-management information updated in the file-system cache and transfers the contents of the update of the file to the client.

Abstract: A storage system having a plurality of disk controllers for accepting computer access through a SAN, and a plurality of file servers for accepting computer access through a LAN. The disk controllers and file servers are connected through a connection unit to a plurality of disk drive units in a disk pool. A disk pool management unit manages the relationships between the disk controllers and file servers and the disk drive units used by the respective disk controllers and file servers, and sends information identifying the usable disk drive units to the respective disk controllers and file servers. The disk controllers and file servers use the disk drive units based on the received usable disk information.

Abstract: Data of a global file system spread over multiple local NAS systems may be consolidated as a copy into a single remote NAS system. When remote copy is set up, the local NAS systems replace referrals within the global file system with directories and send these in place of the referrals to the remote NAS system. Then, other local NAS systems referred to by the referrals send files and directories under the directories replacing the referrals on the remote NAS system. Alternatively, to split copy data of a locally-stored global file system amongst multiple remote NAS systems, the local NAS system replaces specified directories with referrals, and sends the referrals with the data to one of the remote NAS systems. Then, the local NAS system sends files and directories under the directories replaced with referrals to one or more other remote NAS systems as referred to by the referrals.

Abstract: System and method for restricting the number of times the objects may be copied in an object based storage system. A command is generated by a host device that sets a copy limit for an object at the storage system. An OSD command is generated at the storage system that sets a copy limitation flag attribute and a copy limit attribute of the object. Updating the value of the copy limitation attribute of an object during a copy pair creation operation includes: starting an initial copy of objects from a source LU to a destination LU if neither of the logical units are used for the other copy pair, reading each object in the source LU, decrementing by one a copy limit value of each object, sending each object to a second processor module at a remote site, and writing each object at the second processor module to the destination LU.

Abstract: A storage system having multiple I/O interface ports is configured to detect a failed communication condition at a port. The storage system is configured to then attempt communication using a port configuration of another port that also exhibits a failed communication condition. If communication is established, the port is reconfigured using the configuration of the other port.

Abstract: A storage has NAS and SAN functions and a high degree of freedom to configure a system to reduce the management and operation cost. The storage includes a plurality of interface slots in which a plurality of interface controllers can be installed, a block I/O interface controller which has SAN functions and which can be installed in the slot, a file I/O interface controller which has NAS functions and which can be installed in the slots, a storage capacity pool including a plurality of disk devices accessible from the interface controllers, and a storage capacity pool controller to control the storage capacity pool.

Abstract: A system and method for object-level snapshot creation in an object-based storage system. The host device includes a first object management table (OMT) and a file system. The object-based storage system is connected to the host device and includes a controller and object-based storage devices (OSD). The controller includes a snapshot module, a second OMT. The snapshot module receives and processes OSD and other commands from the file system or a service processor, creates an original object and a mirror object in an OSD, and initiates a snapshot operation in an OSD. The first OMT may also reside at a metadata server. A snapshot operation may be a mirror operation or a copy on write operation. The first OMT and the second OMT maintain mapping information of a file identifier, a partition ID, and an object ID, and an object status and a generation number of snapshots.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method enable access to a storage system by distinguishing SCSI Object-Based Storage Device Commands (OSD) commands from Fibre Channel (FC) SCSI commands on the same port and storage subsystem. The storage subsystem has the capability of identifying the storage protocol from a corresponding command, and processes the command accordingly for a storage device formatted for use with the respective storage protocol. This way, a storage subsystem can consolidate data from several dedicated command ports to a single physical port, while also enabling a single storage system to store and provide access to data in multiple different storage protocol formats.

Abstract: A system for performing efficient backup in an environment where a plurality of file servers exist, making the plurality of file servers externally look like a single apparatus. The present invention provides a computer system comprising hosts, first and second file servers connected to the hosts, and a storage system connected to the first and second file servers. The second file server determines that a file as a backup object is managed by the first file server, and notifies the first file server of an instruction of backup. In response to this instruction, the first server sends the second file server an identifier of a storage device that stores duplicate data of the file in question. Based on the received identifier, the second file server sets a path to that storage device, and obtains the backup data from that storage device.

Abstract: Computerized information system and method having multiple virtual machines share common resources such as the system storage resources. The system contains a host computer executing multiple virtual machines, system resources organized into multiple resource groups, and a resource controller associating a resource group with a virtual machine executing on the host computer. When a state of the virtual machine changes, the resource controller releases the previously allocated resource group and when a request to execute another virtual machine is received, a new resource group is allocated to the host computer.

Abstract: A storage system having a plurality of disk controllers for accepting computer access through a SAN, and a plurality of file servers for accepting computer access through a LAN. The disk controllers and file servers are connected through a connection unit to a plurality of disk drive units in a disk pool. A disk pool management unit manages the relationships between the disk controllers and file servers and the disk drive units used by the respective disk controllers and file servers, and sends information identifying the usable disk drive units to the respective disk controllers and file servers. The disk controllers and file servers use the disk drive units based on the received usable disk information.

Abstract: The system is disclosed in which a storage system having data, and meta-data which describes attributes of the data including its address, can copy the data to a secondary system in a more efficient manner. The storage system identifies the blocks which contain the data described in the meta-data, then reads those blocks in the order of their addresses and copies them to the desired target. The method reduces disk access time and thereby speeds copy operations.

Abstract: A storage has NAS and SAN functions and a high degree of freedom to configure a system to reduce the management and operation cost. The storage includes a plurality of interface slots in which a plurality of interface controllers can be installed, a block I/O interface controller which has SAN functions and which can be installed in the slot, a file I/O interface controller which has NAS functions and which can be installed in the slots, a storage capacity pool including a plurality of disk devices accessible from the interface controllers, and a storage capacity pool controller to control the storage capacity pool.

Abstract: A storage system coupled to a plurality of clients via a communication link includes a first file server including a first switching module and a first resource manager, the first resource manager configured to maintain a first resource table that provides mapping information; a second file server including a second switching module and a second resource manager, the second resource manager configured to maintain a second resource table that provides mapping information; a storage unit including a storage area of first type that is assigned to the first file server and a storage area of second type that is assigned to the second file server, the storage area of first type including a plurality of file systems, each file system having an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The storage area of first type includes first, second, and third file systems having first, second, and third IP addresses, respectively.

Abstract: Techniques to assure genuineness of data stored on a storage device are provided. The storage device includes a storage controller that conducts I/O operations and management operations. A description of management operations and corresponding timestamps are recorded to an operation log stored in a memory. The memory additionally stores an attribute for each storage volume of the storage device. Write access to each of the storage volumes is dependent on the attribute.

Abstract: A storage system including a storage controller is coupled to a host computer. When the host computer is connected, the controller deploys a set of virtual devices dedicated to the host computer, which typically cannot be accessed by other host computers. The storage controller includes a logical device manager that defines a group of logical devices from among disk drives in the storage system, and each logical device is assigned a storage area that includes at least a portion from a disk drive. A virtual device manager defines virtual devices from the group of logical devices, and maintains a record of the relationships among the logical devices and the virtual devices. When a request for a data operation is received by the storage system from a host which has not previously accessed the storage system, the virtual device manager defines a virtual device for access by that host and assigns a logical device to the virtual device.