Abstract: A method for reducing an amount of time required for performing consistency checking in a redundant storage system includes steps of: providing an information repository associated with each of a primary drive and at least one redundant drive; storing, in the information repository, information relating to input/output failures on the primary drive and redundant drive; determining a likelihood that one or more regions of the primary drive and/or redundant drive contains inconsistent data as a function of the information stored in the information repository; and performing consistency checking on the one or more regions of the primary drive and the redundant drive determined to have at least a prescribed likelihood of containing inconsistent data to thereby reduce the amount of time required for performing consistency checking.

Abstract: A method of modifying software associated with network devices includes transmitting a modification message by a first network device in response to software associated with the first network device being modified; transmitting second software identification information by a second network device in response to receiving the modification message from the first network device; providing a database comprising the first product identifier, the second product identifier, first software identification information, and the second software identification information; and modifying software associated with the second network device using the database. The first network device is associated with a first product identifier, and the second network device is associated with a second product identifier. The second software identification information identifies software associated with the second network device, and the first software identification information identifies software associated with the first network device.

Abstract: A method for reducing an amount of time required for performing consistency checking in a redundant storage system includes steps of: providing an information repository associated with each of a primary drive and at least one redundant drive; storing, in the information repository, information relating to input/output failures on the primary drive and redundant drive; determining a likelihood that one or more regions of the primary drive and/or redundant drive contains inconsistent data as a function of the information stored in the information repository; and performing consistency checking on the one or more regions of the primary drive and the redundant drive determined to have at least a prescribed likelihood of containing inconsistent data to thereby reduce the amount of time required for performing consistency checking.

Abstract: A method of modifying software associated with network devices includes transmitting a modification message by a first network device in response to software associated with the first network device being modified; transmitting second software identification information by a second network device in response to receiving the modification message from the first network device; providing a database comprising the first product identifier, the second product identifier, first software identification information, and the second software identification information; and modifying software associated with the second network device using the database. The first network device is associated with a first product identifier, and the second network device is associated with a second product identifier. The second software identification information identifies software associated with the second network device, and the first software identification information identifies software associated with the first network device.

Abstract: Methods and structure for dynamically modifying SAS Zoning Features of a SAS expander based on present operating status of the expander. Rules are provided and interpreted within the expander to define changes to be made to the present SAS Zoning Features based on changes to the present operating status of the expander. The present operating status may be, for example, the present day, date, time of day, etc. Exemplary rules may define a modification to the zone group identifier to be associated with a PHY of the expander based on the present operating status of the expander. Exemplary rules may also define a modification to the zone permission defined for a pair of zone group identifiers. Further features and aspects hereof provide for a read-only zone permission value in addition the standards of the SAS specification.