Abstract: A system for improving backup performance includes an interface, a processor, and a memory. The interface is to receive a volume identifier to backup. The processor is to determine allocation for data of a volume associated with the volume identifier in a plurality of storage tiers to improve backup processing, move data based at least in part on the allocation, and backup data of the volume. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

Abstract: Forecasting workload activity for data stored on a data storage device includes selecting at least one metric for measuring workload activity, providing at least one grouping of portions of the data according to a workload affinity determination provided for each of the portions at a subset of a plurality of time steps, where the workload affinity determination is based on each of the data portions in the group experiencing above-average workload activity during same ones of the subset of the plurality of time steps, the subset corresponding to at least one business cycle for accessing the data, and forecasting workload activity for all of the portions of data in the group based on forecasting workload activity for a subset of the data portions that is less than all of the data portions.

Abstract: Synchronization of data layouts and resource utilizations at one or more remote replica sites with the workload and data access statistics at the primary site allows for an efficient and effective workload support transfer in the event of site failover from a primary site to a remote site. Relevant data access information about workload being supported at the primary site is monitored and access pattern information is generated that provides relevant information about frequency and/or rate of access of data on the primary site. The access pattern information is generated and transmitted by a host and/application running on the host. The access pattern information is exported and imported to enable independent decisions to be made a remote site, storing replicated data from the primary site, on how best to utilize its available resources to match the performance requirements currently being supported by the primary site.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for directing I/Os for a chunk of data to a data storage system on which the chunk of data is stored. The host method includes receiving an I/O for a chunk of data, identifying to which data storage system the I/O should be sent to access the chunk of data, and sending the I/O for the chunk of data to the identified data storage system. Other example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for handling received I/Os during a migration of the chunk of data. The data storage system method includes migrating the chunk of data, queuing an I/O for the chunk of data received from a host during the migration, and rejecting the queued I/O as a result of the migration.

Abstract: A method system and program product for sending a hint from the server to the storage array, the hint relating access requests of data stored on the storage array, receiving the hint at the storage array, and updating information about the data stored on the storage array using the hint.

Abstract: Described are techniques for determining connectivity. Statistics are received regarding components of the data storage system including any of a target port, a front end adapter, and a device. It is determined in accordance with inputs whether to modify existing connectivity between an initiator set of one or more initiators and a target set of one or more target ports of the data storage system. The inputs include the one or more statistics and one or more adjustment criteria. Responsive to determining to modify the existing connectivity, first processing makes modification(s) to the existing connectivity including any of: modifying an access state associated with a target port over which a device is exposed to an initiator, and adding or removing connectivity between the initiator and another target port of the data storage system where a device is exposed to the initiator over the another target port.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for data migration from a first storage system to a second storage system include maintaining a database containing deduplication information associated with a plurality of remote target storage systems. In one embodiment, the methods include identifying a plurality of storage devices of the first storage system as candidates to be migrated to the second storage system based on access patterns of the storage devices at the first storage system, and selecting one or more storage devices from the identified candidates to be migrated to a second one of the plurality of remote target storage systems that is selected based on the deduplication information of the database. In one embodiment, the methods further include migrating one or more datasets stored at the selected one or more storage devices to the second storage system.

Abstract: Identifying data for placement in a storage system having a plurality of storage classes includes subdividing the data into portions, for each of the portions, independently determining at least one score for a particular portion based on a metric corresponding to access of the particular portion, where the at least one score for the particular portion is independent of scores for other ones of the portions, and identifying sub-portions of data for placement in a particular storage class based on the at least one score of a portion of data corresponding to the sub-portions. The at least one score may be based on short term access statistics and long term access statistics. The access statistics may include read misses, writes, and prefetches.

Abstract: Described are techniques for configuring data storage. Criteria identifying limits is received for a plurality of storage tiers for one or more logical devices. The storage tiers include a first storage tier and one or more other storage tiers where the first storage tier is higher performing than the other storage tiers. First processing is performed to determine a first set of data portions of the logical devices to be stored on physical devices of the first storage tier subject to limits included in said criteria. First processing includes determining scores for data portions of the logical devices. Each score is calculated using one or more metrics including a first metric weighted based on an expected I/O size. The data portions are ranked in accordance with the scores. The first set of data portions stored in the first storage tier is selected based on the score ranking.

Abstract: When migrating data, a first message is received at a target data storage system from a source data storage system. The target data storage system includes a data storage optimizer that performs automated data movement optimizations. The first message requests a reservation of a first amount of storage on a first storage tier for performing a data migration to migrate data from the source to the target data storage system. A first capacity limit of the first storage tier is reduced by the first amount thereby representing the reservation of the first amount of storage for performing the data migration. If the first storage tier does not include an amount of available storage of at least the first amount, processing is performed to increase the amount of available storage of the first storage tier.

Abstract: Described are techniques for evaluating data movement alternative. A set of criteria including capacity and performance limits is received. First processing is performed to evaluate a plurality of alternatives for use in data movement with respect to a set of logical devices having data stored on a set of physical storage devices. Each of the plurality of alternatives includes a different set of data movement criteria comprising capacity limits and a different set of performance limits. The set of physical storage devices includes at least a first physical device of one of a plurality of storage tiers and a second physical device of another one of the plurality of storage tier. One of the sets of performance limits is selected in accordance with the first processing.

Abstract: Predictors of future application activity/inactivity are used in combination with monitored data access activity to prompt movement of data between tiers of storage. The apparent amount of activity for data associated with an application that is expected to become active to be increased even before data associated with that application becomes active. Further, the apparent amount of activity for data associated with an application that has become inactive is rapidly decreased by overriding algorithms that control rate of change to counter thrashing.

Abstract: Described are techniques for determining whether to move data between devices. A first cost metric is determined for a first device and a second device. At least one portion of data is selected for movement from one of the first device and the second device to another of the first device and the second device. A second cost metric is determined for the first device and the second device based on moving said at least one portion of data between said first device and said second device. It is determined using the first cost metric and the second cost metric whether to move the at least one portion of data.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving an indication of a cold cache event within a storage system. The storage system includes a multi-tiered data array including at least a faster data tier and a slower data tier. A data list that identifies at least a portion of the data included within the faster data tier of the multi-tiered data array is obtained from the multi-tiered data array. At least a portion of the data identified within the data list is requested from the multi-tiered data array, thus defining the requested data. The requested data is received from the multi-tiered data array.

Abstract: A method for generation of dynamically priced discount offers for perishable inventory to vendor-selected customer segments includes conveying, by a vendor client device on the premises of a vendor, to a server, a first message identifying an oversupply of perishable inventory. The method includes directly transmitting, by local transmitter coupled to the vendor client device, to a local receiver coupled to a customer client device, a second message identifying the vendor client device. The method includes receiving, by the vendor client device, from the customer client device, a third message redeeming a discount at the vendor.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for improving cache utilization include in response to receiving a request to store data, storing the data in one of a plurality of cache slots of a cache. In one embodiment, the methods further include after storing the data, setting a status of the cache slot as write pending to indicate that the cache slot contains data which needs to be written to a corresponding destination storage device. The methods include determining an eviction type of the cached data based on whether the destination storage device is a local storage device or a remote storage device. In one embodiment, after copying data from the cache slot to the corresponding destination storage device, marking the cache slot with the determined eviction type. In response to receiving another request to store data, evicting at least one of the cache slots based on the eviction type.

Abstract: A system for resolving write pressure includes a primary storage unit, a backup storage unit, and a processor. The primary storage unit comprises a primary storage unit input buffer and a volume storage unit. The backup storage unit comprises a backup storage unit input buffer and a volume backup storage unit. The processor is to: store a first set of input data in the backup storage unit input buffer in the event that the primary storage unit input buffer is unable to store the first set of input data and transfer the first set of input data to the primary storage unit input buffer as space is available after storing data from the primary storage unit input buffer in the volume storage unit.

Abstract: A system for improving backup performance includes an interface, a processor, and a memory. The interface is to receive a volume identifier to backup. The processor is to determine allocation for data of a volume associated with the volume identifier in a plurality of storage tiers to improve backup processing, move data based at least in part on the allocation, and backup data of the volume. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

Abstract: A system for resolving write pressure includes a primary storage unit, a backup storage unit, and a processor. The primary storage unit comprises a primary storage unit input buffer and a volume storage unit. The backup storage unit comprises a backup storage unit input buffer and a volume backup storage unit. The processor is to: store a first set of input data in the backup storage unit input buffer in the event that the primary storage unit input buffer is unable to store the first set of input data and transfer the first set of input data to the primary storage unit input buffer as space is available after storing data from the primary storage unit input buffer in the volume storage unit.

Abstract: Described are techniques for performing data storage optimizations. A reserved workload for a first of a plurality of storage tiers is determined. Each of the plurality of storage tiers is characterized by a set of one or more attributes. The first storage tier includes performance characteristics which are any of incomplete, unknown, and unable to be predictively modeled for various workloads. The plurality of storage tiers includes the first tier and a remaining set of additional storage tier(s). Performance is modeled of a first workload distributed among the remaining set of storage tiers. The first workload represents a total workload less the reserved workload. One or more data movements are determined in accordance with the modeling. Each data movement moves a data portion from a first physical device of one of the plurality of storage tiers to a second physical device of another of the plurality of storage tiers.