Abstract: Setting a plurality of table entries in a storage device includes subdividing the table entries into a N tasks, placing each of the N tasks in a memory location disposed within the storage device and accessible by a plurality of internal devices, the plurality of the internal devices accessing the memory location to retrieve at least one of the N tasks, and each of the plurality of the internal devices setting table entries corresponding to at least one of the N tasks retrieved from the memory location. Setting table entries may also include setting logical device table entries to indicate corresponding tracks contain invalid data in connection with operation of remote data transfer between multiple storage devices. At least some of the internal devices may include devices for handling remote data transfer between multiple storage devices. At least some of the internal devices may be disk adapters and host adapters of the storage device. The memory location may correspond to a queue.

Abstract: The structure of a complex data object such as a multimedia presentation is stored in a persistent representation comprising a directly executable program. The instructions of the program are created by translating recorded method calls on a function library when the object is created. The structure of the object is recreated during playback by executing the program instructions in a stack-based virtual machine in a user's computer. The persistent representation thus stores the structure as a series of operations for building the object, rather than as a static plan of the structure itself.

Abstract: A mechanism to support remote mirroring of storage devices by data storage systems in a one-to-many switched environment. Each data storage system includes a disk director that is adapted to control at least one device group that is supported in a mirrored configuration with a corresponding device group controlled by one of the other data storage systems. For each device group and corresponding device group, there are first ports associated with the device group and second ports associated with the corresponding device group. A switch element is adapted to connect one of the first ports to at least one of the second ports so that data may be exchanged between the ports for each device group and corresponding device group. The disk director selects which first port is to be connected to which second port via the switch element in the establishment of a logical link.

Abstract: A computer system may include one or more hosts and a plurality of data storage devices for providing multihop system calls. The data storage devices are interconnected and also connected to the one or more hosts. The connections may be direct or indirect. Each data storage device classifies a data operation as a system call, a remote system call, or a multihop system call. If an operation is classified as a multihop system call by a first data storage device, a portion of the data associated with the multihop system call is removed and a second portion of the data is forwarded to a second data storage device as specified by a connection identifier included in the first portion. A multi-execute command may be issued by a host system causing one or more commands to be executed on one or more processors at points in a communication path in a forward and/or reverse direction when traversing the communication path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method. The method includes dynamically allocating a telephone number to an advertisement on a just-in-time basis; and if the telephone number is not called for a predefined period of time then unallocating the telephone number.

Abstract: A method for scanning a message-list accessible to a plurality of processors includes retrieving, from a cache associated with a scanning processor from the plurality of processors, information identifying a starting message-slot. This information is then used to begin a scan of the message-list at that starting message-slot. The information indicating the starting message-slot is obtained by identifying, in the message-list, a message-slot containing a message intended for a recipient processor from the plurality of processors and obtaining, from the identified message-slot, information indicative of a location of a succeeding message-slot in the message-list. This information is then cached, for retrieval during a subsequent scan of the message-list.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus to track demand partners in a pay-per call performance based advertising system. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include assigning at least one telephonic reference to an advertiser, the reference is to be included in an advertisement on a media channel of a demand partner. The advertiser is assessed a charge based at least in part on telephonic connections to the advertiser via the telephonic reference. The demand partner tracked with a predefined tracking model based at least in part on activity related to the telephonic reference.

Abstract: Ordering data writes include a host computer providing a plurality of data writes to a primary storage device, the primary storage device assigning a first sequence number to data writes begun after a first time and before a second time, the primary storage device assigning a second sequence number, different from the first sequence number, to data writes begun after the second time, in response to completion of all writes assigned the first sequence number, the primary storage device transferring writes assigned the first sequence number to a secondary storage device, and, in response to the primary storage device transferring all writes assigned the first sequence number to the secondary storage device, the primary storage device sending a commit message to the secondary storage device. Ordering data writes may also include, in response to receiving a commit message from the primary storage device, the secondary storage device storing the data writes having the first sequence number.

Abstract: Recovering data provided in chunks to a plurality of secondary storage devices includes, for each of the secondary storage devices, discarding data corresponding chunks for which all data thereof has not been received, and, for each of the secondary storage devices, restoring a chunk of data thereto where all of the chunks of data restored to the plurality of secondary storage devices correspond to a particular transmission cycle of primary storage devices that provide data to the plurality of secondary storage devices. Recovering data may also include, following discarding and prior to restoring, for each of the plurality of secondary storage devices having two different chunks, waiting for external intervention to indicate whether to restore a particular one of the chunks. The external intervention may be provided by a host computer that is proximate to at least one of the secondary storage devices or may be provided by a host computer that is proximate to at least one of the primary storage computers.

Abstract: Ordering data writes includes at least some of a group of primary storage devices receiving a first plurality of data writes, causing a cycle switch for the group of primary storage devices where the first plurality of data writes are associated with a particular cycle on each primary storage device in the group, and at least some of the group of primary storage devices receiving a second plurality of writes after initiating the cycle switch where all of the second plurality of writes are associated with a cycle different from the particular cycle on each primary storage device. Writes to the group begun after initiating the cycle switch may not complete until after the cycle switch has completed. Ordering data writes may also include, after completion of the cycle switch, each of the primary storage devices of the group initiating transfer of the first plurality of writes to a corresponding secondary storage device.

Abstract: Dynamically creating a communication path between first and second storage devices, includes creating a connection to a source volume on the first storage device and indicating that the source volume is not ready to transmit data on the communication path, after successfully creating the connection to the source volume, creating a connection to a destination volume on the second storage device and initially indicating that portions of one of: the destination volume and the source volume do not contain valid copies of data, where the destination volume accepts data from the source volume, and after successfully creating the connections to the source and destination volumes, indicating that the source volume is ready to transmit data on the communication path. Dynamically creating a communication path between first and second storage devices, may also include creating at least one of: the source volume and the destination volume.

Abstract: Handling ordered writes to a data storage device includes receiving a first chunk of data into slots of a cache of the data storage device and using a hash table to provide a correlation between cache slots containing data from the first chunk of data and locations of a logical storage device of the data storage device. Handling ordered writes may also include maintaining a circularly linked list of pointers to cache slots containing the first chunk of data. Handling ordered writes may also include receiving a second chunk of data into slots of the cache of the data storage device and receiving a message indicating that all data corresponding to the first chunk of data has been transferred to the data storage device. Handling ordered writes may also include, in response to receiving the message, storing data from the first chunk on to the logical storage device.

Abstract: A computer system may include one or more hosts and a plurality of data storage devices for providing multihop system calls. The data storage devices are interconnected and also connected to the one or more hosts. The connections may be direct or indirect. Each data storage device classifies a data operation as a system call, a remote system call, or a multihop system call. If an operation is classified as a multihop system call by a first data storage device, a portion of the data associated with the multihop system call is removed and a second portion of the data is forwarded to a second data storage device as specified by a connection identifier included in the first portion. A recursive process of removing a first portion and forwarding a second portion of data associated with the multihop system call is performed by each data storage device forwarded a second portion of data until a data storage device receives a second portion that is interpreted as a system call or a remote system call.

Abstract: A fluid conducting connector for use in water connections particularly water heater connectors. The connector assembly is designed for mating connection to a galvanized nipple for reduction of galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metal connections. An insulator assembly is seated within the connector to maintain separation between the galvanized nipple and the copper tube of the assembly. The connector assembly includes an internally threaded female connector mounted to the copper tube for connection to the nipple. The insulator assembly includes a tubular sleeve and a sealing washer. The sleeve extends partially into the copper tube while the washer seats within the female connector to seal the connector.