Abstract: Host computers running applications that store data on a block-based storage system such as a SAN provide hints that differentiate IO data based on which application generated the IO. The hints may include tags that are associated with IO commands sent to the block-based storage system. Each host application is associated with a unique identifier that is placed in the tag. Application name-to-identifier mappings may be sent from the hosts to the block-based storage system. Per-identifier/application deduplication statistics are maintained by the block-based storage system and shared with other block-based storage system. Deduplication is disabled or de-emphasized for IO data generated by applications with statistically low deduplication ratios.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for selecting target volumes within a storage system that are currently accessible to computing devices via first storage protocol paths via a first storage protocol for accessing via second storage protocol paths via a second storage protocol. For each of the selected target volumes, a first storage protocol identifier specific to each selected target volume may be associated with a second storage protocol identifier specific to each selected target volume. The first storage protocol paths and the second storage protocol paths may be grouped into a multipath group based upon the association between the first storage protocol identifier and the second storage protocol identifier. Access between the computing devices and the selected target volumes may be switched from the first storage protocol paths to the second storage protocol paths without application disruption and across multiple host platforms, including host-clusters.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for selective snapshot creation using source tagging of input-output (I/O) operations. One method comprises receiving an I/O operation; obtaining an I/O tag associated with the I/O operation indicating a source of the I/O operation (e.g., a source application or a source virtual machine); updating a cumulative I/O tag value associated with the I/O tag that indicates an amount of activity associated with the I/O tag; and initiating a snapshot of at least a portion of a storage system that stores data associated with the I/O operation in response to the cumulative I/O tag value satisfying a corresponding threshold value. A source device associated with the I/O operation may associate the I/O tag with the I/O operation and send the I/O operation with the I/O tag to the storage system.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for selecting target volumes within a storage system that are currently accessible to computing devices via first storage protocol paths via a first storage protocol for accessing via second storage protocol paths via a second storage protocol. For each of the selected target volumes, a first storage protocol identifier specific to each selected target volume may be associated with a second storage protocol identifier specific to each selected target volume. The first storage protocol paths and the second storage protocol paths may be grouped into a multipath group based upon the association between the first storage protocol identifier and the second storage protocol identifier. Access between the computing devices and the selected target volumes may be switched from the first storage protocol paths to the second storage protocol paths without application disruption and across multiple host platforms, including host-clusters.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for selective snapshot creation using source tagging of input-output (I/O) operations. One method comprises receiving an I/O operation; obtaining an I/O tag associated with the I/O operation indicating a source of the I/O operation (e.g., a source application or a source virtual machine); updating a cumulative I/O tag value associated with the I/O tag that indicates an amount of activity associated with the I/O tag; and initiating a snapshot of at least a portion of a storage system that stores data associated with the I/O operation in response to the cumulative I/O tag value satisfying a corresponding threshold value. A source device associated with the I/O operation may associate the I/O tag with the I/O operation and send the I/O operation with the I/O tag to the storage system.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device comprising a processor coupled to memory. The host device is configured to communicate over a network with at least one storage system. The host device is further configured to generate a user space block device and to generate a kernel space block device corresponding to the user space block device. The host device is further configured to receive an input-output operation at the kernel space block device from an application executing on the host device and to transfer the input-output operation from the kernel space block device to the corresponding user space block device. The host device is further configured to submit the input-output operation to the at least one storage system based at least in part on the user space block device.

Abstract: A technique provides transitioning from an original device to a new device within a data storage array. The technique involves initiating a copying activity within the data storage array, the copying activity copying data from the original device to the new device. The technique further involves, while the data is being copied from the original device to the new device, routing write requests that target logical storage which is currently supported by the original device to both the original device and the new device. The technique further involves, after the data has been copied from the original device to the new device, performing a configuration change which routes I/O requests that target the logical storage to the new device rather than the original device.

Abstract: Host computers running applications that store data on a block-based storage system such as a SAN provide hints that differentiate IO data based on which application generated the IO. The hints may include tags that are associated with IO commands sent to the block-based storage system. Each host application is associated with a unique identifier that is placed in the tag. Application name-to-identifier mappings may be sent from the hosts to the block-based storage system. Per-identifier/application deduplication statistics are maintained by the block-based storage system and shared with other block-based storage system. Deduplication is disabled or de-emphasized for IO data generated by applications with statistically low deduplication ratios.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device comprising a processor coupled to memory. The host device is configured to communicate over a network with at least one storage system. The host device is further configured to generate a user space block device and to generate a kernel space block device corresponding to the user space block device. The host device is further configured to receive an input-output operation at the kernel space block device from an application executing on the host device and to transfer the input-output operation from the kernel space block device to the corresponding user space block device. The host device is further configured to submit the input-output operation to the at least one storage system based at least in part on the user space block device.

Abstract: A technique provides transitioning from an original device to a new device within a data storage array. The technique involves initiating a copying activity within the data storage array, the copying activity copying data from the original device to the new device. The technique further involves, while the data is being copied from the original device to the new device, routing write requests that target logical storage which is currently supported by the original device to both the original device and the new device. The technique further involves, after the data has been copied from the original device to the new device, performing a configuration change which routes I/O requests that target the logical storage to the new device rather than the original device.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device is configured to implement a multi-path input-output driver for delivery of input-output operations from the host device to the storage system over the network. The multi-path input-output driver is configured to perform, in user space of the host device, discovery of paths to logical storage volumes of the storage system, to identify two or more of the paths providing connection to a given one of the logical storage volumes, to generate, in the user space of the host device, a given multi-path logical device grouping the identified two or more paths providing connection to the given logical storage volume, and to submit input-output operations directed to the given logical storage volume via the given multi-path logical device in the user space of the host device.