Abstract: Communication between target devices using protocol commands being carried out by a target device includes accessing a key for mapping of a plurality of defined patterns of stimuli and defined patterns of resultant protocol commands to a plurality of messages. A defined pattern of stimuli is sent from a target device to an initiator device to prompt a resultant defined pattern of protocol commands to be sent from the initiator device to all target devices that identify as the same device. The protocol commands including Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) specification compliant commands. A selected pattern of protocol command stimuli is sent from a first target device to the initiator device to prompt a resultant pattern of protocol commands from the initiator device to all target devices that identify as the same device thereby communicating the mapped message to other target devices.

Abstract: Communication between target devices using protocol commands being carried out by a target device includes accessing a key for mapping of a plurality of defined patterns of stimuli and defined patterns of resultant protocol commands to a plurality of messages. A defined pattern of stimuli is sent from a target device to an initiator device to prompt a resultant defined pattern of protocol commands to be sent from the initiator device to all target devices that identify as the same device. The protocol commands including Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) specification compliant commands. A selected pattern of protocol command stimuli is sent from a first target device to the initiator device to prompt a resultant pattern of protocol commands from the initiator device to all target devices that identify as the same device thereby communicating the mapped message to other target devices.

Abstract: Method and system are provided for dynamic rebuild capability in redundant array of independent disks (RAID) arrays using compressing drives. The method includes providing an array including a physical rebuild area for the multiple drives of the array and dynamically adjusting a number of allocated rebuild zones available within the rebuild area, wherein each allocated rebuild zone has capacity to store a drive rebuild based on a current physical usage of the multiple drives of the array.

Abstract: Method and system are provided for dynamic rebuild capability in redundant array of independent disks (RAID) arrays using compressing drives. The method includes providing an array including a physical rebuild area for the multiple drives of the array and dynamically adjusting a number of allocated rebuild zones available within the rebuild area, wherein each allocated rebuild zone has capacity to store a drive rebuild based on a current physical usage of the multiple drives of the array.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing garbage collection in a data storage system having a RAID configuration according to one embodiment includes determining on which geometry addressable region of the RAID configuration extents of data are stored. The RAID configuration includes an old geometry addressable region and a new geometry addressable region. The method further includes determining an order for performing garbage collection on the extents of data. Extents of data determined to be stored on the old geometry addressable region are assigned a higher priority within the order than extents of data determined to be stored on the new geometry addressable region. Moreover, the method includes performing garbage collection on the data storage system according to the order for performing garbage collection.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing garbage collection in a data storage system having a RAID configuration according to one embodiment includes determining on which geometry addressable region of the RAID configuration extents of data are stored. The RAID configuration includes an old geometry addressable region and a new geometry addressable region. The method further includes determining an order for performing garbage collection on the extents of data. Extents of data determined to be stored on the old geometry addressable region are assigned a higher priority within the order than extents of data determined to be stored on the new geometry addressable region. Moreover, the method includes performing garbage collection on the data storage system according to the order for performing garbage collection.

Abstract: Managing a networked storage system having a host operable to connect through a network fabric to storage apparatus comprises: a configuration component for inputting a configuration change into the networked storage system responsive to change instructions; a monitoring component operable in communication with the host and the network fabric to monitor I/O activity associated with elements of the networked storage system; an activity data storage component responsive to the monitoring component for storing a record of a monitored I/O activity; an analysis component, responsive to the configuration component for inputting configuration changes, for analyzing the record of a monitored I/O activity for a recent activity; and an alert component, responsive to the analysis component detecting a recent activity, for alerting the configuration component.

Abstract: Managing a networked storage system having a host operable to connect through a network fabric to storage apparatus comprises: a configuration component for inputting a configuration change into the networked storage system responsive to change instructions; a monitoring component operable in communication with the host and the network fabric to monitor I/O activity associated with elements of the networked storage system; an activity data storage component responsive to the monitoring component for storing a record of a monitored I/O activity; an analysis component, responsive to the configuration component for inputting configuration changes, for analysing the record of a monitored I/O activity for a recent activity; and an alert component, responsive to the analysis component detecting a recent activity, for alerting the configuration component.

Abstract: Managing a networked storage system having a host operable to connect through a network fabric to storage apparatus comprises: a configuration component for inputting a configuration change into the networked storage system responsive to change instructions; a monitoring component operable in communication with the host and the network fabric to monitor I/O activity associated with elements of the networked storage system; an activity data storage component responsive to the monitoring component for storing a record of a monitored I/O activity; an analysis component, responsive to the configuration component for inputting configuration changes, for analysing the record of a monitored I/O activity for a recent activity; and an alert component, responsive to the analysis component detecting a recent activity, for alerting the configuration component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and preemptively ameliorating potential logic unit thrashing in a storage system having multiple I/O requesters is disclosed. In response to detecting that each of two requesters has usable access to both of the active-passive pair of controllers, one of the active-passive pair of controllers is selected to be designated as an active resource controller. In response to detecting that one of the two requesters has usable access to only one of the active-passive pair of controllers, only one of the active-passive pair of controllers is selected to be designated as an active resource controller. In response to detecting that each of the two requesters has usable access only to different ones of the active-passive pair of controllers, one of the active-passive pair of controllers is selected to be designated as an active resource controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling access to logical units, a logical unit being an addressable entity that accept commands. A plurality of logical units are accessible by one or more ports, a port being an addressable entity that sends commands. A communication means which may be a storage area network (SAN) (102, 202) provides access to the plurality of logical units by the one or more ports. One or more ports that require access to the same logical units are grouped in a named set (301, 302, 303) in a first location. The named set (301, 302, 303) is associated (300) in a subsequent location with selected logical units (304) thereby controlling the access to the logical units. Identification information for the ports in a named set is extracted at the subsequent location by referencing the named set. The sets can be physically defined, for example, by switch zoning, or logically defined by logically grouping port names.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for acquiring analyzed device control support information in a field population of distributed devices operable to be connected in a network to a virtualizer has an aggregator adapted to be coupled to said virtualizer. The virtualizer is adapted to be coupled to at least one device in the field population and operable to query device control support data from the device and forward the device control support data to the aggregator; and the aggregator is operable to aggregate device control support data and forward aggregated data. A host is arranged to receive the aggregated data across the network and to analyze the aggregated data to provide analyzed device control support information for the field population of distributed devices.

Abstract: Managing a networked storage system having a host operable to connect through a network fabric to storage apparatus comprises: a configuration component for inputting a configuration change into the networked storage system responsive to change instructions; a monitoring component operable in communication with the host and the network fabric to monitor I/O activity associated with elements of the networked storage system; an activity data storage component responsive to the monitoring component for storing a record of a monitored I/O activity; an analysis component, responsive to the configuration component for inputting configuration changes, for analysing the record of a monitored I/O activity for a recent activity; and an alert component, responsive to the analysis component detecting a recent activity, for alerting the configuration component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling access to logical units, a logical unit being an addressable entity that accept commands. A plurality of logical units are accessible by one or more ports, a port being an addressable entity that sends commands. A communication means which may be a storage area network (SAN) (102, 202) provides access to the plurality of logical units by the one or more ports. One or more ports that require access to the same logical units are grouped in a named set (301, 302, 303) in a first location. The named set (301, 302, 303) is associated (300) in a subsequent location with selected logical units (304) thereby controlling the access to the logical units. Identification information for the ports in a named set is extracted at the subsequent location by referencing the named set. The sets can be physically defined, for example, by switch zoning, or logically defined by logically grouping port names.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having a memory operable with a virtualised RAID controller to determine an optimum I/O configuration by testing performance characteristics of a plurality of I/O operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having a memory operable with a virtualised RAID controller to determine an optimum I/O configuration by testing performance characteristics of a plurality of I/O operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and preemptively ameliorating potential logic unit thrashing in a storage system having multiple I/O requesters is disclosed. In response to detecting that each of two requesters has usable access to both of the active-passive pair of controllers, one of the active-passive pair of controllers is selected to be designated as an active resource controller. In response to detecting that one of the two requesters has usable access to only one of the active-passive pair of controllers, only one of the active-passive pair of controllers is selected to be designated as an active resource controller. In response to detecting that each of the two requesters has usable access only to different ones of the active-passive pair of controllers, one of the active-passive pair of controllers is selected to be designated as an active resource controller.