Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things root image caching and indexing for block-level distributed application management. The technology involves storing blocks of a root image on a first storage unit and storing blocks of leaf images on respective second storage units. The leaf images include additional data blocks not previously contained in the root image and changes made by respective compute nodes to the blocks of the root image. The technology includes caching blocks of the root image that have been accessed by at least one compute node. The technology also includes receiving indexing results pertaining to the root image from one compute node and providing the results for other compute nodes.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things virus scanning for block-level distributed application management. The technology involves storing blocks of a root image on a first storage unit and storing blocks of leaf images on respective second storage units. The leaf images include additional data blocks not previously contained in the root image and changes made by respective compute nodes to the blocks of the root image. The technology includes receiving a notification from one of the compute nodes that the root image has been scanned for viruses and providing the notification to other compute nodes.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for distributing an application environment to a compute node. The system includes a first storage unit for storing blocks of a root image of the compute node and a second storage unit for storing a leaf image comprising new data blocks and changes to the blocks of the root image. The system further includes a union block device for interfacing between the compute node and the first and second storage units to distribute the application environment to the compute node. The union block device creates the application environment by merging the blocks of the root image stored on the first storage unit with the leaf image stored on the second storage unit.

Abstract: A method and system for incremental backup is disclosed. The method includes attaching a first plex to a log, which includes a log plex. The method also includes writing data to said log plex and said first plex.

Abstract: A system for coordination for quality of service in multi-layer storage virtualization environments includes a first, second and third storage entity at a respective first, second and third layer of virtualized storage. The first storage entity sends a request for an I/O task to the second storage entity. In response to the request, the second storage entity may be configured to cooperate with the third storage entity to perform one or more I/O operations to satisfy one or more quality of service requirements associated with the I/O task.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing cache and I/O management in a multi-layer storage virtualization environment. Block virtualization may be implemented at various layers, each with one or more storage entities. One storage entity may coordinate and leverage the cache and the caching mechanism available with another storage entity. The storage entities may be at the same layer (horizontal cache coordination) or at different layers (vertical cache coordination). Cache coordination may include application-assisted read-ahead.