Abstract: A method and system for storing data for retrieval by an application running on a computer system including providing a tiered caching system including at least one cache tier and a base tier, storing data in at least one of said at least one cache tier and said base tier based on a policy, and presenting an application view of said data to the application by a means to organize data. The invention optionally provides an additional overflow tier, and preferably includes multiple cache tiers.

Abstract: A software defined storage network comprising one or more storage nodes, each storage node including a computer processor and one or more data storage devices; the one or more storage devices including a computer readable medium storing data partitioned into one or more volumes; wherein the one or more volumes are visible to at least a subset of the storage nodes and to non-storage nodes on the network; and a computer system in communication with the network having a computer processor executing instructions stored on a computer readable medium to define a plurality of actors providing a storage service; wherein each actor defines a virtual representation of at least one of the volumes and acts as a controller for each of the at least one data storage devices; wherein each of the plurality of actors places data for each volume on the storage devices according to at least one policy.

Abstract: A data storage system including a central storage system, at least one endpoint computer system in network communication with the central storage system by a network infrastructure, and a storage accelerator in communication with a CPU of the computer system, wherein the storage accelerator provides endpoint caching of data on the central storage system that is accessible to the at least one endpoint computer. Preferably, the storage accelerator is positioned at a location where a throughput of data from the CPU to the storage accelerator is greater than the throughput of data through a connection from the CPU to the central storage system.

Abstract: A system comprises a storage device, a cache coupled to the storage device and a metadata structure, coupled to the storage device and the cache, having metadata corresponding to each data location in the cache to control data promoted to the cache from the storage device.

Abstract: A method for providing access to a file by a requestor including creating an empty file in a format understood by the requestor, intercepting one or more reads by the requestor of the empty file, determining if a portion of the empty file being read by the requestor should contain expected content, if the portion of the empty file should contain expected content then, before fulfill ling the read, adding the expected content to the empty file to transform the empty file into a requested file, and fulfilling a read of the requested file.

Abstract: A system comprises a storage device, a cache coupled to the storage device and a metadata structure, coupled to the storage device and the cache, having metadata corresponding to each data location in the cache to control data promoted to the cache from the storage device.

Abstract: A method and system for storing data for retrieval by an application running on a computer system including providing a tiered caching system including at least one cache tier and a base tier, storing data in at least one of said at least one cache tier and said base tier based on a policy, and presenting an application view of said data to the application by a means to organize data. The invention optionally provides an additional overflow tier, and preferably includes multiple cache tiers.

Abstract: A data storage system including a central storage system, at least one endpoint computer system in network communication with the central storage system by a network infrastructure, and a storage accelerator in communication with a CPU of the computer system, wherein the storage accelerator provides endpoint caching of data on the central storage system that is accessible to the at least one endpoint computer. Preferably, the storage accelerator is positioned at a location where a throughput of data from the CPU to the storage accelerator is greater than the throughput of data through a connection from the CPU to the central storage system.

Abstract: A method for providing access to a file by a requestor including creating an empty file in a format understood by the requestor, intercepting one or more reads by the requestor of the empty file, determining if a portion of the empty file being read by the requestor should contain expected content, if the portion of the empty file should contain expected content then, before fulfill ling the read, adding the expected content to the empty file to transform the empty file into a requested file, and fulfilling a read of the requested file.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for transmitting and receiving goods, remuneration (in cash or in kind), documents and related information between any two points, especially between different domains and/or distant locations. The invention remits and disburses over a communication network for multiple currencies or fungible goods using intermediaries. Designed to operate in mainstream, developed-world transaction environments, specific accommodation is made for security, communication, interfaces and physical reach appropriate for developing countries. The user interface may include features such as multiple language capabilities, graphics, audio and icons in order to optimize usability for a worldwide user base. Transaction flow between parties in the system may be one-to-one, one-to-many or many-to-one.