Abstract: An improved storage area network has a manager digital data processor that includes a first element that maintains a first representation of the SAN, and a second element that maintains a second representation of the SAN. The first element generates notifications of events in the SAN, e.g., addition or removal of components or relationships between components. The second element responds to such notifications by accessing the first representation (e.g., via the first element) and updating the second representation. In the event of a discrepancy between the event notification and either representation, the second element selectively disregards the event notification or rebuilds (recovers) the second representation by copying one or more attributes of the first representation.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) has a plurality of components including digital data processors, e.g., hosts, coupled to a plurality of storage device. Common, platform-independent processes execute on the hosts, which can be of varied platform types, e.g., Unix™, Windows™, Solaris, and so forth. Those processes utilizes the command line interface of the host operating system to invoke platform-dependent processes on the respective hosts. The platform-dependent processes return data to the platform-independent processes, e.g., via Standard Output or Standard Error of the host operating system command line interface.

Abstract: A digital data processor of the type used, e.g., in management of a storage area network (SAN), executes a process (a “manager” process) to maintain a representation of the SAN topology or at least an attribute thereof. A graphical output device displays the SAN representation. A further process (a “user interface” process) controls the output device for purposes of displaying that representation. An interface element effects retrieval of the SAN representation, for example, in response to a request from the user interface process. It transmits that representation to the user interface process for display on the graphical output device.

Abstract: A storage area network has a plurality of components, such as host digital data processors and storage devices. A store, e.g., resident on a manager digital data processor, contains one or more objects (or other data constructs) that represent information gathered from the hosts, i.e., scans. Further such objects represent components in the SAN and/or relationships between and among those components. A discover engine or other functionality executing on the manager digital data processor validates information gathered from a selected host concerning a selected component or relationship based on a scan object, if any, that is associated with a component object or relationship object, respectively, corresponding to the selected component or relationship.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) has one or more host digital data processors are coupled to one or more storage devices (e.g., LUNs) by an interconnect, e.g., a fiber channel-based fabric. Switches or switch-like interfaces on the interconnect fabric define zones or regions in which certain hosts can access certain storage devices, but not other storage devices. Scanners, e.g., operating within agents associated with the hosts, collect information regarding the regions and, more particularly, the hosts, storage devices and interconnect elements that make them up. A manager operating, for example, on a further digital data processor disambiguates information from the regions and discerns the topology of the portion of the SAN spanned by the regions. Thus, it identifies as a virtual SAN elements from regions that have at least one common storage device with at least one other region.

Abstract: A storage area network has a plurality of components, such as host digital data processors and storage devices. A store, e.g., resident on a manager digital data processor, contains one or more objects (or other data constructs) that represent information gathered from the hosts, i.e., scans. Further such objects represent components in the SAN and/or relationships between and among those components. A discover engine or other functionality executing on the manager digital data processor validates information gathered from a selected host concerning a selected component or relationship based on a scan object, if any, that is associated with a component object or relationship object, respectively, corresponding to the selected component or relationship.

Abstract: Novel storage area networks (SANs) and methods of operation thereof utilize a plurality of hosts coupled via an interconnect with one or more storage units. A manager device, process or other functionality in communication with a plurality of agent processes, devices or other functionality, each of which is associated with a host. The agents identify attributes of (i) their associated hosts, (ii) interconnect to which that host is coupled, and/or (iii) storage units to which that host is coupled via the interconnect. The manager responds to these attributes identified by the agents to manage the SAN. The manager can be implemented on a first digital data processor and the hosts on further digital data processors. These digital data processors can be coupled via a first network, e.g., an IP or other network, to support communications between the manager and the agents. A second network, e.g.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) has a plurality of components including digital data processors, e.g., hosts, coupled to a plurality of storage device. Common, platform-independent processes execute on the hosts, which can be of varied platform types, e.g., Unix™, Windows™, Solaris, and so forth. Those processes utilizes the command line interface of the host operating system to invoke platform-dependent processes on the respective hosts. The platform-dependent processes return data to the platform-independent processes, e.g., via Standard Output or Standard Error of the host operating system command line interface.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) has one or more host digital data processors are coupled to one or more storage devices (e.g., LUNs) by an interconnect, e.g., a fiber channel-based fabric. Switches or switch-like interfaces on the interconnect fabric define zones or regions in which certain hosts can access certain storage devices, but not other storage devices. Scanners, e.g., operating within agents associated with the hosts, collect information regarding the regions and, more particularly, the hosts, storage devices and interconnect elements that make them up. A manager operating, for example, on a further digital data processor disambiguates information from the regions and discerns the topology of the portion of the SAN spanned by the regions. Thus, it identifies as a virtual SAN elements from regions that have at least one common storage device with at least one other region.

Abstract: An improved storage area network has a manager digital data processor that includes a first element that maintains a first representation of the SAN, and a second element that maintains a second representation of the SAN. The first element generates notifications of events in the SAN, e.g., addition or removal of components or relationships between components. The second element responds to such notifications by accessing the first representation (e.g., via the first element) and updating the second representation. In the event of a discrepancy between the event notification and either representation, the second element selectively disregards the event notification or rebuilds (recovers) the second representation by copying one or more attributes of the first representation.

Abstract: A digital data processor of the type used, e.g., in management of a storage area network (SAN), executes a process (a “manager” process) to maintain a representation of the SAN topology or at least an attribute thereof. A graphical output device displays the SAN representation. A further process (a “user interface” process) controls the output device for purposes of displaying that representation. An interface element effects retrieval of the SAN representation, for example, in response to a request from the user interface process. It transmits that representation to the user interface process for display on the graphical output device.

Abstract: Improved storage area networks (SANs) maintain a first store containing an internal representation of the SAN and a separate store identifying changes to the SAN. A process executing, for example, in the manager digital data processor of the type described above utilizes the first store to generate a display, e.g., on the operator/administrator console, of the SAN topology, its components and/or the relationships (collectively, “topology”) among those components. The manager responds to information in the second store to identify on the display changes in the SAN. The digital data processor selectively discontinues identifying changes on the topology display. This can be in response, for example, to an operator/administrator request. At the same time, or otherwise in connection therewith, the digital data processor can, moreover, remove the corresponding history information from the second store.

Abstract: A printing plate cylinder has a linear bearing press-fitted into its axial bore with the linear bearing having a ball-bearing surface for engaging a cylindrical rotatable drive shaft to permit axial and circumferential adjustments as needed.

Abstract: A distributed storage management program manages a network comprising multiple data storage devices attached to multiple host computer systems. The management program includes a separate agent in each host, and a central manager. The agents gather data and communicate with the manager across a communications path which is independent of the storage network. The manager collates the data from different agents to produce a coherent view of the network. Preferably, each local agent actively builds an internal topological view of the network as seen by its host and collects data such as error events, which it stores in internal data structures. The manager is able to resolve gaps in the information of each agent from information provided by other agents. Preferably, the manager represents the network as a collection of objects of different classes in an object-oriented class library. This collection is graphically displayed in a logical and understandable manner to a user on a display device.

Abstract: In a magnetic cylinder for holding printing plates and the like in which magnetic elements are located and held in place in recesses formed on the outer surface of the cylinder, a thin substantially non-magnetic foraminate layer is located at the bottom of the recesses and the magnetic elements rest against the foraminate layer.