Abstract: A method of validating a storage array network deployment includes receiving information from a user, utilizing the information in a capacity associated with the storage array network, and notifying the user if the utilizing produces an error. The method may further include waiting for user direction before utilizing the information, or waiting until a predetermined amount of information has been received before utilizing the information. The method may further include evaluating one or more formats of the information for suitability for an intended use of the information. The error may be indicated by an abnormal response as a result of utilizing the information.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for predicting storage device failures. An embodiment of the method of the present invention begins by obtaining data regarding input and output of the at least one storage device. Next, the obtained data is normalized to determine a duty cycle of the at least one storage device. Finally, using the normalized data, a likelihood of failure of the at least one storage device is determined. In another example embodiment, a failure indicator is associated with the at least one storage device based upon the determined likelihood of failure.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for predicting storage device failures. An embodiment of the method of the present invention begins by obtaining data regarding input and output of the at least one storage device. Next, the obtained data is normalized to determine a duty cycle of the at least one storage device. Finally, using the normalized data, a likelihood of failure of the at least one storage device is determined. In another example embodiment, a failure indicator is associated with the at least one storage device based upon the determined likelihood of failure.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for predicting storage device failures. An embodiment of the method of the present invention begins by obtaining data regarding input and output of the at least one storage device. Next, the obtained data is normalized to determine a duty cycle of the at least one storage device. Finally, using the normalized data, a likelihood of failure of the at least one storage device is determined. In another example embodiment, a failure indicator is associated with the at least one storage device based upon the determined likelihood of failure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and information handling system (IHS) for estimating bandwidth and providing one or more Quality of Service (QoS) parameters between a first set of one or more storage devices and at least one other set of one or more storage devices. The method comprises the following, for a given set of the at least one other set of one or more storage devices. The method creates a given temporary volume associated with the given set. The method sends a given sequential workload of actual traffic between the first set and the given set. The method estimates, based upon the results of sending the given sequential workload of actual traffic, the one or more Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the given set.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for reducing storage device vulnerability to degraded performance, data unavailability or data loss. An embodiment of the method of the present invention begins by storing debug data associated with at least one storage device and obtaining diagnostic data for the at least one storage device. Next, an analysis is performed using the obtained data and the stored debug data. Then, one or more issues and one or more action plans for resolution may be identified. Finally, a report is provided to one or more users including the one or more identified issues and the one or more action plans.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method, corresponding system, and corresponding apparatus for handling Quality of Service (QoS) for one or more network file shares associated with one or more Network Attached Storage (NAS) servers. Some embodiments may determine an actual value for a QoS parameter for network file shares, through a benchmark test procedure. Some embodiments may assign a QoS policy to the network file shares. Some embodiments may associate the QoS policy with the QoS parameter. Some embodiments may control the QoS policy at the NAS servers. Some embodiments may determine a current speed capability of one or more network interface controllers (NICs) associated with the NAS servers. Some embodiments may also compare the current speed capability of the NICs to the given actual value for the given QoS parameter resulting from the benchmark test procedure.

Abstract: A longitudinal insertion adapter includes an adapter socket assembly having a first end, a second end and a first set of electrical contacts. The adapter socket assembly is configured to accept a circuit card edge connector. At least one of the first and second ends has a void for accepting longitudinal insertion of the circuit card. The adapter further includes an edge connector assembly fixedly attached the adapter socket assembly. The edge connector assembly has a second set of electrical contacts arranged to couple electrically when the edge connector assembly is inserted into a fixed connector socket. The adapter socket assembly is fixedly attached to the edge connector assembly. Each contact of the first set of contacts is electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the second set of contacts.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method, corresponding system, and corresponding apparatus for detecting unexpectedly high latency, due to excessive retries of a given storage device of a set of storage devices. Some embodiments may comprise a processor and associated memory. Some embodiments may monitor one or more completion time characteristics of one or more accesses between the given storage device and one or more host machines. Some embodiments may then compare the one or more completion time characteristics with a given threshold. As a result of the comparison, some embodiments may report, by the one or more host machines, at least one error associated with the given storage device. The error may be unreported by the set of storage devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and information handling system (IHS) for improving system performance in a storage area network. An embodiment of the present invention begins by obtaining diagnostic data for the storage area network by asking a user one or more questions and storing results to the one or more questions. Next, test data is obtained by running one or more testing modules on at least one component of the storage area network. A performance analysis of the storage area network is executed, including the obtained diagnostic data and the obtained test data. Then, one or more performance issues and one or more action plans for resolution are identified based upon the analysis. Finally, a report to one or more users is provided including the one or more identified performance issues and the one or more action plans.

Abstract: A longitudinal insertion adapter incudes an adapter socket assembly having a first end, a second end and a first set of electrical contacts. The adapter socket assembly is configured to accept a circuit card edge connector. At least one of the first and second ends has a void for accepting longitudinal insertion of the circuit card. The adapter further includes an edge connector assembly fixedly attached the adapter socket assembly. The edge connector assembly has a second set of electrical contacts arranged to couple electrically when the edge connector assembly is inserted into a fixed connector socket. The adapter socket assembly is fixedly attached to the edge connector assembly. Each contact of the first set of contacts is electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the second set of contacts.

Abstract: A method of validating a storage array network deployment includes receiving information from a user, utilizing the information in a capacity associated with the storage array network, and notifying the user if the utilizing produces an error. The method may further include waiting for user direction before utilizing the information, or waiting until a predetermined amount of information has been received before utilizing the information. The method may further include evaluating one or more formats of the information for suitability for an intended use of the information. The error may be indicated by an abnormal response as a result of utilizing the information.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for analyzing snapshot operation data of one or more snapshot operations associated with at least one storage device and at least one host computer. An embodiment of a method of the present invention begins by locating the snapshot operation data. Next, configuration information is assembled from the snapshot operation data. Further, debug data associated with the one or more snapshot operations is stored. An analysis is performed including the snapshot operation data, the configuration information, and the stored debug data. Next, the method identifies one or more issues and one or more action plans for resolution based upon the analysis. Finally, the method provides a report to one or more users including the configuration information, the one or more identified issues, and the one or more action plans.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method, corresponding system, and corresponding apparatus for handling Quality of Service (QoS) for one or more network file shares associated with one or more Network Attached Storage (NAS) servers. Some embodiments may determine an actual value for a QoS parameter for network file shares, through a benchmark test procedure. Some embodiments may assign a QoS policy to the network file shares. Some embodiments may associate the QoS policy with the QoS parameter. Some embodiments may control the QoS policy at the NAS servers. Some embodiments may determine a current speed capability of one or more network interface controllers (NICs) associated with the NAS servers. Some embodiments may also compare the current speed capability of the NICs to the given actual value for the given QoS parameter resulting from the benchmark test procedure.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method, corresponding system, and corresponding apparatus for detecting unexpectedly high latency, due to excessive retries of a given storage device of a set of storage devices. Some embodiments may comprise a processor and associated memory. Some embodiments may monitor one or more completion time characteristics of one or more accesses between the given storage device and one or more host machines. Some embodiments may then compare the one or more completion time characteristics with a given threshold. As a result of the comparison, some embodiments may report, by the one or more host machines, at least one error associated with the given storage device. The error may be unreported by the set of storage devices.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for assessing storage device vulnerability to data unavailability or data loss. An embodiment of the method of the present invention begins by obtaining data regarding static and dynamic factors of the at least one storage device. Next, based on the obtained data, a risk score is calculated for the at least one storage device. Finally, using the obtained data, the risk score is presented to a user. In another example embodiment, a risk score indicator is associated with the at least one storage device based upon the calculated risk score.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and information handling system (IHS) for estimating bandwidth and providing one or more Quality of Service (QoS) parameters between a first set of one or more storage devices and at least one other set of one or more storage devices. The method comprises the following, for a given set of the at least one other set of one or more storage devices. The method creates a given temporary volume associated with the given set. The method sends a given sequential workload of actual traffic between the first set and the given set. The method estimates, based upon the results of sending the given sequential workload of actual traffic, the one or more Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the given set.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for predicting storage device failures. An embodiment of the method of the present invention begins by obtaining data regarding input and output of the at least one storage device. Next, the obtained data is normalized to determine a duty cycle of the at least one storage device. Finally, using the normalized data, a likelihood of failure of the at least one storage device is determined. In another example embodiment, a failure indicator is associated with the at least one storage device based upon the determined likelihood of failure.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and information handling system (IHS) for analyzing snapshot operation data of one or more snapshot operations associated with at least one storage device and at least one host computer. An embodiment of a method of the present invention begins by locating the snapshot operation data. Next, configuration information is assembled from the snapshot operation data. Further, debug data associated with the one or more snapshot operations is stored. An analysis is performed including the snapshot operation data, the configuration information, and the stored debug data. Next, the method identifies one or more issues and one or more action plans for resolution based upon the analysis. Finally, the method provides a report to one or more users including the configuration information, the one or more identified issues, and the one or more action plans.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and information handling system (IHS) for improving system performance in a storage area network. An embodiment of the present invention begins by obtaining diagnostic data for the storage area network by asking a user one or more questions and storing results to the one or more questions. Next, test data is obtained by running one or more testing modules on at least one component of the storage area network. A performance analysis of the storage area network is executed, including the obtained diagnostic data and the obtained test data. Then, one or more performance issues and one or more action plans for resolution are identified based upon the analysis. Finally, a report to one or more users is provided including the one or more identified performance issues and the one or more action plans.