Abstract: A data-processing system and method for performing collective operations. Some embodiments provide a plurality of leaf software processes, a plurality of collective engines (CEs), and a network operatively coupled to the plurality of CEs, wherein collective operations messages are sent between CEs. Each of the plurality of hierarchies includes a root, leaf CEs, and one or more intermediate levels of CEs between the root and the leaf CEs. Each CE except the root is configured to have a parent CE, and each non-leaf CE in the hierarchy that is not the root CE and not one of the leaf CEs has one or more child CEs. Data is sent from software processes to one or more of the plurality of CEs, and data is received to one or more software processes from one or more of the plurality of collective engines. The root CE outputs a final result.

Abstract: The current invention provides a paradigm for securely transmitting messages using an auditable message token and associated protocol for recording information pertaining to events occurring with respect to transmission(s) of a message.

Abstract: The current invention provides a paradigm for securely transmitting messages using an auditable message token and associated protocol for recording information pertaining to events occurring with respect to transmission(s) of a message.

Abstract: Applications executing on various nodes in a distributed storage environment may write data to primary storage and may also replicate the data to secondary storage via a replication target. An interval coordinator may coordinate the periodic saving of checkpoints or snapshots of the replicated data. The interval coordinator may determine the length of consistency intervals between the saving of each of the checkpoints. Writes to the replication target from each of the nodes may be associated with the current consistency interval and, in some embodiments, with a unique per-node sequence number. When transitioning between consistency intervals, each node may be configured to temporarily suspend completion of the writes and to send the replication target a consistency interval marker indicating that the node has completed all writes for the current consistency interval.

Abstract: A system for ensuring availability using volume server sets in a storage environment employing distributed block virtualization includes a plurality of volume servers, one or more volume clients, one or more physical block devices and a volume server manager. The volume server manager may be configured to designate the plurality of volume servers as a volume server set with an associated volume server set management policy, and to verify each volume server in the volume server set has access to storage within each block device. In addition, the volume server manager may be configured to designate a first volume server of the volume server set to aggregate storage within the block devices into a logical volume, to make the logical volume accessible to the volume clients, and to share configuration information about the volume with the other volume servers of the volume server set.

Abstract: A system and to prevent data corruption due to split brain in shared data clusters includes two or more nodes of a cluster, a shared storage device, and an update manager. The update manager may be configured to maintain a local persistent store corresponding to each node of the cluster. On receiving an update request directed to the shared storage device from a first node, the update manager may be configured to redirect the update to the local persistent store corresponding to the first node. The update manager may be further configured to verify a cluster membership status of the first node, and to transfer the contents of the update from the local persistent store to the shared storage device if the cluster membership verification succeeds.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for maintaining write order fidelity in a distributed environment are disclosed. One method, which can be performed by each node in a cluster, involves associating a current sequence number with each of several write operations included in a set of independent write operations. In response to detecting that one of the write operations in the set is ready to complete, a new sequence number is selected, and that new sequence number is thereafter used as the current sequence number. None of write operations in the set is allowed to return to the application that initiated the write operations until the new sequence number has been advertised to each other node in the cluster. The method also involves receiving a message advertising a first sequence number from another node in the cluster, and subsequently using the first sequence number as the current sequence number.

Abstract: One goal of consistency interval replication is to achieve a consistent copy of data generated by independent streams of writes from nodes in a clustered/distributed environment. Two writes to the same block from different nodes may arrive at a replication target in a different order from the order in which they were written to primary storage. A consistency interval coordinator may analyze a list of blocks modified during a consistency interval to determine conflict blocks written to by two different nodes during the same consistency interval. Conflict resolution may involve a node reading data for a conflict block from primary storage and forwarding it to the replication target or a node completing a suspended in-progress write for the conflict block. Once the conflicts have been resolved, the replication target may checkpoint the data modified during the interval and nodes may resume writes to the conflict blocks for the new interval.

Abstract: A system for data transfer using a recoverable data pipe includes a data producer, one or more data consumers, a storage device and a data pipe manager. The data producer may be configured to append updated data blocks to the storage device via a producer storage input/output (I/O) channel. The data consumers may be configured to read data blocks from the storage device via consumer storage I/O channels. The data pipe manager may be configured to maintain metadata identifying data blocks of the storage device that have been read by each data consumer, and to release backing storage corresponding to the data blocks that have been read by all data consumers.

Abstract: A system for loosely coupled temporal storage management includes a logical storage aggregation including a plurality of data blocks, a data producer, one or more data consumers, and a temporal storage manager. The temporal storage manager may be configured to maintain a producer shadow store including entries stored in a log-structured logical volume, where each entry is indicative of one or more data blocks of the logical storage aggregation that have been modified by the data producer. The temporal storage manager may also be configured to maintain a repository containing a baseline version of the logical storage aggregation, and to provide the data consumers with read-only access to the producer shadow store and the repository.

Abstract: A log-structured temporal shadow store may comprise a logical storage aggregation including a plurality of blocks, a log-structured storage device, and shadow management software. The log-structured storage device may include a plurality of log entries, where each log entry includes one or more modified blocks of the logical storage aggregation and an index to the modified blocks. In response to a new batch of changes to the logical storage aggregation, the shadow management software may be configured to append a new log entry to the log-structured storage device, including newly modified blocks and an index to the newly modified blocks. The index may be organized as a modified B+ tree, and the log-structured storage device may be a logical volume, such as a mirrored logical volume.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for TMOS devices, comprising multiple N-type source regions, electrically in parallel, located in multiple P-body regions separated by N-type JFET regions at a first surface. The gate overlies the body channel regions and the JFET region lying between the body regions. The JFET region communicates with an underlying drain region via an N-epi region. Ion implantation and heat treatment are used to tailor the net active doping concentration Nd in the JFET region of length Lacc and net active doping concentration Na in the P-body regions of length Lbody so that a charge balance relationship (Lbody*Na)=k1*(Lacc*Nd) between P-body and JFET regions is satisfied, where k1 is about 0.6?k1?1.4. The entire device can be fabricated using planar technology and the charge balanced regions need not extend through the underlying N-epi region to the drain.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a first current produced by an active circuit component. According to these techniques, a current sensor is disposed over the active circuit component. The current sensor includes a Magnetic Tunnel Junction (“MTJ”) core disposed between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The MTJ core can be used to sense the first current and produce a second current based on the first current sensed at the MTJ core.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided which includes an active circuit component and a current sensor. The active circuit component may be coupled between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, and is configured to produce a first current. The current sensor is disposed over the active circuit component. The current sensor may comprise a Magnetic Tunnel Junction (“MTJ”) core disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The MTJ core is configured to sense the first current and produce a second current based on the first current sensed at the MTJ core.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided which comprises a substrate, a conductive line configured to experience a pressure, and a magnetic tunnel junction (“MTJ”) core formed between the substrate and the current line. The conductive line is configured to move in response to the pressure, and carries a current which generates a magnetic field. The MTJ core has a resistance value which varies based on the magnetic field. The resistance of the MTJ core therefore varies with respect to changes in the pressure. The MTJ core is configured to produce an electrical output signal which varies as a function of the pressure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided which includes a heat source disposed in a substrate, and a Magnetic Tunnel Junction (“MTJ”) temperature sensor disposed over the heat source.

Abstract: Techniques of sensing a temperature of a heat source disposed in a substrate of an integrated circuit are provided. According to one exemplary method, a Magnetic Tunnel Junction (“MTJ”) temperature sensor is provided over the heat source. The MTJ temperature sensor comprises an MTJ core configured to output a current during operation thereof. The value of the current varies based on a resistance value of the particular MTJ core. The resistance value of the MTJ core varies as a function of the temperature of the heat source. A value of the current of the MTJ core can then be associated with a corresponding temperature of the heat source.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device (300) comprises a substrate (301) and MRAM architecture (314) formed on the substrate (308). The MRAM architecture (314) includes a MRAM circuit (318) formed on the substrate (301); and a MRAM cell (316) coupled to and formed above the MRAM circuit (318). Additionally a passive device (320) is formed in conjunction with the MRAM cell (316). The passive device (320) can be one or more resistors and one or more capacitor. The concurrent fabrication of the MRAM architecture (314) and the passive device (320) facilitates an efficient and cost effective use of the physical space available over active circuit blocks of the substrate (404, 504), resulting in three-dimensional integration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing physical parameters. The apparatus comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and a magnetic field source whose magnetic field overlaps the MTJ and whose proximity to the MTJ varies in response to an input to the sensor. The MTJ comprises first and second magnetic electrodes separated by a dielectric configured to permit significant tunneling conduction therebetween. The first magnetic electrode has its spin axis pinned and the second magnetic electrode has its spin axis free. The magnetic field source is oriented closer to the second magnetic electrode than the first magnetic electrode. The overall sensor dynamic range is extended by providing multiple electrically coupled sensors receiving the same input but with different individual response curves and desirably but not essentially formed on the same substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing physical parameters. The apparatus comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and a magnetic field source whose magnetic field overlaps the MTJ and whose proximity to the MTJ varies in response to an input to the sensor. A magnetic shield is provided at least on a face of the MFS away from the MTJ. The MTJ comprises first and second magnetic electrodes separated by a dielectric configured to permit significant tunneling conduction therebetween. The first magnetic region has its spin axis pinned and the second magnetic electrode has its spin axis free. The magnetic field source is oriented closer to the second magnetic electrode than the first magnetic electrode. The overall sensor dynamic range is extended by providing multiple electrically coupled sensors receiving the same input but with different individual response curves and desirably but not essentially formed on the same substrate.