Abstract: Various systems and methods for obtaining vendor information using mobile internet devices are described herein. An inquiry for a product or service is received from a user. A location for the receipt of the product or service is received. Vendor information of a vendor of the product or service proximate to the location is determined, with the vendor information including a price for the product or service, and a wait time to receive the product or service. The vendor information is then transmitted to the user.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for obtaining vendor information using mobile internet devices are described herein. An inquiry for a product or service is received from a user. A location for the receipt of the product or service is received. Vendor information of a vendor of the product or service proximate to the location is determined, with the vendor information including a price for the product or service, and a wait time to receive the product or service. The vendor information is then transmitted to the user.

Abstract: File system components of a messaged based file system may perform different functions of the file system and may communicate through a file system-independent message interface to fulfill file I/O naming requests. A file system component may receive a message from another file system component and in response may perform a sub-function of the file system and then may send another message to a file system component to perform another function of the file system. File system components may each operate on separate devices or multiple file system components may execute on a single device. File system components may also communicate using messaging components that in turn may communicate with other messaging components according to the file system-independent message interface. A single messaging component may be configured to communicate with multiple file system components on a single device. Alternatively, each file system component may communicate through a single, paired messaging component.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting parametric failure trends in a data storage array. A plurality of data storage devices, such as hard disc drives, are arranged to form a multi-device addressable memory array space. A controller controls access to the array space, and is configured to accumulate operational performance data from each of the devices into a history log. A statistical analysis engine of the controller analyzes the data to detect anomalous operation of the devices, including a horizontal analysis of data across multiple devices. The controller initiates a data storage device specific corrective action event in response to the analysis, as required. The analysis by the engine can be in addition to, or in lieu of, analysis by the individual devices. A data request block requests additional data samples for a given parameter, or requests additional parametric data to further the analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided comprising a software system resident in a memory space configured to execute a service request which results in a plurality of events carried out by the software system to complete the service request, and creates a plurality of entries associated with the events, wherein each entry defines an operational state of the software system.

Abstract: In a computer system, a distributed storage system having a data coherency unit for maintaining data coherency across a number of storage devices sharing such data is described. The data coherency unit includes logic to monitor data transition states in each of the data storage devices to detect when the processing status of data being shared by two or more of the storage devices changes. The data coherency unit advantageously ensures a status change in shared data in one storage device is broadcast to other storage devices having copies of the data without having each storage device independently monitor adjourning storage devices to detect data state changes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for logging and analyzing event flows associated with execution of a service request in a software system, such as a computer-based system comprising a multi-disc data storage array. Execution of the service request results in a plurality of events carried out by multiple layers of the software system. A global event log accumulates a corresponding plurality of entries which associates each of the events carried out by the multiple layers. An event trace facility preferably accesses the global event log to provide a sequence of the entries corresponding to the service request, such as in a tree structure or time sequence order displayed by a graphical user interface. A log manager preferably controls operation of the global event log. Entries in the global event log are preferably entered sequentially for each ongoing process, and each entry preferably includes an identifier that identifies the associated service request.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for recovering from the failure of a mirrored boot device (e.g., disk drive). One method is implemented for a computer system that mirrors two (or more) boot devices. If one of the devices fails, a set of compensating activities is performed, which may include removing the failed device from the list of devices from which the system may boot, deleting mirror state data from the device and removing the failed device from the mirroring scheme. After the failed device is repaired or replaced, a set of reintegrating activities is performed, which may include including the device in the mirroring scheme, restoring mirror state data to the device and adding the device to the list of boot devices. Even if the system includes only two mirrored boot devices and one of them fails, it can continue operation and can reboot successfully without using stale data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence being an inducible promoter obtainable from apple. The promoter sequence is preferably activated in response to which agents are specific to ripening fruit and is most preferably the apple &bgr;-galactosidase (ABG1) promoter. Vectors form a further part of the invention. Also provided are host plant cells, plus methods of producing transgenic plants and fruit which incorporate antisense RNA capable of down-regulating genes involved in ripening or peptides or proteins improving fungal, insect, bacterial, viral, herbicidal, nematode, or arachnid resistance. Such transgenic plants and fruit have storage and pest-resistance properties superior to non-transgenic varieties.

Abstract: In a computer system, a distributed storage system having a data coherency unit for maintaining data coherency across a number of storage devices sharing such data is described. The data coherency unit includes logic to monitor data transition states in each of the data storage devices to detect when the processing status of data being shared by two or more of the storage devices changes. The data coherency unit advantageously ensures a status change in shared data in one storage device is broadcast to other storage devices having copies of the data without having each storage device independently monitor adjourning storage devices to detect data state changes.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for recovering from the failure of a mirrored boot device (e.g., disk drive). One method is implemented for a computer system that mirrors two (or more) boot devices. If one of the devices fails, a set of compensating activities is performed, which may include removing the failed device from the list of devices from which the system may boot, deleting mirror state data from the device and removing the failed device from the mirroring scheme. After the failed device is repaired or replaced, a set of reintegrating activities is performed, which may include including the device in the mirroring scheme, restoring mirror state data to the device and adding the device to the list of boot devices. Even if the system includes only two mirrored boot devices and one of them fails, it can continue operation and can reboot successfully without using stale data.