Patents by Inventor Robert Wipfel
Robert Wipfel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20140282514Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to enabling virtual machines to access data on a physical recording medium. In one embodiment, a computing system provides a logical address space for a storage device to an allocation agent that is executable to allocate the logical address space to a plurality of virtual machines having access to the storage device. In such an embodiment, the logical address space is larger than a physical address space of the storage device. The computing system may then process a storage request from one of the plurality of virtual machines. In some embodiments, the allocation agent is a hypervisor executing on the computing system. In some embodiments, the computing system tracks utilizations of the storage device by the plurality of virtual machines, and based on the utilizations, enforces a quality of service level associated with one or more of the plurality of virtual machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: FUSION-IO, INC.Inventors: Neil Carson, Nisha Talagala, Mark Brinicombe, Robert Wipfel, Anirudh Badam, David Nellans
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Publication number: 20140237159Abstract: A virtual storage layer (VSL) for a non-volatile storage device presents a logical address space of a non-volatile storage device to storage clients. Storage metadata assigns logical identifiers in the logical address space to physical storage locations on the non-volatile storage device. Data is stored on the non-volatile storage device in a sequential log-based format. Data on the non-volatile storage device comprises an event log of the storage operations performed on the non-volatile storage device. The VSL presents an interface for requesting atomic storage operations. Previous versions of data overwritten by the atomic storage device are maintained until the atomic storage operation is successfully completed. Data pertaining to a failed atomic storage operation may be identified using a persistent metadata flag stored with the data on the non-volatile storage device. Data pertaining to failed or incomplete atomic storage requests may be invalidated and removed from the non-volatile storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Fusion-io, Inc.Inventors: David Flynn, Stephan Uphoff, Xiangyong Ouyang, David Nellans, Robert Wipfel
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Publication number: 20140237550Abstract: The system and method for intelligent workload management described herein may include a computing environment having a model-driven, service-oriented architecture for creating collaborative threads to manage workloads, wherein the management threads may converge information for managing identities and access credentials, enforcing policies, providing compliance assurances, managing provisioned and requested services, and managing physical and virtual infrastructure resources. In one implementation, an authentication server may generate authentication tokens defining access credentials for managed entities across a plurality of authentication domains, wherein the authentication tokens may control access to resources in an information technology infrastructure. For example, a management infrastructure may create service distributions for the managed entities, which may include virtual machine images hosted on physical resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Eric W. B. Anderson, Robert A. Wipfel, Moiz Kohari
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Patent number: 8745205Abstract: The system and method for intelligent workload management described herein may include a computing environment having a model-driven, service-oriented architecture for creating collaborative threads to manage workloads, wherein the management threads may converge information for managing identities and access credentials, enforcing policies, providing compliance assurances, managing provisioned and requested services, and managing physical and virtual infrastructure resources. In one implementation, an authentication server may generate authentication tokens defining access credentials for managed entities across a plurality of authentication domains, wherein the authentication tokens may control access to resources in an information technology infrastructure. For example, a management infrastructure may create service distributions for the managed entities, which may include virtual machine images hosted on physical resources.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Eric W. B. Anderson, Robert Wipfel, Moiz Kohari
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Patent number: 8688899Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented for a direct interface between a memory controller and a non-volatile memory controller using a command protocol. A method includes receiving a command from a memory controller to a non-volatile memory controller over a wire interface by way of a command protocol. The memory controller is coupled to one or more processors and the non-volatile memory controller, in one embodiment, is coupled to non-volatile memory media. The command protocol includes a control path that enables the memory controller to distinguish among different memory modules. A method includes executing the command within the non-volatile memory controller in response to determining that the non-volatile memory controller is capable of satisfying the command.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Fusion-io, Inc.Inventors: David Nellans, Robert Wipfel
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Publication number: 20140025872Abstract: A storage layer presents logical address space of a non-volatile storage device. The storage layer maintains logical interfaces to the non-volatile storage device, which may include arbitrary, any-to-any mappings between logical identifiers and storage resources. Data may be stored on the non-volatile storage device in a contextual format, which includes persistent metadata that defines the logical interface of the data. The storage layer may modify the logical interface of data that is stored in the contextual format. The modified logical interface may be inconsistent with the existing contextual format of the data on the non-volatile storage media. The storage layer may provide access to the data in the inconsistent contextual format through the modified logical interface. The contextual format of the data may be updated to be consistent with the modified logical interface in a write out-of-place storage operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: FUSION-IO, INC.Inventors: David Flynn, Robert Wipfel, David Nellans, John Strasser
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Publication number: 20130346793Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products for auto-commit memory are presented. A monitor module determines that a triggering event for an auto-commit memory has occurred. An identification module identifies a triggered commit action for an auto-commit memory. An auto-commit memory module performs a triggered commit action for an auto-commit memory in response to a triggering event occurring.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Fusion-io, Inc.Inventors: David Flynn, David Nellans, John Strasser, James G. Peterson, Robert Wipfel
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Patent number: 8572607Abstract: System and method for performing processing functions on a warehoused service image. In one embodiment, the system comprises a service image warehouse for storing at least one service image; means for modifying the at least one service image by performing at least one of a plurality of service image processing functions on a service image contemporaneously with a user's checking the at least one service image out of the service image warehouse; means for checking the modified service image back into the service image warehouse; and a plurality of compute nodes connected to the service image warehouse to which the at least one service image may be deployed. Each of the compute nodes comprises one of a physical machine and a virtual machine host.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Nadeem Ahmad Nazeer, Robert Wipfel, Alexander Danoyan
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Publication number: 20130254768Abstract: The system and method described herein for providing annotated service blueprints in an intelligent workload management system may include a computing environment having a model-driven, service-oriented architecture for creating collaborative threads to manage workloads. In particular, the management threads may converge information for creating annotated service blueprints to provision and manage tessellated services distributed within an information technology infrastructure. For example, in response to a request to provision a service, a service blueprint describing one or more virtual machines may be created. The service blueprint may then be annotated to apply various parameters to the virtual machines, and the annotated service blueprint may then be instantiated to orchestrate the virtual machines with the one or more parameters and deploy the orchestrated virtual machines on information technology resources allocated to host the requested service, thereby provisioning the requested service.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Wipfel, Eric W. B. Anderson
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Patent number: 8543916Abstract: The system and method described herein for recording collaborative information technology processes in an intelligent workload management system may include a computing environment having a model-driven, service-oriented architecture for creating collaborative threads to manage workloads. In particular, the management threads may include one or more data structures that converge information describing interaction between managed entities and content that may relate to such interaction in time-ordered series of events. The time-ordered event stream may then be replayed in a real-time stream to remediate, roll back, or otherwise analyze the collaborative information technology processes.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Eric W. B. Anderson, Robert Wipfel, Jonathan Golan
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Patent number: 8527693Abstract: An auto-commit memory is capable of implementing a pre-configured, triggered commit action in response to a failure condition, such as a loss of power, invalid shutdown, fault, or the like. A computing device may access the auto-commit memory using memory access semantics (using a memory mapping mechanism or the like), bypassing system calls typically required in virtual memory operations. Since the auto-commit memory is pre-configured to commit data stored thereon in the event of a failure, users of the auto-commit memory may view these memory semantic operations as being instantly committed. Operations to commit the data are taken out of the write-commit path.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Fusion IO, Inc.Inventors: David Flynn, David Nellans, John Strasser, James G. Peterson, Robert Wipfel
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Publication number: 20130191601Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing a cache. A cache interface module provides access to a plurality of virtual storage units of a solid-state storage device over a cache interface. At least one of the virtual storage units comprises a cache unit. A cache command module exchanges cache management information for the at least one cache unit with one or more cache clients over the cache interface. A cache management module manages the at least one cache unit based on the cache management information exchanged with the one or more cache clients.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: FUSION-IO, INC.Inventors: Jim Peterson, Nisha Talagala, Robert Wipfel, David Atkisson, Jonathan Ludwig, Ann Martin
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Patent number: 8468518Abstract: A customized VM image, for example of Linux software, is created by allowing a user to select packages that the user is interested in installing. During the process, the user is informed if two of the packages that were selected will not be interoperable at run-time. The user is then given an opportunity to resolve the conflict. The user is also informed if selected packages depend on other packages that were not selected in order to run properly, and given the opportunity to include those needed packages in the VM image. Once the selected packages have been validated that they will interoperate and all dependencies are satisfied, the system can build and install the VM image. The VM image can also include applications, and not just packages used in assembling an operating system image.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Oracle International CorporationInventor: Robert A. Wipfel
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Patent number: 8448170Abstract: The system and method described herein for providing annotated service blueprints in an intelligent workload management system may include a computing environment having a model-driven, service-oriented architecture for creating collaborative threads to manage workloads. In particular, the management threads may converge information for creating annotated service blueprints to provision and manage tessellated services distributed within an information technology infrastructure. For example, in response to a request to provision a service, a service blueprint describing one or more virtual machines may be created. The service blueprint may then be annotated to apply various parameters to the virtual machines, and the annotated service blueprint may then be instantiated to orchestrate the virtual machines with the one or more parameters and deploy the orchestrated virtual machines on information technology resources allocated to host the requested service, thereby provisioning the requested service.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Robert Wipfel, Eric W. B. Anderson
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Publication number: 20130073821Abstract: A virtual storage layer (VSL) presents logical address space of a non-volatile storage device. The VSL maintains logical interfaces to the non-volatile storage device, which may include arbitrary, any-to-any mappings between logical identifiers and storage resources. Data may be stored on the non-volatile storage device in a contextual format, which includes persistent metadata that defines the logical interface of the data. The VSL may modify the logical interface of data that is stored in the contextual format. The modified logical interface may be inconsistent with the existing contextual format of the data on the non-volatile storage media. The VSL may provide access to the data in the inconsistent contextual format through the modified logical interface. The contextual format of the data may be updated to be consistent with the modified logical interface in a write out-of-place storage operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: FUSION-IO, INC.Inventors: David Flynn, Robert Wipfel, David Nellans, John Strasser
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Patent number: 8352935Abstract: A customized distribution, e.g. of Linux software, is built using only packages that satisfy a customer's individual requirements. The packages are verified, at build time, to be interoperable at run-time. Also, the distribution is verified to ensure all package dependencies are included. In cases where no package already exists that meets a user requirements, a new package can be created for this purpose. The packages in the distribution customized for the user can be tracked, so that as updates to the packages are released, the customer can be notified about those updates (without being notified about packages not in the customer's customized distribution). Finally, once the distribution has been built for the user, it can then be offered as a general-purpose distribution for future customers.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Isaacson, Eric W. B. Anderson, Robert Wipfel
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Publication number: 20120210095Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for application direct virtual memory management. The method includes detecting a system memory access to a virtual memory address within a monitored page of data not loaded in main memory of a computing system. The method includes determining a first swap address for a loaded page of data in the main memory. The first swap address is defined in a sparse virtual address space exposed by a persistent storage device. The first swap address is associated in an index with a first deterministic storage location. The index is managed by the persistent storage device. The method includes storing the loaded page on a persistent storage device at the first deterministic storage location. The method includes moving the monitored page from a second deterministic storage location to the main memory. The second deterministic storage location is associated with a second swap address in the index.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: FUSION-IO, INC.Inventors: David Nellans, Robert Wipfel
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Patent number: 8239518Abstract: A method for detecting and resolving a partition condition in a cluster of computers in a networked environment is described. In one example, the method includes creating a scratch pad area and dividing the scratch pad into slots. Each slot is associated with a node within the cluster. A generation number and a list of known nodes are recorded in each slot when a change of membership occurs in the cluster. The slots are compared to ensure the generation number and the list of known nodes matches in each slot, and the partition condition is resolved by creating a list of surviving nodes and re-allocating appropriate resources to each of the surviving nodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: Robert Wipfel, Ranjan K. Gupta
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Patent number: 8205050Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve computing backup for virtual representations on a physical hardware platform. The platform has a processor, memory and available storage upon which a plurality of virtual machines are configured. Also, each virtual machine has a type of operating system that may be the same or different as another virtual machine. A plurality of virtual machine proxies exists as complements to the virtual machines in order to actually conduct the backup. Upon indication of a present need for conducting a backup operation, the proxy with an operating system most closely approximating or matching the operating system of the virtual machine needing backup is selected for undertaking the operation. In this manner, backup is no longer conducted with ill-fitting physical backup proxies with incompatible operating systems. In other embodiments, nuances of conducting backup are described as are templates and cloning. Computer program products are further described.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Novell, Inc.Inventors: Joachim F. M. De Baer, Robert A. Wipfel
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Publication number: 20120151118Abstract: An auto-commit memory is capable of implementing a pre-configured, triggered commit action in response to a failure condition, such as a loss of power, invalid shutdown, fault, or the like. A computing device may access the auto-commit memory using memory access semantics (using a memory mapping mechanism or the like), bypassing system calls typically required in virtual memory operations. Since the auto-commit memory is pre-configured to commit data stored thereon in the event of a failure, users of the auto-commit memory may view these memory semantic operations as being instantly committed. Since operations to commit the data are taken out of the write-commit path, the performance of applications that are write-commit bound may be significantly improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: FUSION-IO, INC.Inventors: David Flynn, David Nellans, John Strasser, James G. Peterson, Robert Wipfel