Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing high availability of a database. A first front end server is coupled to a first back end server, and a second front end server is coupled to a second back end server. The second front end server provides redundancy to the first front end server and the second back end server provides redundancy to the first back end server. The front end servers function as a gateway into the database and comprise protocol services for processing input/output requests to the gateway. The back end servers comprise database protocol services and interface directly to the gateway to retrieve information requested by the processed database requests received from the front end servers.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus uses a LUN (logical unit number) data type for storage allocation. The apparatus includes a storage appliance that specifies a LUN data type for a LUN. The storage appliance then allocates data blocks in the LUN based on the LUN data type. The storage appliance allocates data blocks in the LUN as contiguous data blocks or as non-contiguous data blocks, based on the LUN data type. The LUN data type may be, for example, database data type, user data type, or binary data type.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus uses a LUN (logical unit number) data type for storage allocation. The apparatus includes a storage appliance that specifies a LUN data type for a LUN. The storage appliance then allocates data blocks in the LUN based on the LUN data type. The storage appliance allocates data blocks in the LUN as contiguous data blocks or as non-contiguous data blocks, based on the LUN data type. The LUN data type may be, for example, database data type, user data type, or binary data type.

Abstract: A process such as a snapshot creation application process freezes a file system upon initiating a process to create a snapshot of a file system or a part thereof. Upon freezing the file system, the snapshot application process causes a second process to make a change to the file system. If the change is successfully made before the snapshot creation application process tries to thaw the file system, the second process sends a signal back to the snapshot application. Upon receiving a signal from the second process, the snapshot creation application process outputs a warning to a user that the snapshot is inconsistent. The snapshot application also causes a third process to automatically thaw the file system, if a certain period of time has passed and the third process has not received a signal from the snapshot application process indicating the snapshot has been successfully created.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus uses a LUN (logical unit number) data type for storage allocation. The apparatus includes a storage appliance that specifies a LUN data type for a LUN. The storage appliance then allocates data blocks in the LUN based on the LUN data type. The storage appliance allocates data blocks in the LUN as contiguous data blocks or as non-contiguous data blocks, based on the LUN data type. The LUN data type may be, for example, database data type, user data type, or binary data type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing snapshots of a file system using messages. A snapshot is a restorable version of a file system created at a predetermined point in time. A message is a persistent data structure supported by a file server. A message may include one or more snapshots, attributes for the message, and/or access control information for the message. The attributes and access control information are applied to all snapshots in the message. The attributes in the message enable users to perform automatic event-based management of the snapshots in the message. The access control information in the message provides granular access control to the snapshots in the message.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus uses a LUN (logical unit number) data type for storage allocation. The apparatus includes a storage appliance that specifies a LUN data type for a LUN. The storage appliance then allocates data blocks in the LUN based on the LUN data type. The storage appliance allocates data blocks in the LUN as contiguous data blocks or as non-contiguous data blocks, based on the LUN data type. The LUN data type may be, for example, database data type, user data type, or binary data type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing snapshots of a file system using messages. A snapshot is a restorable version of a file system created at a predetermined point in time. A message is a persistent data structure supported by a file server. A message may include one or more snapshots, attributes for the message, and/or access control information for the message. The attributes and access control information are applied to all snapshots in the message. The attributes in the message enable users to perform automatic event-based management of the snapshots in the message. The access control information in the message provides granular access control to the snapshots in the message.