Abstract: A virtual volume module in a host system provides virtual volume view to user-level and system-level applications executing on the host system. The virtual volume module maps I/O from the applications which are directed to a virtual volume to a first physical volume in a first storage system. When necessary, the virtual volume module can map application I/O's to a second volume in a second storage system. The second storage system replicates data in the first storage system, so that when re-mapping occurs it is transparent to the applications running on the host system.

Abstract: Centralized data management for personal computers (PCs) includes selectively booting up from a remote disk drive component. Subsequent copy operations of data blocks from the remote disk drive component to a local disk drive in a PC can be performed to obtain an updated disk image from the remote disk. Subsequent copy operations of data blocks from the local disk drive to the remote disk can be performed to ensure that a current image of the local disk is maintained on the remote disk.

Abstract: A virtual volume module in a host system provides virtual volume view to user-level and system-level applications executing on the host system. The virtual volume module maps I/O from the applications which are directed to a virtual volume to a first physical volume in a first storage system. When necessary, the virtual volume module can map application I/O's to a second volume in a second storage system. The second storage system replicates data in the first storage system, so that when re-mapping occurs it is transparent to the applications running on the host system.

Abstract: A method of reallocating data among physical disks corresponding to a logical disk is provided. A logical disk is partitioned into a plurality of groups, each group comprising at least one segment on at least one of a first plurality of physical disks corresponding to the logical disk. One group of the plurality of groups is partitioned into a plurality of sub-groups, and, for each sub-group of the plurality of sub-groups but one, the sub-group is copied to at least one segment on at least one of a second plurality of physical disks corresponding to the logical disk.

Abstract: A computing system is provided with enhanced data reliability by implementing mirroring and snapshot functionality of the system memory. In the computing system, a processor executes its programs from a first region of a physical memory. Using instructions from the system itself, or from an external console, the first region of the physical memory is periodically mirrored to a second region of the physical memory not used by the processor. This second region can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. The computing system also includes snapshot functionality by which images of the second region of the physical memory are taken at periodic intervals and stored to enable returning the system to a previous state when desired, or in the event of failure.

Abstract: A system and method for data lifecycle management. In one embodiment, data is migrated from a source physical volume at a primary storage system to a target physical volume at an external storage system. The data from the source physical volume is copied to the target physical volume. When a request is received at the primary storage system from a server to access the data in the target physical volume, the server is added as an owner of the target physical volume, sent location information of the target physical volume, and allowed to access the target physical volume directly without passing through the primary storage system. The volume for migration may be determined based on not having been accessed for a specified period or having been specified by a user or an application to be migrated. Extents, objects and files may also be migrated.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for implementing a storage management system for limiting management operation of a storage network element by determining whether the storage network element is related to a host computer and determining whether the management operation is restricted based on the host computer and the time at which the management operation is to be conducted. The invention is set forth in a system including a network, a plurality of storage network elements connected to the network, and the storage management system, connected to the network, for controlling storage management operation of the storage network elements in response to operation requests from users of the storage management system. Each of the storage network elements is related to at least one of a plurality of host computers and information of these relations is used to determine whether a management operation can be conducted on the storage network element.

Abstract: A method of collecting information about data and data handling processes from different types of applications in the context of a storage system is described. The retrieved information is presented to the user to illustrate the relationships among the data, for example, in the form of a data view illustrating the relationship among files, a storage view, illustrating the physical location at which the stored data is located, or a path view illustrating a particular path through the topology of the overall computing system and storage system. Also described are techniques for assuring the accuracy of backed up files.

Abstract: A system and method for linking external storage systems that includes creating a virtual volume mapping at one or more storage systems. Each virtual volume mapping at each storage system associating a virtual storage volume with a physical storage volume and/or one second virtual storage volume at one or more second storage systems. An access request is received at a first storage system specifying a virtual volume. It is determined on which storage system a physical storage volume associated with the specified virtual volume in the access request is located using the virtual volume mapping at the first storage system and/or the virtual volume mapping at one or more second storage systems. Access is provided to the physical storage volume based on which storage system the physical storage volume is located. Useful in Storage Area Networks and many configurations including 1 to 1, dual path, mirrored, and concatenated, etc.

Abstract: A NAS system including a NAS controller which processes file level input/output requests and controls the NAS system, and a storage apparatus having a controller which controls a storage device upon which plural volumes for storing data are represented. In the invention when at least a portion of data of a file stored on a volume is updated, the updated data is stored to an unused area of the volume, information is stored on the volume indicating that the updated data corresponding to original data stored in an original area is stored in the unused area so that subsequent accesses to the original of the updated data is directed to the updated data stored in the unused area, and the original of the updated data is retained in the original area, thereby implementing long term data archiving of the original of the updated data.

Abstract: A method and a system for implementing the method are disclosed relating to archival storage of information in large numbers of disk units. The reliability of the stored information is checked periodically using data verification operations whose results are saved. These results establish the veracity of the data and enable compliance with various regulatory requirements. The techniques described enable the use of low cost disk drive technology, yet provide high assurance of data veracity. In a typical system, management information storage is provided in which data entries are associated with each of the disk drives to provide information with respect to the condition of the data on that drive and its last verification. The data verification operations are performed on the data during time periods when I/O accesses are not required.

Abstract: A storage system and method for protecting data on a physical volume at the file system level and permitting access to the data at the physical volume level. The storage system includes a first interface for file level I/O, a second interface for block level I/O, plural physical volumes upon which logical volumes are represented and which permit an appropriate sized file system to be created to store archived data, a first controller which processes file level I/O requests, and a second controller which processes block level I/O requests. The first and second controllers share protection information for the logical and physical volumes. Archived data, stored from the first interface and protected at the file level, is accessed from the first and second interfaces, and is protected whichever interface is used. Alternatively a network attached storage (NAS) gateway is included to provide the first interface for file level I/O.

Abstract: A storage system, method and system for storing an original file and at least one format converted file of the original file. The storage system includes a storage medium and a file conversion unit which, in response to a request to store an original file, converts the original file to at least one format converted file. The file conversion unit alternatively could be external of the storage system forming a storage system. The storage system stores the original file and the at least one format converted file on said storage medium and manages a relationship between the original file and the format converted file to permit retrieval of either of the original file and the format converted file.

Abstract: A storage system, method and system for protecting data stored on a volume of the storage system. The storage system includes a storage media upon which the volume is represented, a disk controller which controls the storage system, and a write once read many (WORM) configuration table having a plurality of entries which indicate by use of a next write pointer which of a plurality of areas of the volume is write protected. Alternatively, the entries of the WORM configuration table could indicate write protected areas of the volume each being defined by use of a beginning offset and an ending offset.

Abstract: Data backup and recovery of a personal computer (PC) involves determining an operating situation of the PC in terms of availability of internal and remote disk drives. Data I/O is made with the internal and/or remote disk drives according to the operating situation. Corresponding updates are made to a bitmap to coordinate backing up data to and recovering data from the remote disk drive.

Abstract: File requests sent to a file server that supports a proprietary file system are selectively performed on a second file system, in addition to being performed on the first file system. The second file system is not proprietary, but rather is designed around a publicly known format. Access to the second file system does not require obtaining permission from the vendor of the first file system; e.g., licensing, payment of royalties, and so on.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a search engine parses files stored among one or more file servers in order to create and maintain index information used by the search engine to perform searches. For a given file server, the population of files presented to the search engine is reduced in size to facilitate the process of updating the index. In another aspect of the invention, the file server limits the files presented in a directory list request made by a search engine. This reduces the number of file s that need to be considered when performing an index update.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for the selective replication of data between a secondary volume and one or more virtual volumes of a storage device. Aspects enable data to be replicated to the virtual volume(s) at one or more selectable checkpoints, and enable data stored in a secondary volume to be “rolled back” to prior secondary storage data via replication from the virtual volumes. Aspects further enable facilitating of various applications or security, among other aspects.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for a storage device to selectively replicate one or more data portions from a real dataspace to a virtual dataspace, and for selective rollback of data portions from the virtual dataspace to the real dataspace. Aspects further enable a storage device to preserve real data portions otherwise modified by a rollback to the virtual dataspace, for the use of same size real and virtual dataspaces, and for one or more variably sized extents or logs to be utilized.

Abstract: A storage system includes a storage controller and storage media for reading data from or writing data to the storage media in response to block-level and file-level I/O requests. The storage controller includes suitable interfaces for receiving the read/write requests and effecting the reading of data to or the writing of data to the storage media.