Abstract: A distributed storage system includes multiple resource nodes each having associated storage media. The resource nodes are configured to operate a first protocol between the resource nodes that exchanges availability and performance information for storage elements in the associated storage media. The resource nodes also operate a second protocol that dynamically distributes and redistributes data between the different resource nodes based on the availability and performance information for the storage elements. Relative distances may be identified between the different resource nodes and the second protocol may weight the availability and performance information based on the relative distances. The second protocol also may identify types of unshared use, shared use, and concurrent use for different portions of the data and distribute the portions of the data to other resource nodes based on the identified types of use.

Abstract: A docking scheme enables storage systems to adapt different storage configurations to different clients. Dock configurations identify reconfigurable sets of storage extensions for executing storage operations in a resource node. The resource node receives storage requests from clients and identifies the dock configurations associated with the clients. The resource node then generates a set of storage operations that implement the storage extensions for the identified dock configuration and uses the storage operations to execute the storage requests. Different clients may thus access the same stored data through different docks resulting on different operations within the resource node with the aim of optimizing performance for all clients.

Abstract: A distributed storage system includes multiple resource nodes each having associated storage media. The resource nodes are configured to operate a first protocol between the resource nodes that exchanges availability and performance information for storage elements in the associated storage media. The resource nodes also operate a second protocol that dynamically distributes and redistributes data between the different resource nodes based on the availability and performance information for the storage elements. Relative distances may be identified between the different resource nodes and the second protocol may weight the availability and performance information based on the relative distances. The second protocol also may identify types of unshared use, shared use, and concurrent use for different portions of the data and distribute the portions of the data to other resource nodes based on the identified types of use.

Abstract: A docking scheme enables storage systems to adapt different storage configurations to different clients. Dock configurations identify reconfigurable sets of storage extensions for executing storage operations in a resource node. The resource node receives storage requests from clients and identifies the dock configurations associated with the clients. The resource node then generates a set of storage operations that implement the storage extensions for the identified dock configuration and uses the storage operations to execute the storage requests. Different clients may thus access the same stored data through different docks resulting on different operations within the resource node with the aim of optimizing performance for all clients.

Abstract: A hardware search structure determines the status of cache lines associated with a large disk array and at the same time reduces the amount of memory space needed for tracking the status. The search structure is configurable in hardware to different cache line sizes and different primary and secondary index sizes. A maintenance feature invalidates state record entries based both on their time stamps and on associated usage statistics.

Abstract: Cache lines are identified that provide incorrect data for read requests. The cache lines are invalidated before the incorrect data causes processing failure conditions. The cache lines providing incorrect data may be detected according to a number of the same read requests to the same cache lines. The cache lines may also be identified according to an amount of time between the same read requests to the same cache lines. The same read requests to the same cache lines may be identified according to associated start addresses and address lengths.

Abstract: A cluster of storage control members connect different clients to different storage disks. Connection path information between the different clients and disks is discovered and distributed to the storage cluster members. The connection path information is then used to maintain coherency between tiering media contained in the different storage cluster members. Unique Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) identifiers may be associated with the different connection paths to uniquely identify particular storage disks connected to the clients.

Abstract: A hardware search structure determines the status of cache lines associated with a large disk array and at the same time reduces the amount of memory space needed for tracking the status. The search structure is configurable in hardware to different cache line sizes and different primary and secondary index sizes. A maintenance feature invalidates state record entries based both on their time stamps and on associated usage statistics.

Abstract: A proxy manages write operations between devices that initiate write operations and one or more storage devices that store data for the write operations. A write log buffers the data for the write operations while the proxy waits for acknowledgments back from the storage device. The proxy is configured to copy at least some of the data from the write log into an overflow log when the data from the write operations is about to overflow the write log. The proxy device is further configured to maintain data consistency by delaying or blocking read operations until associated data from previously received write operations is acknowledged by the storage device.

Abstract: A storage system creates an abstraction of flash Solid State Device (SSD) media allowing random write operations of arbitrary size by a user while performing large sequential write operations of a uniform size to an SSD array. This reduces the number of random write operations performed in the SSD array and as a result increases performance of the SSD array. A control element determines when blocks from different buffers should be combined together or discarded based on fragmentation and read activity. This optimization scheme increases memory capacity and improves memory utilization and performance.

Abstract: A storage system creates an abstraction of flash Solid State Device (SSD) media allowing random write operations of arbitrary size by a user while performing large sequential write operations of a uniform size to an SSD array. This reduces the number of random write operations performed in the SSD array and as a result increases performance of the SSD array. A control element determines when blocks from different buffers should be combined together or discarded based on fragmentation and read activity. This optimization scheme increases memory capacity and improves memory utilization and performance.

Abstract: A hardware search structure quickly determines the status of cache lines associated with a large disk array and at the same time reduces the amount of memory space needed for tracking the status. The search structure is configurable in hardware to different cache line sizes and different primary and secondary index sizes. A maintenance feature invalidates state record entries based both on their time stamps and on associated usage statistics.

Abstract: A storage control system includes performance monitor logic configured to track performance parameters for different volumes in a storage array. Service level enforcement logic is configured to assign target performance parameters to the different volumes and generate metrics for each of the different volumes identifying how much the performance parameters change for the different volumes responsive to changes in the amounts of tiering media allocated to the different volumes. Resource allocation logic is configured to allocate the tiering media to the different volumes according to the performance parameters, target performance parameters, and metrics for the different volumes.

Abstract: A storage control system monitors storage operations directed to storage blocks in a storage device. The storage control system uses arrays of counters to track a number of the storage operations, sizes of the storage operations, types of transitions between the storage operations, and time durations between different types of successive storage operations. The storage blocks are classified into different behavioral groups based on the access pattern history of the individual blocks. The behavioral group classifications are then used by the storage control system to determine when to access the storage blocks from the storage device, when to load the storage blocks into a tiering media, or when to time out the storage blocks from the tiering media.

Abstract: A system analyzes access patterns in a storage system. Logic circuitry in the system identifies different address regions of contiguously accessed memory locations. A statistical record identifies a number of storage accesses to the different address regions and a historical record identifies previous address regions accessed prior to the address regions currently being accessed. The logic circuitry is then used to prefetch data from the different address regions according to the statistical record and the historical record.

Abstract: A fibre channel proxy proxies storage operations in a fibre channel storage network. A first set of fibre channel proxy ports are configured to receive storage operations from one or more initiators. A second set of fibre channel proxy ports are configured to forward the storage operations to one or more storage targets. Fibre channel port identifiers for the storage targets are used to communicate with the initiators during the storage operations over the first set of fibre channel proxy ports. Fibre channel port identifiers for the initiators are used to communicate with the storage targets during the storage operations over the second set of fibre channel proxy ports. This scheme allows the fibre channel to operate transparently in the fibre channel network.

Abstract: A cluster of storage control members connect different clients to different storage disks. Connection path information between the different clients and disks is discovered and distributed to the storage cluster members. The connection path information is then used to maintain coherency between tiering media contained in the different storage cluster members. Unique Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) identifiers may be associated with the different connection paths to uniquely identify particular storage disks connected to the clients.

Abstract: A storage control system includes performance monitor logic configured to track performance parameters for different volumes in a storage array. Service level enforcement logic is configured to assign target performance parameters to the different volumes and generate metrics for each of the different volumes identifying how much the performance parameters change for the different volumes responsive to changes in the amounts of tiering media allocated to the different volumes. Resource allocation logic is configured to allocate the tiering media to the different volumes according to the performance parameters, target performance parameters, and metrics for the different volumes.

Abstract: A storage control system monitors storage operations directed to storage blocks in a storage device. The storage control system uses arrays of counters to track a number of the storage operations, sizes of the storage operations, types of transitions between the storage operations, and time durations between different types of successive storage operations. The storage blocks are classified into different behavioral groups based on the access pattern history of the individual blocks. The behavioral group classifications are then used by the storage control system to determine when to access the storage blocks from the storage device, when to load the storage blocks into a tiering media, or when to time out the storage blocks from the tiering media.

Abstract: A system analyzes access patterns in a storage system. Logic circuitry in the system identifies different address regions of contiguously accessed memory locations. A statistical record identifies a number of storage accesses to the different address regions and a historical record identifies previous address regions accessed prior to the address regions currently being accessed. The logic circuitry is then used to prefetch data from the different address regions according to the statistical record and the historical record.