Abstract: Techniques for an online cache migration in a distributed caching system using a hybrid migration process include an application server in a network environment determining that an online cache migration from a source cache to a target cache is running. Based on this, the application server selectively mirroring writes to the source cache in the target cache. Meanwhile, an external migration controller migrates the cache from the source cache to the target cache in a way that does not require the external migration controller or the application server to synchronize their concurrent access to the source and target caches yet still allows the application server to read, write, and delete cache data in the source cache during the migration.

Abstract: Techniques for an online cache migration in a distributed caching system using a hybrid migration process include an application server in a network environment determining that an online cache migration from a source cache to a target cache is running. Based on this, the application server selectively mirroring writes to the source cache in the target cache. Meanwhile, an external migration controller migrates the cache from the source cache to the target cache in a way that does not require the external migration controller or the application server to synchronize their concurrent access to the source and target caches yet still allows the application server to read, write, and delete cache data in the source cache during the migration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and structures for a computer cache that includes its own garbage collection component that reclaims space occupied by free objects in the cache such that the cache avoids retaining deleted objects thereby increasing cache hit ratios and further permits short-lived dirty objects to be deleted without requiring them to be written back to an underlying store.

Abstract: An improved policy enforcement architecture includes several components that improve the performance of policy enforcement in a hierarchical storage environment. A File System Query instruction permits a richer set of queries to be expressed by a policy engine, thereby permitting more complex policies to be implemented with ease. The File System result is generated at the file server, and only files of interest are forwarded to the policy engine. The file system query advantageously may be applied against a pre-generated index having one more characterizing attributes to further reduce the processing required to retrieve policy data. An Index Build instruction, added to a programming interface, allows a policy engine generate the characterizing indices in advance of use. Index maintenance techniques maintain consistency between the index and the file system to ensure that the policy can be enforced using accurate file information.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the efficiency of a storage system. At least one application-oriented property is associated with data to be stored on a storage system. Based on the at least one application-oriented property, a manner of implementing at least one caching function in the storage system is determined. Data placement and data movement are controlled in the storage system to implement the at least one caching function.

Abstract: A hierarchical storage system is constructed from file servers and a policy engine server by building upon a file migration service. Offline attributes are added to file system inodes in a primary file server, file system parameters are added in the primary server, an offline read access method field is added to a connection database, and the primary file server is programmed to use these attributes and parameters for selecting a particular method (such as a partial read migration or a pass through read method) for read access to an offline file. In this fashion, the primary file server is provided with flexibility for selecting a particular one of a number of migration methods depending on various conditions, in order to improve the trade-off between the cost of storage and delay in file access.

Abstract: An improved policy enforcement architecture includes several components that improve the performance of policy enforcement in a hierarchical storage environment. A File System Query instruction permits a richer set of queries to be expressed by a policy engine, thereby permitting more complex policies to be implemented with ease. The File System result is generated at the file server, and only files of interest are forwarded to the policy engine. The file system query advantageously may be applied against a pre-generated index having one more characterizing attributes to further reduce the processing required to retrieve policy data. An Index Build instruction, added to a programming interface, allows a policy engine generate the characterizing indices in advance of use. Index maintenance techniques maintain consistency between the index and the file system to ensure that the policy can be enforced using accurate file information.

Abstract: An improved policy enforcement architecture includes several components that improve the performance of policy enforcement in a hierarchical storage environment. A File System Query instruction permits a richer set of queries to be expressed by a policy engine, thereby permitting more complex policies to be implemented with ease. The File System result is generated at the file server, and only files of interest are forwarded to the policy engine. The file system query advantageously may be applied against a pre-generated index having one more characterizing attributes to further reduce the processing required to retrieve policy data. An Index Build instruction, added to a programming interface, allows a policy engine generate the characterizing indices in advance of use. Index maintenance techniques maintain consistency between the index and the file system to ensure that the policy can be enforced using accurate file information.

Abstract: A region of a node is searched to find a content-defined split point. A split point of a node is determined based at least in part on hashes of entries in the node and the node is split based on the determined split point. The search region is searched for the first encountered split point and the node is split based on that split point. That split point is based on a predetermined bitmask of the hashes of the entries in the node satisfying a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An optical line terminal (OLT), network and method include input and output switching modules configured to switch between input and output channels. A transmission module is configured for physical layer transmission using at least one of a plurality of transmission technologies to provide multiple uses of an existing transmission line. A dynamic resource module is configured to allocate network resources dynamically to one or more storage area networks (SAN) based on storage resource requests. A service differentiation module is configured to determine and implement different service levels for SAN users. An existing network infrastructure is enabled to provide custom SAN services without a dedicated line and without interfering with existing services.

Abstract: The invention provides a way for computer applications to parse the operating system's file system format without embedding direct knowledge of the format in the applications themselves. By making a file system self-describing, applications running locally on the same computer, or remotely on another computer, can interpret file system data structures if they can access the disk containing the file system. Storage Area Networks (SANs) present a paradigm where multiple computer systems can see the same set of disk resources. This, combined with the invention of self-describing file systems, makes it possible to build applications that are more intelligent and perform better than their counterparts that either embed knowledge of a file system or rely on a file system driver to interpret the structure on behalf of the applications.

Abstract: A hierarchical storage system is constructed from file servers and a policy engine server by building upon a file migration service. Offline attributes are added to file system inodes in a primary file server, file system parameters are added in the primary server, an offline read access method field is added to a connection database, and the primary file server is programmed to use these attributes and parameters for selecting a particular method (such as a partial read migration or a pass through read method) for read access to an offline file. In this fashion, the primary file server is provided with flexibility for selecting a particular one of a number of migration methods depending on various conditions, in order to improve the trade-off between the cost of storage and delay in file access.

Abstract: A method and system for managing storage resources associated with a network having at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path. The method and system includes servers managing the storage resource over the data path, and clients directing I/O requests to the storage resources and redirecting. I/O requests to the servers upon the detection of a failure condition.

Abstract: A method and system for managing storage resources associated with a network having at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path. The method and system includes servers managing the storage resource over the data path, and clients directing I/O requests to the storage resources and redirecting I/O requests to the servers upon the detection of a failure condition.

Abstract: A method and system for managing storage resources associated with a network having at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path. The method and system includes servers managing the storage resource over the data path, and clients directing I/O requests to the storage resources and redirecting I/O requests to the servers upon the detection of a failure condition.