Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data storage device for downloading data with variable quality (including audio or video data) from a server in a network to a computer or network-connected storage device is disclosed.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and firmware device for directly downloading data from a server in a network to a firmware device, bypassing any unencrypted transmission through computer system with which the firmware device may be associated, so that copies of the data are not as readily made is disclosed. A computer sends a request to a server to download the particular data to a particular firmware device. The server contacts the firmware device directly through the network to initiate the transfer. The server and firmware device communicate over an encrypted data channel so as to prevent any third party, including the aforementioned computer, from intercepting and storing the transmitted data.

Abstract: A method for using existing internal mapping mechanisms to dynamically map data in a computer storage subsystem is provided. The invention comprises using a dynamic mapping mechanism to mark (e.g., via a D-Mark) a data location and then using pointers to direct write requests for the data location to a side file. The new data is then written in the side file and a housekeeping operation reconciles the old and new data locations.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed. In addition, the present system provides various instant copy mechanisms for copying data upon receiving a write operation to either a source or copy data.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data storage device for directly downloading data (including audio or video data) from a server in a network to a network-connected storage device is disclosed. The invention prevents piracy of copyrighted data by bypassing any unencrypted transmission to a computer system. A computer sends a request to a server to download the particular data to a particular storage device. The server contacts the storage device directly through the network to initiate the transfer. The server and storage device communicate over an encrypted data channel so as to prevent any third party, including the aforementioned computer, from intercepting and storing the transmitted data.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed. In addition, the present system provides various instant copy mechanisms for copying data upon receiving a write operation to either a source or copy data.

Abstract: An improved tape drive is provided. In one embodiment, the tape drive includes read/write heads for reading data from a tape, a disk drive communicably coupled to the read/write heads, and an interface communicably coupled to the read/write heads and to the disk drive for allowing the tape drive to exchange data with a host computer. The disk drive stores data received from a host during time periods when a tape is being retrieved and loaded onto the tape drive such that the host computer may begin sending data to the tape drive prior to the tape being mounted on the tape drive. Once the tape is mounted, the data received from the host computer is written directly to the tape with space reserved on the tape for writing the initial data received from the host computer that is stored on the disk drive. Once the tape drive has finished writing all but the initial data to the tape, the tape is repositioned and the initial data is written to the tape from the disk drive onto the reserved portion of the tape.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically flexible data definitions and storage requirements in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. The present invention provides a system to support dynamically flexible data definitions and storage requirements in a data processing system. A virtual stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of virtual data units are functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of virtual data units includes associated management information such that the management information provides first and second boundaries. The first and second boundaries limit preferences in which to store the virtual data units with the stored data management subsystem.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed.

Abstract: A virtual stored data management system is provided. In one embodiment, the management system includes one or more hosts and a plurality of data storage elements functionally coupled to the hosts. Each data storage element includes a host network attachment, data transfer means, a storage controller, and permanent data storage media. The permanent data storage media is organized with management information uniquely associated with units of the data such that the management information may be manipulated in several different locations within the management system substantially simultaneously. Thus, the organization of the management processes allows for the management information to be processed, used, changed, or modified in several different locations within the management system at any particular instance.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for storing self-defining data and mapping elements with either a fixed set of allowed structures or types or with the structures and types determined by rules. Recovery is enhanced by the use of backward and forward pointers between data and mapping elements for the data elements in the order written by the management algorithm. Recovery is also enhanced by the use of companion pointers with metadata. The companion pointers may include pointers to data or mapping elements that are part of the same structural grouping. The metadata may describe the structural grouping. The metadata may also include pointers to the previous and/or next versions of the same elements. Recovery of the data and/or mapping structures is achieved by the reverse application of the management algorithm.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for storing self-defining data and mapping elements with either a fixed set of allowed structures or types or with the structures and types determined by rules. Recovery is enhanced by the use of backward and forward pointers between data and mapping elements for the data elements in the order written by the management algorithm. Recovery is also enhanced by the use of companion pointers with metadata. The companion pointers may include pointers to data or mapping elements that are part of the same structural grouping. The metadata may describe the structural grouping. The metadata may also include pointers to the previous and/or next versions of the same elements. Recovery of the data and/or mapping structures is achieved by the reverse application of the management algorithm.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed. In addition, the present system provides various instant copy mechanisms for copying data upon receiving a write operation to either a source or copy data.

Abstract: A method for using existing internal mapping mechanisms to dynamically map data in a computer storage subsystem is provided. The invention comprises using a dynamic mapping mechanism to mark (e.g., via a D-Mark) a data location and then using pointers to direct write requests for the data location to a side file. The new data is then written in the side file and a housekeeping operation reconciles the old and new data locations.

Abstract: A system for busing data in a DASD controller is described. The system includes adapters serving computer elements such as processors and disk arrays. Cache memory in the controller is divided amongst memory cards. At least one switch is connected to each memory card. Bidirectional multichannel serial links connect each adapter with a switch. Each switch can establish at least one path between each adapter connected to the switch and each memory card.

Abstract: A direct access storage device (DASD) controller system for serves computer elements such as processors and disk arrays through a serial interconnect scheme. The system includes a plurality of adapters belonging to either a first set or a second set. Cache memory is divided into master memory cards and slave memory cards, each slave memory card in communication with a corresponding master memory card. A plurality of bidirectional multichannel serial data links connects one adapter with one memory card such that every adapter in the first set of adapters is connected to every master memory card and such that every adapter in the second set of adapters is connected to every slave memory card.

Abstract: A cache management system and method for detecting sequentiality in a series of memory accesses by a host system to data stored in tracks on a storage device is disclosed. The system includes a system memory for storing a data structure associated with each track. Each data structure includes a last sector/record referenced information field and a state information field. A cache controller identifies a current track and a location within the current track of a record referenced in a current memory access. The cache controller determines whether the current memory access and the previous M (M.gtoreq.1) accesses to records in the current track are in sequence based on the values of the last sector/record referenced information field and the state information field associated with the current track.