Abstract: Managing connectivity to synchronously replicated storage systems, including: identifying a plurality of storage systems across which a dataset is synchronously replicated; identifying a host that can issue I/O operations directed to the dataset; identifying a plurality of data communications paths between the host and the plurality of storage systems across which a dataset is synchronously replicated; identifying, from amongst the plurality of data communications paths between the host and the plurality of storage systems across which a dataset is synchronously replicated, one or more optimal paths; and issuing, to the host, an identification of the one or more optimal paths.

Abstract: Servicing I/O operations directed to a dataset that is synchronized across a plurality of storage systems, including: receiving, by a follower storage system, a request to modify the dataset; sending, from the follower storage system to a leader storage system, a logical description of the modification to the dataset; receiving, from the leader storage system, information describing the modification to the dataset; processing, by the follower storage system, the request to modify the dataset; receiving, from the leader storage system, an indication that the leader storage system has processed the request to modify the dataset; and acknowledging, by the follower storage system, completion of the request to modify the dataset.

Abstract: A pod, the pod including the dataset, a set of managed objects and management operations, a set of access operations to modify or read the dataset, and a plurality of storage systems, where: management operations can modify or query managed objects equivalently through any of the storage systems, access operations to read or modify the dataset operate equivalently through any of the storage systems, each storage system stores a separate copy of the dataset as a proper subset of the datasets stored and advertised for use by the storage system, and operations to modify managed objects or the dataset performed and completed through any one storage system are reflected in subsequent management objects to query the pod or subsequent access operations to read the dataset.

Abstract: Accumulating application-level statistics in a storage system that includes a plurality of block storage devices, including: identifying, from data stored on a block storage device, one or more sub-regions of the data stored on the block storage device that are associated with an application; and compiling, from statistics maintained for each of the one or more sub-regions of the stored data associated with the application, cumulative statistics for the application.

Abstract: A method for simulating behavior of first and second interrelated components within a system. The method comprises modelling behavior of said first and second components using first and second functional specifications; simulating behavior of said first and second components in predetermined circumstances by instantiating at least one first entity within a hierarchy of interrelated entities; and instantiating at least one further entity in response to the or each instantiated first entity. The or each further entity is selected by a simulation system on the basis of its hierarchical relationship with the at least one first entity.

Abstract: Establishing a synchronous replication relationship between two or more storage systems, including: identifying, for a dataset, a plurality of storage systems across which the dataset will be synchronously replicated; configuring one or more data communications links between each of the plurality of storage systems to be used for synchronously replicating the dataset; exchanging, between the plurality of storage systems, timing information for at least one of the plurality of storage systems; and establishing, in dependence upon the timing information for at least one of the plurality of storage systems, a synchronous replication lease, the synchronous replication lease identifying a period of time during which the synchronous replication relationship is valid.

Abstract: A multilayer, metallized, laminate film employed to form in-mold labels, includes first and second multilayer structures adhesively bonded together. The first multilayer structure includes a polymer core layer and first and second outer polymer layers on opposed sides of the core layer. The first outer polymer layer includes a metal layer thereon, and the second polymer layer having an outer matte surface that is adapted, in the in-mold label formed from laminate film, to engage and bond to a molded article. The second multilayer structure is a clear structure including a core layer and first and second outer polymer layers on opposed sides of the core layer. The bonded interface of the first and second multilayer structures is free of any printed indicia or other graphics. Preferably both outer surfaces of the film are bottom outer layers and include matte surfaces.

Abstract: Layering communication fabric protocols, including: allocating storage resources on an initiating storage system for a data transfer, wherein a command protocol to implement the data transfer specifies an exchange of multiple messages; receiving, from a target storage system and into the allocated storage resources at the initiating storage system, data within a single message corresponding to the command protocol that specifies an exchange of multiple messages to implement the data transfer; and in response to receiving the data within the single message corresponding to the command protocol that specifies an exchange of multiple messages to implement the data transfer, generating a status message indicating receipt of the data.

Abstract: A multilayer, metallized, laminate film employed to form in-mold labels, includes first and second multilayer structures adhesively bonded together. The first multilayer structure (12) includes a polymer core layer (16) and first and second outer polymer layers on opposed sides of the core layer. The first outer polymer layer (18) includes a metal layer (22) thereon, and the second polymer layer (20) having an outer matte surface that is adapted, in the in-mold label formed from laminate film, to engage and bond to a molded article. The second multilayer structure (14) is a clear structure including a core layer (16?) and first (18?) and second (20?) outer polymer layers on opposed sides of the core layer. The bonded interface of the first and second multilayer structures is free of any printed indicia or other graphics. Preferably both outer surfaces of the film are bottom outer layers and include matte surfaces.

Abstract: Described is a fan assembly comprising a body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and means for generating an air flow. The fan assembly also comprises a nozzle mountable on the body for receiving the air flow from the body and for emitting the air flow and a nozzle retaining means for releasably retaining the nozzle on the body. The nozzle retaining means has a first configuration in which the nozzle is retained on the body and a second configuration in which the nozzle is released for removal from the body. The fan assembly also comprises a manually actuable member located on the nozzle for effecting movement of the nozzle retaining means from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: Accumulating application-level statistics in a storage system that includes a plurality of block storage devices, including: identifying, from data stored on a block storage device, one or more sub-regions of the data stored on the block storage device that are associated with an application; and compiling, from statistics maintained for each of the one or more sub-regions of the stored data associated with the application, cumulative statistics for the application.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a nozzle and a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the interior passage, and a Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The mouth and the Coanda surface extend about an axis. The Coanda surface comprises a diffuser portion, the angle subtended between the axis and the diffuser portion of the Coanda surface varying about the axis.

Abstract: A pod, the pod including the dataset, a set of managed objects and management operations, a set of access operations to modify or read the dataset, and a plurality of storage systems, where: management operations can modify or query managed objects equivalently through any of the storage systems, access operations to read or modify the dataset operate equivalently through any of the storage systems, each storage system stores a separate copy of the dataset as a proper subset of the datasets stored and advertised for use by the storage system, and operations to modify managed objects or the dataset performed and completed through any one storage system are reflected in subsequent management objects to query the pod or subsequent access operations to read the dataset.

Abstract: Accumulating application-level statistics in a storage system that includes a plurality of block storage devices, including: identifying, from data stored on a block storage device, one or more sub-regions of the data stored on the block storage device that are associated with an application; and compiling, from statistics maintained for each of the one or more sub-regions of the stored data associated with the application, cumulative statistics for the application.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a base, a body including an air inlet, impeller and motor driving the impeller to draw an air flow through the air inlet, an air outlet and an interior passage conveying air to the air outlet and extending about an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. A motorized oscillation mechanism housed within the base oscillates the body relative to the base about an axis and includes a second motor, a drive member driven by the second motor, and a driven member which is driven by the drive member to rotate relative to the base about the axis. The body is mounted on the driven member for rotation therewith. Interlocking members retain the body on the driven member and serve to guide tilting movement of the body relative to the base about a tilt axis.

Abstract: A fan includes a casing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller housing located within the casing, an impeller located within the impeller housing for generating an air flow along a path extending from the air inlet to the air outlet through the impeller housing, a motor housing connected to the impeller housing, and a motor located within the motor housing for driving the impeller. A bellows support is provided for mounting the impeller housing within the casing. The bellows support is disposed on a seat connected to the casing. The bellows support extends about the impeller housing and forms a seal between the impeller housing and the casing.