Abstract: A blade enclosure is provided which may accommodate a first configuration which includes integrated drive enclosure blades (I-DEBs) or a second configuration which includes I-DEBs and non-integrated or switched DEBs (S-DEBs). Each I-DEB includes a pair of redundant RAID controllers, each having two configurable ports. In the first configuration, all four ports are configured as host adapter (HA) ports through which data is exchanged with server blades. In the second configuration, one port of each RAID controller is configured as an HA port, through which data is exchanged with server blades, and the other port of each RAID controller is configured as a device adapter (DA) port, through which data may be exchanged with the S-DEB. Zones may also be established to separate traffic between the servers and the I-DEB from traffic between the I-DES and the S-DEB.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to provide power to a plurality of data storage devices disposed in a data storage system. The data storage system comprises a system controller comprising a data storage device power-up algorithm and a plurality of data storage devices, where each of the plurality of data storage devices cannot automatically provide a device present signal. The method detects the presence of each of the plurality of data storage devices, and then provides power to each of the detected data storage devices using the data storage device power-up algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for integrating redundant array of independent disk (“RAID”) storage within a blade center. A plurality of mutually autonomous storage subsystems mount within the blade center through a switch. Each storage subsystem includes a storage module comprising a plurality of storage devices and a RAID controller. A server blade mounted within the blade center may access a first storage subsystem through a switch module. The switch module is a non-blocking, cross-point switch. In one embodiment, the switch module restricts the server blade's access to a second storage subsystem.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to store, retrieve, and search both analog data and digital data. The method encodes information comprising a plurality of analog datasets in a holographic data storage medium to form an encoded holographic data storage medium, and further encodes digital data abstracted from the plurality of analog datasets to one or more of a plurality of non-holographic data storage media. The method then selects an analog dataset, wherein digital data abstracted from that analog dataset is written to a digital storage address on the one or more non-holographic data storage media, and illuminates the encoded holographic data storage medium with an analog dataset beam comprising the analog dataset. The encoded holographic data storage medium emits a dataset reference beam that strikes the second optical detector at one or more dataset reference beam coordinates. The method then associates the analog dataset with the dataset reference beam coordinate and with the digital storage address.

Abstract: A computer system uses a Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) network to communicate with mass storage devices. The FC-AL network provides alternative communication paths to the mass storage devices. The FC-AL communication network includes a first (60) FC-AL controller within the FC-AL switch (50). A first FC-AL mass storage drive (56) has second (80) and third (82) FC-AL controllers. A first output of the first FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the second FC-AL controller, and a second output of the first FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the third FC-AL controller. A second FC-AL mass storage drive (94) has fourth (96) and fifth (98) FC-AL controllers. A first output of the second FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the fourth FC-AL controller, and a first output of the third FC-AL controller is coupled to a first input of the fifth FC-AL controller. The alternative communication paths to the mass storage devices reduces incident of disk drive access failure.

Abstract: A method to store, retrieve, and search information is disclosed. The method encodes information comprising a plurality of datasets in a holographic data storage medium to form an encoded holographic data storage medium, and encodes that same information to one or more of a plurality of non-holographic data storage media. The method then selects a dataset comprising a portion of the information, where that dataset is written to a dataset storage address on the non-holographic data storage medium, and illuminates the encoded holographic data storage medium with a dataset beam comprising that dataset to produce a dataset reference beam, such that the dataset reference beam strikes the optical detector at one or more dataset reference beam coordinates. The method then associates the dataset with the one or more dataset reference beam coordinates and with the dataset storage address.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for integrating an enclosure. An initialization module initializes a second enclosure. A discovery module discovers a connection of the second enclosure to a first enclosure. An address module creates a valid address for the second enclosure. An assignment module assigns the address to the second enclosure. A power control module cycles power to the second enclosure to reinitialize the second enclosure and set the address.

Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system with a plurality of slots, the blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system. The storage system arranges a logical configuration of the server blades in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. The server blade slot versus WWN information is collected and provided to the storage system. The storage system converts the “golden” configuration file slot information to WWNs. The server blades are enabled for access to said storage system as they log on with WWNs in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.

Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system, and at least one zoneable switch whose zoning is disabled at power on. A management module operates the blade system to power on all slots. The storage system, in accordance with a “golden” configuration file, transfers port enablement sequencing to the switch, and the switch enables and zones ports in sequence to allow the server blades to see the storage system in accordance with the port enablement sequence. The storage system is configured with the “golden” configuration file to log on the server blades in accordance with the port enablement sequence to logically configure the server blades in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.

Abstract: A sector conversion device includes a non-volatile memory area that is used to save two sectors' worth of data when power is lost during the sector conversion process. These two sectors of data are stored in the non-volatile memory area within the sector conversion device itself. The non-volatile memory within the sector conversion device is connected to the main internal memory of the device by a special link that is wider than the normal word size of the buffer. When power is lost to the storage enclosure during a scenario where data is being written to the hard disk drives, which involves sector conversion, the internal processor of the sector conversion device immediately initiates a transfer from the volatile buffer queue memory to the non-volatile memory. The information that is transferred (hardened) is the two sectors of data that were involved in the sector conversion process.

Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system with a plurality of slots, the blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system. A management module operates the blade system to first power on the storage system. In accordance with a “golden” configuration file, the storage system passes sequence information to the management module. The management module powers on the plurality of server blades in accordance with the sequence information. The storage system is configured with the “golden” configuration file to log on the server blades in accordance with the power on sequence to logically configure the server blades in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.

Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system with a plurality of slots, the blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system. A management module operates the blade system to first power on the storage system, and subsequently to power on the plurality of server blades in a sequential order that matches a blade system natural boot sequence order, skipping the storage system, and the storage system is configured with the “golden” configuration file to log on the server blades in accordance with the power on sequence to logically configure the server blades in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.

Abstract: Components in a data storage subsystem are tracked, and their status monitored, with the use of memory devices such as RFID tags. In the practice of the invention, a component of a data storage subsystem, such as a data recording device, is associated with a memory device, such as but not limited to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, that is capable of storing information regarding a status of the data storage component. A storage controller controls the data storage component. A reader/writer operably integrated into the storage controller, wherein the reader/writer is operable to be controlled by the storage controller to communicate in a wireless manner an update of the information within said memory device regarding the status said data storage component.

Abstract: A mechanism detects cable length in a storage subsystem with wide ports. The mechanism uses in-situ bidirectional cable wrapping for determining different cable lengths. The mechanism under-margins transmitter output to failure for each external port and even for each PHY within a wide port. Based on the transition point from “good” wrap to “bad” wrap, the cable length may be determined. The transition point identifies if the cable is long or short, at which point the optimum tuning parameters can accordingly be set. A calibration mechanism calibrates the high speed transmitter/receiver pair characteristics, and, thus, optimizes the transmission performance between subsystems. The calibration mechanism mitigates the need for frequent error correction and does not incur the performance degradation associated with error correction techniques.

Abstract: A mechanism detects cable length in a storage subsystem with wide ports. The mechanism uses in-situ bidirectional cable wrapping for determining different cable lengths. The mechanism under-margins transmitter output to failure for each external port and even for each PHY within a wide port. Based on the transition point from “good” wrap to “bad” wrap, the cable length may be determined. The transition point identifies if the cable is long or short, at which point the optimum tuning parameters can accordingly be set. A calibration mechanism calibrates the high speed transmitter/receiver pair characteristics, and, thus, optimizes the transmission performance between subsystems. The calibration mechanism mitigates the need for frequent error correction and does not incur the performance degradation associated with error correction techniques.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for discovering and isolating failure of high speed traces in a manufacturing environment. The mechanism utilizes transmit pre-emphasis and receiver equalization in combination with attenuated wrap plugs to enhance discovery and isolation of manufacturing defects in the manufacturing environment. The mechanism adjusts pre-emphasis and equalization in real time in high speed devices, allowing for much greater variation to compensate for design margins and specification variances. While the card is under test with wrap-backs installed, the pre-emphasis and receiver equalization are brought to the limits while logging the bit error rate to a non-volatile memory element. The mechanism then compares the bit error rate information to empirically derived signatures for failure isolation.

Abstract: A single fibre channel switch or serial attached SCSI expander applies zoning on the initiator ports to each of the two ports of one or more drives. The fibre channel switch or serial attached SCSI expander uses zoning to connect both ports of each drive to a single expander and set the zones in the expander such that each zone includes at least one initiator port and one drive port.

Abstract: A system and method for thresholding system power loss notifications in a data processing system are provided. Power loss detection modules are provided in a data processing system having one or more data processing devices, such as blades in an IBM BladeCenter® chassis. The power loss detection modules detect the type of infrastructure of the data processing system, a position of a corresponding data processing device within the data processing system, and a capability of the data processing system to provide power during a power loss scenario. The detection module detects various inputs identifying these types of data processing system and power system characteristics and provides logic for defining a set of behaviors during a power loss scenario, e.g., behaviors for sending system notifications of imminent power loss. The detection of the various inputs and the defining of a set of behaviors may be performed statically and/or dynamically.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for dynamically zoning or rezoning serially attached SCSI expanders using an intelligent failover mechanism. The mechanism uses serially attached SCSI (SAS) zoning by zoning off one port of the SAS hard disk drive to the initiator that does not “own” the resource. The drive will appear to only one initiator as a result of the zoning. In the event of a failure on the “owning” initiator, the failover mechanism may change the zones, zoning off the failed initiator and including the drives in the zone(s) of the active initiator(s). By using zoning in this fashion, the zoning mechanism creates an active-passive SAS multiplexer with configurable and intelligent failover.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for performing a storage device maintenance operation. A management module receives a command through an interconnection module configured as a non-blocking switch. The management module performs a maintenance operation on a storage device through the interconnection module in response to the command. In addition, the management module may receive queries on the status of the maintenance operation through the interconnection module and report the status of the maintenance operation through the interconnection module.