Abstract: A method and system performs a fencing technique in a host cluster storage environment. The fence program executes on each cluster member in the cluster, and the cluster is coupled to a storage system by a network. When a cluster member fails or cluster membership changes, the fence program is invoked and a host fencing API message is sent via the network to the storage system. The storage system in turn modifies export lists to restrict further access by the failed cluster node to otherwise fence the failed cluster node off from that storage system or from certain directories within that storage system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a customized dynamic distribution e-mail list is provided. The method includes determining a predefined addressee-selecting rule in response to a user-executed command to send an e-mail. The method also includes selecting at least one addressee from an electronic data file based upon the addressee-selecting rule. The method further includes, for each addressee selected, inserting a corresponding address into a predetermined field of an e-mail prior to conveying the e-mail over a data communications network.

Abstract: A method and system performs fencing techniques in a host cluster storage environment. A fencing application program interface resides in one or more storage systems. When a message is received by said storage system from a cluster member, the storage system in turn modifies the NFS export lists of one or more storage systems to restrict further access by the failed cluster node to otherwise fence the failed cluster node off from that storage system or from certain directories within that storage system. Prior to said access permission rights being changed, NFS operations are locked and drained, NFS locks are removed after which the export lists are modified. Once the fencing operations are performed, the NFS operations are served again by the storage system.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the sorting of an address list associated with an email. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: actuating a selection mechanism associated with the email; sorting a plurality of email addresses in the email in response to the actuation of the selection mechanism; and displaying the sorted email addresses.

Abstract: Methods for selectively displaying portions of a hierarchical data set on an electronic display comprise the steps of displaying at least a portion of the hierarchical data set on an electronic display in a tree diagram format. Input may then be obtained from a user to identify one or more displayed nodes in the tree diagram that are to be hidden and/or one or more hidden nodes in the tree diagram that are to be displayed. Based on this input, at least one node in the tree diagram is partially collapsed and/or at least one node in the tree diagram may be partially expanded so as to display the hidden nodes identified by the user and so as to hide the displayed nodes identified by the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for: receiving a user input to activate a clip utility within an open application window; enabling a selection of a particular portion of the open widow using a selection functionality of the clip utility, wherein the particular portion is less than a total area of the application window; and on receipt of a request to clip the selected portion while the portion is still selected, dynamically clipping the particular portion from the remainder of the application window and displaying only the clipped, particular portion of the open window as an separate window clip.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable code for managing instant messages. An instant message is received at a client. A set of parameters in the instant message is identified. The instant message on a display in the client is presented, and the instant message is removed from the display after a period of time defined by the set of parameters.

Abstract: A system and method verifies and restores the consistency of inode to pathname mappings. In a first embodiment, an off-line verification procedure is modified to verify and correct the primary name inode to pathname mapping information within inodes of a file system. In a second embodiment, an on-line file system verification process is modified to verify inode to pathname mapping information upon the loading of each inode within the file system.

Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced dropdown selection lists and combination boxes. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control that displays a dropdown list when actuated, and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list. A method in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a GUI control having an entry field; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.

Abstract: A method and system performs a fencing technique in a host cluster storage environment. The fence program executes on each cluster member in the cluster, and the cluster is coupled to a storage system by a network. When a cluster member fails or cluster membership changes, the fence program is invoked and a host fencing API message is sent via the network to the storage system. The storage system in turn modifies export lists to restrict further access by the failed cluster node to otherwise fence the failed cluster node off from that storage system or from certain directories within that storage system.

Abstract: A host-clustered networked storage environment includes a “quorum program.” The quorum program is invoked when a change in cluster membership occurs, or when the cluster members are not receiving reliable information about the continued viability of the cluster, or for a variety of other reasons. When the quorum program is so invoked, the cluster member is programmed to assert a claim on a quorum device configured in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, the quorum device is a vdisk embodied in as a logical unit (LUN) exported by the networked storage system. The LUN is created as a quorum device upon which a SCSI-3 reservation can be placed by an initiator. Thus, the LUN is created for this purpose as a SCSI target that exists solely as a quorum device. Fencing techniques are also provided in the networked environment such that failed cluster members can be fenced from given—exports of the networked—storage system.

Abstract: A system and method maintains mappings from data containers to their parent directories within a file system of a storage system. Each inode is modified to include a primary name data structure comprising a parent directory inode and a parent directory cookie value. The parent directory cookie value identifies a particular directory entry within a specified block of a directory identified by parent directory inode. An alternate name file is utilized to store alternate names, such as those associated with hard links.

Abstract: A clip or bracket releasably mountable to a rail having elongated perforations to retain one or more items in a stored position when not in use. In a simple embodiment, the clip is formed of a continuous length of metal or plastic rod having a pair of parallel legs for insertion through the mounting rail perforation, and a three-sided enclosure which, in cooperation with the surface of the mounting rail, form a four-sided enclosure for retaining the stored item. In a second, preferred embodiment, a bracket is formed with an integral, three-sided wall with one or more latching members affixed to one of the walls for releasably attaching the bracket to the mounting rail with portions of the latching member(s) extending through one of the perforations. In one form, a pair of three-sided retainers are connected to one another with latching member(s) mounted between adjacent walls of the two retainers.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for selective macro event recording. In accordance with the present invention, events can be selectively included in a macro recording process, even where the events occur across different contexts such as different application windows in different applications. Specifically, once a macro recording session has been initiated for a particular application or application window, events occurring in different applications or application windows can be selected for inclusion in the macro through an append recording operation. Notably, the selective macro recording facility can be included as part of an operating environment, or as part of the individual applications executing within the operating environment.

Abstract: A user interface mechanism that introduces a novel concept referred to as a “non-overlapping workspace”. A system user can switch between the traditional overlapping workspace and the novel non-overlapping workspace, depending upon how they wish to move and manage objects in the workspace. In the non-overlapping mode, as the user moves a selected object to relocate it within the work area, as its border touches another object, the selected object pushes the other object (rather than cover it). In an alternative embodiment, when the system is in the non-overlapping mode, objects on the desktop have “sticky” borders, that is, as the border of a selected object comes into contact with the border of another object, the two objects are coupled to each other as though they were glued together, forming an “object unit”.

Abstract: System and method for filtering the display of file objects for computer systems. In one aspect, filtering criteria are used in the display of file objects in a graphical user interface (GUI), including receiving user input from a user in the GUI describing one or more filtering criteria for the display of the file objects, and filtering the display of the file objects according to the user input. In some embodiments, a menu and/or text input field can be displayed when a file characteristic is selected to allow input of filtering criteria.

Abstract: A braking system primarily intended for use in a cargo-carrying cart of conventional type having a swivel caster at the front and rear ends and a pair of wheels rotatable upon a stationary axle extending across the longitudinal midpoint of the cart. The system includes a brake assembly inwardly adjacent each of the two wheels, each assembly having a rotor affixed to one end of a hollow, cylindrical a hub with a plurality of notches extending axially into the other end. The rotor and hub are rotationally coupled to the cart wheels by the wheel spokes extending into the hub notches. Inboard and outboard brake plates are positioned on opposite sides of each rotor. A pair of cables extends between the outboard brake plates on of the two brake assemblies, one on each side of a vertical plane through the rotational axis of the wheels, rotor and hubs.

Abstract: A heater (12) for a catheter (10) used in monitoring constant cardiac output is fabricated using a bifilar wire (21) coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) like the material used for the catheter. The bifilar wire is coated with the PVC using a conventional extrusion technique, producing a coated lead (24, 32). This coated lead is wrapped around the exterior surface of the catheter, forming a helical coil. Heat is applied to the coated lead to melt the PVC coating, causing it to bond the lead to the catheter. The melted PVC also flows into gaps (23) or notches between adjacent coils of the lead, producing a relatively smooth outer surface for the heater coil when the PVC coating cools. The bifilar wire can alternatively be wrapped in-line with PVC tape (29) or film and the PVC material heated to flow around the wire, bonding it to the catheter's outer surface.