Abstract: An apparatus for providing traffic alerts includes a distance module, analysis module, transmission module, and signaling module. The distance module measures the distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle. The analysis decides whether to signal a presence of the object that comprises determining that the measured distance is equal to or less than a threshold distance. The transmission module transmits an alert in response to the analysis module deciding to signal a presence of the object. The signaling module transmits a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert from the transmission module. The visual signal has one or more characteristics.

Abstract: Cluster families for cluster selection and cooperative replication are created. The clusters are grouped into family members of a cluster family base on their relationships and roles. Members of the cluster family determine which family member is in the best position to obtain replicated information and become cumulatively consistent within their cluster family. Once the cluster family becomes cumulatively consistent, the data is shared within the cluster family so that all copies within the cluster family are consistent.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes receiving a request for a hypervisor to run a virtual machine; determining, using a processor, whether the virtual machine is authorized to run using a data structure having metadata about properties of the virtual machine; determining, using the processor, whether the hypervisor is authorized to run the virtual machine using a digital signature of the data structure; and running the virtual machine on a computer system using the hypervisor in response to determining that the virtual machine is authorized to be run and that the hypervisor is authorized to run the virtual machine. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: Cluster families for cluster selection and cooperative replication are created. The clusters are grouped into family members of a cluster family base on their relationships and roles. Members of the cluster family determine which family member is in the best position to obtain replicated information and become cumulatively consistent within their cluster family. Once the cluster family becomes cumulatively consistent, the data is shared within the cluster family so that all copies within the cluster family are consistent.

Abstract: A method for releasing storage space in a space-efficient volume is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes maintaining, for a space-efficient volume, a bitmap comprising a bit for each track in the space-efficient volume. A host system indicates whether a track is one of used and unused by marking the corresponding bit in the bitmap. A storage controller reads the bitmap and frees tracks from the space-efficient volume that the bitmap indicates are unused. In certain embodiments, the bitmap is stored on the space-efficient volume. For example, the bitmap may be appended to a volume table of contents (VTOC) stored on the space-efficient volume. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes receiving a request for a hypervisor to run a virtual machine, determining using a processor whether the virtual machine is authorized to run using a data structure having metadata about properties of the virtual machine, determining using a processor whether the hypervisor is authorized to run the virtual machine using a digital signature of the data structure, receiving a decryption key from a key authority when it is determined that the virtual machine is authorized to be run and it is determined that the hypervisor is authorized to run the virtual machine, unlocking and/or decrypting the virtual machine using the decryption key, and running the virtual machine on a computer system. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus for migrating data in a tiered storage architecture includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices coupled to the processors and storing instructions for execution by the processors. The instructions cause the one or more processors to: track temperature (i.e., frequency of access) of data blocks in a tiered storage architecture; generate heat maps indicating the temperature of the data blocks across different time intervals; process the heat maps using an image processing algorithm; compress the heat maps to reduce the size of the heat maps; compare the heat maps from the time intervals to identify temperature patterns occurring over time; predict, from the temperature patterns, when selected data blocks will change in temperature; and migrate the selected data blocks between tiers of the tiered storage architecture in anticipation of their changes in temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects include management of a set of blocks in a storage system. A set of write requests is initiated to the set of blocks. In response to the set of write requests, a set of expiration metadata for the set of blocks is established. Based on the set of expiration metadata, an expiration event is detected. In response to detecting the expiration event, an expiration operation on the set of blocks is processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing traffic alerts includes a distance module, analysis module, transmission module, and signaling module. The distance module measures the distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle. The analysis decides whether to signal a presence of the object that comprises determining that the measured distance is equal to or less than a threshold distance. The transmission module transmits an alert in response to the analysis module deciding to signal a presence of the object. The signaling module transmits a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert from the transmission module. The visual signal has one or more characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects include management of a set of blocks in a storage system. A set of write requests is initiated to the set of blocks. In response to the set of write requests, a set of expiration metadata for the set of blocks is established. Based on the set of expiration metadata, an expiration event is detected. In response to detecting the expiration event, an expiration operation on the set of blocks is processed.

Abstract: A method for releasing storage space in a space-efficient volume is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes maintaining, for a space-efficient volume, a bitmap comprising a bit for each track in the space-efficient volume. A host system indicates whether a track is one of used and unused by marking the corresponding bit in the bitmap. A storage controller reads the bitmap and frees tracks from the space-efficient volume that the bitmap indicates are unused. In certain embodiments, the bitmap is stored on the space-efficient volume. For example, the bitmap may be appended to a volume table of contents (VTOC) stored on the space-efficient volume. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for accessing host data records stored in a virtual tape storage (VTS) system. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code includes computer readable program code configured to receive a mount request to access at least one host data record in a VTS system; computer readable program code configured to determine a starting logical block ID (SLBID) corresponding to the at least one requested host data record; computer readable program code configured to determine a physical block ID (PBID) that corresponds to the SLBID; computer readable program code configured to access a physical block on a magnetic tape medium corresponding to the PBID; and computer readable program code configured to output at least the physical block without outputting an entire logical volume that the physical block is stored to.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for accessing data stored in a virtual tape storage (VTS) system, according to one embodiment, include receiving a mount request to access at least one host data record in a VTS system, issuing a locate command to position the sequential access storage medium having the logical volume stored therein to about a position where the physical block having at least a portion of the requested at least one host data record therein is located; creating a partial virtual volume in a tape volume cache; and copying the physical block having the at least a portion of the requested at least one host data record therein from the sequential access storage medium to the partial virtual volume in the tape volume cache. An amount of data copied from the logical volume to the partial virtual volume is less than the amount of data in the logical volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for migrating data in a tiered storage architecture includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices coupled to the processors and storing instructions for execution by the processors. The instructions cause the one or more processors to: track temperature (i.e., frequency of access) of data blocks in a tiered storage architecture; generate heat maps indicating the temperature of the data blocks across different time intervals; process the heat maps using an image processing algorithm; compress the heat maps to reduce the size of the heat maps; compare the heat maps from the time intervals to identify temperature patterns occurring over time; predict, from the temperature patterns, when selected data blocks will change in temperature; and migrate the selected data blocks between tiers of the tiered storage architecture in anticipation of their changes in temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects include management of a set of blocks in a storage system. A set of write requests is initiated to the set of blocks. In response to the set of write requests, a set of expiration metadata for the set of blocks is established. Based on the set of expiration metadata, an expiration event is detected. In response to detecting the expiration event, an expiration operation on the set of blocks is processed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a VTS system includes a tape volume cache, a storage drive for interacting with sequential access storage media; logic for receiving a mount request to access host data record(s) stored on a storage medium, the mount request including a virtual volume identifier of a logical volume and a logical block identifier of the first requested host data record therein; logic for issuing a locate command to position the sequential access storage medium to about a physical block in the logical volume having at least a portion of the requested host data record(s) therein based on the virtual volume identifier and the logical block identifier; logic for creating and supporting a partial virtual volume in the tape volume cache; and logic for copying at least the physical block to the partial virtual volume. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are also described, according to other embodiments.

Abstract: Cluster families for cluster selection and cooperative replication are created. The clusters are grouped into family members of a cluster family base on their relationships and roles. Members of the cluster family determine which family member is in the best position to obtain replicated information and become cumulatively consistent within their cluster family. Once the cluster family becomes cumulatively consistent, the data is shared within the cluster family so that all copies within the cluster family are consistent.

Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes receiving a request for a hypervisor to run a virtual machine, determining using a processor whether the virtual machine is authorized to run using a data structure having metadata about properties of the virtual machine, determining using a processor whether the hypervisor is authorized to run the virtual machine using a digital signature of the data structure, receiving a decryption key from a key authority when it is determined that the virtual machine is authorized to be run and it is determined that the hypervisor is authorized to run the virtual machine, unlocking and/or decrypting the virtual machine using the decryption key, and running the virtual machine on a computer system. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A method for migrating data in a tiered storage architecture is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes tracking the temperature of data blocks in a tiered storage architecture, where the temperature indicates the frequency the data blocks are accessed. Heat maps are generated that indicate the temperature of the data blocks across different time intervals. These heat maps are compared to identify temperature patterns that may occur over time. The temperature patterns, in turn, may be used to predict when selected data blocks will change in temperature. Data blocks may be migrated between tiers of the tiered storage architecture in anticipation of the predicated changes in temperature. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for asynchronous replication in a hierarchical storage management integrated storage system. For a given file to be replicated from a primary storage system to a remote storage system, the primary storage system accesses the remote storage system to determine file existence and migration status at the remote storage system for the given file. Responsive to the primary storage system determining that the given file exists and has been migrated from first tier storage to second tier storage at the remote storage system, the primary storage system determines a first performance penalty for file recall and a second performance penalty for sending excess data from the primary storage system to the remote storage system.