Abstract: A plurality of logically sequential data blocks of a file to write to a shingled magnetic disk are received. The first data block of the plurality of logically sequential data blocks to a first physical data block of a data track, wherein the first physical data block is part of a sub-band of radially adjacent physical data blocks in a shingled direction, is written. The remaining data blocks of the plurality of logically sequential data blocks to radially adjacent physical data blocks in the sub-band in the shingled direction, beginning with a physical data block radially adjacent to the first physical data block, are written.

Abstract: A method for processing a data object access request in a storage system having storage devices can include receiving an access request for accessing a first data object, the request being received by a controller that stores at least two consecutive data objects received by the storage system in different storage devices. The method may then include detecting that the first data object is corrupted, and determining, in response to the detecting, that a second data object has identical data as the first data object. Determining that the second data object has identical information as the first data object can include determining that a first metadata tag corresponding with the first data object and a second metadata tag corresponding with the second data object are identical. The second data object can then be provided in a response to the access request.

Abstract: A method for file handling in a hierarchical storage environment includes initiating a new document notification process in response to receipt of a new document. The document notification process includes evaluating enhanced metadata of the new document via a relationship analyzing process to produce a priority list defining a likelihood of possible access, where the enhanced metadata includes a set of keywords and/or references from the new document. The method additionally includes storing the new document in a storage tier of a hierarchical storage environment according to the priority list.

Abstract: A mirrored storage system comprising a system controller coupled to a first storage system comprising a primary controller and a first storage and to a second storage system comprising a secondary controller and a second storage. The second storage contains an image of data stored in the first storage. The system controller receives data to be written to storage and sends the data to the primary controller of the first storage system and to the secondary controller of the second storage system. The system controller instructs the primary controller to write the data to the first storage of the first storage system in an ordered manner; and instructs the secondary controller to write the data sequentially to a data area on the second storage of the second storage system. Writing the data sequentially to the second storage improves the write performance.

Abstract: Performing maintenance to controllers in a network-attached storage system that includes two or more controllers, each controller including at one or more associated IP address. An online controller in the network-attached storage system to upgrade is identified. The IP addresses of the online controller to upgrade is moved to another controller in the network-attached storage system. Simultaneous with when the other controller is online, the online controller to upgrade is taken offline and upgraded the controller to upgrade.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a drive storage system, method, and computer program process for automatically replacing drives. In one embodiment, one or more computer processors receive a request for a new drive. One or more computer processors direct an exchange robot to obtain the new drive from a drive repository and to proceed to a location of a used drive. One or more computer processors then direct the exchange robot to remove the used drive from the location and to insert the new drive into the location of the used drive.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for establishing an optical communication link. The method includes one or more processors controlling an optical detection apparatus to scan an environment to detect at least one marker. The method further includes one or more processors detecting a first marker of the one or more markers, wherein the first marker includes information that indicates a location of a first optical access point. The method further includes one or more processors determining the location of the first optical access point based on an analysis of the first marker. The method further includes one or more processors controlling an optical communication apparatus to align with the determined location of the first optical access point. The method further includes one or more processors establishing an optical communication link between the optical communication apparatus and the first optical access point.

Abstract: A method for file handling in a hierarchical storage environment includes receiving a new document for storage, and triggering and/or initiating a new document notification process upon receipt of the new document. The new document notification process includes scanning the new document for a set of keywords and/or references; creating enhanced metadata for the new document, wherein the enhanced metadata includes the set of keywords and/or references from said scanning; storing the enhanced metadata in a file system; and evaluating the enhanced metadata via a relationship analyzing process to produce a priority list defining a likelihood of possible access. The method also includes storing the new document in a storage tier of a hierarchical storage environment according to the priority list.

Abstract: Methods, computing systems and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include arranging multiple storage devices as a RAID array and receiving, from a given storage device storing a dataset, a number of error messages exceeding a threshold. A mirrored subset of the dataset is retrieved from the given device, and a calculated subset of the dataset is retrieved from remaining devices in the RAID array. In a first embodiment, the mirrored subset is created first, and the calculated subset includes a relative complement of the mirrored subset with respect to the dataset. In a second embodiment, the calculated subset is created first, and the mirrored subset includes a relative complement of the calculated subset with respect to the dataset. The mirrored and the calculated datasets are stored to an additional storage device, and the given device is replaced with the additional device in the RAID array.

Abstract: A RAID (redundant array of independent storage devices) storage system where a file is stored at a physical protection level corresponding to a RAID protection level defined by metadata included in and/or with the file to be stored.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a sputter chamber comprising both a target surface and an anode surface. The sputter chamber has both an ingress and an egress to allow passage of a gas. The sputter chamber further includes a target substrate. A secondary material flexibly changes the composition of the target substrate in-situ by changing coverage of the target by the secondary material. Gas entering the sputter chamber interacts with the changed composition of the target. The interaction discharges a plasma alloy and the alloy condenses on the anode surface in the sputter chamber. The condensed alloy produces an alloy film.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a sputter chamber comprising both a target surface and an anode surface. The sputter chamber has both an ingress and an egress to allow passage of a gas. The sputter chamber further includes a target substrate. A secondary material flexibly changes the composition of the target substrate in-situ by changing coverage of the target by the secondary material. Gas entering the sputter chamber interacts with the changed composition of the target. The interaction discharges a plasma alloy and the alloy condenses on the anode surface in the sputter chamber. The condensed alloy produces an alloy film.

Abstract: A method for processing a data object access request in a storage system having storage devices can include receiving an access request for accessing a first data object, the request being received by a controller that stores at least two consecutive data objects received by the storage system in different storage devices. The method may then include detecting that the first data object is corrupted, and determining, in response to the detecting, that a second data object has identical data as the first data object. Determining that the second data object has identical information as the first data object can include determining that a first metadata tag corresponding with the first data object and a second metadata tag corresponding with the second data object are identical. The second data object can then be provided in a response to the access request.

Abstract: A tool for space efficient tape management. The tool retrieves one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library. The tool inserts the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library. The tool transfers the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library.

Abstract: Methods, computing systems and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include arranging multiple storage devices as a RAID array and receiving, from a given storage device storing a dataset, a number of error messages exceeding a threshold. A mirrored subset of the dataset is retrieved from the given device, and a calculated subset of the dataset is retrieved from remaining devices in the RAID array. In a first embodiment, the mirrored subset is created first, and the calculated subset includes a relative complement of the mirrored subset with respect to the dataset. In a second embodiment, the calculated subset is created first, and the mirrored subset includes a relative complement of the calculated subset with respect to the dataset. The mirrored and the calculated datasets are stored to an additional storage device, and the given device is replaced with the additional device in the RAID array.

Abstract: A shared networked storage may be separated from a key vault system. A storage request with data to be stored and the storage request with a confidentiality rating may be received. The confidentiality rating may indicate a level of confidentiality the data is associated with. The storage request with the data and the confidentiality rating may be received via a shared networked storage access interface by a security layer. The data to be stored by the key vault system and the confidentiality rating may be encrypted on request of the security layer and into a data container. The shared networked storage may be categorized into Cloud zones. Each Cloud zone may be assigned a trust level. The data container may be stored in one of the Cloud zones of the shared networked storage. The trust level of the one of the Cloud zones may correspond to the confidentiality rating.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for maintaining data integrity in deduplicated storage environments. A processor receives a request to write a first block of data to a storage device. A processor compares the first block of data to a second block of data, wherein the second block is stored on the storage device. A processor writes the first block of data to the storage device based, at least in part, on the first block of data matching the second block of data and an amount of pointers to the second block of data being above a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Client access prioritization is provided. A plurality of network addresses is assigned to a node of a network-attached storage cluster. A request to access a resource stored by the network-attached storage cluster and accessible to the node is received, wherein the request identifies a network address of the plurality of network addresses. A priority of the request is determined based, at least in part, on the network address identified by the request and further based, at least on part, on a protocol of the request. The request is processed based, at least in part, on the priority of the request.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for predicting customer churn is provided. The method may comprise receiving a sequence of system events in a system log, wherein the system log is associated with a customer storage system. The method may further comprise dividing the sequence of events into a plurality of consecutive time frames. The method may further comprise assigning a state to each time frame of the plurality of consecutive time frames, wherein the state indicates a likelihood of a customer associated with the customer storage system to engage in a churn event. The method may further comprise determining whether the customer is likely to engage in the churn event based on the state of one or more time frames. The method may further comprise transmitting an alert, responsive to determining that the customer is likely to engage in the churn event.

Abstract: A tool for space efficient tape management. The tool retrieves one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library. The tool inserts the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library. The tool transfers the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library.