Abstract: A storage systems comprising a redundant array of multicast storage areas. In a preferred embodiment, such a storage system will utilize multicast devices that are adapted to communicate across a network via encapsulated packets which are split-ID packets comprising both an encapsulating packet and an encapsulated packet; and each of any split-ID packets will also include an identifier that is split such that a portion of the identifier is obtained from the encapsulated packet while another portion is obtained from a header portion of the encapsulating packet. In some embodiments, storage areas of the redundant array share a common multicast address. In the same or other embodiments the storage system will comprise a plurality of RAID sets wherein each raid set comprises a plurality of storage areas sharing a common multicast address.

Abstract: Techniques for continuously programming a coherent transient spatial-spectral optical signal processor involve the repeated application of two or more spatially distinct optical programming pulses to a non-persistent hole-burning material to write an accumulated, spatial-spectral population grating with low intensity optical pulses as compared to single shot programming. An optical data stream is introduced on a processing beam, resulting in a processor output signal spatially distinct from all the processing pulses. Programming and processing take place simultaneously, asynchronously and continuously. For accumulated gratings, the frequency stability of the optical source is an important consideration.