Abstract: Garbage collection is performed for a virtualized storage system whose virtual address space is addressed in extents. Valid data in source extents is copied via a cache into destination extents. Once all valid data in a source extent is copied into one or more destination extents, the source extent may be reused. A source extent is released for reuse only after the one or more destination extents that received the valid data copied from the source extent are determined to be full, and the valid data copied from the source extent to the destination extent via the cache is flushed out of the cache.

Abstract: Garbage collection is performed for a virtualized storage system whose virtual address space is addressed in extents. Valid data in source extents is copied via a cache into destination extents. Once all valid data in a source extent is copied into one or more destination extents, the source extent may be reused. A source extent is released for reuse only after the one or more destination extents that received the valid data copied from the source extent are determined to be full, and the valid data copied from the source extent to the destination extent via the cache is flushed out of the cache.

Abstract: Garbage collection is performed for a virtualized storage system whose virtual address space is addressed in extents. Valid data in source extents is copied via a cache into destination extents. Once all valid data in a source extent is copied into one or more destination extents, the source extent may be reused. A source extent is released for reuse only after the one or more destination extents that received the valid data copied from the source extent are determined to be full, and the valid data copied from the source extent to the destination extent via the cache is flushed out of the cache.

Abstract: An apparatus for data transmission over a network includes a buffer and a timer mechanism for timing an optimum interval (less than the round-trip error response delay) for retransmission of data. A first accessor accesses data in the buffer for transmission and starts a first timeout clock. Second or further accessors of the buffer are responsive to a timeout to access the data, start a timeout clock and attempt to transmit the data on a path avoiding path elements used by prior accessors. A counter increments and decrements a count of the references to the buffer by accessors and signals when the count reaches zero. A memory manager returns the buffer to a free buffer pool responsive to the reference counter signaling that the count has reached zero. An analysis mechanism can be used to determine the optimum interval and tune the timer mechanism.