Abstract: Methods and systems for support a unified Web Based Enterprise Management (“WBEM”) solution is provided. A first processing element for generating first HTTP content data is provided such that a response to a non-Common Information Model (“CIM”) request is based on the first HTTP content data. A second processing element for generating second HTTP content data is also provided such that another response to a CIM request is based on the second HTTP content data. At least one of the first processing element and the second processing element is accessible directly only from within the system to unify access to the two elements.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code are provided for managing dual active controllers in a high availability storage configuration. Redundant dual active controllers in high availability storage configurations are made to appear as individual storage target devices to a host system. Each controller owns certain volumes of data storage. When a host system sends a request to identify available data volumes, the controller that owns certain volumes provides preferred paths to those owned volumes. The host system may also send an inquiry to a controller that asks the controller about data volumes not owned by the controller. For such inquiries, no paths to the non-owned data volumes are returned to the host system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing I/O requests from a computer system to a storage system over multiple paths having non-homogeneous transfer speeds. A large I/O request is partitioned into a plurality of smaller I/O operations between a computer system and a storage system. The I/O operations are distributed over a plurality of communication paths coupling the computer system and the storage system. The distribution attempts to balance the load over the multiple paths based on the transfer speed of each path. In one embodiment, operations are distributed only to the highest speed paths presently operable. In another embodiment, an estimated completion time for an operation is determined for each path and a path with the lowest estimated completion time is selected to transfer the next operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically identifying storage array modifications thereof. An interface device associated with a data-processing system and a storage array thereof can be automatically monitored in order to identify one or more command completion events associated with the interface device. Data indicative of the status of the interface device can then be automatically compiled in response to identifying the command completion even(s) as a result of automatically monitoring the interface device. Data indicating that the storage array has been modified can thereafter be generated if the data indicative of a status of the interface device is equivalent to a particular value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for support a unified Web Based Enterprise Management (“WBEM”) solution is provided. A first processing element for generating first HTTP content data is provided such that a response to a non-Common Information Model (“CIM”) request is based on the first HTTP content data. A second processing element for generating second HTTP content data is also provided such that another response to a CIM request is based on the second HTTP content data. At least one of the first processing element and the second processing element is accessible directly only from within the system to unify access to the two elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling power. Multiple paths via multiple I/O ports couple a server to a storage array. When I/O loads are low, it is determined if an I/O port may be deactivated and placed in a power saving mode. An I/O port may not be deactivated if deactivating that I/O port will affect a high-availability requirement or a performance requirement. Requests are stopped from being sent to an I/O port to be deactivated. When the port to be deactivated becomes idle, the I/O port is placed in a power saving mode. When I/O loads increase to a point where it is necessary to reactivate the I/O port, the I/O port is activated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing I/O requests from a computer system to a storage system over multiple paths having non-homogeneous transfer speeds. A large I/O request is partitioned into a plurality of smaller I/O operations between a computer system and a storage system. The I/O operations are distributed over a plurality of communication paths coupling the computer system and the storage system. The distribution attempts to balance the load over the multiple paths based on the transfer speed of each path. In one embodiment, operations are distributed only to the highest speed paths presently operable. In another embodiment, an estimated completion time for an operation is determined for each path and a path with the lowest estimated completion time is selected to transfer the next operation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a storage controller comprises a first input/output port that provides an interface to a host computer, a second input/output port that provides an interface a storage device, a processor that receives input/output requests generated by the host computer and, in response to the input/output requests, generates and transmits input/output requests to the storage device, and a memory module communicatively connected to the processor. The memory module comprises logic instructions stored in a computer-readable medium which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive, from the host computer, a write input/output request that identifies a logical volume; compare an amount of storage space available in the logical volume with an amount of storage space required to complete the write operation, and allocate additional storage space to the logical volume if the amount of storage space available in the logical volume is insufficient to complete the write operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for transmitting computer data within a single computer system along more than one physical data path by providing a multiple-path driver that creates virtual (or non-physical) data paths without modifying the source code of the operating system. The system and method may be used with any computer hardware regardless of manufacturer. In one embodiment, a multiple-path driver may be used within a Linux operating system to create virtual data paths and transmit data between the upper-level drivers of the Linux system and at least one computer data storage device without modifying the Linux source code.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved I/O fencing for shared storage in a clustered or grid computing environment. I/O fencing is performed with aid from the storage system and an I/O fencing management client process. The client process detects changes in the operational status of any of the clustered computing nodes. Upon sensing a change from a functional state to a dysfunctional state, the management client process effectuates reconfiguration of the storage system to disallow potentially destructive access by the dysfunctional node to the shared storage volumes. Upon sensing resumption of a functional status for the dysfunctional node, the client effectuates reconfiguration of the storage system to again allow desired access to the shared storage volumes by the now functional node. The client and storage system may share access to a database maintained by the client indicating the shared volumes a node may access and the initiators associated with each node.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described for copying used data block within a source volume to a target volume. A copy manager is provided on a host system for coordinating external copy requests originating from external sources. An application adapter layer is provided that provides lists of the blocks that are occupied on the source volume by the specific applications. The occupied block lists is forwarded along with the copy requests to a storage system adapter layer. The storage system copies only the data that are written in the occupied blocks of the source volume to the target volume. During the copy operation, all I/O requests are paused and resumed after the copy operation is complete.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and software for managing the host-to-volume mappings of a SAN storage system. The host-to-volume mappings of the SAN storage system are represented in mapping configuration components. The active mapping configuration component represents the current host-to-volume mapping for the SAN storage system. Only one mapping configuration component is active at a time. The host-to-volume mappings of a SAN storage system are changed by deactivating the active mapping configuration component and activating an inactive mapping configuration component that represents a different mapping configuration, effecting a repartition, repurpose, disaster recovery, or other business activity. This can be a scheduled task or performed in an on-demand manner. The mapping configuration components are managed and controlled through the management component of the SAN storage system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code are provided for managing dual active controllers in a high availability storage configuration. Redundant dual active controllers in high availability storage configurations are made to appear as individual storage target devices to a host system. Each controller owns certain volumes of data storage. When a host system sends a request to identify available data volumes, the controller that owns certain volumes provides preferred paths to those owned volumes. The host system may also send an inquiry to a controller that asks the controller about data volumes not owned by the controller. For such inquiries, no paths to the non-owned data volumes are returned to the host system.

Abstract: A persistent reservation emulation structure to emulate exclusive reservation SCSI-3 protocol features in a host system having multiple paths to a storage device. An enhanced multiple-path driver layer (or other processing elements) provide emulation of persistent reservation commands directed from a host system to a storage device. The driver does not forward exclusive type reservations to the storage device but rather emulates the desired exclusive operations on the systems behalf using only non-exclusive reservation types. The emulated reservation handling enables parallel use of multiple paths between a host system and a storage device to improve reliability and/or performance of the storage device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically identifying storage array modifications thereof. An interface device associated with a data-processing system and a storage array thereof can be automatically monitored in order to identify one or more command completion events associated with the interface device. Data indicative of the status of the interface device can then be automatically compiled in response to identifying the command completion even(s) as a result of automatically monitoring the interface device. Data indicating that the storage array has been modified can thereafter be generated if the data indicative of a status of the interface device is equivalent to a particular value.

Abstract: Methods and associated structures for transparently mapping SCSI2 reservation protocol exchanges into corresponding SCSI3 reservation protocol exchanges. A mapping element may be operable within host systems that support SCSI2 reservation protocols. The mapping element intercepts and translates SCSI2 reservation exchanges into corresponding SCSI3 reservation protocol exchanges. The mapped exchanges may then be forwarded to a SCSI3 based storage subsystem to permit such an updated storage subsystem to appropriately interact with a cluster of host systems. The cluster of host systems may then be comprised of a heterogeneous mix of SCSI2 and SCSI3 based host applications.

Abstract: A persistent reservation emulation structure to emulate exclusive reservation SCSI-3 protocol features in a host system having multiple paths to a storage device. An enhanced multiple-path driver layer (or other processing elements) provide emulation of persistent reservation commands directed from a host system to a storage device. The driver does not forward exclusive type reservations to the storage device but rather emulates the desired exclusive operations on the systems behalf using only non-exclusive reservation types. The emulated reservation handling enables parallel use of multiple paths between a host system and a storage device to improve reliability and/or performance of the storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for transmitting computer data within a single computer system along more than one physical data path by providing a multiple-path driver that creates virtual (or non-physical) data paths without modifying the source code of the operating system. The system and method may be used with any computer hardware regardless of manufacturer. In one embodiment, a multiple-path driver may be used within a Linux operating system to create virtual data paths and transmit data between the upper-level drivers of the Linux system and at least one computer data storage device without modifying the Linux source code.

Abstract: Methods and associated structures for transparently mapping SCSI2 reservation protocol exchanges into corresponding SCSI3 reservation protocol exchanges. A mapping element may be operable within host systems that support SCSI2 reservation protocols. The mapping element intercepts and translates SCSI2 reservation exchanges into corresponding SCSI3 reservation protocol exchanges. The mapped exchanges may then be forwarded to a SCSI3 based storage subsystem to permit such an updated storage subsystem to appropriately interact with a cluster of host systems. The cluster of host systems may then be comprised of a heterogeneous mix of SCSI2 and SCSI3 based host applications.