Abstract: Data migration includes copying between normal volumes and thin provisioned volumes. Data in a normal volume can be copied to a thin provisioned volume. Alternatively, data structures can be provided to facilitate converting a normal volume into a thin provisioned volume without actual copying of data. Copying from a thin provisioned volume to a normal volume is also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage virtualization system is disclosed for performing data migration operations among the virtual LU (logical units) defined by the system. In one aspect of the present invention, the selection of a target virtual LU is based on a policy that makes a recommendation relating to the target virtual LU. The recommendation is based on the IO activity of the physical devices which constitute the virtual LUs. In another aspect of the present invention, a replacement policy is recommended to replace a current policy. The replacement policy is based on the IO activity of the physical devices which constitute the virtual LUs.

Abstract: A tiered storage system according to the present invention provides for the management of migration groups. When a migration group is defined, a reference tier position is determined and the relative tier position of each constituent logical device is determined. Movement of a migration group involves migrating data in its constituent logical devices to target logical devices. The migration group is then defined by the target devices. A virtualization system makes the transition transparent to host devices.

Abstract: A storage subsystem includes a controller having a plurality of ports and a plurality of storage devices configured store information. A lock table includes attribute information and retention information for each of a plurality of storage volumes presented to a host device. The plurality of storage volumes includes a non-virtual volume that maps to a first storage device of the storage subsystem and a virtual volume that maps to a second storage device of an associated storage subsystem. The associated subsystem is linked to the storage subsystem via a communication link. The controller is configured to receive and process a request from a host to modify an attribute of the virtual volume.

Abstract: An object of remote copy can be specified in units of a file or a directory more detailed than in units of a volume. If a host computer issues a write request of a file to NASa, NASa references a source NAS of remote copy and a source directory of remote copy at each entry on a copy file table and determines whether the file to be written is an object of remote copy; if it is determined to be an object of remote copy, the file to be written is remotely copied to a target directory of remote copy of a target NAS thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validation of archived data that includes one or more servers or data sources, an archive server, and one or more storage subsystems. Data is received from the data source and a verification code is generated on the data using a verification method. The data, and the verification information, including the verification code, and the verification method, are sent to the storage subsystem and stored. A request for verification of the data stored at the storage subsystem is received. A second verification code on the stored data at the storage subsystem is generated at the storage subsystem using the stored verification method. The verification code and the second verification code are compared and either a data verified signal or a data not verified signal is sent by the storage subsystem based on the comparison in response to the request.

Abstract: Migration techniques are described for moving data within a storage system from a source to a target location. After movement of the data from the source, the data is shredded by being overwritten with a predetermined pattern and the source location is designated as being made available for future data actions. In some implementations the shredding operation is only performed when the addressable locations are released from membership in a reserved group.

Abstract: A storage virtualization system is disclosed for performing data migration operations among the virtual LU (logical units) defined by the system. In one aspect of the present invention, the selection of a target virtual LU is based on a policy that makes a recommendation relating to the target virtual LU. The recommendation is based on the IO activity of the physical devices which constitute the virtual LUs. In another aspect of the present invention, a replacement policy is recommended to replace a current policy. The replacement policy is based on the IO activity of the physical devices which constitute the virtual LUs.

Abstract: A tiered storage system according to the present invention provides for the management of migration groups. When a migration group is defined, a reference tier position is determined and the relative tier position of each constituent logical device is determined. Movement of a migration group involves migrating data in its constituent logical devices to target logical devices. The migration group is then defined by the target devices. A virtualization system makes the transition transparent to host devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validation of archived data that includes one or more servers or data sources, an archive server, and one or more storage subsystems. Data is received from the data source and a verification code is generated on the data using a verification method. The data, and the verification information, including the verification code, and the verification method, are sent to the storage subsystem and stored. A request for verification of the data stored at the storage subsystem is received. A second verification code on the stored data at the storage subsystem is generated at the storage subsystem using the stored verification method. The verification code and the second verification code are compared and either a data verified signal or a data not verified signal is sent by the storage subsystem based on the comparison in response to the request.

Abstract: An object of remote copy can be specified in units of a file or a directory more detailed than in units of a volume. If a host computer issues a write request of a file to NASa, NASa references a source NAS of remote copy and a source directory of remote copy at each entry on a copy file table and determines whether the file to be written is an object of remote copy; if it is determined to be an object of remote copy, the file to be written is remotely copied to a target directory of remote copy of a target NAS thereof.

Abstract: A method for migrating a block of data within a storage system includes migrating first data stored in a first storage volume of a first storage subsystem to a second storage volume in a second storage subsystem. The first data is a block of data that is presented to a host so that the first data may be accessed by the host. First setting information relating to the first data is copied from a first setting volume to a second setting volume. The first and second setting volumes are provided in the first and second storage subsystems, respectively. The second storage volume is presented to the host, so that the host may access the first data stored in the second storage volume via a communication network.

Abstract: A method for migrating a block of data within a storage system includes migrating first data stored in a first storage volume of a first storage subsystem to a second storage volume in a second storage subsystem. The first data is a block of data that is presented to a host so that the first data may be accessed by the host. First setting information relating to the first data is copied from a first setting volume to a second setting volume. The first and second setting volumes are provided in the first and second storage subsystems, respectively. The second storage volume is presented to the host, so that the host may access the first data stored in the second storage volume via a communication network.

Abstract: A tiered storage system according to the present invention provides for the management of migration groups. When a migration group is defined, a reference tier position is determined and the relative tier position of each constituent logical device is determined. Movement of a migration group involves migrating data in its constituent logical devices to target logical devices. The migration group is then defined by the target devices. A virtualization system makes the transition transparent to host devices.

Abstract: A method of, and a system for, controlling attributes of a group of storage devices presents to a user a set attribute choices for one or more groups of storage devices. The user interacts with the presentation of the set of attribute choices to choose attributes for the group. In response to selection of attribute choices, the system verifies the selected attribute choices. The system automatically applies the verified selected attributes to the group.

Abstract: A storage virtualization system is disclosed for performing data migration operations among the virtual LU (logical units) defined by the system. In one aspect of the present invention, the selection of a target virtual LU is based on a policy that makes a recommendation relating to the target virtual LU. The recommendation is based on the IO activity of the physical devices which constitute the virtual LUs. In another aspect of the present invention, a replacement policy is recommended to replace a current policy. The replacement policy is based on the IO activity of the physical devices which constitute the virtual LUs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validation of archived data that includes one or more servers or data sources, an archive server, and one or more storage subsystems. Data is received from the data source and a verification code is generated on the data using a verification method. The data, and the verification information, including the verification code, and the verification method, are sent to the storage subsystem and stored. A request for verification of the data stored at the storage subsystem is received. A second verification code on the stored data at the storage subsystem is generated at the storage subsystem using the stored verification method. The verification code and the second verification code are compared and either a data verified signal or a data not verified signal is sent by the storage subsystem based on the comparison in response to the request.

Abstract: An authentication processing method and system includes an access control list on both a client system and a storage server system. The access control list stores authentication information for individual files. The authentication information is accessed and used to authenticate an application when the application attempts to access a file.

Abstract: A storage subsystem includes a controller having a plurality of ports and a plurality of storage devices configured store information. A lock table includes attribute information and retention information for each of a plurality of storage volumes presented to a host device. The plurality of storage volumes includes a non-virtual volume that maps to a first storage device of the storage subsystem and a virtual volume that maps to a second storage device of an associated storage subsystem. The associated subsystem is linked to the storage subsystem via a communication link. The controller is configured to receive and process a request from a host to modify an attribute of the virtual volume.

Abstract: A method for migrating a block of data within a storage system includes migrating first data stored in a first storage volume of a first storage subsystem to a second storage volume in a second storage subsystem. The first data is a block of data that is presented to a host so that the first data may be accessed by the host. First setting information relating to the first data is copied from a first setting volume to a second setting volume. The first and second setting volumes are provided in the first and second storage subsystems, respectively. The second storage volume is presented to the host, so that the host may access the first data stored in the second storage volume via a communication network.