Abstract: A method of generating and linking programs required in a data linkage system to link data among a plurality of computer systems, for example a mainframe and an open system, is provided. In the data linkage system with a means for data transfer via a storage device, a program generation tool is prepared in the open system. The program generation tool reads a data stream definition and generates an intermediate file area securing program and a data linkage program A, both run on the mainframe, and a data linkage program B run on the open system. These programs are linked with one another. The intermediate file area securing program and the data linkage program A are transferred to the mainframe where they are executed.

Abstract: A file to be written can be partitioned into one or more partitions. Each such input partition is identified with a hash code and a group ID. Replica(s) of an input partition can be created to ensure a certain number of identical partitions. When a file is accessed, each partition that is read out can be checked for corruption. Corrupted readout partitions are then replaced with a validated replacement partition, whether the replacement partition is from a replica or from another file.

Abstract: A hierarchical storage data management system includes application servers, a metadata server interconnected with the application servers through a local area network, storage devices interconnected through data flow paths, and a storage network connecting the storage devices to the application servers and to the metadata server. The metadata server including a metadata management element, a data value management unit, and a hierarchical storage management element calculates a data value for each of stores data objects in the system, assigns a storage cost value for each of storage areas in the system, normalizes calculated data values and assigned storage costs to an identical value range, compares normalized data values with normalized storage costs thereby determining whether to relocate the data objects to different storage areas, and relocates data objects to storage areas with storage cost values identical with data values of the data objects.

Abstract: A method for operating a storage system configured to provide a Write Once and Read Many (WORM) function includes receiving a first command at a storage subsystem from a host. At least a portion of the first command is stored on a WORM storage device coupled to the storage subsystem. A second command is received at the storage subsystem. The second command is examined using a command filter, the filter being provided with a predetermined rule for filtering selected types of commands. At least a portion of the second command is stored if the second command satisfies the predetermined rule. The WORM storage device is used to verify the WORM function of the storage system.

Abstract: A virtualization system is introduced between a host and a storage system. An apparatus, system, and method of migrating replication includes stopping or making dormant applications on a host, or checking whether the applications are stopped or dormant. The statuses of a primary volume and a secondary volume that is a replica of the primary volume are checked to determine whether they have become identical. A primary virtual volume is defined to map to the primary volume and a secondary virtual volume is defined to map to the secondary volume. Replication is defined from the primary virtual volume to the secondary virtual volume. Replication is started with a NOCOPY option, and the applications may be restarted or a message is sent indicating that the applications can be restarted. There is no actual migration of application data, and as result, the time required for migrating replication can be eliminated.

Abstract: A file to be written can be partitioned into one or more partitions. Each such input partition is identified with a hash code and a group ID. Replica(s) of an input partition can be created to ensure a certain number of identical partitions. When a file is accessed, each partition that is read out can be checked for corruption. Corrupted readout partitions are then replaced with a validated replacement partition, whether the replacement partition is from a replica or from another file.

Abstract: A method and a system for implementing the method are disclosed relating to archival storage of information in large numbers of disk units. The reliability of the stored information is checked periodically using data verification operations whose results are saved. These results establish the veracity of the data and enable compliance with various regulatory requirements. The techniques described enable the use of low cost disk drive technology, yet provide high assurance of data veracity. In a typical system, management information storage is provided in which data entries are associated with each of the disk drives to provide information with respect to the condition of the data on that drive and its last verification. The data verification operations are performed on the data during time periods when I/O accesses are not required.

Abstract: A method for copying data to multiple remote sites includes transmitting data from a first volume in a primary storage system to a back-up volume provided in a secondary storage system. The primary storage system is located at a primary site, and the secondary storage system is located at a first remote site from the primary site. The data from the first volume in the primary storage system is copied to a second volume in the primary storage system using a point in time (PiT) as a reference point of time for the copying. The second volume is provided with a first time consistent image of the first volume with respect to the reference point of time. The data from the second volume in the primary storage system is transferred to a third volume in a ternary storage system at a second remote site.

Abstract: A definition tool of the present invention declares columns which are concealed in external tables to a multi-database server. The multi-database server controls a decomposition and an execution of query messages such that the multi-database server does not perform an arithmetic using the concealed columns. The external database server encrypts the data of concealed columns in tables of query result tables. The multi-database server designates a range to be decrypted at the time of acquiring and integrating respective result tables. A client program acquires an integrated result table and decrypts the designated range. Since the data encrypted by the external database server is decrypted by and is referred to the client program, it becomes difficult for the multi-database server to refer to a content of the concealed columns.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about the performance of remote copy operations between a primary storage system and a remote storage system. Software probes monitor the status of primary storage system WRITE operations and of remote storage system WRITE operations. A comparison provides information about the performance of remote copy operations. The system allows measurement of a consistency time reflecting the approximate time of how far behind the remote copy is from the primary data in terms of WRITE operation time.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for auditing a storage system remotely that may include one or more host devices, one or more storage systems, and a service center. The host device includes host configuration information and a host probe. The storage system includes an audit agent, at least one resource, storage configuration information, and a storage probe. The service center includes an audit server that may include a global database, a data analyzer, and service information. The audit agent discovers the host devices and other apparatuses connected to the storage system containing the audit agent. The audit agent gathers collected information by collecting the host configuration information, measured data from the host probes, the storage configuration information, measured data from the storage probes, and configuration information and measured data from the connected apparatuses and sends the collected information to a remote audit server securely.

Abstract: A TV program selection support system selects only programs suiting viewer's preference or necessary for a viewer from a large number of programs to be broadcast and proposes the selected programs to the viewer. The TV program selection support system comprises a program receiver for receiving broadcast TV programs, an EPG receiver for receiving an electronic program table listing TV programs, an EPG storage device for storing an EPG received by the EPG receiver, an operating means to be operated by the viewer to select a program from the stored electronic program table, a program selection support program for determining viewer's view tendency by analyzing the operation made by the viewer, creating an electronic program table on the basis of the view tendency and displaying the created electronic program table.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide integration of geographically distributed data. The data can be integrated in a single database. An illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a tight combination between conventional ETL (extraction, translation, and loading) tools and conventional remote copy functionality used for data backup and recovery.

Abstract: A method for copying data to multiple remote sites includes transmitting data from a first volume in a primary storage system to a back-up volume provided in a secondary storage system. The primary storage system is located at a primary site, and the secondary storage system is located at a first remote site from the primary site. The data from the first volume in the primary storage system is copied to a second volume in the primary storage system using a point in time (PiT) as a reference point of time for the copying. The second volume is provided with a first time consistent image of the first volume with respect to the reference point of time. The data from the second volume in the primary storage system is transferred to a third volume in a ternary storage system at a second remote site.

Abstract: A file to be written can be partitioned into one or more partitions. Each such input partition is identified with a hash code and a group ID. Replica(s) of an input partition can be created to ensure a certain number of identical partitions. When a file is accessed, each partition that is read out can be checked for corruption. Corrupted readout partitions are then replaced with a validated replacement partition, whether the replacement partition is from a replica or from another file.

Abstract: A TV program selection support system selects only programs suiting viewer's preference or necessary for a viewer from a large number of programs to be broadcast and proposes the selected programs to the viewer. The TV program selection support system comprises a program receiver for receiving broadcast TV programs, an EPG receiver for receiving an electronic program table listing TV programs, an EPG storage device for storing an EPG received by the EPG receiver, an operating means to be operated by the viewer to select a program from the stored electronic program table, a program selection support program for determining viewer's view tendency by analyzing the operation made by the viewer, creating an electronic program table on the basis of the view tendency and displaying the created electronic program table.

Abstract: A system and method for watermarking data that includes a client device, a file system manager, a file server, and a storage network. The file system manager sets watermark control information. The file server includes: (1) a file writing process including a file watermark examination procedure and an action procedure, the action procedure determining an action based on a result of the file watermark examination; and (2) a file reading process including a watermark definition procedure, a file handle/memory preparation procedure, a file data copy procedure, and a watermark insertion procedure. During a read request the watermark definition procedure determines whether a file to be read is to be watermarked based on a user at the client device that requested to read the file. Whether a write request is processed or not is based on the user and whether the file to be written contains a watermark.

Abstract: A remote copy system includes a first storage system including a first storage controller and a first data volume. The first storage controller is configured to control data access requests to the first data volume. The first storage system is configured to store write data in the first data volume upon receiving a write request from a first host that is associated with the first storage system. A second storage system includes a second data volume and configured to receive first copy data sent from the first storage system and store the first copy data in the second data volume, the first copy data corresponding to the write data stored in the first data volume. A third storage system includes a second storage controller and a third data volume and configured to receive second copy data from the second storage system and store the second copy data to the third data volume, the second copy data corresponding to the first copy data, the third data volume mirroring the first data volume.

Abstract: A system is provided for storage of journal data from a primary site to a secondary site with a predefined quality of service. In one implementation, the primary storage system stores information for updating data stored on the primary disk array in the form of a history of updates made to the data. The primary storage system is configured to transfer this journal information to the secondary storage system. The user can specify the quality of service desired using a variety of measures, for example, a recovery point objective or a recovery time objective. In response, a copy manager within one of the storage systems determines the capacity of the various primary and secondary volumes, and determines the copy rate available, typically dependent upon the bandwidth between the primary and secondary systems. The copy manager then copies journal data to the remote site where it is stored.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic failure recovery in a storage system that includes replicating data stored in a first storage volume at a storage system into a second storage volume at the storage system, the first storage volume handling Input/Output (I/O) operations between the storage system and a host device. A failure is detected in the I/O operations with the first storage volume and a recovery process initiated that includes identifying a path from the host device to the second storage volume or a third storage volume to allow continuation of the I/O operations automatically. The third storage volume containing data recovered from the second storage volume.