Abstract: A system and method are provided for performing storage operations relating to a first secondary copy of electronic data. A storage policy or storage preferences may dictate that a replication copy should be used in storage operations performed to a particular client, sub-client, data, media or other item. Based on the storage policy, when a new client, sub-client, data, media or other item is received, a media agent determines whether there is a replication copy of the item. In the absence of a replication copy, one may be created. The replication copy may be provided by a third party application, or created by the client or a storage management system component. Information regarding the replication copy and its corresponding first secondary copy may be stored in a database. To optimize use of system resources, storage operations relating to the first secondary copy may be performed using the replication copy instead of the first secondary copy.

Abstract: A method for managing storage functions in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes continually monitoring for changes to a storage configuration at a secondary site. Upon detecting changes to the storage configuration at the secondary site, the method transmits remote metadata describing the changes to the primary site and stores the remote metadata at the primary site. The method then initiates a storage management function at the primary site which is mirrored to the secondary site. In order to perform the storage management function, the method reads the remote metadata at the primary site to determine the storage configuration at the secondary site. The method then performs the storage management function at the primary site in a way that takes into account the storage configuration at the secondary site. A corresponding apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: First and second local file systems remote one from another and having a hierarchical storage structure wherein files are stored within folders within the first local file system and the second local file system. A first file in the first local file system is mirrored to a second file in the second file system. When the first file is modified the second file is updated with the modifications to the first file. When the second file is modified the first file is updated with the modifications to the second file.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer program products, and the like for testing to validate software operations are described. A first part of a test can be executed in a tenant currently having a first system state. The tenant can be transitioned from the first system state to a second system state. The transitioning can have an unknown effect on a business process or business scenario running in the tenant. A second part of the test can be executed in the tenant while the tenant is in the second system state. Upon completion of the test, it can be determined whether the transition of the tenant from the first system state to the second system state negatively impacts the running of the business process or business scenario.

Abstract: An information retrieval system having: a client adapted for accessing a plurality of file sets stored on one of a plurality of file servers; a plurality of file servers configured to operate with a federated file system namespace; and a memory for storing re-direction information accessible by the client for identifying a request issued by the client for a file set at a first location in the namespace where the file set is located at a second, different location on one of the file servers and wherein the client in examining the re-direction information in the memory, re-directs the request to the second location in accordance with the re-direction information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products maintain reflective maintenance records for a network. Test results are mirrored from different testing applications to a centralized testing database. The test results are associated to circuit identifiers. A work order is received that identifies trouble associated with a customer. A circuit identifier associated with the customer is retrieved and, prior to performing a test of a circuit to resolve the trouble, the centralized testing database is queried for the circuit identifier. A test result associated with the circuit identifier is retrieved and the work order is updated with the test result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for file access in a storage access network (SAN) wherein a portion of a first file is accessed and an access rate computed based on time and amount of data accessed. If the computed access rate is less than an expected rate, a problem is identified and analysis performed. A first analysis accesses the first file through a second link to determine if the link is the problem. If the first file is accessed at an expected rate, the first link is identified as the problem and the file is accessed through an alternate link. A second analysis accesses a second file through the first link. If the second file is accessed at an expected rate, the first file is identified as the problem and the second file is accessed through the first link.

Abstract: A computational device maintains logical mirroring of a first file system with a second file system. A first set of input/output (I/O) requests is satisfied from the first file system while the second file system is undergoing defragmentation. A second set of I/O requests is satisfied from the second file system while the first file system is undergoing defragmentation.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a computer-implemented method for migrating data from a source database to a target database includes a computer-implemented method that includes executing, using at least one processor, instructions recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The method includes ensuring that the source database has correct version information, creating an image copy of the data in the source database, and collecting metadata describing the source database. The metadata may include information used to verify that the target database is compatible with the source database, to automatically translate object identifiers, and to avert the migration if no data has changed in the source and the target databases (e.g., table and index spaces) since a previous migration. The method may further include refreshing the data in the target database using the image copy after determining that the source database and the target database are compatible.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for performing storage operations relating to a first secondary copy of electronic data. A storage policy or storage preferences may dictate that a replication copy should be used in storage operations performed to a particular client, sub-client, data, media or other item. Based on the storage policy, when a new client, sub-client, data, media or other item is received, a media agent determines whether there is a replication copy of the item. In the absence of a replication copy, one may be created. Information regarding the replication copy and its corresponding first secondary copy may be stored in a database. To optimize use of system resources, storage operations relating to the first secondary copy may be performed using the replication copy instead of the first secondary copy.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide a shared virtual memory space via a cluster-aware virtual input/output (I/O) server (VIOS). The VIOS receives a paging file request from a first LPAR and thin-provisions a logical unit (LU) within the virtual memory space as a shared paging file of the same storage amount as the minimum required capacity. The VIOS also autonomously maintains a logical redundancy LU (redundant LU) as a real-time copy of the provisioned/allocated LU, where the redundant LU is a dynamic copy of the allocated LU that is autonomously updated responsive to any changes within the allocated LU. Responsive to a second VIOS attempting to read a LU currently utilized by a first VIOS, the read request is autonomously redirected to the logical redundancy LU. The redundant LU can be utilized to facilitate migration of a client LPAR to a different computing electronic complex (CEC).

Abstract: Described herein are examples of a virtual universe wish list as well as its control and use. Some embodiments are directed to determining a selection of an object in a virtual universe that is a desired by a user, which user is represented by a first avatar. Some embodiments are further directed to designating the object as a desired item in a wish list for the first avatar. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. Some embodiments are further directed to determining a second avatar in the virtual universe that possesses an instance of the virtual object. Some embodiments are further directed to generating an advertisement to obtain the instance of the virtual object from the second avatar on behalf of the first avatar.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern no touch synthetic full backups where a new backup is created using information about previous backups but without reading data from the existing backups. The no touch synthetic backup can be created by correlating file system information, backup specification information, and dedupe system information. One example method includes accessing a set of target extents associated with a synthetic backup image overlay specification and accessing a set of source extents associated with a file stored in a previous backup image. The set of source extents are selected so that they can provide data sufficient to cover the data described in the set of target extents. The method includes creating a set of correlation extents that bridge the gap between the original specification and the final specification.

Abstract: A storage system having a plurality of storage devices including a first type storage device and a second type storage device, a reliability attribute and/or a performance attribute of the first type storage device being different from a reliability attribute and/or a performance attribute of the second type storage device. The storage system also has a control unit and managing a plurality of virtual volumes. If necessary, a storage area allocated to a first portion of a virtual volume of the plurality of virtual volumes is changed from a first type storage area of the plurality of first type storage areas to a second type storage area of the plurality of second type storage areas while another first type storage area of the plurality of first type storage areas is allocated to a second portion of the virtual volume.

Abstract: A system and method for managing automatic data protection features, e.g., backup scheduling and data storage capabilities, e.g., policy provisioning of a storage system to enable information lifecycle management of data served by the system. A novel management module executes within a storage operating system of the storage system to manage the automatic scheduling of backup operations for data based on a minimal set of user configurations. The management module cooperates with a mirroring application to manage the generation of persistent consistency point image (PCPIs) used as backups (replicas) of the data. The management module distributes the data containers scheduled for PCPI generation among time slots within a defined backup time window. At the appropriate time slot, each PCPI the data container is illustratively backed up from the primary storage space to the secondary storage space.

Abstract: Applications executing on various nodes in a distributed storage environment may write data to primary storage and may also replicate the data to secondary storage via a replication target. An interval coordinator may coordinate the periodic saving of checkpoints or snapshots of the replicated data. The interval coordinator may determine the length of consistency intervals between the saving of each of the checkpoints. Writes to the replication target from each of the nodes may be associated with the current consistency interval and, in some embodiments, with a unique per-node sequence number. When transitioning between consistency intervals, each node may be configured to temporarily suspend completion of the writes and to send the replication target a consistency interval marker indicating that the node has completed all writes for the current consistency interval.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for mirroring file data. Generally, high availability and disaster recovery (“HADRON”) is achieved within a database management system by detecting which parts of a file have changed and sending the changed parts to secondaries. Adjacent or partially overlapping parts of a file can coalesce to form larger chunks of changed data. Coalescing reduces the overall number of chunks that are tracked.

Abstract: Various embodiments for disaster recovery (DR) production takeover in a computing environment by a processor device are provided. If, for a designated storage system operable in the computing environment, a takeover operation may be executed, and a DR storage system has validly replaced the designated storage system using a replacement process, a withdrawal of a DR mode of operation is performed, and ownership of at least one storage device operable in the computing environment is transferred to the DR storage system. The replacement process authorizes the DR storage system to transfer the ownership while withdrawn from the DR mode of operation.

Abstract: In a storage system in which plural end servers 104, intermediate servers 103 and clients 101 are connected to each other via a network 105, when a migration-source end server 104 transfers file-level data to a migration-destination end server 104 via the intermediate server 103, the migration-source end server 104 also transfers data in a differential volume simultaneously, and the migration-destination end sever 104 reconstructs data in a snapshot volume based on the transferred data and transfers response information regarding the reconstructed data to the client 101.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating dynamic cloning of data records in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes receiving a request for cloning of a data record. The cloning request contains instructions relating to the cloning of the data record. The method may further include examining one or more existing data records associated with the data record, and cloning, at a computing device, the data record into one or more data records based on the information contained within the cloning request and the examination of the one or more existing data records.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes determining a file size of each of multiple files to be included in a file system image. For each file having a file size less than a lower file size threshold of the storage device currently storing the file, the file is stashed in an alternate storage device having a throughput greater than a throughput of the current storage device. In an example embodiment, files that have sizes within a size range greater than the lower file size threshold are randomly selected for stashing in an alternate storage device. A system includes a file system image generator configured to selectively stash files based on file sizes and a lower file size threshold.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and products are disclosed for recording media. An input is received via a user interface to record media. An entry is created in a recording schedule to record the media. The recording schedule is sent to a restoration server, such that the recording schedule is mirrored to the restoration server.

Abstract: In various embodiments, virtual universe regions are dynamically generated within a virtual universe based on user requests. Dynamic generation allows virtual universe users or “residents” to create virtual universe regions that are tailored to their desired specifications. Additionally, in some implementations, virtual universe users may have the option to instantly discard or retain a created region after evaluation based on whether the region meets the user's expectations. Furthermore, dynamic generation of regions may increase user satisfaction and provide additional means for revenue generation for the virtual universe administrator and for virtual universe businesses and entrepreneurs.

Abstract: A method for dynamically synchronizing storage groups in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting the addition of a volume to a storage group of a primary storage system. The method then automatically performs the following in response to detecting the addition of the volume: (1) adds a corresponding volume to a corresponding storage group on a secondary storage system; (2) creates a mirroring relationship between the volume added to the primary storage system and the volume added to the secondary storage system; and (3) adds the mirroring relationship to a mirroring session established between the storage groups on the primary and secondary storage systems. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a synchronous remote mirroring system, as a host computer writes data to primary storage in a primary data storage system, remote copy data is transferred from the primary data storage system to a secondary storage system in which secondary storage is maintained as a remote mirror of the primary storage. The primary data storage system performs data reduction upon the remote copy data prior to transmitting the remote copy data in a reduced to the secondary data storage system. The secondary data storage system returns an acknowledgement of receipt of the remote copy data upon receipt of the remote copy data in the reduced form, and later reverses the data reduction upon the remote copy data in the reduced form to produce data written to the secondary storage to maintain the secondary storage as the remote mirror of the primary storage.

Abstract: An information processing system includes an acceptance section, a first processing section, a conversion section and a second processing section. The acceptance section accepts first storage location information that is indicative of where a first electronic file in a first storage unit is stored. The first processing section processes the first electronic file in accordance with a first processing content. The conversion section converts the first storage location information to second storage location information that is indicative of where a second electronic file in a second storage unit is stored. The second electronic file has an identical content as that of the first electronic file. The second processing section processes the second electronic file in accordance with a second processing content.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for synchronizing databases between two disparate computer systems are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes updating a first database, which is part of a first computer system, with a database update, wherein updating the first database does not initially commit the database update to the first computer system; calling a remote function to incorporate the database update into a second database that is part of a second computer system; in response to the remote function determining that the second database has been successfully updated with the database update, committing the database update to the first computer system; and in response to the remote function determining that the second database has not been successfully updated with the database update, rolling back the database update such that the first computer system is unaware of the attempted updating of the first database.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to redistribute one or more originator data subsets among a plurality of originator nodes and determine data redistribution information pertaining to redistribution of the one or more originator data subsets among the plurality of originator nodes. The system further includes a communication interface configured to send data redistribution information to a replica system. The data redistribution information is used by the replica system to redistribute one or more corresponding replica data subsets among a plurality of replica nodes.

Abstract: A new file system is mounted to a mount point of an existing file system implemented in a computational system. A sentinel indicator is stored in the mount point. Prior to initiating an input/output (I/O) operation by a program, a determination is made by the program as to whether the sentinel indicator exists. In response to determining by the program that the sentinel indicator exists, the I/O operation is performed by the program. In certain alternative embodiments, in response to determining by the program that the sentinel indicator exists, the I/O operation is not performed by the program.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are presented for scaling storage media to improve data access performance. A scaling module is provided and configured to receive a dataset, identify storage characteristics of the dataset, make a determination based upon user-defined storage criteria, and select a storage instruction. In one embodiment, the storage instruction is configured to scale the storage medium to a predefined capacity. The predefined capacity of the storage medium is configured to optimize data access performance. Alternatively, the storage instruction is configured to not scale the storage medium. Additionally, the present invention may be configured to map and track the storage medium while the dataset is being written to or read from the storage medium.

Abstract: Persistent data, such as disks associated with virtual machines, are migrated between and across data stores using mirrored input-output operations (IOs). The migration technique employs a data mover to copy selected regions of the virtual machine disk to a target data store while the virtual machine is executing. If the virtual machine issues a write IO, the write IO is selectively mirrored on the target data store depending on whether or not the write IO is in a region of the virtual machine disk that has already been copied.

Abstract: A replication system that includes an asynchronous replication mode and a synchronous replication mode replicates data associated with a plurality of transactions. The replication system includes one or more target nodes connected via communication media in a topology. Each target node includes a database and a plurality of appliers allocated thereto. Each transaction has one or more transaction steps or operations. A first set of transaction steps or operations are allocated to the plurality of appliers on an object-by-object basis when the replication system operates in asynchronous replication mode. A second set of transaction steps or operations are allocated to the plurality of appliers on a transaction-by-transaction basis when the replication system operates in synchronous replication mode.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and products are disclosed for recording media. An input is received via a user interface to record media. An entry is created in a recording schedule to record the media. The recording schedule is sent to a restoration server, such that the recording schedule is mirrored to the restoration server.

Abstract: A method for restoring an object comprises receiving a request to restore an object. Also, the method includes outputting a representation of available backup files and receiving a selection of at least one of the available backup files. Further, the method comprises restoring at least one of the selected backup files into a temporary location and mounting at least one of the restored backup files as a server. In addition, the method includes outputting a representation of available objects from the server and receiving a selection of at least one of the available objects to be restored from the server. Also, the method includes copying one or more selected objects from the server into an Active Directory.

Abstract: When performing asynchronous remote copying, whether or not a disaster has occurred at a main site is judged at a remote site; and if the disaster has occurred, recovery processing is immediately started at the remote site. When asynchronous remote copying is performed between a controller and a controller, the controller transfers remote copy target data in a storage apparatus and command information via a remote copy channel to the controller; and after receiving the remote copy target data, the controller stores the remote copy target data in a storage apparatus; and if the controller fails to receive the command information within a set time period, the controller judges that a disaster has occurred, and then outputs the judgment result to a backup center server; and the backup center server executes recovery processing based on data in the storage apparatus when the disaster has occurred.

Abstract: In a distributed RAID-1 (DR1) copy operation, operation of source and target DR1 volumes is first converted to a local-copy operating mode in which the distributed copy operation is converted into a set of local copy operations. Each t is performed at a respective location of the disks of the DR1 volumes and involves copying data of the source DR1 from a first disk to a second disk via a local second communication channel of relatively high bandwidth. Following conversion, the local copy operations are performed at the locations. Upon completion of the local copy operations, storage operations to the source and target DR1 volumes are temporarily suspended, operation of the source and target DR1 volumes is converted back to the normal operating mode, and storage operations to the source and target DR1 volumes are resumed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes providing data protection to data in a first volume at a first data protection appliance by storing a copy of the data in a second volume using a second data protection appliance, tracking changes between data locations in the first volume and the second volume using a delta marking stream (DMS) and receiving, at the first data protection appliance, metadata. The metadata is intended to be committed to the DMS. The method further includes mirroring the metadata at a third data protection appliance.

Abstract: A storage control device uses write management information that manages locations of the occurrence of writing in one or more first storage devices in order to specify one or more locations where writing has occurred, and backs up one or more data elements stored in one or more specified locations to a second storage device. In order to perform a restore operation, write management information at the time of a backup is stored, and data elements stored in the second storage device are restored to one or more locations specified from the write management information at that time of backup, or to one or more new locations specified from new write management information indicating one or more new locations corresponding to the one or more locations.

Abstract: A file system boundary emulation system emulates a virtual boundary of a filesystem within an existing file system for data management at a fileset granularity, within the framework of a wide area filesystem federation. The system dynamically assigns a fileset ID to the file that belongs to that fileset. The system comprises a fileset defined by the virtual boundary of the file. The virtual boundary is less than and contained within the file system. The fileset identifies the file via the file ID and the fileset ID. The system maps the file ID to the fileset ID. The filesets are dynamically created and removed based on administrative instructions. Filesets are used for fine grained data management and namespace control in a filesystem federation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to maintaining reference counts in a file system to track when a block is available to be freed. When a snapshot copy of a file is created, rather than copying all the blocks of the file for the snapshot copy, the snapshot inode is given pointers to the blocks of the file. Rather than updating the reference counts for all these blocks to indicate that they are now in use by more than one file, the update of reference counts for at least some of these blocks may be deferred until a later time.

Abstract: Techniques for maintaining mirrored storage cluster data consistency on systems with write back cache can employ write-intent logging and periodic log clearing. The techniques can track any outstanding I/Os, data in caches, and data that has gone out of sync between mirrored nodes due to link failures. The techniques can ensure that a power failure on any of the storage nodes does not result in inconsistent data among the storage nodes. The techniques can use gate bitmaps to log outstanding I/Os. The gate bitmaps may be periodically cleared. The clearing period may be selected as to allow enough time for all caches to be flushed and for all synchronizing I/Os to complete. Efficient queuing of I/O requests in conjunction with the efficient operation of multiple gate bitmaps can reduce performance impacts of the gating or logging operations.

Abstract: A method for replicating a program and data storage according to one embodiment comprises sending program replication data from a first program to a second program, the second program having an application program that is a replica of an application program of the first program; sending data storage requests from the first program to a first storage system; and replicating data stored in the first storage system in a second storage system. Additional methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed.

Abstract: A network database system wherein clients of subscribing entities are authorized network access to reliable documents that are identified by each entity as being relevant to clients of that entity. Features that can be included in the system are customization of the documents to reflect sourcing by particular subscribers, automated formatting of the documents for storing in a network database, client access facilitated by subscriber-maintained databases, and the avoidance of cookies remaining on clients' computer hard drives following document access. Also disclosed is a method for processing repeated data requests on a distributed computer database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retention of active data stored in memory using multiple indexing systems for data storage. An embodiment of a method for retention of active data in a storage server includes reading data into a first location of a main memory of the storage server. The data in the first location indexes data elements in a long-term data storage in a first manner. The method further provides for copying the data from the first location into a second location in the main memory of the storage server, where the data in the second location indexing the data elements in the long-term data storage in a second manner.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item.

Abstract: A system for managing a plurality of storage devices that are configured to store a database. The system includes an access instruction acquiring unit configured for acquiring an access instruction to access the database. The system also includes a predicting unit configured for predicting a table to be accessed in response to the acquired access instruction. The system further includes a relocation unit configured for mirroring the table predicted by the predicting unit, the mirroring between the plurality of storage devices.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for providing enhanced customer support is provided. The method comprises a replication server selecting a plurality of first entries in a source lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) data store based on at least one attribute of the selected entries matching a predefined criteria, wherein a structure of the first entries is defined by a first schema. The method also comprises the replication server copying a plurality of attributes of each of the selected entries into a target lightweight directory access protocol data store, wherein the target lightweight directory access protocol data store contains a plurality of second entries, wherein a structure of the second entries is defined by a second schema, wherein the first schema is different from the second schema, and wherein the plurality of attributes copied do not include all of the attributes defined by the first schema.

Abstract: A hierarchical database stores data for the database in a plurality of areas. A disclosed technique allows reorganization of one or more areas of the database without stopping the entire database. The areas to be reorganized are first stopped, then the areas are unloaded, reorganized, and reloaded, before restarting the reorganized areas. In-memory control blocks for the areas are updated to indicate to the database software that the areas have been reorganized, without stopping the entire database.

Abstract: A system and method that provides users of network data storage with the ability to gain advantages of a clustered storage server system, in which volumes from multiple server nodes are linked into a virtual global hierarchical namespace, without first having to migrate their data to the clustered storage server system. The system and method extends the global namespace of the clustered storage server system to allow access to one or more volumes stored on one or more remote storage servers over at least one network pathway communicably connecting the remote storage servers and the clustered storage server system. In addition, the system and method allows loads to the clustered system and to the remote storage servers to be balanced or shared by generating at least one set of mirrored volumes accessible via the extended global namespace of the clustered system.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the efficiency of the transmission of updated blocks generated by logging all the block allocations and deletes as well as CPs and PCPI creation and deletion in a persistent log. The log is scanned during each update cycle (in which changes are transmitted to a destination mirror) by the storage operating system, and only changed blocks that are referenced by the file system as it existed at the end of the update cycle or referenced by PCPIs that existed at the end of the update cycle are actually sent in the transmission. This reduces the number of changes being transmitted.