Abstract: A redundant system (1) includes information processing apparatuses (10), each of which includes a communication interface (11) that communicates with another information processing apparatus (10) and a controller (13) that manages virtual environments capable of running on the respective information processing apparatus (10). The communication interface (11) transmits first equalization information associated with a first environment, among the virtual environments, in an operating state to the other information processing apparatus (10). The communication interface (11) receives second equalization information associated with a second environment in the operating state on the other information processing apparatus (10) from the other information processing apparatus (10). The controller (13) equalizes the second environment onto the respective information processing apparatus (10) based on the second equalization information received by the communication interface (11).

Abstract: A redundant system (1) includes information processing apparatuses (10), each of which includes a communication interface (11) that communicates with another information processing apparatus (10) and a controller (13) that manages virtual environments capable of running on the respective information processing apparatus (10). The communication interface (11) transmits first equalization information associated with a first environment, among the virtual environments, in an operating state to the other information processing apparatus (10). The communication interface (11) receives second equalization information associated with a second environment in the operating state on the other information processing apparatus (10) from the other information processing apparatus (10). The controller (13) equalizes the second environment onto the respective information processing apparatus (10) based on the second equalization information received by the communication interface (11).

Abstract: A system for sharing input/output using universal sleds includes a first universal sled that includes a first switch and a first universal node, and a second universal sled that includes a second switch and a second universal node, where the first universal sled and second universal sled have interchangeable physical dimensions. The midplane board includes a management processor and a midplane switch. The system further includes an input/output sled and a bus that connects the first universal sled, the second universal sled, the midplane board, and the input/output sled.

Abstract: A computer device including a node having a storage device having a plurality of first internal address spaces, a cache memory, and a processor may be provided. The processor may provide a virtual volume. The virtual volume may have a plurality of virtual address spaces including first virtual address spaces corresponding to the plurality of first internal address spaces. The processor may cache data of a virtual address space in a first cache space of the cache memory by associating the virtual address space with the first cache space. Further, the processor may cache data of a first internal address space of the first internal address spaces in a second cache space of the cache memory by associating the first internal address space with the second cache space.

Abstract: Various arrangements for performing an online migration between server systems is presented. A transfer, from a source server system to a target server system, of a database, may be initiated. During the transfer, the database of the source server system may remain online. A timing indication of when transfer of the database was initiated may be recorded. While transferring the database, modifications to the records of the database may be received. The plurality of modifications may be stored, and, for each modification of the plurality of modifications, a timing indication of when the modification was received may be stored. After completing the transfer of the database to the target server system, the plurality of modifications to the database stored by the target server system may be applied while the source server system is online.

Abstract: A computer-executable method, system, and computer program product of managing I/O received within a Lustre file system, the computer-executable method, system, and computer program product comprising: receiving a data I/O request, wherein the data I/O request relates to data stored within the Lustre file system; processing the data I/O request in a journal stored on a fast data storage device within the Lustre file system; analyzing the journal to make a determination related to the data I/O request; and responding to the data I/O request.

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: This document describes techniques that enable an application to operate as if the application were running on its native computing system when it is actually running on another computing system. The techniques may do so by building a portable database having metadata particular to the application, which can be stored in a portable device along with that application. When that portable device is connected to another computing system, the portable database may be used to supplement or supplant the other computing system's database to enable the application to operate with its particular functionality.

Abstract: A replication system includes N (>=3) storage devices and N nodes, connected to a host via a 1st network and connected to the N number of storage devices via a 2nd network, each to receive a request for accessing a storage device associated with itself and to have an access with a content in response to the received access request to the storage device, wherein when a node receives a write request of data from the host, each of M nodes (1<M<N) including the node stores the data in the storage device associated with itself, and if first data in a first storage device cannot be read out, the first data stored in another storage device is stored into a second storage device not stored with the first data by transmitting the first data via the second network.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a method and related system for configuration file management in a network element comprise one or more of the following: upon initialization of the network element, reading a first configuration file that is in a character-encoded format; for each application process, translating the first configuration file into a plurality of non-character-encoded configuration files; configuring each application process based on the respective plurality of non-character-encoded configuration files; modifying, in real-time, at least one of the non-character-encoded configuration files; and merging each of the non-character-encoded configuration files into a second configuration file that is in a character-encoded format.

Abstract: A storage system according to certain embodiments includes a client-side repository (CSR). The CSR may communicate with a client at a higher data transfer rate than the rate used for communication between the client and secondary storage. During copy operations, for instance, some or all of the data being backed up or otherwise copied to secondary storage is stored in the CSR. During restore operations, copies of the data stored in the CSR is accessed from the CSR instead of from secondary storage, improving performance. Remaining data blocks not stored in the CSR can be restored from secondary storage.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for using a heartbeat signal to maintain data consistency for writes to source storage copied to target storage. A copy relationship associates a source storage and target storage pair, wherein writes received at the source storage are transferred to the target storage. A determination is made whether a signal has been received from a system within a receive signal interval. A freeze operation is initiated to cease receiving writes at the source storage from an application in response to determining that the signal has not been received within the receive signal interval. A thaw operation is initiated to continue receiving write operations at the source storage from applications after a lapse of a freeze timeout in response to the freeze operation, wherein after the thaw operation, received writes completed at the source storage are not transferred to the target storage.

Abstract: Technology for maintaining a backup of namespace metadata of an expandable storage volume is disclosed. In various embodiments, the expandable storage volume backs up metadata of a namespace constituent volume of the expandable storage volume into a namespace mirror volume. The namespace constituent volume is responsible for storing the metadata for data objects stored in multiple data constituent volumes of the expandable storage volume. In response to a signal indicating that the namespace constituent volume is unavailable, the namespace mirror volume replaces the role of the namespace constituent volume. The new namespace constituent volume continues to provide metadata for a data object of the data objects in response to an operation request for the data object.

Abstract: Systems and methods of configuring electronic devices can include installing a first operating configuration on a first target device, running at least a first operational iteration of the first target device, saving at least a portion of a first file system resulting from the running of the at least first operational iteration of the first target device, and creating a first clone of the at least portion of the first file system at a separate host device. The first clone can be substantially identical to the corresponding at least portion of the first file system. The first clone can be evaluated via the host device. The host device can present the clone data in an integrated development environment such that a user can evaluate the clone data.

Abstract: Change tracking between snapshots of a source storage. In one example embodiment, a method includes various steps. For example, the method includes, at time t(1), starting tracking, in a change log, locations in a source storage of all blocks that are changed after time t(1). The method also includes, between time t(1) and time t(3), changing a block in the source storage. The method further includes, at time t(3), creating a first snapshot of the source storage. The method also includes, after time t(3), creating a first image backup using the first snapshot. The method further includes, at time t(8), creating a second snapshot of the source storage. The method also includes, at time t(11), creating an incremental image backup that includes all blocks in the second snapshot that are tracked as having been changed in the change log after time t(1).

Abstract: A system and method for parallel file system traversal using multiple job executors is disclosed. The system includes a pool of job executors, a job queue, and a trigger tracker. An object, representative of a node in the filesystem, is added (i.e., pushed) to the job queue for processing by an job executor. The job queue assigns (i.e., pops) objects to job executors in accordance to a LIFO (Last In First Out) ordering. Then the job executor performs an action such as copy. In one embodiment, the trigger tracker follows the processing of a child nodes to a particular child node. Thus, the filesystem is being traversed by several job executors at the same time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and locating available storage space in a system comprising data files stored in a plurality of storage devices and configured in accordance with various data storage schemes (mirroring, striping and parity-striping). A mapping table associated with each of the plurality of storage devices is used to determine the available locations and amount of available space in the storage devices. The data storage schemes for one or more of the stored data files are changed to a basic storage mode when the size of a new data file configured in accordance with an assigned data storage scheme exceeds the amount of available space. The configured new data file is stored in accordance with the assigned data storage scheme in one or more of the available locations and the locations of the new data file are recorded.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for processing information are disclosed. In some embodiments, this includes collecting information about a database, determining a first disk to read from based on the collected information, determining a second disk to write to based on the collected information, and performing a write operation on the second disk. In some embodiments, a read operation may be performed on the first disk contemporaneously with the write operation on the second disk, and the read operation may be the only operation performed on the first disk at a time.

Abstract: A method comprises storing a partitioned database comprising a plurality of partitions, wherein each of the plurality of partitions comprises a respective set of data records. The method continues by storing at least one secondary index associated with each of the plurality of partitions. The method continues by taking offline each of the plurality of partitions. The method continues by unloading data records from each of the plurality of partitions. The method continues by loading the data records into the partitioned database. The method continues by, in conjunction with loading the data records, modifying the at least one secondary index. The modification of the at least one secondary index comprises determining a partition identifier and a memory address associated with a particular data record loaded into the partitioned database.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adaptively preferring mirrors for read operations may include identifying a volume of data. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying a plurality of mirrors that mirror the volume of data. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying a storage property of at least one mirror in the plurality of mirrors. The computer-implemented method may additionally include identifying at least one attempt to read from the volume of data. The computer-implemented method may also include selecting the mirror for fulfilling the read attempt based at least in part on the storage property of the mirror. The computer-implemented method may further include fulfilling the read attempt from the selected mirror. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for mirroring one or more data changes from a first database server to one or more second database servers. The method includes intercepting one or more operations that make one or more changes to one or more data on the first database server. After intercepting these operations, the method merges the operations into one or more chunks, adds one or more log records having the chunks into a database log. The database log includes one or more database log blocks. The method then writes the database log blocks.

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: A computer-implemented method for providing backup interfaces may include (1) identifying a backup policy configured to back up a source system according to a backup configuration, (2) identifying a request to display the backup policy within a graphical user interface, and in response to the request, (3) portraying the backup policy within the graphical user interface as a flow diagram, the flow diagram including (i) a first box representing the source system, the first box displaying an identifier of the source system, (ii) a second box representing a backup stage of the backup policy, the second box displaying an identifier of the backup stage, and (iii) a directed edge connecting the first box and the second box, the directed edge indicating a sequence beginning with the first box and progressing to the second box. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various computer-implemented methods for securing data of replicated volumes are disclosed. In one example, an exemplary method for performing such a task may include: 1) identifying a set of plexes of a replicated volume, 2) identifying, within the set of plexes, at least one non-trusted plex, 3) intercepting data to be replicated to the non-trusted plex, 4) encrypting the data to be replicated to the non-trusted plex, and then 5) writing the encrypted data to the non-trusted plex. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for monitoring and auditing activity of a legacy environment. The apparatus includes an analyzer and a mirror manager. The analyzer is operative to analyze intercepted packets conveyed by entities in a network and to generate analyzed data based on information associated with at least some of the packets. The analyzed data is indicative of sessions. The mirror manager is responsive to the analyzed data for generating data representative of mirror sessions, each mirror session corresponding to a session.

Abstract: A backup policy specifies one or more given databases to be backed up. Servers dynamically host databases including the given databases. A given server from which each given database or a replica thereof is to be backed up is selected or chosen, by evaluating a predetermined backup strategy specified by the backup policy against a current state of the servers and the databases. The predetermined backup strategy governs how a given server is to be chosen from which each given database or a replica thereof is to be backed up. The backup policy does not particularly specify from which of the servers the given databases or replicas thereof are to be backed up. Each given database or a replica thereof is backed up from the given server selected or chosen for the given database.

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: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system are presented for establishing redundant computer resources. According to one embodiment, in a system including a plurality of processor devices and a plurality of storage devices, the processor devices, the storage devices and the management server being connected via a network, the method comprises storing device information relating to the processor devices and the storage devices and topology information relating to topology of the network, identifying at least one primary computer resource, selecting at least one secondary computer resource suitable to serve as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource based on the device information and the topology information, and assigning the at least one secondary computer resource as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for self defending and repairing a database. The method includes monitoring, at a database server, code modifications to a database management application. The database management application is configured to maintain the database. The method further includes determining that a code modification has occurred to the database management application. The method further includes checking the code modification for the presence of an authorization key, and in response to an invalid or non-existent authorization key, determining that the code modification is unauthorized. Further, the method includes quarantining the modified code in a secure storage location, and automatically accessing original code of the database management application and replacing the modified code with code from the original code of the database management application.

Abstract: A system includes a primary storage unit connected to a secondary storage unit such that data written to the primary storage unit is replicated on the secondary storage unit. The primary storage unit in at least one exemplary embodiment includes the capability to intercept input/output instructions for routing to a buffer and/or directly to the secondary storage unit. The system in at least one exemplary embodiment includes a backup storage unit for backing up data from at least the secondary storage unit offline and the capability to update the secondary storage unit once it returns to an online status.

Abstract: Data written in the primary logical volume of the first storage device are transmitted to the third storage device via the second storage device, the data being written in the same location as the primary logical volume within the secondary logical volume in the third storage device; when transmission of the data stops among the first to the third storage devices, the respective second storage device and the third storage device manage locations in the secondary logical volume where the data held thereby are to be written; and, when transmission of the data resumes among the first to the third storage devices, the locations in the secondary logical volume managed by the respective second and the third storage devices are aggregated, the data to be written in the respective aggregated location in the secondary logical volume being transmitted from the first storage device to the third storage device via the second storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing devices capable of the reception and playback of one or more crafted media channels transmitted over an intermittent connection. The one or more channels may be customized by the end user to bias the programming towards individual tastes or moods. The channels may be delivered over an intermittent, unidirectional link, for example a Satellite Radio receiver in a home or car. Content may also be delivered over an intermittent, bidirectional link, for example to a portable media player via a wireless 802.11 or other networked connection.

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: For distributing data requests between data centers, a cost reduction module selects a data center from a plurality of data centers to fulfill a data operation request corresponding to mirrored data stored at the plurality of data centers. The selection is based on data center cooling efficiency factors comprising a data storage device efficiency percentage. A response module sends the data operation request to the selected data center.

Abstract: A system includes a first storage unit connected to a secondary storage unit such that data written to the first storage unit is replicated on the secondary storage unit. The first storage unit in at least one embodiment includes the capability to intercept input/output instructions for routing to a buffer and/or directly to the secondary storage unit. A method for operation of a first storage unit includes intercepting a data operation from a requesting client, determining whether the data operation modifies data. When no modification of data is required, the method retrieves the requested data from the first storage unit and transmits the requested data to the requesting client. When a modification of data is required, the method performs the data operation in the first storage unit, stores the data operation in a buffer, transmits the data operation from the buffer to the second storage unit, receives a confirmation from the second storage unit is done, and deletes the data operation in the buffer.

Abstract: A system includes a first storage unit connected to a secondary storage unit such that data written to the first storage unit is replicated on the secondary storage unit. The first storage unit in at least one embodiment includes the capability to intercept input/output instructions for routing to a buffer and/or directly to the secondary storage unit. A method for operation of a first storage unit includes intercepting a data operation from a requesting client, determining whether the data operation modifies data. When no modification of data is required, the method retrieves the requested data from the first storage unit and transmits the requested data to the requesting client. When a modification of data is required, the method performs the data operation in the first storage unit, stores the data operation in a buffer, transmits the data operation from the buffer to the second storage unit, receives a confirmation from the second storage unit is done, and deletes the data operation in the buffer.

Abstract: Described herein are a system and method for remote mirroring of data and metadata from a local node to a remote node using out-of-order delivery (OOD), while also providing data integrity at the remote node. OOD may utilize increased throughput of multiple connection paths between nodes. A mirroring layer/engine executing on the local node may receive related groups of data and metadata for storing to the remote node, each related group comprising one or more data sets and one metadata set that describes and is associated with each of the one or more data sets in the related group. The mirroring layer provides data integrity at the remote node by ensuring that the metadata set of a related group is stored to the remote node only after all the data sets in the related group are stored to the remote node, thus ensuring data consistency at the remote node.

Abstract: This invention provides a user or an operator with a management apparatus or method for displaying logical connection information between an interface connected to a computer and a switch and a storage system or a logical unit in the storage system in a virtual storage system, wherein the switch receives a first access request from said computer, converts said first access request to a second access request to one of said plural storage systems, and sends said second access request to one of said plural storage systems or one logical unit.

Abstract: Partner mirroring is provided with tray loss protection in an N node storage cluster architecture. A master proxy receives and records broadcasts of nodes in a cluster and selects mirror partners in a round robin fashion, so that even numbered nodes are mirrored with other even numbered nodes and odd numbered nodes are mirrored with other odd numbered nodes. In an N node storage cluster architecture which includes a cluster of dual controllers, tray loss protection is provided using such an odd numbered and even numbered mirror pairing process.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for splitting writes between a storage controller and replication engine. A splitter executing in a storage controller manages access to primary volumes. An initialization command is received to communicate with a replication engine. A replication command is received for one primary volume and the primary volume is indicated as subject to replication. A write request is received to write data to a target primary volume of the primary volumes that is indicated as subject to the replication. The data in the write request is written to the target primary volume. The data in the write request is sent to the replication engine. The replication engine executes a copy services function associated with the target primary volume to write the data to a replication engine volume.

Abstract: A system for object-based data storage includes a plurality of object-based storage nodes having respective data storage devices, at least one file presentation node, a virtual cluster file server (VFS), and a scalable interconnect to couple the virtual cluster file server to the storage nodes, and to the at least one file presentation node. The VFS mirrors a same data object for a data file across the plurality of data storage devices.

Abstract: The storage system includes a first storage device, configured to be installed in a first site and providing a primary logical volume in which data received from a host computer is written; a second storage device, configured to be installed in a second site and providing a virtual logical volume, which has no structure for storing data received from the first storage system; and a third storage device, configured to be installed in a third site and providing a secondary logical volume in which data received from the second storage system is written. Data written in the primary logical volume of the first storage device are remote-copied to the secondary logical volume of the third storage device via the virtual logical volume of the second storage device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program product for handling a point-in-time copy (PITC) command includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code is configured to: receive a PITC command at a local site, create a data representation that represents updates to make to the at least one target volume of the local target storage location, wherein the updates correspond to changes made to at least one source volume of the local source storage location since execution of an earlier PITC command, create a source data sidefile entry for the at least one source volume, create a target data sidefile entry for the at least one target volume, execute the PITC command at the local site, and create a PITC sidefile entry for the PITC command, the PITC sidefile entry including a timestamp that indicates when the PITC command was executed.

Abstract: A system, method and facility for manipulating registries on a computer system. The system includes a generic registry facility, which features functions classified according to the breadth of their applicability to varying types of registries. The registries may be classified as file-based and proprietary. The file-based registries may be binary or text-based. The generic registry facility provides a library of generic registry facility functions that may be included in a specific registry manipulation module through which a computer program can manipulate a specific registry. The generic registry facility functions may be customized by the developer of the registry manipulation module for a specific registry. The functions may include an action verification function that includes a commit sequence for ensuring that requested changes to a registry are made successfully. The functions may also include a trigger function for triggering events upon the occurrence of a change to a registry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a session modification mechanism for altering a data tapping process in a storage area network (SAN). In general, a data tapping mechanism is set up so that an appliance receives SAN data that is tapped from a particular SAN session. That is, the data tapping mechanism provides to a particular appliance a copy of the SAN data that is being written from a particular host to a particular storage device. The session modification mechanism allows the appliance to alter various aspects of the SAN session that is to be (or is being) tapped.

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: Methods and a system to acquire and perform write validation of data generated by one or more networked host nodes to perform secondary storage are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method to passively acquire and perform write validation of data generated by one or more networked host nodes to perform secondary storage in a SAN-based data storage and recovery network includes generating data to store in primary storage. The method further includes generating metadata describing the data generated to store in primary storage, sending the data and metadata to a primary SAN storage device, acquiring passive access to data traveling a data path between a generating node and the primary SAN storage device, the data mirrored over an access line to a secondary storage server. The method further includes receiving, at the secondary storage server, an exact copy of a data stream that passes a splitter.

Abstract: Computer tools and methods novelly combine periodic backup and restore features with migration features to transfer the components of a failed system to a new system. As well as backing up and transferring critical data files during the disaster recovery operation, an aspect of the present invention also transfers, inter alia, applications, user states, hardware settings, software settings, user preferences and other user settings, menus, and directories. In another aspect of the present invention, a network of shared end-user computers periodically backs up each individual end-user computer to a central instrumentality, in a novel manner to reduce storage and time requirements. That is, redundancies for the end-user computer backup files are eliminated or greatly reduced by only making reference to but not storing components that are generic to the system, and further for each previously stored component, only storing differential or incremental information, unless predefined conditions are met.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for using a heartbeat signal to maintain data consistency for writes to source storage copied to target storage. A copy relationship associates a source storage and target storage pair, wherein writes received at the source storage are transferred to the target storage. A determination is made whether a signal has been received from a system within a receive signal interval. A freeze operation is initiated to cease receiving writes at the source storage from an application in response to determining that the signal has not been received within the receive signal interval. A thaw operation is initiated to continue receiving write operations at the source storage from applications after a lapse of a freeze timeout in response to the freeze operation, wherein after the thaw operation, received writes completed at the source storage are not transferred to the target storage.

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.