Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having a plurality of tracks, wherein each track comprises a plurality of data sectors. The disk drive further comprises a head actuated over the disk, and control circuitry fabricated on a die. A plurality of disk access commands are received from a host and stored in a command queue, wherein each disk access command identifies at least one data sector. A temperature of the die is determined, and a first disk access command is selected from the command queue in response to the die temperature.

Abstract: The performance to transfer data to external storage media in thin provisioning is enhanced. A storage apparatus is connected via a network to a host system writing of data and to a tape management apparatus for managing tape storage media for storing the data.

Abstract: A method for offloading volume space reclamation operations to virtual tape systems is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, such a method includes writing instruction information to a virtual tape system for use in performing a reclamation operation on a source virtual tape volume. The instruction information identifies the source virtual tape volume as well as valid objects in the source virtual tape volume. The virtual tape system then transforms the source virtual tape volume by retaining valid objects in the source virtual tape volume, removing invalid objects in the source virtual tape volume, and updating metadata associated with the source virtual tape volume to reflect changes made thereto. This generates an updated source virtual tape volume of reduced size. A corresponding computer program product and system are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of storage drives coupled to logic. The logic implements a noise-reducing feature selected from a group consisting of a first feature that limits system performance based on a level of ambient noise, a second feature that staggers access transactions among said storage drives, a third feature that staggers spin up among the storage drives, a fourth feature that at least partially cancels noise generated by the system, a fifth feature that limits fan speed, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A storage device is provided with: a first management section that manages a storage area provided by one or more hard disk drives on a basis of a predetermined unit created using one or more parameters; a second management section that manages, on a basis of a pool configured by at least one or more of the units, a management policy about the capacity of the pools and a threshold value of the storage capacity of the pools; a power supply control section that controls each of the hard disk drives of the unit under the management of the first management section to be in either a first turn-ON state or a second turn-ON state with a low power consumption; and a control section that selects, when the storage capacity of any of the pools exceeds the threshold value, the management policy of the pools, and any of the managed parameters considered optimum to serve as the unit of the storage area, and after making the power supply control section to change the state of the hard disk drive of the selected unit from th

Abstract: In a document searching system, a first storing apparatus, a second storing apparatus, and a document managing apparatus are connected to one another. The document managing apparatus stores structure information that shows a hierarchical structure regarding hierarchy positional relationships among the elements in the structured documents stored in the first and the second storing apparatuses. The document managing apparatus extracts an identical element that is a predetermined element in the structured documents stored in the second storing apparatus that matches the element in the structured documents stored in the first storing apparatus. The first storing apparatus stores the structured documents and conducts a search in the stored structured documents for one of the structured documents that contains the received identical element. The second storing apparatus conducts a search for one of the structured documents containing the identical element that matches the received text information.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for routing commands to a distributed RAID system are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments may route a command to an appropriate data bank in a distributed RAID system, where each data bank has a set of associated storage media and executes a similar distributed RAID application. The distributed RAID applications on each of the data banks coordinate among themselves to distribute and control data flow associated with implementing a level of RAID in conjunction with data stored on the associated storage media of the data banks.

Abstract: In a method of reducing the remanence of data stored in the memory space of a recording medium, in which at least a portion of the data stored in the memory space is moved in blocks according to a cycle repeated over time, the cycle includes choosing a number N of data blocks to be moved, and, as long as the number D of blocks moved during the cycle is less than N: a data block Bi to be moved is chosen, a free memory area is chosen; and the data block Bi is moved to this free area.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer program product for determining an optimal file operational time in a data storage system for use with a tape media storing data in a serpentine pattern on tape media is provided. The operational time is optimized based on a “sequence on tape” algorithm, a “minimum reversal of direction on tape” algorithm, or a “minimum delay to next data” algorithm. A model is used to determine the predicted performance of each of the algorithms, and the algorithm that provides the minimum overall operational time is chosen and applied for carrying out an operational process on the tape media.

Abstract: A memory access mode detection circuit and method for detecting and initiating memory access modes for a memory device. The memory access mode detection circuit receives the memory address signals, the control signals, and the clock signal and generates a first mode detection signal in response to receipt of the memory address signals or a first combination of control signals. An first mode initiation signal is generated a time delay subsequent to the detection signal to initiate the first mode memory access operation. In response to receipt of a second combination of control signals and an active clock signal, the memory access mode detection circuit further generates a second mode detection signal to initiate a second mode memory access operation and to suppress generation of the first mode detection signal, thereby canceling the first mode memory access operation.

Abstract: A verification apparatus for a mobile platform for remotely verifying the integrity of a device that is connected to a network and has a shared private key includes a verifying unit that determines whether the device shares a private key with the verification apparatus by checking whether the authentication code generated by the verification apparatus matches the authentication code generated by the device; a calculating unit that generates a local check code that verifies the integrity of the memory; an interface unit that transmits, to the device, the information that the verification apparatus uses to generate an authentication code and the integrity check parameter used to generate a remote check code, and receives the authentication code and the remote check code from the device; and a determining unit that verifies the integrity of the memory if the local check code matches the remote check code.

Abstract: By the same method as that of making data access to a data storage area in an online state, it is performed to access a data storage area other than the data storage area. A plurality of logical volumes carried by a disk array apparatus includes an online volume that is in an online state to a host and an offline state that is in an offline state to the host. The host transmits an access command including target information designating a target volume to the disk array apparatus as an access command to a starting volume other than the target volume. The disk array apparatus receives the access command to the starting volume and offers the data access to the target volume on the basis of the target information carried by that access command to the host.

Abstract: A method of recording information on a recording medium. The method includes determining whether an amount of information recorded in a user data area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value when a finalizing process is performed on the recording medium. The user data area is an area of the recording medium and is used for information recording. The method further includes padding an area subsequent to an area of the user data area in which the information is recorded, by recording dummy information, if the amount of the information is less than the predetermined value, and recording management information for managing the dummy information as a file, in the user data area, for dummy information that has been recorded halfway, if the padding is interrupted.

Abstract: A virtual tape server (VTS) and a method for managing shared first level storage, such as a disk cache, among multiple virtual tape servers are provided. Such a system and method manage first level storage to accommodate two or more host processing systems by maintaining adequate free space in the cache for each host and by preventing one host, such as a mainframe, from taking over free space from another host, such as a Linux system.

Abstract: A data storage device having fall protection includes a rotatable media platter operable to receive and store data, a read/write head operable to communicate with the media platter by writing the data to the media platter and by reading the data from the media platter, an arm supporting the read/write head, a servo motor coupled the arm and operable to move the arm to and from the media platter, a drive controller operable to control the media platter, the read/write head and the servo motor, and a general purpose input/output (GPIO). In an embodiment, the GPIO is coupled with a fall sensor that is external to the data storage device so that when the fall sensor sends a floating interrupt trigger, signaling that the fall sensor is falling, the GPIO receives the interrupt trigger and the drive controller performs an emergency routine to cache data in flight to or from the data storage device and park the read/write head away from the media platter.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is disclosed, for energy-saving operation of a storage device with a read/write head. The method includes monitoring workload of the storage device, calculating current mean workload and adjusting seek speed of the read/write head of the storage device to one of a plurality seek speeds depending on the calculated current mean workload. The step of adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head includes adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head to be a first seek speed if the calculated current mean workload is below a first threshold, adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head to be a second seek speed if the calculated current mean workload is between the first threshold and a second threshold, and adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head to be the first seek speed if the calculated current mean workload is greater than the second threshold. A computer program product and a data processing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a storage medium, an address space is defined which is divided into a first area and a second area. According to the invention, at least one file is stored on the medium which is split into small data packets and large data packets. All small data packets are stored on said first area, and all large data packets are stored on said second area. A single file allocation table (FAT) is used and is small by having one entry per data packet.

Abstract: A virtual library apparatus emulates a library apparatus by storing a logical volume on a cache disk. The library apparatus has a first storage medium and a second storage medium. The virtual library apparatus includes a disk volume, a determining unit, a monitor, and a copying unit. The disk volume forms the cache disk. The determining unit determines the logical volume to be copied. The monitor monitors access load to the disk volume and selects the disk volume having the smallest access load on the basis of the monitoring result. The copying unit copies the determined logical volume from the first storage medium to the selected disk volume, and copies the copied logical volume from the disk volume to the second storage medium.

Abstract: A content of Copy Once cannot be copied to an external device or the like, even for the purpose of making a backup. This is inconvenient for the user. However, if copying to another device for the purpose of making a backup is permitted, the content may be copied in an unauthorized manner. The present invention provides the hard disk recorder that transmits the content to the backup device, sets an expiration time in the content stored in the hard disk recorder itself, and deletes the content stored in the hard disk recorder itself after the expiration time expires.

Abstract: A data storage device comprising at least one non-volatile storage medium having a plurality of data blocks, and a controller configured to allocate at least one of the data blocks for a writing operation based at least in part on data integrities of the data blocks.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for managing redundant array of independent drives. In response to a failure of a hard disk in a first RAID array, the process calculates an amount of free capacity available across a set of remaining hard disks in the first RAID array. The set of remaining hard disks comprises every hard disk associated with the first RAID array except the failed disk. In response to a determination that the amount of free capacity is sufficient to re-create the first RAID array at a same RAID level, the process reconstructs the first RAID array using an amount of space in the set of remaining drives utilized by the first RAID array and the free capacity to form a new RAID array without utilizing a spare hard disk.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a VTS system includes a tape volume cache, a storage drive for interacting with sequential access storage media; logic for receiving a mount request to access host data record(s) stored on a storage medium, the mount request including a virtual volume identifier of a logical volume and a logical block identifier of the first requested host data record therein; logic for issuing a locate command to position the sequential access storage medium to about a physical block in the logical volume having at least a portion of the requested host data record(s) therein based on the virtual volume identifier and the logical block identifier; logic for creating and supporting a partial virtual volume in the tape volume cache; and logic for copying at least the physical block to the partial virtual volume. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are also described, according to other embodiments.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for accessing host data records stored on a VTS system includes receiving a mount request to access at least one host data record on a VTS system, determining a number of host compressed data records per physical block on a sequential access storage medium, determining a PBID that corresponds to the requested at least one host data record, accessing a physical block on the sequential access storage medium corresponding to the PBID, and outputting the physical block without outputting an entire logical volume that the physical block is stored to. In another embodiment, a VTS system includes random access storage, sequential access storage, support for at least one virtual volume, a storage manager having logic for determining a PBID that corresponds to a SLBID, and logic for performing the above described method. Other methods, systems, and computer program products are also described.

Abstract: A performance information display method using a computer, includes the steps, in the computer, of reading out information data of a storage device previously stored in a storage device and information data of a plurality of devices utilizing the storage device, displaying an identifier of the storage device and identifiers of a plurality of devices utilizing the storage device on a screen on the basis of the information data read out, accepting a command to select the displayed identifier of the storage device, and displaying performance information data of the devices utilizing the selected storage device in association on the basis of the accepted command and the information data read out.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for accessing host data records stored in a VTS system includes receiving a mount request to access at least one host data record, determining a SLBID corresponding to the requested host data records, determining a PBID that corresponds to the SLBID, accessing a physical block on a sequential access storage medium corresponding to the PBID, and outputting at least the physical block corresponding to the PBID without outputting an entire logical volume that the physical block is stored to. According to another embodiment, a VTS system includes random access storage, sequential access storage, support for at least one virtual volume, a storage manager having logic for determining a PBID that corresponds to a SLBID, and logic for copying a portion of a logical volume from the sequential access storage to the random access storage without copying the entire logical volume. Other embodiments are disclosed also.

Abstract: A partition wizard allows automatically defining from a set of system requirements a solution profile that defines a combination of hardware and software in multiple logical partitions to satisfy the performance objectives. The solution profile may be used by an order processing system to automatically generate an order for a target computer system. The solution profile may also be used by a hardware management console to automatically create logical partitions on the target computer system, then may be used by an operating system install engine to automatically install a desired operating system in each of the logical partitions on the target computer system and to automatically install desired software into each of the logical partitions in the target computer system. The solution profile may also be used to manage the target computer system.

Abstract: A storage manager application implemented in a first computational device maintains a virtual logical volume having a plurality of segments created by the storage manager application, wherein space is reserved at the end of a physical volume corresponding to the virtual logical volume, and wherein the physical volume comprises a linear storage medium. A request is received to write data, at the first computational device, from a second computational device. The data is written to the reserved space, wherein the writing of the data causes new segments to be created in the reserved space.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment is performed in an environment wherein a plurality of backup hosts are connected to a plurality of virtual tape library servers (VTL servers) which in turn are connected to each of a plurality of disk library units (DLUs), each VTL server being adapted to receive tape storage commands, and in response to receiving a tape storage command, the respective VTL server accepts the tape storage command and responding as if the VTL server were the respective target tape storage device, and wherein data simultaneously streaming from the plurality of backup hosts is received by multiple of the VTL servers, where the multiple VTL servers receiving the simultaneously streamed data write to the same DLU.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for tracking metadata changes during copying in a storage system. One embodiment includes a method that uses a bitmap and two fences to track changes to metadata while a copy of the metadata is being transferred from a source disk array to a destination disk array.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a storage unit and a controller, wherein control of inputting/outputting data from/to a device provided in said storage unit is executed in accordance with a request received by said storage apparatus. An actual device of the storage apparatus corresponds to a virtual device which is external to said storage apparatus. The controller operates to perform a process for mapping an actual device address corresponding to a virtual device address, in accordance with a specification of the actual device to be mounted or unmounted to correspond to the virtual device, and storing and retaining mapping information obtained from the mapping in a first table. The controller also performs data input/output process for receiving, an access request for data input/output in which said virtual device address is specified, obtaining the actual device address mapped to said specified virtual device address in said first table, and accessing the actual device by said obtained actual device address.

Abstract: In a computer system, even when the virtual storage capacity of pools is increased, it is possible to keep the availability of each pool at least at a desired level. The managing server compares a reference value beforehand stored therein with an evaluation value of availability which represents a degree of resistivity against destruction, the degree being derived by use of physical configuration information which is obtained from the controller and which is associated with the pool; and determines necessity of addition of an element to the pool if the availability evaluation value exceeds the reference value and indicates the addition of the element to the pool to the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for efficient space management for single-instance-storage volumes is provided. A backup module storing data within a collection of containers according to access locality and retention time of the data, wherein the retention time defines an amount of time the data is stored within the collection of containers before deletion of the data, and the access locality comprises an order in which the data is to be accessed is further provided. A compaction module compacting the stored data by selecting at least two containers among the collection of containers, wherein the selection is performed using a predetermined criteria that includes access locality and retention time of the data is also provided. The compaction module distributes the data among the at least two containers. The compaction criteria creates an imbalance among the containers to create more empty, full, or nearly full containers.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating control of a storage device, the method comprising receiving an access request from a first computer requesting access to a storage device; directing, based upon the access request, a first storage controller computer to assume an inactive state with respect to control of the storage device; and directing, based upon the access request, a second storage controller computer to assume an active state with respect to control of the storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are presented for utilizing tape storage media segmentation to improve data access performance. A segmented tape storage medium within a tape cartridge having a first and second segment is utilized. A selection module allows a user to select a user-defined capacity of the tape storage medium that is less than the usable capacity of the tape storage medium. The user-defined capacity allows the user to prefer improved data access over tape storage capacity. Data, when written to the tape, is written only within the user-defined capacity. Data may be written exclusively on the first segment or written on both the first segment and second segment allowing data access to be improved. In addition, the user-defined capacity may correspond to the full capacity of the tape storage media.

Abstract: Data storage system software is installed from nonvolatile memory. A storage processor is booted, transferring information stored in a nonvolatile memory module to a disk drive system, thereby enabling the system processor to boot directly from the disk drive system in subsequent boots. After the information is transferred the storage processor reboots using the information transferred to the disk drive system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for preventing deterioration in I/O performance of a computer resulted from a use of the same physical disk among different logical volumes. A volume management server 1010 groups together logical volumes which use the same physical disk of a storage device 1020 as a volume group and allocates a storage area on the physical disk to be used on a priority basis by this volume group to the volume group, and thereby a physical arrangement according to a present physical arrangement of the logical volume can be performed when an automatic expansion of the logical volume is performed thereafter so that the I/O performance deterioration of the computer caused by a mutual interference is avoided at the time of access from the computer 1030 to the storage device 1020.

Abstract: A method, a system, an apparatus, and a computer program product are presented for a fragment caching methodology. After a message is received at a computing device that contains a cache management unit, a fragment in the message body of the message is cached. Subsequent requests for the fragment at the cache management unit result in a cache hit. A FRAGMENTLINK tag is used to specify the location in a fragment for an included or linked fragment which is to be inserted into the fragment during fragment or page assembly or page rendering. A FRAGMENTLINK tag may include a FOREACH attribute that is interpreted as indicating that the FRAGMENTLINK tag should be replaced with multiple FRAGMENTLINK tags. The FOREACH attribute has an associated parameter that has multiple values that are used in identifying multiple fragments for the multiple FRAGMENTLINK tags.

Abstract: Transfer of data and replication of data among several storage devices are executed without imposing a load on the computer connected to the storage system. For example, a first host computer monitors usage rates of transfer groups TG11, TG12 and physical path usage rate on a storage device interconnect physical path 50, and when either a usage rate or physical path usage rate goes above a predetermined value, issues to the first storage device 20 an instruction to allocate a reserved volume R11, R12. The first host adaptor 21 receiving the reserved volume R11, R12 allocation request allocates reserved volume R11 to transfer group TG1, whereby a virtual transfer volume is formed by transfer volume T11 and the reserved volume R11 allocated thereto. Capacity of the virtual transfer volume is increased by the equivalent of the reserved volume R11 capacity, so that additional transfer frames may be stored.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for writing data to a magnetic recording tape includes writing a plurality of files to a first partition of a magnetic recording tape using a tape drive, and writing an index to a second partition of the magnetic recording tape using the tape drive, the index including information about locations of data of the plurality of files in the first partition of the magnetic recording tape.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising: a housing; a magnetic recording tape in the housing; and a non-tape nonvolatile memory coupled to the housing, the nonvolatile memory being for storing therein an index comprising file system information for a plurality of files stored on the magnetic recording tape. A method for storing data on a tape cartridge according to one embodiment includes writing a plurality of files to a magnetic recording tape of a tape cartridge; and writing an index to a non-tape nonvolatile memory of the tape cartridge, the index including information about locations of data of the plurality of files on the magnetic recording tape.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes loading a tape cartridge into at least one tape drive installed in an automated tape library, where a tape of the tape cartridge has at least two partitions; writing plurality of data blocks on a first of the partitions; and writing an index on a second of the partitions, wherein the index includes information about at least one of files and the blocks on the first partition

Abstract: Backing up data blocks is disclosed. An indication that a first set of one or more backed up data blocks are related at an application level to one or more other sets of one or more backed up data blocks is received. An associating data that associates the first set of backed up data blocks with the one or more other sets of backed up data blocks is stored. The associating data is used to ensure that the first set and the one or more other sets remain stored together.

Abstract: A memory module having reduced access granularity. The memory module includes a substrate having signal lines thereon that form a control path and first and second data paths, and further includes first and second memory devices coupled in common to the control path and coupled respectively to the first and second data paths. The first and second memory devices include control circuitry to receive respective first and second memory access commands via the control path and to effect concurrent data transfer on the first and second data paths in response to the first and second memory access commands.

Abstract: A method and system for emulating tape library commands is disclosed. Tape library commands implemented in response to commands received from a data protection application are emulated in a disk based storage medium so that existing data protection applications may be used to copy data to and from the disk based storage medium.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge library, comprises a management component comprising a first processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the first processor module, an interface controller comprising a second processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the second processor module, wherein the interface controller comprises logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed, cause the second processor module to, record, in a memory medium coupled to the cartridge library, at least one access control parameter, wherein the access control parameter identifies at least one of a user, a server, a command, or a time, receive, in an interface controller coupled to the cartridge library, a request for at least one resource of the cartridge library, and implement an access control routine in the interface controller to use the access control parameter to determine whether to limit a user's ability to perform at least one command on at least one resou

Abstract: A system is provided to ensure a timely secure data erase by determining whether allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance by evaluating a quantity of physical volumes to be secure data erased, a maximum queued threshold, an average time to an erasure deadline and a minimum expiration threshold. An additional tape drive is allocated for the secure data erase process when it is determined that allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance.

Abstract: A method and computer program product are provided to ensure a timely secure data erase by determining whether allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance by evaluating a quantity of physical volumes to be secure data erased, a maximum queued threshold, an average time to an erasure deadline and a minimum expiration threshold. An additional tape drive is allocated for the secure data erase process when it is determined that allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance.

Abstract: A memory controller including a dual-mode memory interconnect includes an input/output (I/O) circuit including a plurality of input buffers and a plurality of output drivers. The I/O circuit may be configured to operate in one of a first mode and a second mode dependent upon a state of a mode selection signal. During operation in the first mode, the I/O circuit may be configured to provide a parallel interconnect for connection to one or more memory modules. During operation in the second mode, the I/O circuit may be configured to provide a respective serial interconnect for connection to each of one or more buffer units, each configured to buffer memory data that is being read from or written to the one or more memory modules.

Abstract: An optical disk drive includes a non-volatile memory. The optical disk drive is booted based on driving information stored in the non-volatile memory. When a write command is received from a host, the optical disk drive stores data to be recorded in an optical medium in the non-volatile memory and then writes the data in the optical medium independent of the host.

Abstract: A method of assigning a multi-dimensional physical address to a tape-based data storage device is provided. The method includes accessing a first signal from a first communication path electrically coupled to a first tape-based data storage device, wherein the first signal indicates a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a first axis. The method further includes accessing a second signal from a second communication path electrically coupled to the first tape-based data storage device, wherein the second signal is associated with a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a second axis.