Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable medium for allocating physical storage in a disk array are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for allocating portions of storage area of a storage array. The method includes receiving, from a requesting entity, a request for allocation of a portion of storage area of a storage array, the storage array comprising a plurality of storage entities and a plurality of data buses for transferring data to and from the plurality of storage entities, wherein the plurality of storage entities are organized into at least one logical unit, wherein each logical unit is subdivided into at least one slice. In response to receiving the request for allocation, at least one slice is selected for allocation for use by the requesting entity, based on anticipated system resource utilization during access to data to be stored in the storage array.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for identifying compressed content within a first cache system to a data array associated with the first cache system. Related content is located on the data array that is associated with the compressed content on the first cache system and it is determined whether the related content on the data array is compressible.

Abstract: A Read-only storage device having network interface, a system including the device, and a method of distributing files over a network. The storage device comprises a processor communicably connected to a computer interface, a network interface, and a storage means. The processor communicates with a computer and a file server through the computer interface and the network interface, respectively. The computer may request a file from the processor and the processor responds by either (1) providing the requested file to the computer on a read-only basis if the file is cached on the storage means, (2) obtains the file from the file server if the file is available from the file server, caches the obtained file on the storage means, and provides the obtained file to the computer on a read-only basis, or (3) returns a file unavailable notice to the computer.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a file system based interface between a disk-based network attached storage device and a linear tape open (LTO) linear tape file system tape. One example method may include controlling a device (e.g., backup server) to read a file from the NAS device using a shared file system (e.g., NFS, CIFS) and controlling the device to write the file to the LTO tape device using the LTFS. Since the NAS device and the LTO device may have different information or metadata requirements, and since the shared file system and the LTFS may have different information or metadata requirements, the method may include controlling the device to remove from the file information specific to the NAS and the shared file system. Additionally, the method may include controlling the device to add to the file information specific to the LTFS or the LTO device.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein include a memory system having a register coupled to a host system and operable to receive address and control signals from the host system, a volatile memory subsystem, a non-volatile memory subsystem, a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory subsystem, and a circuit coupled to the register, the volatile memory subsystem, and the controller. In a first mode of operation, the circuit is operable to selectively isolate the controller from the volatile memory subsystem, and to selectively couple the volatile memory subsystem to the register to allow data to be communicated between the volatile memory subsystem and the host system. In a second mode of operation, the circuit is operable to selectively couple the controller to the volatile memory subsystem to allow data to be communicated between the volatile memory subsystem and the non-volatile memory subsystem using the controller, and is operable to selectively isolate the volatile memory subsystem from the register.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a data storage system having a memory that includes a first addressable storage space and a second differently addressable storage space. A controller selectively accesses stored instructions that when executed transfer some user data sets with the first addressable storage space in accordance with a dense allocation of the first addressable storage space, and transfer other user data sets with the second addressable storage space in accordance with a sparse allocation of the second addressable storage space that allocates a predefined reserved storage capacity between adjacent stored non-sequential user data sets.

Abstract: Storage management systems and methods are presented. In one embodiment, a storage management method comprises: establishing a cluster including one or more logical unit number storage components (LUNs) communicatively coupled to one or more host nodes, wherein one of the one or more nodes is a master host node; performing a LUN naming process wherein a master host node assigns a name to each of the one or more LUNs respectively, even if the one or more LUNS are communicatively coupled to a slave host node; and operating the cluster, wherein the one or more host nodes refer to the one or more LUNs by the name. In one embodiment, the master host node stores information associated with the name in a computer readable medium. The cluster can include one or more slave host nodes.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus which conducts overwriting of data on a rewritable optical disk or conducts write-once recording of data on a write-once optical disk includes a control unit for receiving a recording command which specifies a recording area and orders recording and receiving transfer data, and a collation unit for collating existing data on the optical disk with the transfer data. Upon reception of the recording command and the transfer data by the control unit, the existing data is collated with the transfer data by the collation unit, and overwrite recording of data in places where the transfer data is different from the existing data is conducted on the rewritable optical disk, or data in places where the transfer data is different from the existing data is recorded in an unrecorded area of the write-once optical disk.

Abstract: A method of operation of a redundant array of independent disks system includes: instantiating a first controller having a first local map and a first remote map; instantiating a second controller having a second local map and a second remote map mapped to the first local map; mapping a first memory device to the first local map by the first controller; coupling a storage device to the second controller and the first controller; and switching control of the storage device to the first controller, when a failure of the second controller is detected, by the first controller reading the first memory device.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for preemptively allocating extents to a data set in a storage system. A data set is comprised of a plurality of extents configured in at least one volume in the storage system. A first extent is allocated to the data set in a first volume to extend the data set. A determination is made as to whether a second extent can be allocated to the data set in the first volume in response to the allocating of the first extent. The second extent in a second volume is allocated for the data set in response to determining that the second extent cannot be allocated to the data set in the first volume.

Abstract: A memory module that is couplable to a memory controller hub (MCH) of a host system includes a non-volatile memory subsystem, a data manager coupled to the non-volatile memory subsystem, a volatile memory subsystem coupled to the data manager and operable to exchange data with the non-volatile memory subsystem by way of the data manager, and a controller operable to receive read/write commands from the MCH and to direct transfer of data between any two or more of the MCH, the volatile memory subsystem, and the non-volatile memory subsystem based on the commands.

Abstract: A method for selectively storing data identified by a software application in higher performance media may include executing control programming for an operating system and a software application hosted by the operating system. The software application assigns a first importance level to a first portion of data and a second importance level to a second portion of data. A first portion of data having the first importance level assigned by the software application is stored in a first storage medium at the instruction of the operating system. A second portion of data having the second importance level assigned by the software application is stored in a second storage medium at the instruction of the operating system. The second storage medium has at least one performance, reliability, or security characteristic different from the first storage medium.

Abstract: There is provided a memory device capable of stably storing recorded data over a long term of several decades or longer and capable of reliably reading stored data. A first circuit 200 and a second circuit 300 are separately implementable, and the first circuit 200 includes a data recording circuit 210 reading recorded data from an address appointed by an address signal when a read/write signal stays at a first level and writing data to the address appointed by the address signal when the read/write signal stays at a second level, and a write/read control circuit 230 performing data write/read control on the data recording circuit according to the address signal in response to a read or write instruction from the second circuit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a virtual tape library having a cache, a virtual tape controller (VTC) coupled to the virtual tape library, and an interface for coupling at least one host to the VTC. The cache is shared by all the hosts, and a common view of a cache state, a virtual library state, and a number of write requests pending is provided to all the hosts by the VTC.

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 are also described.

Abstract: A tape performance optimization method may include accumulating data in a memory, monitoring the accumulation of data, determining whether a certain amount of data has been accumulated in the memory, causing the accumulated data to be migrated to a tape in a tape library, and tracking physical locations of files stored on tape. In one embodiment, the amount of data to be accumulated is set to be two wraps or a multiple thereof. In one embodiment, two copies of data are written to two tapes in an alternating fashion. When a file is to be read, a tape is accessed if it has a copy of the file whose physical location is determined to be closest to beginning of tape. Since file location on tape determines the time it takes to position the tape, this method can shorten the amount of time required to retrieve a file from tape.

Abstract: A virtual tape device connected to an upper device and a tape library device, and storing a tape volume includes: a storage unit to store the tape volume including a plurality of blocks; an identifier control unit to add to each block of the tape volume a first identification number which is incremented for each block, and a second identification number which is incremented only in a block subsequent to a leading block, a tape mark indicating a delimiter of a file, and a block subsequent to the tape mark; a first control unit to control a read and a write of the tape volume stored in the storage unit using the second identification number; and a second control unit to write the tape volume and the first identification number to the tape library device, and control the tape library device using the first identification number.

Abstract: Exemplary system, and computer program product embodiments for changing ownership of cartridges, such as virtual cartridges between remotely located virtual tape libraries, are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, processes and protocols for the changing ownership of the cartridges are controlled from a primary location to a secondary location. The production site is moved for the cartridges. The ownership of the cartridges is waived. Access is allowed to the cartridges. Additional data is written and replicated using resources of the cartridges.

Abstract: A virtual tape device includes a storage unit, an instruction unit, and a reading unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of logical volumes. The instruction unit receives a request for mounting a specified logical volume from an information processing apparatus. The instruction unit issues a mount instruction to both a physical tape device communicated to the virtual tape device and a virtual device communicated to the virtual tape device when the specified logical volume is not stored in the storage unit. The mount instruction instructs to mount the specified logical volume. The reading unit reads data of the specified logical volume to the storage unit from a device which outputs a mount completion notification first among both of the devices which have received the mount instruction.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enhanced virtual storage replication are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises moving a virtual tape from a local virtual library to a remote virtual library. The method also comprises ejecting the virtual tape moved to the remote virtual library. The method also comprises recycling the ejected virtual tape at the local virtual library based on a remote retention policy.

Abstract: Each communication path between controllers and a plurality of storage devices has a plurality of expanders coupled in series. In order to shorten the time during which the communication path is not used for I/O, either (A) the length of time for which I/O suppression is set for the communication path is shortened, or (B) the overall time it takes for processing other than I/O processing is shortened. In the (A), a determination as to whether or not the coupling between the expanders has been disconnected is made for the I/O-suppressed communication path, and in a case where the result of this determination is negative, a discover process is carried out after releasing the I/O suppression with respect to this communication path. In the (B), the number of command issue times of updating routing control information of the expander is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a storage system comprising at least one mobile random access storage device capable of storing first or second data. At least one docking station is associated with an address wherein the address is identifiable by at least one host computer. A first and second sub-address is associated with the at least one docking station wherein the first and second sub-addresses are identifiable by the at least one host computer. The first sub-address corresponds to a first virtual device adapted for storing the first data on a first virtual media. The second sub-address corresponds to a second virtual device adapted for storing the second data on a second virtual media wherein the second virtual media is a different media type from the first virtual media.

Abstract: Tape device paths, library slots and drive information are automatically collected by agents at nodes in a library cluster. The information is reported to a central server database. The central server accesses the information and maps tape devices to path information so an administrator may easily have access to configuration information for the tape device cluster. When a tape device cluster is updated, for example through changes to a device, an added device, device failure or some other reason, the change is detected and the cluster configuration is automatically updated.

Abstract: A fast mount cache is provided by any offline storage media for fast volume mount access. The fast mount cache may be used as the first level in a hierarchical storage configuration after the high performance tier for data having high access rates shortly after creation but decreases sharply as the data ages. The fast mount cache stores migrated data from online hard disk drive storage and maintains the data on a volume basis as opposed to a file basis. As the fast mount cache capacity fills, or other events occur triggering a volume change, the fast mount cache erases the volume having the oldest data. While data is maintained on the fast mount cache for periods of time soon after it is migrated, the data may be accessed quickly. After the initial period of time has expired, the data only exists on tape storage or low tier data.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for a self-describing tape that allow files stored on a tape according to a tape file system to be presented in a similar manner (e.g., to an operating system, to a network file system interface) by different instances of a second type of file system (e.g., a non-tape file system). This can include, for example, allowing a file system of the second type to consistently present files over a network file system interface as being available at the same directory path location, according to the same permissions.

Abstract: An updateable list is provided for use in mounting a storage volume. Such list may include a plurality of block references capable of being used to access corresponding blocks required for mounting the storage volume. In use, such list may be utilized for accessing the blocks in a more efficient manner, by accessing a plurality of such blocks in parallel, as well as performing the block accessing and storage volume mounting in parallel.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer software utilized in the implementation of tamper protection, where unique information associated with data storage tapes and with particular revisions of these tapes is stored on the storage medium itself and on a memory of the tape cartridge, so that the data can be compared to determine whether unauthorized modifications have been made to the tapes. One embodiment is a system which includes an archive node appliance coupled between a set of hosts and a tape media library. The archive node appliance presents files stored on a tape of a media library as a directory. The archive node appliance maintains tamper prevention data on the tape and on an auxiliary memory on the cartridge of the tape, and determines from this data whether the tape has been altered by an authorized system.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for combining a plurality of discrete IO write requests to form a combined IO write request, wherein the plurality of IO write requests define data to be written to a storage network. The combined IO write request is provided to a pseudo multi-write device included within the storage network.

Abstract: A tape performance optimization method may include accumulating data in a memory, monitoring the accumulation of data, determining whether a certain amount of data has been accumulated in the memory, and causing the accumulated data to be migrated to a tape in a tape library. In one embodiment, the amount of data to be accumulated is set to be two wraps or a multiple thereof. Using embodiments, it can take zero or near zero time to rewind the tape when unloading occurs, eliminating wasted tape movement time and significantly increasing tape performance. In one embodiment, the accumulation of data may be terminated even if the desired amount of data has not been accumulated. In one embodiment, the termination might be triggered by a timeout condition.

Abstract: Data of a target capacity calculated by a nominal capacity of a tape medium minus a data capacity lost due to execution of backhitchless writing is written to the tape medium. In a tape drive, a command processing unit 41 receives a synchronization command, and a buffer management unit passes data in a buffer to a channel input-output unit. Upon completion of writing the data to the tape, a backhitch determination unit determines whether a mode information storage unit stores information indicating that a high data rate mode is on, whether data of a target capacity can be written to the tape, and whether the written data can be read at a target read data rate. An operation signal output unit issues a command to execute backhitch in case these conditions are not satisfied.

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: An adaptive synchronous FIFO includes a plurality of input data latch stages that sample variable-length input data at a write clock frequency, and a data compression circuit that combines the variable-length input data, together with partial-row data from a row of the FIFO storage array, and writes the combined data at a read clock frequency. The number of data latch stages is adaptive according to the ratio of the read and write clock frequencies.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein substantially concurrently transfer a plurality of streams of commands, addresses, and/or data across a corresponding plurality of serialized communication link interfaces (SCLIs) between one or more originating devices or destination devices such as a processor and a switch. At the switch, one or more commands, addresses, or data corresponding to each stream can be transferred to a corresponding destination memory vault controller (MVC) associated with a corresponding memory vault. The destination MVC can perform write operations, read operations, and/or memory vault housekeeping operations independently from concurrent operations associated with other MVCs coupled to a corresponding plurality of memory vaults.

Abstract: A logical unit number management device includes: an access processing unit that performs information processing with access objects by using logical unit numbers for identifying logical identification information; a logical unit number management table storage unit that stores a logical unit number management table storing a corresponding relationship between the logical identification information and the logical unit numbers; a logical unit number management table changing unit that changes the corresponding relationship based on an external change request; a change completion reporting unit that reports change completion to the access processing unit when the logical unit number management table has been changed in accordance with the change request; and an access control unit that controls an access to the access object indicated by the logical identification information corresponding to one of the logical unit numbers after a report of the change completion.

Abstract: To provide a technique for optimizing the processing order of recall requests in which the average latency time of a host apparatus is minimized. A storage manager accepts a request of the host apparatus for the recalling data from a tape library, and stores the request in a queue table. In response to storage of the request, the storage manager calculates the latency time for each request in all the conceivable execution orders for all the requests stored in the queue table. The storage manager determines the execution order which minimizes the total calculated latency time for all the requests including the active request, and rearranges the requests in the queue table.

Abstract: A system including a tape drive having cache memory to detect a smaller partition and a larger partition in a tape and load stored information in the smaller partition into the cache memory to access the cache memory instead of the smaller partition on the tape.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides data sharing through virtual removable volumes. A virtual volume of a SAN (storage area network) is presented to clients as a virtual removable volume. A controlling application controls access of clients connected to the SAN to the virtual removable volume. The controlling application allows only one client at a time to access the virtual removable volume. The controlling application allows a first client to mount the virtual removable volume as a removable volume. The controlling application then causes the first client to unmount the virtual removable volume and allows a second client to mount the virtual removable volume as a removable volume. In this way, the first client and second client are able to share data via the virtual removable volume without causing corruption of data and without requiring a shared file system or physical transfer of removable media.

Abstract: A hybrid drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data sectors. The hybrid drive further comprises a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) comprising a plurality of memory segments. A disk cache is defined comprising a first plurality of the data sectors, and a non-cache area of the disk is defined comprising a second plurality of the data sectors. When a write command is received from a host, data is written to the disk cache, and under certain conditions, the data is copied from the disk cache to the NVSM.

Abstract: A virtual tape device includes a determination unit and a copy creation unit. The determination unit determines, when deleting some logical volume data among a plurality of logical volume data stored on a first physical tape, whether to conduct copy processing to store a copy of the logical volume data onto a second physical tape on the basis of a storage location of the logical volume data. The copy creation unit stores, when it is determined to conduct the copy processing, a copy of the logical volume data on the second physical tape so as to cause spacing between a storage location of the logical volume data on the second physical tape and a head location on the second physical tape to become shorter than spacing between a storage location of the logical volume data on the first physical tape and a head location on the first physical tape.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a library manager for communicating with a plurality of logical libraries having data organized therein and stored on sequential access media therein, wherein the library manager controls movement operations of a plurality of shuttle cars along one or more shuttle pathways, wherein each of the shuttle cars are for transporting a sequential access medium between any of the plurality of logical libraries, wherein each of the logical libraries comprises at least one local station for sending and/or receiving shuttle cars to and/or from the plurality of logical libraries, wherein the one or more shuttle pathways connect the stations in a multi-drop arrangement, wherein each destination station is represented by a unique export-only address, and wherein all source stations are represented by a common import-only address. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are also described according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A virtual tape library management system provides multiple, simultaneous accesses to the content stored on a single virtual tape. The virtual tape library management system receives a first request to access the content of a virtual tape. Responsive to the first request, the virtual tape library management system provides access to the virtual tape. While the virtual tape is being accessed, the virtual tape library management system receives a second request to read the same virtual tape. In response, the virtual tape library management system creates a shadow virtual tape corresponding to the virtual tape, maps the shadow virtual tape to the content of the virtual tape, and provides access to the shadow virtual tape.

Abstract: An anti-malware approach uses a storage drive with the capability to lock selected memory areas. Platform assets such as OS objects are stored in the locked areas and thus, unauthorized changes to them may not be made by an anti-malware entity.

Abstract: A virtual tape is constructed using a logical data container to aid in emulating a virtual tape by providing tape functionality, reducing seek time and improving recovery time in case of a failure. For example, the logical data container may comprise a global header followed by one or more data block groups. The global header may provide metadata to track record locations, file mark locations, virtual tape data in memory, data validation information and a virtual tape head location. This metadata in the global tape header may help reduce seek time, improve recovery time using last known data in memory, erase a virtual tape and provide tape head position. Data block groups may include information that validates data, provides error correction, provides record and file marks and provides storage of client data.

Abstract: A virtual tape library system is used to back up data from a client archive system expecting physical tape operations onto logical data containers and/or a metadata store of a storage service by emulating the physical tape operations. For example, a virtual tape library appliance is installed at a customer premise location to interface with a client archive system. The virtual tape library appliance provides virtual interfaces to appear as physical tape library subsystems, such as tape drives and media changing interfaces. However, these virtual interfaces are supported by logical data containers in a storage service and a metadata store. The virtual tape library system allows the client archive system to make requests to import new virtual tapes, export virtual tapes for archiving, store virtual tapes at a virtual location, load and eject virtual tapes into a virtual tape drive and operate on virtual tapes in a virtual tape drive.

Abstract: A method for efficiently restoring data from a sequential-access backup archive includes receiving a candidate list identifying data sets that are potentially contained within a sequential-access backup archive. The method further receives a filter list identifying data sets that are desired to be restored from the backup archive. Using the candidate list and filter list, the method generates a search list identifying data sets that are to be ignored when searching the backup archive. The method then sequentially performs multiple searches of the backup archive such that the multiple searches collectively perform a single pass through the backup archive. When performing these searches, each search begins from the last accessed portion of the backup archive and stops upon encountering a data set not explicitly ignored by the search list. A corresponding system, apparatus, and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer data storage system is described. A plurality of requests are received from a client, each request of the plurality of requests having assigned a unique sequence number, each request being an input/output request to a data storage device. The plurality of requests is divided into a plurality of subsets of requests. A unique batch number is assigned to each subset of requests so that each subset of requests is assigned a unique batch number. A first subset of requests having a first batch number is executed in arbitrary order with respect to the sequence number of each request. A second subset of requests is executed in response to a second batch number after execution of all of the first subset of requests has completed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for optimizing the performance of a storage system comprise a FLASH storage system, a hard drive storage system, and a storage controller. The storage controller is adapted to receive READ and WRITE requests from an external host, and is coupled to the FLASH storage system and the hard drive storage system. The storage controller receives a WRITE request from an external host containing data and an address, forwards the received WRITE request to the FLASH storage system and associates the address provided in the WRITE request with a selected alternative address, and provides an alternative WRITE request, including the selected alternative address and the data received in the WRITE request, to the hard drive storage system, wherein the alternative address is selected to promote sequential WRITE operations within the hard drive storage system.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and media to protect sensitive information in data storage devices are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of transmitting and receiving unique identification information of components of a computer system, comparing the information with previously saved information in the storage device, and not allowing access to the data if the information is substantially different. In some embodiments, the storage device may simply prevent access to the information. In other embodiments, the storage device may erase the information after detecting a change in the computer system. In other embodiments, the storage device may provide various options for effectively resetting the unique identification stored in the data storage device so that the device may be used in an altered system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mutably associating logical block addresses to physical blocks. A physical storage space is apportioned into one or more bands. A logical block address (LBA) from a logical space is assigned to one of the bands, and the LBA is mutably associated with a particular physical block (sector) at an associated physical block address (PBA) within the assigned band. Such mutable association preferably includes the writing of user data associated with the LBA to the associated physical sector. During a subsequent operation, user data associated with the LBA can be stored in a second physical sector in the assigned band. The physical storage space preferably comprises a magnetic recording medium, and some or all of the bands preferably utilize overlapping tracks. The logical space is preferably divided into sets of sequential LBAs, with non-adjacent sets assigned to the same band. Map data are used to track sector allocation status in each band.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for writing a file to a plurality of media includes loading a parent medium into a first drive to retrieve ID information about the parent medium from metadata, writing a first file part to the parent medium and, at about a same time, saving a file name, attribute information, and attribute information about the first file part to the parent medium as metadata, loading a child medium into a second drive in order to write subsequent file parts and retrieving ID information about the child medium from metadata, writing the subsequent file parts to the child medium and, at about a same time, saving the ID information and attribute information about the subsequent file parts to the parent medium, and additionally saving the ID information about the child medium and the attribute information about the subsequent file parts as metadata in the child medium.