Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for storage provisioning automation in a data center. A storage manager is provided in the present invention to facilitate end-to-end deployment of storage resources for a server in the data center. The storage manager includes functionalities of a volume manager, file system, and physical volumes. In addition, a hierarchical structure is provided by the present invention to specify configuration data for a volume container. The hierarchical structure includes volume container settings, which includes physical volume settings and logical volume settings linked through data partition settings. For SAN volumes, storage multipath settings and data path settings are included in the structure. File system settings and mounting settings are also included to mount a file system once it is created.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing direct access storage volumes designated as managed by storage management software with direct access storage volumes available to a computer system. An identifier of a volume is provided. The volume is connected to and available to a computer system, and is not managed by storage management software. The identifier is matched with an identification pattern included in a record of a database accessible to the computer system. Management options that facilitate managing the volume by the storage management software, and that are included in the record are retrieved from the record. The volume is automatically added to a set of volumes being managed by the storage management software. The adding of the volume includes designating the volume as being managed by the storage management software and providing the management options to the storage management software.

Abstract: A first storage control system comprises a CHN connected to a LAN CN. The CHN comprises a NAS processor and I/O processor. The I/O processor judges whether all or a portion of block level data is to be stored in either a first storage control system or a second storage control system, on the basis of an I/O allocation control data which indicates which of either the first storage control system or the second storage control system the block level data is to be stored in. On the basis of the result of this judgment, the I/O processor transfers the block level data from the NAS processor, to at least one of the DKA and the CHF connected to the second storage control system.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for varying a recording density of a data storage system. The method includes setting a range of a region whose recording density is to be changed, judging whether a region in which data read and write commands are to be executed is within the set range, and performing data read and write operations by allocating only one data among a plurality of continuous tracks as a data track if the region in which the data read and write commands are to be executed is within the set range.

Abstract: A read request of a sequential media from a host is executed with a read request data block size equal to a maximum recorded data block size parameter of the variable data block size storage device. Subsequently, if warranted, an adaptive read ahead data block size variable is set to equal a recorded data block size of data recorded on the sequential media that is responsive to the execution of the read request, and one or more read ahead requests of the sequential media are executed with a read ahead data block size equal to the adaptive read ahead data block size variable. The adaptive read ahead data block size variable is conditionally adjusted based on the recorded data block size(s) of data recorded on the sequential media that is responsive to the execution(s) of the read ahead request(s).

Abstract: A storage subsystem that has detected the necessity of the data relocation determines whether the data relocation is possible or not from one storage unit to another within the particular storage subsystem. A virtualization device is notified in the case where the data relocation in the particular subsystem is impossible. The manager of the virtualization device gives an inquiry to the storage subsystems as to whether any one of them can become a relocation destination or not. A storage subsystem determines, based on the related information, whether the data relocation requested is possible or not within the particular storage subsystem. In the case where such a relocation is possible, the copying process is carried out for data relocation from one storage subsystem to another in compliance with an instruction from the virtualization device.

Abstract: A system which includes a disk drive or other storage device coupled to a host system provides for reduction of the amount or rate of drive power consumption using procedures which are at least partially executed on the host. The system can be configured to reduce average power draw, maximum power draw, or both. Host-based procedures can be tailored to specific and/or changing environments and can decrease some or all expenses associated with previous attempts to reduce HDD power consumption.

Abstract: In a disk array system having a plurality of spare drives, the storage areas of which are not wasted without being influenced by the physical boundaries thereof. There is defined one large spare parity group 104 which is composed of a plurality of spare drives 103, 103, . . . , and so on. A spare logic drive 202 having the same capacity as that of a faulty data drive 101B is cut out from a large spare logic drive 201 provided by the spare parity group 104, and the data of the faulty data drive 101B are copied to the cut spare logic drive 202. A virtual physical drive 206 corresponding to the spare logic drive 202 is defined and is incorporated instead of the faulty data drive 101B into a data parity group 102A. As a result, data of the faulty data drive 101B are saved in the virtual physical drive 206 (or the spare logic drive 202).

Abstract: The invention provides flexible disabling of disk sets. One or more disks in a RAID sub-system may be identified as temporarily inactive. The disk or disks are then marked as inactive by setting one of a set of bits associated with each disk in the RAID subsystem. If an inactivated disk is a data disk, marking it as inactive also marks it as read only. If an inactivated disk is a parity disk, the RAID group to which it supplies parity is also inactivated and a file system must look to a mirror of the inactivated RAID sub-system for its data. When a data disk is reactivated it is marked as read/write by clearing its associated bit. When a parity disk is reactivated it is also marked as read/write by clearing its bit, however, it is not available for use until it has synchronized its operation with its mirror.

Abstract: A method for increasing recording format reliability in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a default media information region (MIR) on a media, wherein the default MIR includes MIR information divided into segments, reading the MIR information, rotating the MIR information into a first rotation MIR information by rotating the segments by one segment; and writing the first rotation MIR information into a first MIR on the media. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage device system comprises interfaces connected to computers, a plurality of magnetic disks, and a control device that controls the plurality of magnetic disks. When a command from one of the computers instructing a tape library device to load a magnetic tape into a tape device is received by one of the interfaces, the control device selects a storage region that is managed as a virtual tape from among storage regions of the magnetic disks. When one of the interfaces receives an access request from the computer to the tape device, the control device controls to access the storage region selected.

Abstract: A memory administrating method of administrating a memory divided into plural regions each of which consists of consecutive memory addresses, comprising steps of: providing each region of the plural regions with usage information; and when releasing a release target region currently being in use, determining a usage of the release target region based on the usage information of at least one of neighboring regions positioned before and after the release target region.

Abstract: A technique enables efficient access to logical unit numbers (luns) or virtual disks (vdisks) stored on a storage system, such as a multi-protocol storage appliance. The technique allows a grouping of initiators by a “human friendly” logical name that is mapped to a lun or vdisk on the storage appliance. The initiators are clients operating in, e.g., a storage area network (SAN) environment that initiate requests for the vdisk using block-based access protocols, such as the Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) protocol encapsulated over TCP/IP (iSCSI) or over fibre channel (FCP). The technique enables access to the vdisk by all initiators that are members of the initiator group (igroup). An igroup is a logical named entity that is assigned to one or more addresses associated with one or more initiators. These addresses may comprise fibre channel (FC) world wide name (WWN) or iSCSI name identifiers (IDs).

Abstract: In order to manage the various types of attribute information within the storage system, the storage system includes the following databases within a file-access controlling memory: a database for managing index information for managing contents of the files, and an index retrieval program, a database for managing the attribute information on the files, and a database for managing storage positions of blocks configuring a file. When the storage system receives an access request to a file, the utilization of these databases allows the storage system to make the access to the access-target file.

Abstract: The invention relates to management of I/O in data storage systems. In an embodiment, the invention provides a data storage subsystem processing I/O requests each having a priority, comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a disk array, an array controller coupled to the processor and the disk array, a network interface, coupled to the processor, to receive an I/O request with a priority, and a program in the memory for managing the I/O request based on the priority, a clip level of the priority, the total workload in the data storage subsystem, and processing I/O requests based on priority, workload clip levels, and fairness levels. The invention also contemplates the use of static and dynamic adjusted clip levels.

Abstract: Presented herein is a direct memory access engine for providing data words in the reverse order. The data words are fetched in batches comprising a predetermined number of data words starting from the last data word and proceeding to the first data word. The batches are stored in a local buffer. The contents of the local buffer are transmitted in reverse order.

Abstract: The invention discloses a compressor for encoding data and a decompressor for decoding data. The data compressor comprises an encoder configured to encode a data file using a dictionary-based compression. The encoder is configured to reset the dictionary at least once while encoding the data file, thereby forming a plurality of encoded data blocks. The invention discloses also a data decompressor comprising a decoder configured to decode a data file compressed using a dictionary-based compression. The decoder is configured to recognize at least one block boundary within the data file and to restart decoding at the block boundary.

Abstract: In a cluster-structured disk subsystem, when creating a volume for an online backup separately from a volume for a normal I/O, it is desirable to be able to achieve such a creation for any volume under subsystem. Further, with an increase in the capacity of the subsystem, it becomes more difficult for a user to determine where to place a volume to which data is to be copied. Thus, a cluster-structured storage system is provided in which it is possible to reference/renew snapshot control information in shared memory of other clusters and achieve a snapshot between clusters via an inter-cluster connecting mechanism. In this system, control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a volume to which data is to be copied is suggested to the user.

Abstract: An optimal track zero determination method used in a hard disk drive and a hard disk drive using the method. The method has the operations: (a) performing a sequential seek operation on target tracks of a disk, in units of predetermined numbers of tracks, outwardly, from a track separate from a physical track zero position obtained in a servo track write operation, by a predetermined distance toward the physical track zero position; (b) determining whether the target tracks belong to a region where a track-following operation is normally performed, and determining whether an actuator arm connected to a transducer is in contact with a mechanical buffering unit during the sequential seek operation of operation (a); and (c) selecting as a logical track zero, the target track belonging to the region where the track following operation is normally performed and the actuator arm is not in contact with the mechanical buffering unit.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a storage system is provided. The storage system includes a tape cartridge having a magnetic tape medium and a tape drive for reading and writing data to the magnetic tape medium of the tape cartridge. Performance data associated with specific operating loci (e.g., bands, directions, tracks, segments, etc.) of the tape drive and tape medium are collected, analyzed, and stored, allowing for analysis and detection of trends over time. In one example, tape usage events are monitored and when they cross a threshold the system may remove particular tapes in a preventative maintenance approach to reduce system outage. Performance data is collected and analyzed with a portion of the performance data being saved to emulated medium auxiliary memory (EMAM) on the magnetic tape, and a portion of the of the performance data saved in non-volatile storage in the drive.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatus and computer programs for scheduling storage input and/or output (I/O) requests. A method for scheduling storage access requests determines a request processing sequence calculated to maximize SLA-based revenues achievable from processing a number of requests. A storage controller includes a scheduler which implements a revenue-based scheduling function to determine a revenue-maximizing processing sequence, and then assigns storage access requests to locations in a queue corresponding to the determined sequence. In an on-line mode, the scheduler can adapt to additional received requests, evaluating the revenue function for the additional requests and modifying the schedule if required. The method may include analysing a request stream to predict requests that are likely to be received in the near future, and taking account of the predicted requests when determining a processing schedule.

Abstract: A data storage device having capabilities for alternate storage of repeated data and methods for alternate storage of repeated data within a data storage device. In one example embodiment, a method is disclosed for a data storage device to alternately store data within the data storage device. First, the data storage device identifies a data pattern that is present at a plurality of physical addresses on the data storage device. Next, the data storage device writes the data pattern to a single physical address. Then, the data storage device remaps the logical address of each of the plurality of physical addresses to the single physical address. Finally, the data storage device allocates a new logical address for each of the plurality of physical addresses. In this example method, the identifying, writing, remapping, and allocating are performed by the data storage device without regard to data file boundaries.

Abstract: A virtual mass storage device implements a data manager for storing information on multiple physical mass storage devices. The virtual mass storage device is organized into blocks of information, which are allocated to different physical devices, thereby enabling the physical devices to operate in parallel and increase the overall transfer rate of the virtual device.

Abstract: A computer has access to a system-formatted data storage unit (DSU) containing a file system and to a raw DSU. A file within the file system constitutes a raw DSU mapping that facilitates access to the raw DSU. The raw DSU mapping appears to be an ordinary file to a storage user, but with the size of the raw DSU. An attempted access to the raw DSU mapping is translated into a corresponding access to the raw DSU. Access to the raw DSU by the storage user may be restricted to a specified region of the raw DSU, by defining an extent within the raw DSU mapping. The raw DSU mapping provides access to the raw DSU with many of the advantages of using a file system, including name persistency, permissions, persistent attributes, locking information for a distributed file system and other extended metadata.

Abstract: A method of accessing a plurality of storage devices is disclosed. A system and a computer program product for emulating tape libraries are also disclosed. First and second virtual storage devices with first and second address spaces, respectively, are defined. The first and second address spaces are mapped to portions on each of a plurality of storage devices. The storage devices can be part of a power managed RAID system where all the storage devices are not powered on at one time. A stream of contiguous address values are received and a storage device is selected. Finally, data is stored on the portion of the selected storage device so that multiple data streams can be written at all times, even though all the storage devices are not powered on. Similarly, stored data may be retrieved from the selected storage device by traversing the scattered streams.

Abstract: Conventionally, it has been impossible to use a virtual tape volume having the same volume serial number and different media. A computer implemented virtual tape system enables making definition of a virtual tape volume of another medium with the same volume serial number and definition of a virtual tape magazine of grouped virtual tape in a virtual tape management table. A virtual tape control mounts a virtual tape volume of a virtual tape magazine used in a job or a virtual tape volume on a virtual tape device based on a management table correlating the job with the virtual tape magazine or a command.

Abstract: There is provided a storage apparatus, which can continue processes to a host without making it recognize any soft errors as failure even if the errors occur in its microprocessor. The storage apparatus comprises: a plurality of host interface control circuits controlling data transfer with a host; a disk interface control circuit controlling data transfer with a physical memory device; a cache memory board storing the data temporarily; and a switch board connecting the host interface control circuits, disk interface control circuit, and cache memory board, wherein each of the host interface control circuits has two or more CPUs and when a soft error occurs in the CPU, data transfer process with the host is inherited to the CPU in which no soft error occurs, so that a reset process to the CPU in which the soft error has occurred is carried out.

Abstract: A network system includes a storage device and a plurality of information devices using storage regions of the storage device, in which the band control information required for performing the network communication band control is created in accordance with the band guarantee requirement information concerning the network communication band guarantee, the configuration information in the storage device and the performance information of the storage device. Furthermore, a band control execution device is instructed to execute the network communication band control in accordance with the band control information.

Abstract: In a system where a storage device is coupled to a computer, a storage area in the storage device is efficiently allocated to the computer. The system comprises a virtualization apparatus to be coupled to the virtulization apparatus. The virtualization apparatus, responding to a request from the computer, issues a notice to the effect that a predetermined size of virtual volume has been allocated to the computer. The virtualization apparatus, upon receiving an access request from the computer to the virtual volume, allocates storage areas existing in a plurality of storage devices to the virtual volume, converts the access request received from the computer to an access request addressed to a storage device having the storage devices allocated to the virtual volume, and transmits the converted access request to the storage device.

Abstract: A file system for streaming media uses at least one set of a plurality of storage bands that are arranged sequentially on a magnetic storage disk. Each storage band contains a plurality of storage blocks. At least one data file that is formed from a plurality of sequential data blocks and contains, for example, media content and/or video data is stored in a set of storage bands so that each data block of the data file is stored in a sequential manner with respect to consecutively sequential data blocks. The plurality of storage blocks contained in each storage band are sequentially arranged in the storage band and the storage blocks contained in each storage band sequentially store data blocks of the data file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing multi-threaded backups and restores. In one embodiment, a log is maintained to record the source of write commands, and the order in which blocks of data are written to a sequential storage device. The source identification of the write command may consist of such identifiers as a protocol dependent Host ID, the extended-copy-specification-defined List ID, a time stamp, and the size of the backup medium block written. The order in which the data is written to the backup medium can be identified with these same Host ID and List ID numbers. When it is desired to restore data corresponding to one of the threads, the desired blocks of data can be identified in the log, and the preceding blocks stored on the backup medium can be skipped.

Abstract: In a storage device, the data process can be performed without lowering the data processing efficiency even when the sector length of the host device side and the sector length of the hard disk side are different from each other. Partial data or whole data of a second data block using a long sector defined on the hard disk side as a base and surrounding the starting end and terminating end addresses of a first data block using a host-defined sector as a base is read from the hard disk and written to the flash memory before the data process using the flash memory as a cache is performed based on a command.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing storage operations on electronic data in a network. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a first set of selection logic, a media management component is selected to manage the storage operation. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a second set of selection logic, a network storage device to associate with the storage operation. The selected media management component and the selected network storage device perform the storage operation on the electronic data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a virtual machine environment operating on portable devices with limited resources. The virtual machine environment includes a method for compiling an intermediate language into native code wherein the native code is stored in a directly addressable and executable storage medium, such as flash memory. A portion of the native code is written to a cache resident in volatile memory during compiling. The cache is written to the directly addressable and executable storage medium. The cache may be sized in relation to a block size associated with the directly addressable and executable storage medium. A metadata map is maintained and associates a physical address at which the native code is stored in the storage medium with the method. The native code is persisted by storing the metadata map in the storage medium and associating the metadata map with the method.

Abstract: When there is an access passing between unit disk controllers, the band of a mutual connecting network must be very large in order to exhibit the performance sufficiently, so that the cost is increased. In the present invention, the access number of a logical volume is monitored, the change of an access path is suggested to an upper class device, and the logical volume is moved or copied to each unit disk controller, so that the mutual connecting network is used mainly for copy of the logical volume, thereby reducing the necessary band.

Abstract: A data storage device such as a disc drive is described that has a controller chip with an integral embedded read/write channel on the chip. The chip includes a built in test capability for testing the controller logic via the device microprocessor and a nonreturn to zero test FIFO and control logic module. The module includes an internal first in/first out buffer (FIFO) that has variable data speeds and is provided on the chip to provide the test capability thereby permitting testing that would otherwise be difficult to perform.

Abstract: A tape mirror interface comprises an input terminal coupled to at least one input node and capable of receiving data transfer requests, a plurality of output terminals coupled to a plurality of tape storage devices, and a control element coupled to the input terminal and plurality of output terminals. The control element presents the plurality of tape storage devices as separate media devices and selectively controls data transfer in a synchronous mode and a split mode. In the synchronous mode, writes to a target tape storage media are mirrored to a mirrored tape storage media. In the split mode, writes are written to tape storage devices independently.

Abstract: An apparatus or method that tracks the identity of stripe units or group of stripe units from which data has been previously read by an application program running on a computer system. In one embodiment, the present invention stores the identity of previously read stripe units or groups of stripe units in a table. If the application program requests data of one of stripe unit or groups of stripe units whose identity is stored in the table, the requested data is regenerated from parity data and data of the stripe or stripes other than the requested data. This generated data is returned to the application program rather then the existing data stored in the stripe unit groups of stripe units.

Abstract: The invention relates to management of I/O in data storage systems. In an embodiment, the invention provides a data storage subsystem processing I/O requests each having a priority, comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a disk array, an array controller coupled to the processor and the disk array, a network interface, coupled to the processor, to receive an I/O request with a priority, and a program in the memory for managing the I/O request based on the priority, a clip level of the priority, the total workload in the data storage subsystem, and processing I/O requests based on priority, workload clip levels, and fairness levels. The invention also contemplates the use of static and dynamic adjusted clip levels.

Abstract: An I/O interface cover assembly includes a panel, a bracket for accommodating an I/O interface element, a driving device, a locking device and a button. The panel defines an opening and a button hole adjacent the opening. The bracket is received in the opening, and includes one end pivotally connected to the panel and the other end defining an I/O slot and a locking hole therein. The driving device is disposed between the panel and the bracket for driving the bracket out from the opening of the panel. The locking device is movably arranged to the panel, and engagable with the locking hole of the bracket. The locking device is disposed with a resilient element. The button is disposed in the button hole of the panel, and is able to press the locking device to disengage from the locking hole of the bracket.

Abstract: In a disk control system having a RAID controller for continuously writing data on a data stripe composed of a plurality disk apparatus, in response to a write request, data blocks are sequentially written on empty areas of a write target data stripe on the plurality of disks in such a manner that at least one data block is written at a time. Further, in response to the write request, logical addresses having address values prior to address translation are written on logical address log areas on the plurality of disks, as logical-address log information. An upper file system is notified that the write has been completed after the data and the logical-address log information have been completely written.

Abstract: There is provided a portable storage device which makes it possible to largely reduce time that is taken to remove the storage cartridge that is inserted and cannot be handled. A removable hard disk cartridge contains a hard disk and a control circuit for control of writing and reading of data in and from the hard disk in a casing thereof. A main unit includes an automatic loading/ejecting mechanism that receives the hard disk cartridge into a predetermined inner position within the main unit and ejects the same out from the position, and a microprocessor that controls storage operation for storing data in the hard disk cartridge. Before the automatic loading/ejecting mechanism performs a receiving operation, it is determined whether access to contents recorded on the hard disk can be gained, and when the access cannot be gained, the receiving operation by the automatic loading/ejecting mechanism is inhibited.

Abstract: A method for processing data on a particular storage device in a plurality of storage devices is disclosed. A system and a computer program product for processing data on a particular storage device in a plurality of storage devices are also disclosed. All the storage devices from among the plurality of storage devices are not powered-on at the same time. A storage device, which is powered-off is selected for background processing. Further, a data-enhancing operation is selected. The selected storage device is powered on and the selected data-enhancing operation is processed on the storage device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a storage system including a host computer, and a first and a second storage control apparatuses each receiving a data input/output request from the host computer and executing a data input/output process for a storage device in response to the request, comprises connecting a first communication path between the host computer and the first apparatus; connecting a second communication path between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; receiving by the first apparatus a first data input/output request from the host computer through the first path; when the first apparatus has judged that the first request is not for the first apparatus, transmitting by the first apparatus a second data input/output request corresponding to the first request, to the second apparatus through the second path; and by the second apparatus, receiving the second request and executing a data input/output process corresponding to the second request received.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for managing one or more data storage networks using a new architecture. A method for handling logical to physical mapping is included in one embodiment with the new architecture. A method for handling errors is included in another embodiment with the new architecture.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for adjusting the rate of data transfer between a high-speed multi-channel tape drive and a slower-capability network interface. The present invention allows for selectively enabling/disabling active channels to adjust the data throughput to match the data transfer capabilities of the network interface. Such an adjustment optimizes the rate of data transfer between the system and the tape drive by reducing the amount of stop and start operations normally present in an environment where the network interface cannot support the high-speed data transfer rates of a tape drive. Such an enablement/disablement adjustment system allows for a greater range of varying data rates within the transfer.

Abstract: A portable external hard disk system is provided. The hard disk system includes a hard disk unit and a conversion unit that is attachable to and detachable from the hard disk unit. The hard disk unit has an IDE interface terminal. The conversion unit has an IDE interface terminal and a USB terminal. Also, the conversion unit includes therein a secondary battery. The conversion unit supplies the combined power of the power of a USB power line and the power of the secondary battery to the hard disk unit.

Abstract: A tape storage emulator provides response data corresponding to a tape storage device and receives a non-media command from a server. The response data is sent to the server in response to the non-media command. A media command is received from the server. The media command is applied to a virtual tape volume configured on a disk storage device.

Abstract: While executing a command that accesses a sector on a disk-shaped recording medium placed in a data recording device, an address of a sector where it is difficult to read data is recorded in a memory. After that, a determination is made as to whether or not the data recording device is executing a command. If it is judged that the data recording device is not executing a command, the address of the sector is read from the memory, and then a bad sector is searched for by detecting whether or not it is difficult to read data from each of surrounding sectors adjacent to the sector, the address of which has been read.

Abstract: A hybrid-type storage system having both SAN and NAS interfaces can be implemented by simple hardware capable of carrying out a SAN function independently of a NAS function and a NAS load. To be more specific, a controller of the storage system comprises a NAS controller for accepting an I/O command issued for a file unit and a SAN controller for accepting an I/O command issued for a block unit. The NAS controller converts an I/O command issued for a file unit into an I/O command issued for a block unit, and transfers the I/O command issued for a block unit to the SAN controller. The SAN controller makes an access to data stored in a disk apparatus in accordance with an I/O command received from the SAN or from the NAS controller as a command issued for a block unit. The NAS and SAN controllers are capable of operating independently of each other.