International Business Machines Corporation

Aare Onton

Kevin F Smith

Juan Li

Dung Kim Nguyen

Hai-Fang Yun

Harold Wieder

Gregory Tad Kishi

Michael H Lee

Charles R Guarnieri

Vincent Marrello

Jacques P Chevallier

Thomas R Engelmann

Wolfgang Ruhle

Chia-Hon Chien

Provided are a method, system, and an article of manufacture for optimizing storage utilization. Logical volumes are stored in a cache, wherein the cache is coupled to a plurality of physical devices. An optimum number of physical devices selected from the plurality of physical devices is determined. The logical volumes are transferred from the cache to the optimum number of physical devices.

Method, system, and article of manufacture for optimizing storage utilization

In a storage system comprising an array of storage devices, including a processor and memory, a plurality of logical tracks are organized on the storage devices in segments comprising columns striped across the storage devices. A system and method are provided for storing logical tracks in the storage devices. Sequentially logically related logical tracks are stored together in neighborhoods. Logical tracks of the same neighborhood destaged at the same time are assigned to a single open segment with other logical tracks of the same neighborhood type. The time at which open segments are designated as closed segments to be written to the storage devices is based on performance, disk utilization and memory utilization criteria. Logical tracks are never split between segment columns. Also, attempts are made not to split a neighborhood of logical tracks being destaged together between segment columns.

System and method for organizing data stored in a log structured array

In a storage system comprising an array of storage devices, including a processor and memory, a plurality of logical tracks are organized on the storage devices in segments comprising columns striped across the storage devices. A system and method are provided for storing logical tracks in the storage devices. Sequentially logically related logical tracks are stored together in neighborhoods. Logical tracks of the same neighborhood A0 destaged at the same time are assigned to a single open segment with other logical tracks of the same neighborhood type. The time at which open segments are designated as closed segments to be written to the storage devices is based on performance, disk utilization and memory utilization criteria. Logical tracks are never split between segment columns. Also, attempts are made not to split a neighborhood of logical tracks being destaged together between segment columns.

Apparatus and method for operating a data processing system (10) having a data processor (12), a disk data storage subsystem (14), and a disk manager (16). The method includes the steps of (a) partitioning the disk data storage system into multiple partitions including a first partition (28) and a second partition (30); (b) managing at least the first partition as a log-structured file system (LSFS) for storing segments comprised of active data units, for example logical tracks, each having, when stored, an access activity value that exceeds a first predetermined threshold; and (c) storing, within the second partition, segments comprised of inactive data units each having an access activity value, when stored, that is less than the first predetermined threshold.

Partitioned log-structured file system and methods for operating the same

An optical recording medium comprising adjacent thin layers of two different materials, which, upon marking with an energy beam, form a marked area comprising an alloy or mixture of the two materials. The optical properties of the marked area has contrast sufficiently different from the optical properties of the unmarked area so that the marked area can be reliably sensed. One of the first of the thin layers comprises a metal and the other of the thin layers comprises a metal or a semiconductor. The metals are taken from the group comprising Al, Au, Pb and Sn and the semiconductors are chosen from the group comprising Ge and Si.

Optical recording medium

A method for improving the memory effect and brightness of an alternating current (AC) excited thin film electroluminensence (ACTEL) device is described. A typical ACTEL device has a thin luminescent layer made of ZnS thin film doped with Mn which is sandwiched between two dielectric layers. ACTEL devices exhibit a brightness versus voltage amplitude hysteresis loop which is commonly referred to as the memory effect. The application of a hybrid AC excitation waveform to the ACTEL device provides increased brightness and improved memory effect stability. The hybrid waveform has an initial portion that is sufficiently high for efficient carrier generation and a remaining waveform portion that is at a lower level than the initial portion for charge collection and holding purposes.

Method of improving the memory effect and brightness of an alternating

An improved photoconductor for GaAs laser addressed devices sensitive to illumination at about 1.5 eV is an amorphous material containing silicon, hydrogen and a material taken from the group consisting of Ge, Sn and Pb. A preferred embodiment of this invention is amorphous Si.sub.x Ge.sub.1-x H.sub.y where x equals 0.78 to 0.93 and y equals 14-20 atomic percent.

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Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Aare Onton