Drobo, Inc.

Storcentric, Inc.

Rodney George Harrison

Terence M Rokop

Jason P O'Broin

Ricardo Padilha

Michael J Edwards

A computer-implemented method reliably stores data in a blockchain-based distributed storage system. The method utilizes computer processes carried out by a host computing device, including receiving from a renter computing device a storage contract proposal, sending over the network, by the host computing device to the renter computing device and to the blockchain, an acceptance of the storage contract proposal, and receiving from the blockchain, confirmation that a storage contract between the host computing device and the renter computing device has been added to the blockchain. After the data have been stored, the processes include computing a checksum, sending it to the renter computing device and to the blockchain and receiving, from the blockchain, confirmation that the checksum has been added to the blockchain.

Blockchain-based decentralized storage system

Embodiments of the present invention allow for fast cache reheat by periodically storing a snapshot of information identifying the contents of the cache at the time of the snapshot, and then using the information from the last snapshot to restore the contents of the cache following an event that causes loss or corruption of cache contents such as a loss of power or system reset. Since there can be a time gap between the taking of a snapshot and such an event, the actual contents of the cache, and hence the corresponding data stored in a data store, may have changed since the last snapshot was taken. Thus, the information stored at the last snapshot is used to retrieve current data from the data store for use in restoring the contents of the cache.

Fast cache reheat

The storage processor of a data storage system such as a storage array automatically uses a first portion of an accelerator cache storage device for an accelerator cache and a second portion of the accelerator cache storage device for a physical storage tier upon detecting the presence of the accelerator cache storage device installed in the data storage system, such as when a storage device is plugged into a designated slot of the data storage system, without requiring any user configuration of the accelerator cache or physical storage tier and without specification by the user of the type(s) of data to be cached in the accelerator cache or stored in the physical storage tier.

System and method for an accelerator cache and physical storage tier

The storage processor of a data storage system such as a storage array automatically configures one or more accelerator caches ('AC') upon detecting the presence of one or more solid-state storage devices (e.g., SSD drives) installed in the data storage system, such as when a storage device is plugged into a designated slot of the data storage system, without requiring any user configuration of the AC or specification by the user of the type(s) of data to be cached in the AC. The AC therefore provides a zero configuration cache that can be used to cache any of various types of data in the data storage system. The AC cache can be used in any of a wide variety of data storage systems including, without limitation, file servers, storage arrays, computers, etc. Multiple ACs may be created to cache different types of data.

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London, United Kingdom

Rodney George Harrison