International Business Machines Corporation

Steven J Buller

Craig Anthony Klein

Robert George Emberty

Richard Hutzler

Richard C Garrett

Jonathan Wade Ain

David Adam Sinclair

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to data backup and archival tools and provide a method, system and computer program product for the dispersal and retrieval of fragments in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for the dispersal and retrieval of fragments in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network can include partitioning a file into multiple, different fragments for storage in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network, selecting different peer hosts in the peer-to-peer data backup and archival network to store different ones of the fragments, and storing each of the fragments in at least one of the selected different peer hosts. Optionally, the fragments can be encrypted before storage in the different peer hosts.

Dispersal and retrieval of data fragments in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to data backup and archival tools and provide a method, system and computer program product for periodically shuffling data fragments in a data backup set across different storage media in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for periodic shuffling of data fragments in a data backup set across different storage media in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network can be provided. The method can include partitioning a file into multiple, different fragments for storage in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network, storing the fragments in different peer hosts in the peer-to-peer data backup and archival network, and periodically shuffling the stored fragments to different peer hosts. In an aspect of the embodiment, the method also can include encrypting the fragments before storage in the different peer hosts.

Periodic shuffling of data fragments in a peer-to-peer data backup and archival network

An automatic enable and disable system and method for a computer interfaced device linkable to an external computer system. Communication occurs when a computer interfaced device has been latched to and inserted into or unlatched and about to be removed from the external computer system. A sensor is coupled to a controller of the computer interfaced device, and a sensor component is coupled to a cam mechanism or other such component of the computer interfaced device. The sensor component is engagable to and disengagable from the sensor. The sensor senses engaging and disengaging of the sensor component respectively thereto and therefrom as the cam mechanism or such component is latched and unlatched. Latching of the cam mechanism or such component and the computer interfaced device is communicated to the external computer system when the sensor component is engaged to the sensor. Unlatching of the cam mechanism or such component and the fact that the computer interfaced device is about to be removed from the external computer system is communicated to the external computer system when the sensor component is disengaged from the sensor. A non-maskable interrupt is used to couple the sensor to the controller which is in communications with the external computer system. The sensor component is a magnet, light passage blocker, or mechanical sensor component, and the sensor is a hall-effect sensor, an optical sensor, or a mechanical sensor.

Auto enable/disable system and method for computer interfaced devices

A computer hard disk drive for a use in a redundant array of independent disk drives (RAID) is mounted in a drive carrier for insertion into a drawer in a storage subsystem. The drive carrier has a conventional drive connector on one end for interfacing with the host computer, and an aesthetic bezel on an opposite end. The disk drive has an external optical source and sensor extending from the drive circuit card. The optical source and sensor are located adjacent to the bezel. The bezel is provided with an small optical service interface hole that aligns with the optical source and sensor for accessing them therethrough. The interface hole allows a technician to monitor the drive via the optical source and sensor while the drive is in operation, or to service the drive without removing it from the subsystem drawer.

Growing community of inventors

Morrisville, NC, United States of America

Steven J Buller