International Business Machines Corporation

Tram Thi Mai Nguyen

William Russell Belknap

Gerald Edward Kozina

Steven K Elliot

Robert Lindsay Todd

Prasoon Sinha

Jonathan Ian Settle

David Ray Kahler

Joanna Katharine Brown

Michael John Jones

Ronald J Venturi

Roderick Guy Charles Moore

George Francis Silva

Thomas Van Der Veen

Brian D Herr

Damir Dervaric

Tamas Pinter

James Raimondo

Sidney Varoni, Jr

David Lawrence Leskovec

Geroge Francis Silva

A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying, in a multi-component system, a first component with an unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version. A plurality of predetermined compatibility tests are implemented on the first component and results of the plurality of compatibility tests are recorded in a predetermined database of records shared amongst the multi-component system. A record associated with the first component indicates a compatibility of the unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version with the multi-component system. In response to a determination that the record indicates that the unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version is compatible with the multi-component system, data processing is performed between the first component and a second component. In response to a determination that the record indicates that the unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version is incompatible the multi-component system, a notification is issued that details the incompatibility.

Compatibility testing of a component with an unknown software and/or firmware version in a multi-component system

Described is a system including a server rack comprising a plurality of components, a plurality of touch sensors respectively coupled with the plurality of components of the server rack, and a management system communicatively coupled to the server rack. The management system comprises one or more processors and one or more computer-readable storage media storing instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the management system to perform a method. The method comprises receiving, from the server rack, an indication of a failed component of the plurality of components. The method further comprises receiving, from a first touch sensor of the plurality of touch sensors, a touch indication. The method further comprises transmitting, to the server rack, an indication of whether the first touch sensor is coupled to the failed component.

Data center component replacement

The disclosure includes a computer-implemented method for providing fast data access after a drive failure, a computer program product, and a RAID controller. One embodiment may comprise identifying a RAID array, the RAID array comprising a plurality of storage volumes, identifying an unused block of a provisioned volume in the RAID array, and copying a redundant copy of high value host writes to the unused block. The copying may comprise, for primary strips in the RAID array, creating one or more secondary strips mirroring the primary strips such that each of pair of primary-secondary strips reside on different storage volumes from each other.

Fast recovery with enhanced raid protection

An architecture for error log processing is provided. Each error log is given a defined priority and mapped to an error recovery procedure (ERP) to be run if the log is seen. The system has a plurality of software layers to process the errors. Each software layer processes the error independently. Errors are reported to a higher software stack when error recovery fails from the lower stack ERPs and recovery is non-transparent. If the system host identified for error processing fails, the control of the ERP is transferred during the failover process. Non-obvious failed component isolating ERPs are grouped to be run together to assist in isolating the failed component. Prioritization of the error systems may be based on a plurality of criteria. ERPs are assigned to run within a particular software stack.

Error processing across multiple initiator network

The present invention is directed to a multimedia data storage system for storing multimedia data including a media server which stores media data on a short-term basis, and a media archive which stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server, which operates as a cache device for the media archive, for transmission of media data between the media archive and the media server. According to the present invention, a volume of the media data stored in the media server is controlled based on user-defined parameters. The present invention is also directed to a method of managing a media server as a cache device for a media archive within a multimedia data storage system. The media server stores media data on a short-term basis, whereas the media archive stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server for transmission of media data therebetween. According to the present invention, the method of managing includes determining a volume of the media data stored in the media server and controlling the volume of the media data stored in the media server based on user-defined parameters. The present invention is also directed to a computer-readable medium of instructions to be implemented in a multimedia data storage system including a media server and a media archive. The media server stores media data on a short-term basis and the media archive stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server for transmission of media data therebetween. The inventive computer-readable medium of instructions includes means for determining a volume of the media data stored in the media server and means for controlling the volume of the media data stored in the media server based on user-defined parameters.

Multimedia data storage system and method for operating a media server as a cache device and controlling a volume of data in the media server based on user-defined parameters

According to the present invention, a media manager is provided which incorporates an application program interface (API) for converting high-level generic commands into device-level commands for output to a media device. The inventive media manager includes a high-level command processor which decodes the high-level generic commands and device-specific code mapping modules which convert the high-level generic commands decoded by the high-level command processor into device-level commands. Each of the device-level commands is output from one of the device-specific code-mapping modules to a corresponding one of the media devices. The present invention also encompasses a method of implementing an application program interface (API) for media devices. The method includes receiving high-level generic commands from a computer application, converting the high-level generic commands into device-level commands, and outputting each of the device-level commands to one of the media devices. The present invention also encompasses a computer program product including a computer-readable medium. The computer program product includes means for decoding high-level generic commands, means for converting the high-level generic commands into device-level commands, and means for outputting each of the device-level commands to a corresponding one of the media devices. The present invention further encompasses a common application program interface (API) which converts high-level generic commands received from a computer application into device-level commands which are output to a plurality of media devices including media servers which stores media objects. The common API includes a plurality of individual APIs which each perform a specific function.

Application interface to a media server and a method of implementing the same

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Tram Thi Mai Nguyen