IBM Assigned Seventeen Patents on Storage

Creation of synthetic backups within deduplication storage system by backup
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,857) developed by Aronovich, Lior, Toronto, Canada, Hirsch, Michael, Mazkeret Batya, Israel, and Toaff, Yair, Givat Shmuel, Israel, for a “creation of synthetic backups within deduplication storage system by a backup application.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Input backup data is deduplicated with data of a synthetic backup previously constructed by a deduplication storage system. A synthetic backup is constructed by processing metadata instructions provided by a backup application. Deduplication digests are calculated based on the data of the synthetic backup and the deduplication digests are stored in a digests index. When new backup data is processed, deduplication digests of the new data are calculated and searched in the digests index. Matching digests of previously constructed synthetic backups are located in the digests index. Each of the located matching digest references stored data are included in the synthetic backup, and the stored data is similar to the input backup data. Data matches are found in the input backup data and data in the synthetic backup.”

The patent application was filed on November 17, 2017 (15/816,205).

Access of virtual machines to storage area networks
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,811) developed by Amann, Stefan, Boeblingen, Germany, Banzhaf, Gerhard, Nufringen, Germany, and Friedrich, Ralph, Sindelfingen, Germany, for an “access of virtual machines to storage area networks.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method for managing access of virtual machines executed by a host computer system to storage area networks, the storage area networks connecting the host computer system with storage systems via switches, where the host computer system includes one or more host ports to connect with a switch each, and where one or more port names are assigned to each virtual machine. The method includes, for each storage area network connected with the host computer system, sending the port names of a virtual machine and a target port name as part of a validate access command to the respective switch, and when receiving the validate access command by the switch, the switch returning success information to the sending host computer system in case all received virtual machine port names have access to a target port assigned to the received target port name, otherwise returning a fail information.”

The patent application was filed on April 5, 2019 (16/376,575).

Implementation of performance, resiliency and availability dual controller storage
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,769) developed by Chen, Lior, Jerusalem, Israel, Gan-Levi, Daniel, Modiin, Israel, Gazit, Ronen, Tel-Aviv, Israel, Leneman, Ofer, Kfar Saba, Israel, and Messing, Deborah A., Beit Sehemesh, Israel, for an “method for the implementation of a high performance, high resiliency and high availability dual controller storage system.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: splitting received information between two controllers of a system in a normal operating mode, the received information including data and metadata, storing the metadata in resilient storage in response to a first of the controllers entering a failed state, updating the first controller with information received while the first controller was in the failed state, the first controller being updated in response to the first controller being repaired, and returning the system to the normal operating mode in response to the first controller being updated. Storing the metadata in resilient storage includes: saving snapshots of the metadata in the resilient storage, and saving changes to the metadata which occur between the snapshots. The changes to the metadata are saved in a log structured array. Moreover, the two controllers store the received information in a specified system memory location.”

The patent application was filed on September 5, 2017 (15/696,047).

Automatic data healing using storage controller
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,767) developed by Rooney, William J., Hopewell Junction, NY, Powelson, Tabor R., Poughkeepsie, NY, Blea, David R., Round Rock, TX, McBride, Gregory E., Vail, AZ, Riedy, Dale F., Poughkeepsie, NY, and Mellgren, Carol S., Tucson, AZ, for an “automatic data healing using a storage controller.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is a method for correcting pinned data in a primary storage. A primary storage controller may detect a pinned data set on a primary storage. In response to detecting the pinned data set, the primary storage controller may instruct a secondary storage controller to transmit a copy of the pinned data set to the primary storage controller. The copy of the pinned data set may be stored in a secondary storage that is communicatively coupled to the secondary storage controller. The secondary storage may include a synchronous copy of the primary storage. The primary storage controller may receive the copy of the pinned data set from the secondary storage controller. The primary storage controller may also write the copy of the pinned data set over the pinned data set on the primary storage.”

The patent application was filed on February 7, 2018 (15/890,508).

Data storage comprising primary and secondary storage
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,764) developed by Boden, Ian, Southampton, Great Britain, Agombar, John P., Winchester, Great Britain, Hutchison, Gordon, Eastleigh, Great Britain, and Sanders, Lee J., Chichester, Great Britain, for a “data storage system comprising primary and secondary storage systems.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Data is stored on a primary storage system and a copy of the data is stored on a secondary storage system. A determination is made that a connection between the systems is currently unavailable. Location data is maintained that identifies where changes have been made to the primary storage system while the connection is unavailable. Another determination is made that data has been lost at the secondary storage system. Recovery data required to repair the lost data is identified. Another determination is made that the connection to the secondary storage system is now available. The location data is updated with the locations of the recovery data. The secondary storage system is updated with data from the primary storage system as defined by the location data.”

The patent application was filed on October 2, 2017 (15/722,121).

Rebuild rollback support in distributed SDS
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,763) developed by Elron, Ram, Keller, Michael, Haifa, Israel, Matosevich, Rivka M., Zichron-Ya’acov, Israel, and Shasha, Osnat, Holon, Israel, for a “rebuild rollback support in distributed SDS systems.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Methods, computing systems and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include detecting a loss of communication with a given storage node among multiple storage nodes in a distributed computing system. Upon detecting the loss of communication, a log including updates to the data stored in the given storage node is recorded and, the recorded updates can be applied to the given storage node upon communication with the given storage node being reestablished. In some embodiments, the distributed storage system may be configured as a software defined storage system where the storage nodes can be implemented as either virtual machines or software containers. In additional embodiments, upon detecting the loss of communication, a redistribution of the mirrored data among remaining storage nodes is initiated upon detecting the loss of communication, and the redistribution is rolled back upon reestablishing the communication.”

The patent application was filed on June 1, 2018 (15/995,397).

Selecting log snapshots for export in automated data storage library
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,758) developed by Goodman, Brian G., Jesionowski, Leonard G., Miranda Gavillan, Jose G., and Qiu, Kenny N. G., Tucson, AZ, for “selecting log snapshots for export in an automated data storage library.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Embodiments for selecting log snapshots for export in an automated data storage library by a processor. One or more log snapshots of an automated data storage library of an event displayed on a user interface of a device may be selected for exporting according to user defined criteria such that the one or more snapshots relate to the event or trigger, wherein the user interface provides an events table for searching and locating the event.”

The patent application was filed on October 19, 2016 (15/297,497).

Point-in-time copy on remote system
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,756) developed by Sipka, Andrea, Chandler’s Ford, Great Britain, and Wilkinson, John P., Salisbury, Great Britain, for a “point-in-time copy on a remote system.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium, (which is not a transitory signal per se) having program instructions embodied therewith which are readable and/or executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method which includes: receiving data at a secondary storage volume in a secondary system from a primary storage volume in a primary system. Upon receiving a read request at the secondary system, the method includes: reading the requested data from the secondary storage volume, sending a request to the primary system for the requested data after determining that it is not in the secondary storage volume, receiving the data from the primary system, supplying the requested data, storing the data received from the primary system in the secondary storage volume, updating a secondary record, and sending a message to the primary system for updating a primary record.”

The patent application was filed on August 7, 2017 (15/670,674).

Partial rebuild operation within dispersed storage network
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,751) developed by Dhuse, Greg R., Chicago, IL, and Khadiwala, Ravi V., Bartlett, IL, for a “partial rebuild operation within a dispersed storage network including local memory and cloud-based alternative memory.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method includes detecting an encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices that requires rebuilding. A storage unit of the DSN includes a local memory and cloud-based alternative memory. The storage unit stores at least one of first and second encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices in the cloud-based alternative memory. The method further includes determining whether to rebuild the encoded data slice using a full rebuild operation or partial rebuild operation. When determined to rebuild the encoded data slice using the partial rebuild operation, a partial rebuild request is sent to the storage unit. The storage unit then generates partial rebuilding data based on the first and second encoded data slices. The rebuilding module then creates a rebuilt encoded data slice from the partial rebuilding data and other partial rebuilding data from other storage units.”

The patent application was filed on October 27, 2016 (15/336,013).

Subtier-level data assignment in tiered storage
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,614) developed by Iliadis, Ilias, Rueschlikon, Switzerland, Kim, Yusik, Zwolle, The Netherlands, Sarafijanovic, Slavisa, Adliswil, Switzerland, and Venkatesan, Vinodh, Waedenswil, Switzerland, for a “subtier-level data assignment in a tiered storage system.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An embodiment is directed to a method for determining an assignment of data to be stored on at least one storage tier i of a plurality of storage tiers of a tiered storage system. The method including, for the at least one storage tier i, steps of accessing storage device characteristics of the at least one storage tier i of the plurality, based on the accessed storage device characteristics, splitting the at least one storage tier i into N.sub.i storage subtiers of the at least one storage tier i, the N.sub.i storage subtiers having respective storage device characteristics, and based on characteristics of data to be stored on the tiered storage system and the respective storage device characteristics of the N.sub.i storage subtiers, determining an assignment of data to be stored on each of the N.sub.i storage subtiers. Embodiments are directed to related methods, systems and computer program products.”

The patent application was filed on October 19, 2016 (15/297,750).

Small storage volume management
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,613) developed by Cohen, Dan, Nataf, Israel, Matosevich, Rivka M., Zichron-Ya’acov, Israel, Somech, Ovad, Rishon LeZion, Israel, and Tzabari, Eran, Tel-Aviv, Israel, for a “small storage volume management.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An aggregation volume includes a plurality of sub-volumes. Advanced storage functions or operations are carried out at the aggregation volume granularity and therefore are carried out on all sub-volumes allocated in a single aggregation volume at the same time. Such organization results in a de facto consistency group for all sub-volumes associated with a single aggregation volume. To create a sub-volume the aggregation volume is logically divided into pre-defined size chunks. Each chuck can subsequently be allocated to the sub-volume. When a sub-volume is created it is allocated to a number of chunks according to a requested sub-volume size.”

The patent application was filed on December 7, 2017 (15/834,503).

Optimized sequential writes on mirrored disks
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,612) developed by Narayanam, Krishnasuri, Bangalore, India, Patel, Sarvesh, Punadikar, Sachin C., and Roy, Subhojit, Pune, India, for “optimized sequential writes on mirrored disks.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Embodiments for optimizing sequential write operations in a data deduplication environment by one or more processors. Similar data deduplication signatures for stored data at all storage devices in one or more storage systems may be maintained. A deduplication signature associated with a write operation at a storage device may be compared to the similar data deduplication signatures. Results of the comparison with each of the other storage devices may be shared prior to performing the write operation.”

The patent application was filed on January 4, 2018 (15/861,862).

Determining optimum selection of functions for units in DSN memory
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,607) developed by Kazi, Asimuddin, Naperville, IL, for “determining an optimum selection of functions for units in a DSN memory.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network, (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and memory such that the processing module, when operable within the computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. The computing device determines estimated need of capabilities within the DSN based processing access requests for data, storing of the data, and/or rebuilding of the data and also determines actual capabilities within the DSN based on provisioned dispersed storage, (DS) units within the DSN. The computing device then generates an assignment of functions for the DS units within the DSN and directs the DS units within the DSN to operate based on the assignment of functions.”

The patent application was filed on November 10, 2016 (15/348,611).

Dynamic I/O throttling in storlet environment
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,585,596) developed by Balinski, Peter A., Elmhurst, NY, Eda, Sasikanth, Vijayawada, India, Joshi, Ashwin M., Pune, India, Olson, John T., Tucson, AZ, and Patil, Sandeep R., Pune, India, for a “dynamic I/O throttling in a storlet environment.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method, computer system, and a computer program product for dynamic IO throttling in a storlet environment is provided. The present invention may include receiving, from a user, a computational algorithm. The present invention may also include deploying the received computational algorithm. The present invention may then include determining the user has not engaged throttling based on the deployed computational algorithm. The present invention may further include parsing the computational algorithm based on the engaged throttling. The present invention may include identifying a pipeline operation based on the parsed computational algorithm. The present invention may also include building a timing relation between the identified pipeline operation and an IO operation. The present invention may then include translating a timing lag to a storage IO operation based on the built timing relation.”

The patent application was filed on February 12, 2018 (15/894,259).

Providing information on published configuration patterns of storage resources
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,581,970) developed by Jain, Rakesh, Routray, Ramani R., Padbidri, Sumant, and Song, Yang, San Jose, CA, for “providing information on published configuration patterns of storage resources to client systems in a network computing environment.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided are a computer program product, method, and system for providing information on published configuration patterns of storage resources to client systems in a network computing environment. Published configuration patterns of storage resources and storage performance models for the published configuration patterns are received from the client systems and stored in a catalog. The published storage performance models are based on storage performance and workloads realized at the configuration patterns of the storage resources. A determination is made from the catalog of at least one published configuration pattern that is similar to a requested configuration pattern requested by a client system according to at least one storage attribute. A result set is generated indicating the determined at least one published configuration pattern and the storage performance model and sent to the requesting client system.”

The patent application was filed on February 26, 2019 (16/286,579).

Storage using cloud based ranks as replica storage
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,581,969) developed by Gupta, Lokesh, and Borlick, Matthew G., Tucson, AZ, for a “storage system using cloud based ranks as replica storage.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer-implemented method for using cloud based ranks as replica storage comprises allocating storage space on cloud storage devices via a cloud interface, mapping the allocated storage space on the cloud storage devices to corresponding virtual local addresses, grouping the virtual local addresses to create at least one cloud based rank from the allocated storage space on the cloud storage devices, designating a cloud based rank as cloud based replica storage for a corresponding primary storage, assigning a service level to the cloud based replica storage based, at least in part, on characteristics of data being mirrored to the cloud based replica storage and a rate at which the data is mirrored to the cloud based replica storage, and dynamically adjusting the service level assigned to the cloud based replica storage in response to a command to swap the cloud based replica storage with the corresponding primary storage.”

The patent application was filed on September 14, 2017 (15/704,684).

Load-balancing input/output requests in clustered storage
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,581,959) developed by Ambach, Christian, Limburg, Germany, Dietz, Mathias, Oberhausen, Germany, and Wolafka, Rainer, Hofheim-Langenhain, Germany, for a “load-balancing input/output requests in clustered storage systems.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer-implemented method for load-balancing client input/output, (I/O) requests in a clustered storage system may include receiving a request by a first node of a clustered storage system from a client to initiate a session between the client and the first node. The request may specify a multi-channel communication session. In response to receiving the request, an Internet Protocol, (IP) address of the first and at least a second node may be transmitted to the client. The multi-channel communication session may be established between the client and the first and second nodes in which the client communicates with the first node using a first communication channel and communicates with the second node using a second communication channel. The first node may transmit to the second node session data determined at the first node. The second node may transmit to the first node session data determined at the second node.”

The patent application was filed on January 30, 2018 (15/883,278).