Alan R Sutton

US Patent:

6742084, May 25, 2004

Filed:

May 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/564261

Inventors:

Richard J. Defouw - Boulder CO
Alan Sutton - Boulder CO
Ronald W. Korngiebel - Westminister CO

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G06F 1200

US Classification:

711133, 711134, 711135, 711136, 711171

Abstract:

A caching method for selecting variable size data blocks for replacement or removal from a cache includes determining the size and the unreferenced time interval of each block in the cache. The size of a block is the amount of cache space taken up by the block. The unreferenced time interval of a block is the time that has elapsed since the block was last accessed, and may be determined using a least recently used (LRU) algorithm. The recall probability of each block in the cache is then determined. The recall probability of a block is a function of its unreferenced time interval and possibly size and other auxiliary parameters. The caching method then determines a quality factor (q) for each block. The (q) of a block is a function of its recall probability and size. The caching method concludes with removing from the cache the block with the lowest (q).

US Patent:

6789161, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Jul 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/121254

Inventors:

Stephen H. Blendermann - Boulder CO
Alan Ray Sutton - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G06F 1200

US Classification:

711111, 707206

Abstract:

A method for selectively controlling reutilization of data space in a virtual tape system is provided which allows a user to designate whether data from a scratched virtual volume can be automatically deleted without any further action on the part of the user. This allows a user to selectively choose to create a safety net by which expired data could still be retrieved if so desired, while also minimizing the impact of such a safety net feature on the overall efficiency in space management otherwise provided by the virtual tape system.

US Patent:

6925525, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Sep 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/255890

Inventors:

Stephen H. Blendermann - Boulder CO, US
Alan Ray Sutton - Boulder CO, US
Robert Raicer - Longmont CO, US
L. Michael Anderson - Arvada CO, US
Clayton E. Ruff - Longmont CO, US
William G. Kefauver - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G06F012/00

US Classification:

711111, 711112, 710 52

Abstract:

The present invention provides a virtual automated cartridge system (ACS) and data storage device management method which incorporates a temporary data buffer arrangement between multiple user systems and conventional physical data storage devices. The temporary data buffer arrangement emulates a compatible physical data storage device when accessed by each of the user systems, but allows simultaneous allocation of different users to access to read and write data to the temporary data buffer. A control processor automatically transfers data stored in the temporary data buffer arrangement to one of the physical data storage devices when allocation to a user has ended.

US Patent:

7136801, Nov 14, 2006

Filed:

Mar 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/803137

Inventors:

Michael L. Leonhardt - Longmont CO, US
Stephen H. Blendermann - Boulder CO, US
Alan R. Sutton - Boulder CO, US
Charles A. Milligan - Golden CO, US

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G06F 9/455
G06F 12/00

US Classification:

703 27, 711100

Abstract:

A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arrangement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.

US Patent:

7873781, Jan 18, 2011

Filed:

Jun 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/144742

Inventors:

Stephen H. Blendermann - Boulder CO, US
Alan Ray Sutton - Boulder CO, US
Robert Raicer - Longmont CO, US
L. Michael Anderson - Arvada CO, US
Clayton E. Ruff - Longmont CO, US
William G. Kefauver - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G06F 12/00

US Classification:

711111, 711118, 711156, 711159, 711163, 711E12069

Abstract:

A method for selectively controlling reutilization of space in a virtual tape system (VTS) having a buffer and a multiple volume tape cartridge includes transferring data volume files to the VTS. The buffer transfers the data making up these files as virtual tape volumes (VTVs) to different locations of the cartridge for storage. A file is selectively designated for the VTS to delete from storage after a date included with the file has elapsed by deleting the VTVs corresponding to the file from the cartridge to reuse space of the cartridge. The method includes detecting if a file transferred as VTVs to the cartridge has been designated for deletion. The VTS is prohibited from deleting the file after the date has elapsed if the file was not designated for deletion and is allowed to delete the file after the date has elapsed if the file was not designated for deletion.

US Patent:

20020188592, Dec 12, 2002

Filed:

Jun 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/878696

Inventors:

Michael Leonhardt - Longmont CO, US
Stephen Blendermann - Boulder CO, US
Alan Sutton - Boulder CO, US
Charles Milligan - Golden CO, US

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G06F007/00

US Classification:

707/001000

Abstract:

A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arrangement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.

US Patent:

20050207235, Sep 22, 2005

Filed:

May 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/130940

Inventors:

Stephen Blendermann - Boulder CO, US
Alan Sutton - Boulder CO, US
Robert Raicer - Longmont CO, US
L. Anderson - Arvada CO, US
Clayton Ruff - Longmont CO, US
William Kefauver - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G11C005/00

US Classification:

365189050

Abstract:

A data storage management system and method includes a physical storage, an interim storage which acts as a virtual storage to the physical storage, and a manager. The manager assigns a first interim storage portion to the first computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage upon receipt of an allocation request from the first computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage, and assigns a different second interim storage portion to the second computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage portion is assigned to the first computer, from the second computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage so that the computers have simultaneous access to the interim storage and the physical storage is free from monopolization by the computers.

US Patent:

55353347, Jul 9, 1996

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/466236

Inventors:

Kevin L. Merkley - Longmont CO
Kurt G. Schumacher - Boulder CO
Alan R. Sutton - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

39520015

Abstract:

A tiered communications service which utilizes multiple methods of communication and provides the ability for different host computer systems to pass dam, unconcerned with the type of communications medium used by the service. Each method of communication is ranked according to its preference within the service. When the communications service encounters an error while attempting to send data to another host system, it performs an automatic switch to the method with the next lower preference which is available for use. The service sends notification to the other system of the change in communications method used and which method to start using, then continues sending the data. The communications method may be switched to a higher or lower preferred method explicitly by operator command, which also sends notification to the other systems of a change in method. Each host system has the ability to communicate with other host systems via various communications methods, depending on the methods defined to the service. A host system can communicate with a second host system using one communications method and communicate with a third host computer system using a different communications method.