IP Library Granted Patent US 12,613,638
Granted Patent B2
US 12,613,638 · App. 18/590,246 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Efficient execution of I/O operations in a storage environment

Inventors: John Colgrove (Los Altos, CA); Craig Harmer (San Francisco, CA); John Hayes (Mountain View, CA); Bo Hong (Palo Alto, CA); Ethan Miller (Santa Cruz, CA); Feng Wang (Los Altos, CA); Ronald Karr (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: EVERPURE, INC.
G06F3/0619G06F3/061G06F3/0611G06F3/0613G06F3/0629G06F3/0646G06F3/0653G06F3/0659G06F3/0665G06F3/067G06F3/0685G06F3/0688G06F3/0689G06F11/0727G06F11/0751G06F11/1076G06F12/0804
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,613,638
App. No.
18/590,246
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for efficient execution of I/O operations in a storage environment including receiving, by a storage controller, an incoming I/O operation that can be serviced by a storage device while at least one pending operation is to be processed using the storage device, determining, based on an analysis by the storage controller of an operational state of a storage system that includes the storage device, whether processing the at least one pending operation is more efficient than issuing an alternative operation to the storage device, and issuing, by the storage controller, one or more instructions to the storage device.

Claims (49)

1 . A method comprising:

receiving, by a storage controller, an incoming input/output (I/O) operation having an associated priority that can be serviced by a storage device while one or more pending operations are to be processed using the storage device;

determining, based on an analysis by the storage controller of an operational state of a storage system and the priority of the incoming I/O operation, whether processing the one or more pending operations is faster than issuing an alternative operation to service the incoming I/O operation; and

in response to determining that processing the one or more pending operations is faster, issuing, by the storage controller, one or more instructions to the storage device that cause the storage device to service the incoming I/O operation.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alternative operation accomplishes a same result as processing of the one or more pending operations.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether issuing the one or more pending operations is faster further comprises:

identifying that the storage device is exhibiting variable response time behavior; and

determining whether the one or more pending operations is faster based on identification.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more pending operations is a read operation to read a data portion, and wherein determining whether issuing the one or more pending operations is faster further comprises:

determining that issuing a reconstruct read operation for the data portion is faster than the one or more pending operations; and

in response to the determination, issuing the reconstruct read operation to the storage device.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether processing the one or more pending operations is faster than issuing an alternative operation further comprises:

determining that delaying the one or more pending operations and issuing the alternative operation before issuing the one or more pending operations is faster than executing the one or more pending operations without a delay.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the operational state is characterized by one or more factors including current system load, read response times, additional overhead at the storage device, one or more types of requests being received.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the operational state is characterized by a priority of requests being received or a state of other storage devices within the storage system.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether processing the one or more pending operations is faster further comprises:

identifying one or more priority indicators associated with one or more of the incoming I/O operation, the one or more pending operations, or the alternative operation; and

determining whether processing the one or more pending operations is faster based on the identified one or more priority indicators.

9 . An apparatus comprising:

a memory;

a processing device operably coupled to the memory, configured to:

receive, by a storage controller, an incoming input/output (I/O) operation having an associated priority that can be serviced by a storage device while one or more pending operations are to be processed using the storage device;

determine, based on an analysis by the storage controller of an operational state of a storage system and the priority of the incoming I/O operation whether processing the one or more pending operations is faster than issuing an alternative operation to service the incoming I/O operation; and

in response to determining that the one or more pending operations is faster, issue, by the storage controller, one or more instructions to the storage device that cause the storage device to service the incoming I/O operation.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the alternative operation accomplishes a same result as processing of the one or more pending operations.

11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the processing device is further configured to:

identify that the storage device is exhibiting variable response time behavior; and

determine whether the one or more pending operations is faster based on identification.

12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the one or more pending operations is a read operation to read a data portion, and wherein to determine whether issuing the one or more pending operations is faster, the processing device is further configured to:

determine that issuing a reconstruct read operation for the data portion is faster than the one or more pending operations; and

in response to the determination, issue the reconstruct read operation to the storage device.

13 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the processing device is further configured to:

determine that delaying the one or more pending operations and issue the alternative operation before issuing the one or more pending operations is faster than executing the one or more pending operations without a delay.

14 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the operational state is characterized by one or more factors including current system load, read response times, additional overhead at the storage device, one or more types of requests being received, priority of requests being received, or a state of other storage devices within the storage system.

15 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the operational state is characterized by a priority of requests being received or a state of other storage devices within the storage system.

16 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processing device is further configured to:

identify one or more priority indicators associated with one or more of the incoming I/O operation, the one or more pending operations, or the alternative operation; and

determine whether processing the one or more pending operations is faster based on the identified one or more priority indicators.

17 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processing device to:

receive, by a storage controller, an incoming input/output (I/O) operation having an associated priority that can be serviced by a storage device while one or more pending operations are to be processed using the storage device;

determine, based on an analysis by the storage controller of an operational state of a storage system and the priority of the incoming I/O operation whether processing the one or more pending operations is faster than issuing an alternative operation to service the incoming I/O operation; and

in response to determining that processing the one or more pending operations is faster, issue, by the storage controller, one or more instructions to the storage device that cause the storage device to service the incoming I/O operation.

18 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the alternative operation accomplishes a same result as processing of the one or more pending operations.

19 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the processing device is further configured to:

identify that the storage device is exhibiting variable response time behavior; and

determine whether the one or more pending operations is faster based on identification.

20 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19 , wherein the one or more pending operations is a read operation to read a data portion, and wherein to determine whether issuing the one or more pending operation is faster, wherein the processing device is further configured to:

determine that issuing a reconstruct read operation for the data portion is faster than the one or more pending operations; and

in response to the determination, issue the reconstruct read operation to the storage device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2024
From: COLGROVE, JOHN; HARMER, CRAIG; HAYES, JOHN; HONG, BO; MILLER, ETHAN; WANG, FENG; KARR, RONALD
To: PURE STORAGE, INC.
Reel/Frame 066808/0280 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation In Part 17723318 · Apr 18, 2022
Continuation 15221686 · Jul 28, 2016
Continuation 14513007 · Oct 13, 2014
Continuation 14083161 · Nov 18, 2013
Continuation 12882872 · Sep 15, 2010
Provisional Application 63471227 · Jun 5, 2023
Related Publication 20240201869A1 · Jun 20, 2024
References Cited (236)
US 5706210A · Kumano et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5799200A · Brant et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5933598A · Scales et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6012032A · Donovan et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6085333A · DeKoning et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6643641B1 · Snyder · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6647514B1 · Umberger et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6789162B1 · Talagala et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7089272B1 · Garthwaite et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7107389B2 · Inagaki et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7146521B1 · Nguyen · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7334124B2 · Pham et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7437530B1 · Rajan · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7480818B2 · Makita · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 7493424B1 · Bali et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7669029B1 · Mishra et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7689609B2 · Lango et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7743191B1 · Liao · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7899780B1 · Shmuylovich et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7975115B2 · Wayda et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8042163B1 · Karr et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8086585B1 · Brashers et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8271700B1 · Annem et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8387136B2 · Lee et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8437189B1 · Montierth et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8465332B2 · Hogan et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8504797B2 · Mimatsu · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8566546B1 · Marshak et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8578442B1 · Banerjee · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8613066B1 · Brezinski et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8620970B2 · English et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8762642B2 · Bates et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8769622B2 · Chang et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8800009B1 · Beda, III et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8812860B1 · Bray · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8822155B2 · Sukumar et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8850546B1 · Field et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8898346B1 · Simmons · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8909854B2 · Yamagishi et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8931041B1 · Banerjee · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 8949863B1 · Coatney et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 8984602B1 · Bailey et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 8990905B1 · Bailey et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9124569B2 · Hussain et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9134922B2 · Rajagopal et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9209973B2 · Aikas et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9250823B1 · Kamat et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9280678B2 · Redberg · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9300660B1 · Borowiec et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9395922B2 · Nishikido et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9444822B1 · Borowiec et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9507532B1 · Colgrove et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 10324639B2 · Seo · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10567406B2 · Astigarraga et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10846137B2 · Vallala et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10877683B2 · Wu et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11076509B2 · Alissa et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11106810B2 · Natanzon et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11194707B2 · Stalzer · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20020013802A1 · Mori et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030145172A1 · Galbraith et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030191783A1 · Wolczko et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030225961A1 · Chow et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040080985A1 · Chang et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040111573A1 · Garthwaite · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040153844A1 · Ghose et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040193814A1 · Erickson et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040260967A1 · Guha et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050015371A1 · Hetzler et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050160416A1 · Jamison · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050188246A1 · Emberty et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050216800A1 · Bicknell et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060015771A1 · Van Gundy et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060026347A1 · Hung · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 20060129817A1 · Borneman et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060161726A1 · Lasser · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060230245A1 · Gounares et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060239075A1 · Williams et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070022227A1 · Miki · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070028068A1 · Golding et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070055702A1 · Fridella et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070109856A1 · Pellicone et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070150689A1 · Pandit et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070168321A1 · Saito et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070220227A1 · Long · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070294563A1 · Bose · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070294564A1 · Reddin et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080005587A1 · Ahlquist · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080077825A1 · Bello et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080162674A1 · Dahiya · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080195833A1 · Park · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080256141A1 · Wayda et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080270678A1 · Cornwell et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080282045A1 · Biswas et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090077340A1 · Johnson et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090100115A1 · Park et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090198889A1 · Ito et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090259882A1 · Shellhamer · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20100037118A1 · Saliba · 2010 [cited by examiner]
US 20100052625A1 · Cagno et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100211723A1 · Mukaida · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100246266A1 · Park et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100257142A1 · Murphy et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100262764A1 · Liu et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100306500A1 · Mimatsu · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100325345A1 · Ohno et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100332754A1 · Lai et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110035540A1 · Fitzgerald et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110072290A1 · Davis et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110125955A1 · Chen · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110131231A1 · Haas et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120023144A1 · Rub · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120054264A1 · Haugh et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120079318A1 · Colgrove et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120131253A1 · McKnight et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120303919A1 · Hu et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120311000A1 · Post et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130007845A1 · Chang et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130031414A1 · Dhuse et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130036272A1 · Nelson · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130071087A1 · Motiwala et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130145447A1 · Maron · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130191555A1 · Liu · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130198459A1 · Joshi et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130205173A1 · Yoneda · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130219164A1 · Hamid · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130227201A1 · Talagala et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130290607A1 · Chang et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130311434A1 · Jones · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130318297A1 · Jibbe et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130332614A1 · Brunk et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140020083A1 · Fetik · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140074850A1 · Noel et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140082715A1 · Grajek et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140086146A1 · Kim et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140090009A1 · Li et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140096220A1 · Da Cruz Pinto et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140101434A1 · Senthurpandi et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140164774A1 · Nord et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140173232A1 · Reohr et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140195636A1 · Karve et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140201512A1 · Seethaler et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140201541A1 · Paul et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140208155A1 · Pan · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140215590A1 · Brand · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140220561A1 · Sukumar et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140229654A1 · Goss et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140230017A1 · Saib · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140258526A1 · Le Sant et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140282983A1 · Ju et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140285917A1 · Cudak et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140325262A1 · Cooper et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140351627A1 · Best et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140373104A1 · Gaddam et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140373126A1 · Hussain et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150026387A1 · Sheredy et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150074463A1 · Jacoby et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150089569A1 · Sondhi et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150095515A1 · Krithivas et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150113203A1 · Dancho et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150121137A1 · McKnight et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150134920A1 · Anderson et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150149822A1 · Coronado et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150154418A1 · Redberg · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150193169A1 · Sundaram et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150378888A1 · Zhang et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160026397A1 · Nishikido et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160098323A1 · Mutha et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160182542A1 · Staniford · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160248631A1 · Duchesneau · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160350009A1 · Cerreta et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160352720A1 · Hu et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160352830A1 · Borowiec et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160352834A1 · Borowiec et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170262202A1 · Seo · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180054454A1 · Astigarraga et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190220315A1 · Vallala et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200034560A1 · Natanzon et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200326871A1 · Wu et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210360833A1 · Alissa et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
CN 101681282A · 2010 [cited by applicant]
EP 0725324A2 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
EP 2164006A2 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003503766A · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2005092876A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
JP 2006106975A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007115019A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007529060A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2012513060A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
JP 2013529315A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
JP 2014142940A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO 2010071655 · 2010 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2012087648A2 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013071087A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2014110137A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016015008A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016190938A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016195759A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016195958A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016195961A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
Bellamy-Mcintyre J., et al., “OpenID and the Enterprise: A Model-based Analysis of Single Sign-On Authentication,” (online), 2011, 15th IEEE International Enterprise Distributed Object Computing Conference (EDOC), Dated… [cited by applicant]
ETSI: “Network Function Virtualisation (NFV); Resiliency Requirements,” ETSI GS NFV-REL 001, V1.1.1, etsi.org (Online), Jan. 2015, 82 Pages, Retrieved from URL:www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_gs/NFV-RELJ001_099/001/01.01.01_6… [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report for European Application No. 17154034.7, mailed Apr. 28, 2017, 9 pages. [cited by applicant]
Faith R., “Dictzip File Format,” GitHub.com (Online), 01 Page, [Accessed on Jul. 28, 2015] Retrieved from URL: github.com/fidlej/idzip. [cited by applicant]
Google Search of: “Storage Array Define,” Performed by the Examiner for U.S. Appl. No. 14/725,278 on Nov. 4, 2015 , Results Limited to Entries Dated before 2012, 01 Page. [cited by applicant]
Hota C., et al., “Capability-Based Cryptographic Data Access Control in Cloud Computing,” International Journal of Advanced Networking and Applications, Eswar Publications, India, Aug. 13, 2011, vol. 1, No. 1,10 Pages. [cited by applicant]
Hu X-Y., et al., “Container Marking: Combining Data Placement, Garbage Collection and Wear Levelling for Flash,” 19th Annual IEEE International Symposium on Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation of Computer and Telecommuni… [cited by applicant]
Hwang K., et al., “RAID-x: A New Distributed Disk Array for I/O-Centric Cluster Computing,” Proceedings of The Ninth International Symposium on High-performance Distributed Computing, IEEE Computer Society, Los Alamitos… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/015006, Apr. 29, 2016, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/016333, Jun. 8, 2016, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/020410, mailed Jul. 8, 2016, 17 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/032052, mailed Aug. 30, 2016, 17 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/032084, mailed Jul. 18, 2016, 12 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/035492, mailed Aug. 17, 2016, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/036693, mailed Aug. 29, 2016, 10 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/038758, mailed Oct. 7, 2016, 10 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/040393, mailed Sep. 22, 2016, 10 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/044020, mailed Sep. 30, 2016, 11 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/044874, mailed Oct. 7, 2016, 11 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/044875, mailed Oct. 5, 2016, 13 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/044876, mailed Oct. 21, 2016, 12 Pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/044877, mailed Sep. 29, 2016, 13 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Application No. PCT/US2016/015008, mailed May 4, 2016, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
Kong K., “Using PCI Express as the Primary System Interconnect in Multiroot Compute, Storage, Communications and Embedded Systems,” IDT, White Paper, Aug. 28, 2008, 12 Pages, [Retrieved by WIPO on Dec. 1, 2014] Retrieve… [cited by applicant]
Li J., et al., “Access Control for the Services Oriented Architecture,” Proceedings of the ACM Workshop on Secure Web Services (SWS), ACM, New York, Nov. 2, 2007, pp. 9-17. [cited by applicant]
Microsoft: “Hybrid for SharePoint Server 2013—Security Reference Architecture,” Oct. 1, 2014, pp. 1-53, XP055296534, [Retrieved on Aug. 19, 2016] Retrieved from URL: http://hybrid.office.com/img/Security_Reference_Archi… [cited by applicant]
Microsoft, “Hybrid Identity Management”, Microsoft (online), Apr. 2014, 2 pages, URL: download.microsoft.com/download/E/A/E/EAE57CD1-A80B-423C-96BB-142FAAC630B9/Hybrid_Identity_Datasheet.pdf. [cited by applicant]
Microsoft, “Hybrid Identity,” (online), Dated Apr. 2014, 36 pages, Retrieved from URL: http://aka.ms/HybridIdentityWp. [cited by applicant]
PCMAG: “Storage Array Definition,” Published May 10, 2013, 1 page, Retrieved from URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20130510121646/ http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/52091/storage-array. [cited by applicant]
Stalzer M.A., “FlashBlades: System Architecture and Applications,” Proceedings of the 2nd Workshop on Architectures and Systems for Big Data, Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, 2012, pp. 10-14. [cited by applicant]
Storer M.W., et al., “Secure Data Deduplication,” Proceedings of the 4th ACM International Workshop on Storage Security and Survivability (StorageSS'08), ACM New York, NY, USA, Oct. 31, 2008, 10 Pages, DOI: 10.1145/1456… [cited by applicant]
Storer M.W., et al., “Pergamum: Replacing Tape with Energy Efficient, Reliable, Disk-Based Archival Storage,” 6th Usenix Conference on File And Storage Technologies (FAST'08), San Jose, CA, USA, Feb. 26-29, 2008, 16 Pag… [cited by applicant]
Sweere P., “Creating Storage Class Persistent Memory with NVDIMM,” Flash Memory Summit, Aug. 2013, 22 Pages, Retrieved from URL: http://www.flashmemorysummit.com/English/Collaterals/Proceedings/2013/20130814_T2_Sweere. … [cited by applicant]
Techopedia, “What is a Disk Array,” techopedia.com (online), Jan. 13, 2012, 1 Page, Retrieved from URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20120113053358/ http://www.techopedia.com/definition/1009/disk-array. [cited by applicant]
Webopedia, “What is a disk array,” webopedia.com (online), May 26, 2011, 2 Pages, Retrieved from URL: https://web/archive.org/web/20110526081214/ http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/disk_array.html. [cited by applicant]
Wikipedia, “Convergent Encryption,” Wikipedia.org (online), Accessed on Sep. 8, 2015, 2 pages, Retrieved from URL: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_encryption. [cited by applicant]