Scheduling method and apparatus for network-attached storage devices and other systems

A computer-implemented scheduling method for scheduling operations relating to a predetermined activity, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving operational data indicative of said operations;
• (b) identifying predetermined attributes regarding said received operational data;
• (c) imposing a linear ordering of the attributes via a predetermined curve, said curve being an aggregation of at least substantially continuous functions from intervals so as to form a substantially repetitive pattern;
• and
• (d) scheduling the operations based upon the imposed linear ordering.

A computer-implemented scheduling apparatus for scheduling operations relating to a predetermined activity, comprising:

• an input for receiving operational data indicative of said operations;
• a mapper module for identifying predetermined attributes regarding said received operational data;
• a points orderer module for imposing an ordering of the identified attributes via a predetermined curve, said curve being an aggregation of at least substantially continuous functions from intervals so as to form a substantially repetitive pattern;
• and
• whereby the operations are scheduled based upon the imposed ordering.