Automated creation of application data paths in storage area networks

• US 20030005119A1
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Viavi Solutions, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intersan, Inc. (Groupe Gaudreau)
• Inventors: Melville, Noel Christopher, Mercier, Christina Woody, Myklebust, Truls Solheim, Acharya, Nabin, Rieseberg, Michael Carver
• Granted Patent: US 7,343,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2003/0697 device management, e.g. handlers, drivers, I/O schedulers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A DataPath Engine coupled to a SAN provides automated storage provisioning between an application on a Storage Area Network (SAN) attached server and a data volume on a SAN attached storage subsystem. The apparatus provides a simple user interface that allows operators to use pre-created policies for criteria to select data paths that meet organizations uptime and performance requirements. The apparatus uses pathing methodologies to select the optimal data path from the candidates by rating SAN state, uptime, performance, and other key factors. This apparatus allows an enterprise to more efficiently and effectively manage and monitor large, complex, distributed SANs.

Claims

1. A method of creating a data path for a process executing on a server coupled to a storage area network (SAN), comprising:

parameterizing a set of attributes for a desired data path between the process and a device of the SAN; and

constructing the data path that provides said set of attributes.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said set of attributes includes a predefined template.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said set of attributes includes a data path owner, application, and the server or servers on which the application is executing.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said pre-defined template specifies a set of performance, availability, and cost metrics for the desired data path.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said set of performance and availability metrics includes at least one of a number of threads, a security level, and a default volume size and characteristics, default path characteristics.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said parameterizing step includes a step of entering a user-defined attribute for inclusion in said set of attributes.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said entering step includes entry of said user-defined attribute by use of a graphical user interface coupled to the SAN.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said constructing step further comprises:

searching the SAN for a set of candidate devices;

constructing a candidate data path from the server to each candidate device of said set of candidate devices;

evaluating each said candidate data path against a selection metric to rank said candidate data paths from a best candidate data path to a least best candidate data path according to said selection metric; and

selecting said best candidate data path as the data path to be constructed by said constructing step.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said constructing step further comprises:

searching the SAN for a set of candidate devices;

constructing a candidate data path from the server to each candidate device of said set of candidate devices;

evaluating each said candidate data path against a selection metric to rank said candidate data paths from a best candidate data path to a least best candidate data path according to said selection metric;

presenting said ranked candidate data paths to a user for selection; and

selecting a user-selected candidate data path as the data path to be constructed by said constructing step.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said presenting step recommends said best candidate data path for selection by said user.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said best candidate data path is presented as a default selection at said selecting step.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said selection metric includes device uptime information.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said selection metric includes performance information.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said selection metric includes cost calculation.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said selection metric includes best SAN practices information.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein said selection metric includes learned state and usage information of the SAN.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein said searching step prequalifies a subset of candidate data paths by finding those candidates that satisfy a pre-created policy prior to application of said evaluating step.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said constructed data path includes all physical, logical and security component identification and configuration information sufficient to operably link the process to an identified data volume of the SAN.

19. A method of configuring a SAN, comprising:

discovering, by use of a data path engine coupled to the SAN, processes that are operable on a server coupled to the SAN;

discovering, by use of said data path engine coupled to the SAN, devices that are included in the SAN;

responding, by use of said data path engine coupled to the SAN, to a data path construction request from a user by providing said user with an interface to accept a set of attributes for a desired data path for one of said discovered processes; and

constructing, by use of the DataPath Engine coupled to the SAN, the data path that provides said set of attributes.

20. Apparatus for creating a data path for a process executing on a server coupled to a storage area network (SAN), comprising:

means for parameterizing a set of attributes for a desired data path between the process and a device of the SAN; and

means, coupled to said parameterizing means, for constructing the data path that provides said set of attributes.