System and method for the allocation of network storage
First Claim
1. In a network with a plurality of storage locations having attributes, said attributes being characteristics of said storage locations, a method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a software facility interfaced with said network for identifying and allocating said storage locations to a storage owner based on the attributes of said storage locations;
receiving with said software facility a network storage policy from an authorized user, said authorized user having authority to control access to said storage locations on said network, said storage policy including attribute requirements for at least one of said storage locations; and
programmatically applying said storage policy to storage decisions on said network using said software facility, said storage decisions determining where data on said network is stored.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method for automating the allocation of network storage. The method of the present invention enables a system administrator or other authorized user to set policies for network storage. Available storage locations are dynamically located by attribute. The network storage policy is interpreted and applied to the available storage locations. By automating the storage allocation process, the storage policy is consistently applied without user intervention thus allowing a system administrator to devote more time to other network management responsibilities.
367 Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a network with a plurality of storage locations having attributes, said attributes being characteristics of said storage locations, a method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a software facility interfaced with said network for identifying and allocating said storage locations to a storage owner based on the attributes of said storage locations;
receiving with said software facility a network storage policy from an authorized user, said authorized user having authority to control access to said storage locations on said network, said storage policy including attribute requirements for at least one of said storage locations; and
programmatically applying said storage policy to storage decisions on said network using said software facility, said storage decisions determining where data on said network is stored. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a network, said network interfaced with a host electronic device and including a plurality of devices with storage locations located thereon, a method comprising the steps of:
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providing a software facility interfaced with said network;
using said software facility to identify by attribute available storage locations on said plurality of devices; and
using said software facility to perform allocation of said available storage locations based on said available storage location attributes, said allocation being the association of a storage location with an owner, said owner having permission to write data to said storage location and read data from said storage location. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a network with a plurality of storage locations having attributes, said attributes being characteristics of said storage locations, a medium holding computer-executable instructions for a method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a software facility interfaced with said network for identifying and allocating said storage locations based on the attributes of said storage locations, said allocation being the association of a storage location with an owner, said owner having permission to write data to said storage location and read data from said storage location;
receiving with said software facility a network storage policy from an authorized user, said authorized user having authority to make storage decisions on said network, said storage policy including attribute requirements for storage locations; and
programmatically applying said storage policy to storage decisions on said network using said software facility, said storage decisions determining where data on said network is stored. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. In a network, an apparatus comprising:
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a processor;
a record of a plurality of unallocated storage locations interfaced with said network, said storage locations identified by attributes; and
a software facility for allocating said unallocated storage locations to devices and processes interfaced with said network based on said attributes.
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19. In a network with a plurality of interfaced devices with storage locations located thereon, a method comprising the steps of:
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providing a software facility interfaced with said network;
using said software facility to identify by attribute available storage locations on said plurality of interfaced devices;
configuring said available storage locations to provide storage locations with new attributes; and
using said software facility to perform allocation of said storage locations with new attributes, said allocation being the association of a storage location with an owner, said owner having permission to write data to said storage location and read data from said storage location. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification