Method and apparatus for monitoring data storage devices
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring errors in a network of computers comprising:
- a first computer having a processor, integral storage means, and means for electronically communicating with other computers in the network;
a plurality of data storage devices in said network;
a second computer having a processor, integral storage means, and means for electronically communicating with the plurality of data storage devices and said first computer;
first computer software means installed in said first computer for managing data received from said first computer;
second computer software means installed in said second computer for retrieving log page data from said plurality of data storage devices and transmitting said data to said first computer; and
said first computer software means further including means for arranging said log page data in a database and generating user interface information concerning the status of at least one data storage device in the network.
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Abstract
The monitoring apparatus includes administrator level software installed in one computer of a computer network, and server agent level software installed in other computers of the computer network having corresponding data storage devices. Log page data of monitored data storage devices is retrieved by the server agent level software and then transmitted to the administrator level software. The log page data is stored in a database at the administrator level software and user interface information is generated from the data stored in the database to provide information to a user regarding the status of each monitored data storage device in the computer network. The user interface information may include explanatory text, predictive analysis, and/or graphical information of both realtime and historical performance of the data storage devices. Accordingly, a very large computer network can be monitored at a single location to determine the general status of each data storage device in the network thereby providing early warning of actual or potential failures of the data storage devices.
98 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring errors in a network of computers comprising:
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a first computer having a processor, integral storage means, and means for electronically communicating with other computers in the network;
a plurality of data storage devices in said network;
a second computer having a processor, integral storage means, and means for electronically communicating with the plurality of data storage devices and said first computer;
first computer software means installed in said first computer for managing data received from said first computer;
second computer software means installed in said second computer for retrieving log page data from said plurality of data storage devices and transmitting said data to said first computer; and
said first computer software means further including means for arranging said log page data in a database and generating user interface information concerning the status of at least one data storage device in the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of monitoring the condition of a plurality of data storage devices in a computer network, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a computer network including a plurality of interconnected computers, at least some of said computers having corresponding data storage devices;
providing administrator level software in one of said computers;
providing server agent software in each computer having a corresponding data storage device to be monitored;
retrieving log page data of a monitored data storage device by said server agent software;
electronically transmitting said log page data to said computer having said administrator level software;
storing said log page data in a database of said administrator level software; and
generating user interface information corresponding to said stored log page data to provide a status of the monitored data storage device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 10)
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9. A method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
said user interface information includes a graphical display illustrating a realtime status of the monitored data storage device.
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11. A computational component for performing a method, the method comprising:
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selecting a plurality of storage devices for monitoring;
querying a client computer associated with at least a first of said storage devices for storage device data;
receiving said storage device data; and
checking performance parameter information of said at least a first of said storage devices, wherein said performance parameter information is received as part of said storage device data. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for monitoring a status of data storage devices, comprising:
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a server computer, including;
data storage;
administrative level software stored in said data storage;
a communication interface;
a communication network interconnected to said communication interface of said server computer;
a client computer, including;
data storage;
a communication interface interconnected to said communication network;
a data storage device; and
server agent software stored in said data storage and operable to query said data storage device for log page data and to provide said log page data to said server computer via said communication network in response to a request from said administrative level software.
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25. A monitored computer system, comprising:
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means for communicating with a computer network;
means for collecting storage device performance data received from a plurality of storage devices through said means for communicating;
means for storing said collected storage device data;
means for analyzing said collected storage device data, wherein a prediction of a future failure of said storage devices is generated.
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Specification