System and method for transparently accessing a virtual disk using a file-based protocol
First Claim
1. A method for a client of a storage system to transparently access a virtual disk on the storage system using a file-based protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
- sending, a file open command, from the client to the storage system, the file open command including a modified file name;
checking, for the modified file name;
at the storage system, and in response to detecting the modified file name, performing a transparent open process.
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Abstract
A system and method enabling transparent access to blocks, such as virtual disks, stored on a storage system using a file-based protocol. The system and method traps in-coming file-based protocol open commands to check for a predetermined modification to the file name. If the system and method detects the predetermined modification, then the virtual disk associated with the file name is exported to the client issuing the open command and the client receives a response from the storage system. The client, in response to receiving the response to the open command, creates a new device instantiation for reading and writing raw data to the virtual disk.
89 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for a client of a storage system to transparently access a virtual disk on the storage system using a file-based protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending, a file open command, from the client to the storage system, the file open command including a modified file name;
checking, for the modified file name;
at the storage system, andin response to detecting the modified file name, performing a transparent open process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for a client of a storage system to access transparently a virtual disk on the storage system using a file-based protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending, by the client to the storage system, a modified file open command;
checking, by the storage system for the modified file open command;
mapping in response to detecting the modified file open command, a virtual disk for the file to the client;
mapping, by the client, an exported logical unit number;
sending, by the client, a device identification to the storage system;
responding, by the storage system, to the open command issued by the client;
creating a new instance of a device using the device identification; and
returning a file descriptor to an application that issued the open command. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A network storage system comprising:
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a storage appliance executing a storage operating system having a file-based protocol proxy layer adapted to identify incoming file open requests that contain a modified file name; and
a client operatively interconnected with the storage appliance via a file-based transport medium and a block-based transport medium, the client including a mount daemon adapted to interact with the proxy layer to enable a file to be opened using a file-based protocol command and to perform input/output operations to a virtual disk embodying the file using the block-based transport medium.
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19. A network storage system comprising:
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means for identifying files to be opened using a block-based protocol transport medium and a file-based protocol namespace;
means for exporting an identified file as a virtual disk to a requesting client; and
a client containing means for generating a new device instantiation associated with the exported virtual disk, wherein the new device instantiation enables the client to direct input/output operations to the virtual disk.
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20. A computer readable media, including program instructions executing on a computer, for transparently accessing a virtual disk using a file-based protocol, the program instructions including instructions for performing the steps of:
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sending, by the client to the storage system, a file open command, the file open command including a modified file name;
checking, by the storage system, for the modified file name;
performing, in response to detecting the modified file name, a transparent open process.
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Specification