Method and apparatus for providing a logical separation of a customer device and a service device connected to a data storage system
First Claim
1. In a communications management device, a method of forming a communication pathway with a storage array, comprising:
- connecting a switch of the communications management device with a storage processor of the storage array, the storage processor having a management port and a service port, the management port configured to provide a first device with access to the storage array and the service port configured to provide a second device with access to the storage array;
configuring a virtual local area network of the switch to establish a first communications path of the switch and a second communications path of the switch, the first communications path being isolated form the second communications path; and
conveying data between (i) a first port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor using the first communications path and (ii) a second port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor using the second communications path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data storage system includes storage array and a switch that is configurable to create numerous network topologies within the system and to maintain separate communications paths between different computerized devices or networks and the storage array. For example, a user device and a service device, such as a system diagnosis device, can connect to the storage array through the switch. In order to isolate interaction or communication between the user and service devices, the switch can be logically partitioned into two distinct switches to form two distinct, isolated communications paths between the devices and the storage array. With isolated communications pathways established in the switch, in use, the service device is unable to access the user device coupled to the storage array.
32 Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a communications management device, a method of forming a communication pathway with a storage array, comprising:
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connecting a switch of the communications management device with a storage processor of the storage array, the storage processor having a management port and a service port, the management port configured to provide a first device with access to the storage array and the service port configured to provide a second device with access to the storage array;
configuring a virtual local area network of the switch to establish a first communications path of the switch and a second communications path of the switch, the first communications path being isolated form the second communications path; and
conveying data between (i) a first port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor using the first communications path and (ii) a second port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor using the second communications path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A communications management device, comprising:
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a first port, a second port, a switch electrically coupled to the first port and the second port, and a controller electrically coupled to the switch, the controller configured to;
connect the switch of the communications management device with a storage processor of the storage array, the storage processor having a management port and a service port, the management port configured to provide a first device with access to the storage array and the service port configured to provide a second device with access to the storage array;
configure a virtual local area network of the switch to establish a first communications path of the switch and a second communications path of the switch, the first communications path being isolated form the second communications path, the first communications path operable to convey data between the first port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor and the second communications path operable to convey data between the second port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A data storage system, comprising:
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a storage array having a storage processor, the storage processor having a management port and a service port, the management port configured to provide a first device with access to the storage array and the service port configured to provide a second device with access to the storage array; and
a communications management device, having a first port, a second port, a switch electrically coupled to the first port and the second port, and a controller electrically coupled to the switch, the controller configured to;
connect the switch of the communications management device with the storage processor of the storage array;
configure a virtual local area network of the switch to establish a first communications path of the switch and a second communications path of the switch, the first communications path being isolated form the second communications path, the first communications path operable to convey data between the first port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor and the second communications path operable to convey data between the second port of the communications management device and at least one of the management port and the service port of the storage processor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification