Computer system and method for establishing a standardized shared level for each storage unit
First Claim
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1. A computer system comprising:
- a storage area network;
a plurality of hosts coupled to the storage area network; and
a plurality of storage units coupled to the storage area network, each storage unit classified by a standardized shared level from a plurality of standardized shared levels, each standardized shared level comprising at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics, the plurality of distinct parametrics being associated with functionalities of the plurality of storage units, wherein the respective standardized shared level assigned to each storage unit enables the hosts to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of each storage unit.
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Abstract
A computer system and method using a standardized shareability scheme for establishing a shared level for each of a plurality of storage units located in the computer system. The computer system includes a plurality of hosts and controllers coupled to a peer network (storage area network). Each storage unit is coupled to one of the controllers and includes at least one parametric from a group of parametrics used in classifying the shared level of a particular storage unit. The hosts using the standardized shared levels are able to identify a shareability characteristic of each storage unit.
61 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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a storage area network;
a plurality of hosts coupled to the storage area network; and
a plurality of storage units coupled to the storage area network, each storage unit classified by a standardized shared level from a plurality of standardized shared levels, each standardized shared level comprising at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics, the plurality of distinct parametrics being associated with functionalities of the plurality of storage units, wherein the respective standardized shared level assigned to each storage unit enables the hosts to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of each storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer system comprising:
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a peer network;
a plurality of hosts coupled to the peer network;
a plurality of controllers coupled to the peer network; and
a plurality of storage units coupled to the peer network, each storage unit classified by a standardized shared level from a plurality of standardized shared levels, each standardized shared level comprising at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics, the plurality of distinct parametrics being associated with functionalities of the plurality of storage units, wherein the respective standardized shared level assigned to each storage unit enables the hosts to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of each storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
a first security level for allowing a limited number of the hosts to use a particular storage unit;
a second security level for requiring the hosts to use a password before gaining access to a particular storage unit;
a third security level for requiring the hosts to use one of an encrypted password and an encrypted data password before gaining access to a particular storage unit and before gaining access to data located on the particular storage unit, respectively; and
a fourth security level requiring the hosts to use both the encrypted password and the encrypted data password.
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17. The computer system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the access parametric comprises at least one access level from the following:
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a first access level for enabling the hosts to determine a presence of a particular storage unit;
a second access level for informing the hosts that a particular storage unit is able to communicate; and
a third access level for enabling the hosts to identify a particular storage unit.
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18. The computer system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the availability parametric comprises
a first availability level for permitting the hosts to communicate with a particular storage unit. -
19. The computer system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the ownership parametric comprises at least one ownership level from the following:
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a first ownership level for requiring a particular storage unit communicating with one of the hosts to respond with a busy signal to all other hosts;
a second ownership level for permitting the reservation and release of a particular storage unit by the hosts; and
a third ownership level for enabling only a predetermined number of the hosts to utilize a particular storage unit.
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20. The computer system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the management parametric comprises at least one management level from the following:
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a first management level for enabling the hosts to identify a particular storage unit and receive information about a state of the particular storage unit;
a second management level for enabling the hosts to modify internal parameters of a particular storage unit; and
a third management level for identifying a predetermined number of the hosts that can utilize a particular storage unit.
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21. A method for establishing a standardized shared level for a storage unit located in a computer system, said computer system includes a storage area network located between the storage unit and a plurality of hosts, said method comprising the steps of:
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assigning at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics to the storage unit;
determining, in response to the at least one assigned parametric, the standardized shared level for the storage unit; and
enabling the hosts to identify a shareability characteristic of the storage unit using the determined standardized shared level. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
a first security level for allowing a limited number of the hosts to use the storage unit;
a second security level for requiring the hosts to use a password before gaining access to the storage unit;
a third security level for requiring the hosts to use a selected one of an encrypted password and an encrypted data password before gaining access to the storage unit and before gaining access to data located on the storage unit, respectively; and
a fourth security level requiring the hosts to use both the encrypted password and the encrypted data password.
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24. The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the step of classifying further includes dividing the access parametric into at least one of the following access levels:
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a first access level for enabling the hosts to determine a presence of the storage unit;
a second access level for informing the hosts that the storage unit is able to communicate; and
a third access level for enabling the hosts to identify the storage unit.
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25. The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the step of classifying further includes dividing the availability parametric into at least one availability level including a first availability level for permitting the hosts to communicate with the storage unit.
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26. The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the step of classifying further includes dividing the ownership parametric into at least one of the following ownership levels:
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a first ownership level for requiring the storage unit communicating with one of the hosts to respond with a busy signal to all other hosts;
a second ownership level for permitting the reservation and release of the storage unit by the hosts; and
a third ownership level for enabling only a predetermined number of the hosts to utilize the storage unit.
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27. The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the step of classifying further includes dividing the management parametric into at least one of the following management levels:
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a first management level for enabling the hosts to identify the storage unit and receive information about a state of the storage unit;
a second management level for enabling the hosts to modify internal parameters of the storage unit; and
a third management level for identifying a predetermined number of the hosts that can utilize the storage unit.
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28. A storage unit used in a computer system including a storage area network for connecting the storage unit to a plurality of hosts, the storage unit comprising:
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at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics comprising a security parametric, an access parametric, an availability parametric, an ownership parametric, and a management parametric; and
a plurality of standardized shared levels, each standardized shared level corresponds with the at least one parametric and enables the hosts to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of the storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
a first security level for allowing a limited number of the hosts to use the storage unit;
a second security level for requiring the hosts to use a password before gaining access to the storage unit;
a third security level for requiring the hosts to use a selected one of an encrypted password and an encrypted data password before gaining access to the storage unit and before gaining access to data located on the storage unit, respectively; and
a fourth security level requiring the hosts to use both the encrypted password and the encrypted data password.
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35. The storage unit in accordance with claim 28, wherein said access parametric further includes at least one access level from the following:
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a first access level for enabling the hosts to determine a presence of the storage unit;
a second access level for informing the hosts that the storage unit is able to communicate; and
a third access level for enabling the hosts to identify the storage unit.
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36. The storage unit in accordance with claim 28, wherein said availability parametric further includes at least one availability level including a first availability level for permitting the hosts to communicate with the storage unit.
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37. The storage unit in accordance with claim 28, wherein said ownership parametric further includes at least one ownership level from the following:
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a first ownership level for requiring the storage unit communicating with one of the hosts to respond with a busy signal to all other hosts;
a second ownership level for permitting the reservation and release of the storage unit by the hosts; and
a third ownership level for enabling only a predetermined number of the hosts to utilize the storage unit.
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38. The storage unit in accordance with claim 28, wherein said management parametric further includes at least one management level from the following:
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a first management level for enabling the hosts to identify the storage unit and receive information about a state of the storage unit;
a second management level for enabling the hosts to modify internal parameters of the storage unit; and
a third management level for identifying a predetermined number of the hosts that can utilize the storage unit.
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39. A storage unit, comprising:
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at least a first parametric from a plurality of parametrics, the plurality of parametrics comprising an access parametric, an availability parametric, an ownership parametric, and a management parametric; and
a first standardized shared level from a plurality of standardized shared levels, wherein each of the standardized shared levels is defined by at least one parametric from the plurality of parametrics, wherein the first standardized shared level is determined based on the at least first parametric, and wherein the first standardized shared level enables a host to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of the storage unit when the storage unit is coupled to the host via a network. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification