Efficient, real-time management of storage resources

• US 6,571,257 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2000
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Duggan, Gerald P, Poppen-Chambers, Ronald E
• Primary Examiner(s): Popovici, Dov
• Assistant Examiner(s): Solaiman, Shireen I
• Application Number:
  US09/589,144
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/2, 707/200-206, 707/10, 709/200, 709/300, 709/100, 709/202, 709/203, 711/146, 711/124, 711/156
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

Apparatus and method for Storage Resource Management (SRM)—i.e., the management of computer storage devices as resources. Methods for Storage Resource Management are described that can be easily and efficiently scaled to computer systems which could include thousands of computers while providing detailed file storage attributes. These methods include three phases: (1) an initialization phase, (2) a data collection phase, and (3) a management server communication phase.

Claims

1. A system for managing computer data storage, which comprises:

a first software agent having capability of obtaining file storage attributes for a plurality of files, wherein the files are stored on a data storage device of a first computer, wherein the files are controlled by a file system, and wherein the file storage attributes are obtained from the file system;

a second software agent having capabilities of intercepting calls to the file system and obtaining file storage attributes from the calls;

a first data repository, wherein the second software agent has capability of storing obtained file storage attributes in the first data repository;

a third software agent, having capability of obtaining file storage attributes from first data repository;

a storage management application, having capabilities of obtaining file storage attributes from first and third software agents; and

a second data repository, wherein the storage management application has capability of storing and updating file storage attributes in the second data repository.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third data repository wherein the first software agent has capability of storing file storage attributes in the third data repository.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data repository is a buffer.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the storage management application is located on a second computer connected to the first computer.

5. A system as recited in claim 4, wherein the first computer and the second computer are connected via a network.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional first computer.

7. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein the storage management application is located on a second computer and wherein the first computers and the second computer are connected via a network.

8. A computer operable method for managing computer data storage, comprising the steps of:

a first software agent obtaining file storage attributes for a plurality of files, wherein the files are stored on a data storage device of a first computer, wherein the files are controlled by a file system, and wherein the file storage attributes are obtained from the file system;

a second software agent intercepting calls to the file system and obtaining file storage attributes from the calls;

the second software agent storing obtained file storage attributes in a first data repository;

a third software agent obtaining file storage attributes from first data repository;

a storage management application obtaining file storage attributes from the first software agent;

the storage management application obtaining file storage attributes from the third software agent; and

the storage management application storing and updating file storage attributes in a second data repository.

9. A computer operable method as recited in claim 8, which further comprises the step of:

the first software agent storing file storage attributes in a third data repository.

10. A computer operable method as recited in claim 8, providing the first data repository is a buffer.

11. A computer operable method as recited in claim 8, providing the storage management application is located on a second computer connected to the first computer.

12. A computer operable method as recited in claim 11, providing the first computer and the second computer are connected via a network.

13. A computer operable method as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one additional first computer.

14. A computer operable method as recited in claim 13, providing the storage management application is located on a second computer and providing the first computers and the second computer are connected via a network.

15. A program storage medium readable by a computer, embodying a software program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for managing computer data storage, comprising:

a first software agent obtaining file storage attributes for a plurality of files, wherein the files are stored on a data storage device of a first computer, wherein the files are controlled by a file system, and wherein the file storage attributes are obtained from the file system;

a second software agent intercepting calls to the file system and obtaining file storage attributes from the calls;

the second software agent storing obtained file storage attributes in a first data repository;

third software agent obtaining file storage attributes from first data repository;

a storage management application obtaining file storage attributes from the first software agent;

the storage management application obtaining file storage attributes from the third software agent; and

the storage management application storing and updating file storage attributes in a second data repository.

16. A program storage medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the method steps further comprise:

the first software agent storing file storage attributes in a third data repository.

17. A program storage medium as recited in claim 15, providing the first data repository is a buffer.

18. A program storage medium as recited in claim 15, providing the storage management application is located on a second computer connected to the first computer.

19. A program storage medium as recited in claim 18, providing the first computer and the second computer are connected via a network.

20. A program storage medium as recited in claim 15, further comprising at least one additional first computer.

21. A program storage medium as recited in claim 20, providing the storage management application is located on a second computer and providing the first computers and the second computer are connected via a network.