System for creating a virtual file server to provide data files

• US 7,242,499 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2004
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Akagawa, Etsutaro, Kanda, Akitsugu
• Primary Examiner(s): Moe; Aung S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rudolph; Vincent M.
• Application Number:
  US10/932,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20060007491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.16, 709/215, 709/221, 709/203, 707/10
• US Class Current: 358/1.16
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0879 Manual configuration through operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A storage system connected to a network is provided which is capable of managing other devices connected to the network. A storage system (400) is connected via a switch (200) to a network (500) to provide clients (100) with data. The storage system has a control unit which sets the switch (200) and a setting command preserving unit which keeps a command for setting the switch (200). The control unit uses the preserved command to set the switch (200).

Claims

1. A storage system coupled to a network to provide a client with data, the network having a file server, an administrative terminal and a client coupled thereto, the storage system comprising:

a control unit adapted to set other devices coupled to the network; and

a setting command storing unit adapted to store a command for setting the other devices,

wherein the control unit is adapted to;

use the stored command to obtain information of the file server;

create, based on the information obtained, a virtual file server to provide the client with a file;

obtain a file held in the file server to store the obtained file;

shut down the file server;

activate the virtual file server; and

provide, through the activated virtual file server, the client with the file stored.

2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the information obtained contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a host name of the file server, an IP address of the file server, a name of a shared directory, information about to where a file is disclosed, and a file sharing protocol.

3. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to create, based on the information obtained, for each file server, a virtual file server that provides the client with a file held in the file server.

4. A storage system coupled to a network via a switch to provide a client with data, the network having a file server, an administrative terminal and a client coupled thereto, the storage system comprising:

a control unit adapted to set the switch; and

a setting command storing unit adapted to store a command for setting the switch,

wherein the control unit is adapted to;

use the stored command to obtain information of the file server and the switch;

create, based on the information obtained, a virtual file server to provide the client with a file;

set, based on the information obtained, the switch to provide the client with a file through the virtual server;

obtain a file held in the file server to store the obtained file;

shut down the file server;

activate the virtual file server; and

provide, through the activated virtual file server, the client with the file stored.

5. The storage system according to claim 4, comprising a pairing information storing unit that stores pairing between a port of the switch and a port of the storage system that is to be coupled to the port of the switch,

wherein the control unit is adapted to:

obtain information about the port of the switch from the pairing information storing unit; and

use the stored command to set the switch through the port.

6. The storage system according to claim 5,

wherein a management terminal is coupled to the network, wherein

the management terminal designates pairing between a port of the switch and a port of the storage system that is to be coupled to the port of the switch, and

the pairing information storing unit stores the pairing designated.

7. The storage system according to claim 5, wherein the pairing information storing unit obtains information about pairing between a port of the switch and a port of the storage system that is coupled to the port of the switch, and stores the obtained paring information.

8. The storage system according to claim 5,

wherein setting of the switch is VLAN setting, and

wherein the control unit is adapted to use the stored command to set the switch to VLAN setting.

9. The storage system according to claim 5,

wherein setting of the switch is set for integrating at least two ports of the switch as one link, and

wherein the control unit is adapted to use the stored command to set the switch to port integrating setting.

10. A storage system coupled to a network to provide a client with data via creation of a virtual file server, the network having a file server, an administrative terminal and a client coupled thereto, the storage system comprising:

a control unit adapted to set configuration of other devices coupled to the network; and

a setting command storing unit with pre-stored commands for setting configuration of the other devices,

wherein the control unit is adapted to;

use the pre-stored commands to obtain information of the file server;

create, based on the information obtained, a virtual file server which is useable to provide the client with a file;

obtain a file held in the file server;

shut down the file server;

activate the virtual file server, and store the file therein; and

provide, through the activated virtual file server, the client with the file stored.

11. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the information obtained contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a host name of the file server, an IP address of the file server, a name of a shared directory, information about to where a file is disclosed, and a file sharing protocol.

12. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is adapted to create, based on the information obtained, for each file server, a virtual file server that provides the client with a file obtained from the file server.

13. A storage system coupled to a network via a switch to provide a client with data via creation of a virtual file server, the network having a file server, an administrative terminal and a client coupled thereto, the storage system comprising:

a control unit adapted to set configuration of the switch; and

a setting command storing unit with at least one pre-stored command for setting configuration of the switch,

wherein the control unit is adapted to;

use the at least one pre-stored command to obtain information of the file server and the switch;

create, based on the information obtained, a virtual file server which is useable to provide the client with a file;

set, based on the information obtained, the switch so that the switch is useable to provide the client with a file through the virtual server;

obtain a file held in the file server;

shut down the file server;

activate the virtual file server, and store the file therein; and

provide, through the activated virtual file server, the client with the file stored.

14. The storage system according to claim 13, comprising a pairing information storing unit that stores pairing between a port of the switch and a port of the storage system that is to be coupled to the port of the switch,

wherein the control unit is adapted to:

obtain information about the port of the switch from the pairing information storing unit; and

use the at least one pre-stored command to set the switch through the port.

15. The storage system according to claim 14,

wherein a management terminal is coupled to the network, wherein

the management terminal is adapted to designate pairing between a port of the switch and a port of the storage system that is to be coupled to the port of the switch, and

the pairing information storing unit stores the pairing designated.

16. The storage system according to claim 14,

wherein the pairing information storing unit obtains information about pairing between a port of the switch and a port of the storage system that is coupled to the port of the switch, and stores the obtained paring information.

17. The storage system according to claim 14,

wherein setting of the configuration of the switch is a VLAN configuration setting, and

wherein the control unit is adapted to use the pre-stored command to set the switch to the VLAN configuration setting.

18. The storage system according to claim 14,

wherein setting of the switch is a configuration setting for integrating at least two ports of the switch as one link, and

wherein the control unit is adapted to use the pre-stored command to set the switch to the port integrating setting.