Automated creation of application data paths in storage area networks
First Claim
1. A method of creating a data path for a process executing on a server coupled to a storage area network (SAN), the SAN providing connectivity between the server and a storage device in the SAN, the method comprising:
- parameterizing a set of attributes for a desired data path between the process and the storage device of the SAN, wherein the set of attributes includes;
a detail about at least one data volume;
a performance setting; and
a policy setting; and
constructing the data path that provides said set of attributes, wherein said constructing step further comprises;
searching the SAN for a set of candidate storage devices;
identifying a candidate data path from the server to each candidate storage device of said set of candidate storage devices;
evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes to rank said candidate data paths from a best candidate data path to a least best candidate data path according to the attributes, wherein the act of evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes includes ranking all of the switch fabrics in the SAN; and
selecting said best candidate data path as the data path to be constructed by said constructing step.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A DataPath Engine coupled to a SAN provides automated storage provisioning between an application on a Storage Area Network (SAN) attached server and a data volume on a SAN attached storage subsystem. The apparatus provides a simple user interface that allows operators to use pre-created policies for criteria to select data paths that meet organizations uptime and performance requirements. The apparatus uses pathing methodologies to select the optimal data path from the candidates by rating SAN state, uptime, performance, and other key factors. This apparatus allows an enterprise to more efficiently and effectively manage and monitor large, complex, distributed SANs.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A method of creating a data path for a process executing on a server coupled to a storage area network (SAN), the SAN providing connectivity between the server and a storage device in the SAN, the method comprising:
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parameterizing a set of attributes for a desired data path between the process and the storage device of the SAN, wherein the set of attributes includes; a detail about at least one data volume; a performance setting; and a policy setting; and constructing the data path that provides said set of attributes, wherein said constructing step further comprises; searching the SAN for a set of candidate storage devices; identifying a candidate data path from the server to each candidate storage device of said set of candidate storage devices; evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes to rank said candidate data paths from a best candidate data path to a least best candidate data path according to the attributes, wherein the act of evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes includes ranking all of the switch fabrics in the SAN; and selecting said best candidate data path as the data path to be constructed by said constructing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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5. A method of creating a data path for a process executing on a server coupled to a storage area network (SAN), the SAN providing connectivity between the server and a storage device in the SAN, the method comprising:
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parameterizing a set of attributes for a desired data path between the process and the storage device of the SAN, wherein the set of attributes includes; a detail about at least one data volume; a performance setting; and a policy setting; and constructing the data path that provides said set of attributes, wherein said constructing step further comprises; searching the SAN for a set of candidate storage devices; identifying a candidate data path from the server to each candidate storage device of said set of candidate storage devices; evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes to rank said candidate data paths from a best candidate data path to a least best candidate data path according to the attributes; and selecting said best candidate data path as the data path to be constructed by said constructing step, wherein; said pre-defined template specifies a set of performance, availability, and cost metrics for the desired data path, said set of attributes includes a pre-defined template, and said set of performance and availability metrics includes at least one of a number of threads, a security level, and a default volume size and characteristics, default path characteristics.
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28. A method of creating a data path for a process executing on a server coupled to a storage area network (SAN), the SAN providing connectivity between the server and a storage device in the SAN, the method comprising:
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parameterizing a set of attributes for a desired data path between the process and the storage device of the SAN, wherein the set of attributes includes; a detail about at least one data volume; a performance setting; and a policy setting; and constructing the data path that provides said set of attributes, wherein said constructing step further comprises; searching the SAN for a set of candidate storage devices; identifying a candidate data path from the server to each candidate storage device of said set of candidate storage devices; evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes to rank said candidate data paths from a best candidate data path to a least best candidate data path according to the attributes, wherein the act of evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes includes determining whether a port is used by another data path, and assigning a weighting based on whether the port is used by another data path; and selecting said best candidate data path as the data path to be constructed by said constructing step. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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29. A method of creating a data path for a process executing on a server coupled to a storage area network (SAN), the SAN providing connectivity between the server and a storage device in the SAN, the method comprising:
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parameterizing a set of attributes for a desired data path between the process and the storage device of the SAN; and constructing the data path that provides said set of attributes, wherein said constructing step further comprises; identifying candidate data paths from the server to each candidate storage device of said set of candidate storage devices; evaluating each said candidate data path against the set of attributes to rank said candidate data paths from a best candidate data path to a least best candidate data path according to the attributes, wherein a destination storage volume of each candidate data path is ranked, wherein a switch fabric of each candidate data path is ranked separately from the storage destination storage volume rank, wherein the rank of the candidate data path is based on both the rank of a corresponding destination storage volume and the rank of a corresponding switch fabric; and selecting said best candidate data path as the data path to be constructed by said constructing step. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification