On-line data migration of a logical/virtual storage array by replacing virtual names
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use in a storage system comprising a fabric having a database that associates Fibre Channel names and Fibre Channel addresses of Fibre Channel ports coupled to it, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of groups of logical units of storage;
at least one physical port coupled to the groups through which the groups can be coupled to a fabric;
each group assigned a unique virtual port address for each physical port to which it is coupled;
a first said group comprising a source virtual array, the source virtual array having at least one source virtual port coupled to the fabric, each source virtual port having a source virtual port name and a source virtual port address;
a second said group comprising a destination virtual array, the destination virtual array having one or more destination virtual ports coupled to the fabric, each destination virtual port having a destination virtual port name and a destination virtual port address;
logic for copying all data resident on the source virtual array to the destination virtual array;
logic for replacing the destination virtual port names with the source virtual port names;
logic for causing the fabric to reload its name server database so that the database associates the source virtual port names with the destination virtual port addresses.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Data is transparently migrated between groups of logical units of storage presented as virtual arrays. A source virtual array has at least one source virtual port coupled to a fabric. Each source virtual port having a source virtual port name and a source virtual port address. A destination virtual array has one or more destination virtual ports coupled to the fabric, each destination virtual port having a destination virtual port name and a destination virtual port address. All data resident on the source virtual array is copied to the destination virtual array. The destination virtual port names and LUN names and numbers are then replaced with the source virtual port names and LUN names and numbers. The fabric then updates its name server database so that the database associates the source virtual port name with the destination virtual port address.
86 Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use in a storage system comprising a fabric having a database that associates Fibre Channel names and Fibre Channel addresses of Fibre Channel ports coupled to it, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of groups of logical units of storage; at least one physical port coupled to the groups through which the groups can be coupled to a fabric; each group assigned a unique virtual port address for each physical port to which it is coupled; a first said group comprising a source virtual array, the source virtual array having at least one source virtual port coupled to the fabric, each source virtual port having a source virtual port name and a source virtual port address; a second said group comprising a destination virtual array, the destination virtual array having one or more destination virtual ports coupled to the fabric, each destination virtual port having a destination virtual port name and a destination virtual port address; logic for copying all data resident on the source virtual array to the destination virtual array; logic for replacing the destination virtual port names with the source virtual port names; logic for causing the fabric to reload its name server database so that the database associates the source virtual port names with the destination virtual port addresses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A program product comprising a computer readable medium having embodied therein a computer program for storing data, the computer program for operation in a system including a Fibre Channel fabric having a database that associates Fibre Channel names and Fibre Channel addresses of Fibre Channel ports coupled to it, a plurality of groups of logical units of storage, and at least one physical port coupled to the groups through which the groups can be coupled to a fabric, the program product comprising:
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logic for assigning to each group a unique virtual port address for each physical port to which it is coupled, a first said group comprising a source virtual array, the source virtual array having at least one source virtual port coupled to the fabric, each source virtual port having a source virtual port name and a source virtual port address, a second said group comprising a destination virtual array, the destination virtual array having one or more destination virtual ports coupled to the fabric, each destination virtual port having a destination virtual port name and a destination virtual port address; logic for copying all data resident on the source virtual array to the destination virtual array; logic for replacing the destination virtual port names with the source virtual port names; logic for causing the fabric to reload its name server database so that the database associates the source virtual port names with the destination virtual port addresses. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for operation in a system comprising:
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a Fibre Channel fabric having a database that associates Fibre Channel names and Fibre Channel addresses of Fibre Channel ports coupled to it, a plurality of groups of logical units of storage; at least one physical port coupled to the groups through which the groups can be coupled to a fabric; each group assigned a unique virtual port address for each physical port to which it is coupled; a first said group comprising a source virtual array, the source virtual array having at least one source virtual port coupled to the fabric, each source virtual port having a source virtual port name and a source virtual port address; a second said group comprising a destination virtual array, the destination virtual array having one or more destination virtual ports coupled to the fabric, each destination virtual port having a destination virtual port name and a destination virtual port address;
the method comprising the steps of;copying all data resident on the source virtual array to the destination virtual array; replacing the destination virtual port names with the source virtual port names; causing the fabric to reload its name server database for use by the host(s) so that the database associates the source virtual port names with the destination virtual port addresses. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification