Method and system for using boot servers in networks
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for re-booting a server operationally coupled to a network via an adapter, comprising:
- (a) accessing a boot server blade that is remote to the server,wherein the boot server blade is a switch that stores a boot server for re-booting the server and is coupled to the adapter,wherein the boot server includes;
a list of worldwide port numbers that can be assigned to the adapter, andan active profile of the server, wherein the active profile allows for booting the server to a certain system profile,(b) registering a default world wide port number (“
WWPN”
) with the boot server stored at the switchwherein the adapter registers with the boot server and provides the active profile;
(c) determining that the adapter is already configured for re-booting;
(d) sending a new WWPN to the adapter configured for re-booting the server;
wherein the switch sends the new WWPN for re-booting the server based on the determination that the adapter is already configured for re-booting;
(e) registering the new WWPN with a name server maintained by the switch;
(f) querying the boot server for a list that includes a plurality of boot devices;
wherein the adapter queries the switch for said list;
(g) returning a list of boot devices to the adapter that the adapter is configured to use for re-booting the server, wherein the switch returns the list of boot devices in response to the query in step (f); and
(h) using a boot device from the list of boot devices to perform a re-boot operation,wherein the boot device includes a logical storage structure for storing boot instructions that are used for re-booting the server.
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Abstract
A method and system for booting a server and/or server blade in a network is provided. The system includes, a boot server that is used to store plural WWPNs, an active profile for the server and a boot schedule, wherein a HBA registers a default WWPN and/or HBA profile with the boot server and if the HBA is configured to boot using a management application, the boot server provides a WWPN to the HBA. The management application includes, a graphical user interface for creating a LUN for a storage system and assigning the LUN to be a boot LUN, wherein the graphical user interface can access a boot server for booting a server.
503 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for re-booting a server operationally coupled to a network via an adapter, comprising:
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(a) accessing a boot server blade that is remote to the server, wherein the boot server blade is a switch that stores a boot server for re-booting the server and is coupled to the adapter, wherein the boot server includes; a list of worldwide port numbers that can be assigned to the adapter, and an active profile of the server, wherein the active profile allows for booting the server to a certain system profile, (b) registering a default world wide port number (“
WWPN”
) with the boot server stored at the switchwherein the adapter registers with the boot server and provides the active profile; (c) determining that the adapter is already configured for re-booting; (d) sending a new WWPN to the adapter configured for re-booting the server;
wherein the switch sends the new WWPN for re-booting the server based on the determination that the adapter is already configured for re-booting;(e) registering the new WWPN with a name server maintained by the switch; (f) querying the boot server for a list that includes a plurality of boot devices;
wherein the adapter queries the switch for said list;(g) returning a list of boot devices to the adapter that the adapter is configured to use for re-booting the server, wherein the switch returns the list of boot devices in response to the query in step (f); and (h) using a boot device from the list of boot devices to perform a re-boot operation, wherein the boot device includes a logical storage structure for storing boot instructions that are used for re-booting the server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 12, 13)
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5. A system, comprising:
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a server operationally coupled to a network via an adapter; and a switch operational and accessible to the server via the network and the adapter, wherein the switch includes a storage medium storing a boot server that is used to boot the server; wherein the boot server stored at the storage medium includes; a plurality of world wide port numbers that can be assigned to the adapter, an active profile of the server, wherein the active profile allows for booting the server to a certain system profile, and a boot schedule including information of when the server needs to be re-booted, based on which the server is re-booted using the boot server, and wherein to re-boot the server, the adapter; accesses the switch; registers a default world wide port number (“
WWPN”
) with the boot server stored at the switch,wherein the adapter registers with the boot server and provides the profile; receives a new WWPN from the switch, wherein the new WWPN is sent based on a determination that the adapter is already configured for rebooting; registers the new WWPN with a name server maintained by the switch; queries the boot server for a list that includes a plurality of boot devices; wherein the adapter queries the switch for said list;
receives a list of boot devices from the boot server for the adapter to use for re-booting the server,wherein the switch returns the list of boot devices in response to the query; and uses a boot device from the list of boot devices to perform a re-boot operation, wherein the boot device stores a logical storage structure for storing boot instructions that are used for re-booting the server. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system, comprising:
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a server operationally coupled to a storage area network via an adapter; a switch accessible to the server via the storage area network; and a computing system, the computer system including a processor executing a management application for configuring the storage area network; wherein the management application provides a graphical user interface to a user for creating a logical unit number (“
LUN”
) and assigning the LUN to operate as a boot LUN;wherein the boot LUN stores information for re-booting the server and is accessible via a boot server stored at a storage medium for the switch; and wherein the boot server includes; a list of worldwide port numbers that can be assigned to the adapter; an active profile of the server, wherein the active profile allows for booting the server to a certain system profile, and a boot schedule including information of when the server needs to be re-booted, and wherein to re-boot the server, the adapter; accesses the switch; registers a default world wide port number (“
WWPN”
) with the boot server stored at the switch,wherein the adapter registers with the boot server and provides the profile; receives a new WWPN from the switch, wherein the new WWPN is sent based on a determination that the adapter is already configured for rebooting; registers the new WWPN with a name server maintained by the switch; queries the boot server for a list that includes a plurality of boot devices; wherein the adapter queries the switch for said list;
receives a list of boot devices from the boot server for the adapter to use for re-booting the server,wherein the switch returns the list of boot devices in response to the query; and uses a boot device from the list of boot devices to perform a re-boot operation, wherein the boot device stores the boot LUN with boot instructions for rebooting the server. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 14, 15)
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Specification