User interface system for a clustered storage system

• US 7,966,294 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2004
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Network Appliance Incorporated (NetApp, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Inventors: Klinkner, Steven R., Gupta, Vinay, Meneghini, John
• Primary Examiner(s): RADTKE, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US10/797,669
• Time in Patent Office: 2,659 Days
• Field of Search: 707/654, 707/645
• US Class Current: 707/654
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2035 without idle spare hardware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2089 Redundant storage control functionality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2092 Techniques of failing over between control units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2206/1008 Graphical user interface [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0605 by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0637 Permissions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0653 Monitoring storage devices or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/067 Distributed or networked storage systems, e.g. storage area networks [SAN], network attached storage [NAS]

Abstract

A user interface system simplifies management of a clustered storage system by a user or system administrator. The user interface system comprises a Command Line Interface (CLI) and/or a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that supports virtual ports associated with a single physical port and multi-mode operation of ports in the clustered storage system. Management of the clustered storage system is further simplified through the use of a novel command set used to, inter-alia, set a cluster mode and set a USE_PARTNER attribute of an initiator group (igroup).

Claims

1. A system configured to simplify management of a clustered storage system having a plurality of failover modes, the system comprising:

a user interface system that allows a user to define the plurality of failover modes in the clustered storage system, wherein each failover mode automatically configures one or more ports on a selected storage system or a partner storage system in response to a failover condition, wherein the partner storage system is configured to receive requests directed to the partner storage system and the selected storage system, each failover mode further configuring the partner storage system with a world wide node name and a world wide port name from the selected storage system to allow the partner storage system to assume an identity of the selected storage system; and

a command set implemented by the user interface system, the command set including a first command and a second command,

the first command configured to permit the user to specify a specific initiator group (igroup) to utilize the one or more ports for data access proxying in the clustered storage system wherein the igroup is a logical named entity assigned to one or more addresses that are associated with one or more initiators and the igroup is used by higher layer vdisk commands to allow the data access proxying to the partner storage system,

the second command configured to set a cluster mode, the cluster mode including at least one of the plurality of failover modes in which a storage system is to operate,

wherein the command set further provides information specific to failover operations of the one or more ports to the user on the user interface system.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface system comprises a command line interface (CLI) configured to support the command set.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the command set further comprises an igroup command that determines whether a set of initiators may utilize data access command proxying.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the set of initiators comprises at least one fibre channel world wide name.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the set of initiators comprises one or more iSCSI identifiers.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the igroup command sets an igroup option to determine whether members of a set of initiators may use a partner port for proxying data access command.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the command set further comprises a cfmode command that sets a cluster mode for the clustered storage system.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the cluster mode enables the clustered storage system to proxy data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the cluster mode enables a first storage system in the clustered storage system to assume an identity of a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the cluster mode enables proxying of data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system and further enables the first storage system to assume an identity of the second storage system.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the command for setting a cluster mode comprises a cfmode command.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface system further comprises a graphical user interface having functionality to implement the command set.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the igroup allows a user to define related clients by a logical name.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein data access at a lun level is not affected by reorganization of the initiators.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein data access proxying comprises receiving, at a proxy port of a first storage system, a command to be forwarded to a second storage system for execution.

16. A method for simplifying management of a clustered storage system having a plurality of failover modes, comprising:

providing a user interface system that allows a user to define the plurality of failover modes in the clustered storage system wherein each failover mode automatically configures one or more ports on a selected storage system or a partner storage system in response to a failover condition, wherein the partner storage system is configured to receive requests directed to the partner storage system and the selected storage system, each failover mode further configuring the partner storage system with a world wide node name and a world wide port name from the selected storage system to allow the partner storage system to assume an identity of the selected storage system; and

executing a command set supported by the user interface system, the command set including a first command and a second command,

the first command configured to permit the user to specify a specific initiator group (igroup) to utilize the one or more ports for data access proxying in the clustered storage system wherein the igroup is a logical named entity assigned to one or more addresses that are associated with one or more initiators and the igroup is used by higher layer vdisk commands to allow the data access proxying to the partner storage system,

the second command configured to set a cluster mode for the clustered storage system, the cluster mode defining one of the plurality of failover modes in which a storage system is to operate,

wherein the command set further provides information specific to failover operations of the one or more ports to the user on the user interface system, and each failover mode automatically configures the one or more ports on the selected storage system or the partner storage system in response to the failover condition, the partner storage system configured to receive requests directed to the partner storage system and a failed storage system.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the cluster mode comprises a partner mode;

and

wherein the clustered storage system is enabled to proxy data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the cluster mode comprises a standby mode;

and

wherein a first storage system in the clustered storage system is enabled to assume an identity of a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a GUI implementing commands available through the user interface system.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a GUI window for setting a cluster mode of the clustered storage system.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising providing a GUI window for setting a proxy option for an initiator group.

22. A system configured to simplify management of a clustered storage system having a plurality of failover modes, the system comprising:

a user interface means for implementing a command line interface that allows a user to define the plurality of failover modes in a the clustered storage system wherein each failover mode automatically configures one or more ports on a selected storage system or a partner storage system in response to a failover condition, wherein the partner storage system is configured to receive requests directed to the partner storage system and the selected storage system, each failover mode further configuring the partner storage system with a world wide node name and a world wide port name from the selected storage system to allow the partner storage system to assume an identity of the selected storage system; and

means for executing a command set, the command set including a first command and a second command,

the first command configured to permit the user to specify a specific initiator group (igroup) to utilize the one or more ports for data access proxying in the clustered storage system wherein the igroup is a logical named entity assigned to one or more addresses that are associated with one or more initiators and the igroup is used by higher layer vdisk commands to allow the data access proxying to the partner storage system, and

the second command configured to set a cluster mode, the cluster mode defining one of the plurality of failover modes in which a storage system is to operate,

wherein the command set further provides information specific to failover operations of the one or more ports to the user on the user interface system.

23. The system of claim 22 further comprising means for determining whether a set of initiators may utilize data access command proxying.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein user interface means further comprises means for determining whether a set of initiators may utilize data access command proxying.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the set of initiators comprises at least one fibre channel world wide name.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the set of initiators comprises one or more iSCSI identifiers.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein the cluster mode enables the clustered storage system to proxy data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein the cluster mode enables a first storage system in the clustered storage system to assume an identity of a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

29. The system of claim 22 wherein the cluster mode enables proxying of data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system and further enables the first storage system to assume an identity of the second storage system.

30. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, for simplifying management of a clustered storage system having a plurality of failover modes, the computer readable medium comprising:

program instructions that provide a user interface system that allows a user to define the plurality of failover modes in the clustered storage system,

wherein each failover mode automatically configures one or more ports on a selected storage system or a partner storage system in response to a failover condition, and

wherein the partner storage system is configured to receive requests directed to the partner storage system and the selected storage system, each failover mode further configuring the partner storage system with a world wide node name and a world wide port name from the selected storage system to allow the partner storage system to assume an identity of the selected storage system; and

program instructions that execute a command set supported by the user interface system to set a cluster mode for the clustered storage system, the command set including a first command and a second command,

the first command configured to permit the user to specify a specific initiator group (igroup) to utilize the one or more ports for data access proxying in the clustered storage system wherein the igroup is a logical named entity assigned to one or more addresses that are associated with one or more initiators and the igroup is used by higher layer vdisk commands to allow the data access proxying to the partner storage system,

the second command the cluster mode defining one of a plurality of failover modes in which a storage system is to operate,

wherein the command set further provides information specific to failover operations of the one or more ports to the user on the user interface system.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 30 wherein the cluster mode comprises a partner mode;

and

wherein the clustered storage system is enabled to proxy data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 30 wherein the cluster mode comprises a standby mode;

and

wherein a first storage system in the clustered storage system is enabled to assume an identity of a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 30 further comprising the step of providing a GUI implementing commands available through the user interface system.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 30 further comprising the step of providing a GUI window for setting a cluster mode of the clustered storage system.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 30 further comprising the step of providing a GUI window for setting a proxy option for an initiator group.

36. A system, comprising:

an interface that defines a plurality of failover modes for a clustered storage system that allows a user to define a plurality of failover modes in a clustered storage system

wherein each failover mode automatically configures one or more ports on a selected storage system or a partner storage system in response to a failover condition, and

wherein the partner storage system is configured to receive requests directed to the partner storage system and the selected storage system, each failover mode further configuring the partner storage system with a world wide node name and a world wide port name from the selected storage system to allow the partner storage system to assume an identity of the selected storage system; and

a command set implemented by the interface, the command set including a first command and a second command,

the first command configured to permit the user to specify a specific initiator group (igroup) to utilize the one or more ports for data access proxying in the clustered storage system wherein the igroup is a logical named entity assigned to one or more addresses that are associated with one or more initiators and the igroup is used by higher layer vdisk commands to allow the data access proxying to the partner storage system,

the second command configured to set a cluster mode using one of the plurality of failover modes, in which a storage system is to operate,

wherein the command set further provides information specific to failover operations of the one or more ports to the user on the user interface system.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the interface comprises a command line interface (CLI) configured to support the command set.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the command set further comprises an igroup command that determines whether a set of initiators may utilize data access command proxying.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the set of initiators comprises at least one fibre channel world wide name.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the set of initiators comprises one or more iSCSI identifiers.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the igroup command sets an igroup option to determine whether members of a set of initiators may use a partner port for proxying data access command.

42. The system of claim 36, wherein the cluster mode enables the clustered storage system to proxy data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

43. The system of claim 36, wherein the cluster mode enables a first storage system in the clustered storage system to assume an identity of a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

44. The system of claim 36, wherein the cluster mode enables proxying of data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system and further enables the first storage system to assume an identity of the second storage system.

45. A method, comprising:

providing an interface that defines a plurality of failover modes in a clustered storage system wherein the cluster storage system includes a plurality of servers

wherein each failover mode automatically configures one or more ports on a selected storage system or a partner storage system in response to a failover condition, and

wherein the partner storage system is configured to receive requests directed to the partner storage system and the selected storage system, each failover mode further configuring the partner storage system with a world wide node name and a world wide port name from the selected storage system to allow the partner storage system to assume an identity of the selected storage system;

selecting a command set supported by the interface to set a cluster mode for the clustered storage system, the command set including a first command and a second command,

the first command configured to permit the user to specify a specific initiator group (igroup) to utilize the one or more ports for data access proxying in the clustered storage system wherein the igroup is a logical named entity assigned to one or more addresses that are associated with one or more initiators and the igroup is used by higher layer vdisk commands to allow the data access proxying to the partner storage system,

the second command configured the cluster mode defining one of a plurality of failover modes in which a storage system is to operate,

wherein the command set further provides information specific to failover operations of the one or more ports to the user on the user interface system; and

configuring the clustered storage system into the selected cluster mode.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the interface is a command line interface.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the interface is a graphical user interface.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the selected cluster mode enables the clustered storage system to proxy data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein the selected cluster mode enables a first storage system in the clustered storage system to assume an identity of a second storage system in the clustered storage system.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein the cluster mode enables proxying of data access requests received by a first storage system in the clustered storage system to a second storage system in the clustered storage system and further enables the first storage system to assume an identity of the second storage system.

51. A system configured to simplify management of a clustered storage system having a plurality of failover modes, the system comprising:

an interface system that defines the plurality of failover modes in the clustered storage system automatically responding to a failover condition, wherein each failover mode configures one or more ports on a selected server or a partner server in response to a failover condition, each failover mode further configuring the partner storage system with a world wide node name and a world wide port name from the selected storage system to allow the partner storage system to assume an identity of the selected storage system; and

a command set implemented by the interface system, the command set including a first command and a second command,

the first command configured to permit the user to specify a specific initiator group (igroup) to utilize the one or more ports for data access proxying in the clustered storage system wherein the igroup is a logical named entity assigned to one or more addresses that are associated with one or more initiators and the igroup is used by higher layer vdisk commands to allow the data access proxying to the partner storage system,

the second command configured to set a cluster mode where the cluster mode includes one of the plurality of failover modes in which a storage system is to operate,

wherein the command set further provides information specific to failover operations of the one or more ports to the user on the user interface system.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the plurality of failure modes comprises a standby mode, a partner mode, a dual fabric mode, and a mixed mode.