Common data model for heterogeneous SAN components

• US 8,180,872 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Veritas Technologies, LLC (Whitehouse Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation (Gen Digital Inc.)
• Inventors: Marinelli, Robert J., Yaroslavsky, Leonid M., Ryu, Sung-Wook, Scammell, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BILGRAMI, ASGHAR H
• Application Number:
  US10/180,803
• Time in Patent Office: 3,611 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 707/100, 707/603
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0847 Transmission error
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• 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: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

System and method for providing a common data model for SAN discovery and/or SAN monitoring information collected from heterogeneous SAN components. In one embodiment, a SAN management server may execute on a host computer and may translate data in one or more vendor-specific languages obtained from a heterogeneous vendor population into canonical data in a uniform language. In one embodiment, the SAN management server may execute a set of rules to convert heterogeneous SAN data obtained from heterogeneous interfaces into canonical data conforming to the common data model. In one embodiment, the canonical data may be stored in a persistent store, which may be queried for information that may be provided to the requestor in the canonical form of the common data model.

Claims

1. A storage area network (SAN), comprising:

a plurality of heterogeneous SAN components coupled to a SAN fabric;

a SAN management server configured to;

obtain data from each of the plurality of SAN components for managing each of the plurality of SAN components, wherein the data from each of the SAN components conforms to a data model of the particular SAN component;

convert the data from the one or more data models of the SAN components into canonical data conforming to a common data model of the SAN management server; and

manage the heterogeneous SAN components using the canonical data, wherein said managing the heterogeneous SAN components comprises modifying at least one attribute of the heterogeneous SAN components;

wherein to manage one of the heterogeneous SAN components, the SAN management server is configured to;

modify a portion of the canonical data for a particular one of the plurality of heterogeneous SAN components;

convert the portion of the canonical data from the common data model into a portion of data conforming to the data model of the particular SAN component; and

send the portion of data to the particular SAN component to modify one or more attributes of the SAN component.

2. The SAN as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a data store comprising a rules file comprising rules for converting the data from each of the plurality of SAN components to the common data model;

wherein the SAN management server is configured to convert the data from the one or more data models of the SAN components into the canonical data conforming to the common data model according to the rules from the rules file.

3. The SAN as recited in claim 2, wherein the rules file is editable to include rules for converting data conforming to different data models of additional SAN components to the common data model.

4. The SAN as recited in claim 1, further comprising a data store, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to store the canonical data to the data store.

5. The SAN as recited in claim 4, further comprising a SAN manager client, wherein the SAN manager client is configured to:

access a portion of the canonical data from the data store; and

display data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical data.

6. The SAN as recited in claim 1, further comprising a SAN manager client, wherein the SAN manager client is configured to:

obtain a portion of the canonical data from the SAN management server; and

display data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical data.

7. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein the SAN management server comprises:

a plurality of explorers, wherein each explorer is configured to communicate with one or more of the SAN components to obtain data from the one or more SAN components conforming to one or more data models of the one or more SAN components; and

wherein the SAN management server is further configured to obtain the data corresponding to the one or more SAN components from the explorers.

8. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein the SAN management server comprises a plurality of explorers, wherein the explorers are configured to:

obtain the data from each of the plurality of SAN components; and

convert the data from the one or more data models of the SAN components into canonical data conforming to a common data model of the SAN management server.

9. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to use eXtensible Markup Language (XML) for data representation in the canonical data.

10. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to discover the SAN components coupled to the SAN fabric, and wherein the data obtained from the SAN components comprises discovery data.

11. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to obtain the data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric.

12. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to obtain the data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

13. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to:

obtain a portion of the data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric; and

obtain another portion of the data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

14. The SAN as recited in claim 1, wherein, to convert the data from the one or more data models of the SAN components into canonical data, the SAN management server is further configured to convert the data from each of the plurality of SAN components into data objects conforming to the common data model, wherein each data object comprises information about a corresponding one of the heterogeneous SAN components.

15. A system, comprising:

a data store; and

a storage area network (SAN) management server configured to;

obtain management data from each of a plurality of heterogeneous SAN components coupled to a SAN fabric for managing each of the plurality of SAN components, wherein the management data from each of the SAN components conforms to a data management model of the particular SAN component;

convert the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into canonical management data conforming to a common data management model of the SAN management server;

store the canonical management data to the data store; and

manage the plurality of heterogeneous SAN components using the canonical management data, wherein said managing the heterogeneous SAN components comprises modifying at least one attribute of the heterogeneous SAN components;

wherein to manage one of the heterogeneous SAN components, the SAN management server is configured to;

modify a portion of the canonical data for a particular one of the plurality of heterogeneous SAN components;

convert the portion of the canonical data from the common data model into a portion of data conforming to the data model of the particular SAN component; and

send the portion of data to the particular SAN component to modify one or more attributes of the SAN component.

16. The system as recited in claim 15,

wherein the data store comprises a rules file comprising rules for converting the management data from each of the plurality of SAN components to the common data management model;

and

wherein the SAN management server is configured to convert the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into the canonical management data conforming to the common data management model according to the rules from the rules file.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the rules file is editable to include rules for converting management data conforming to different data management models of additional SAN components to the common data management model.

18. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a SAN manager client, wherein the SAN manager client is configured to:

access a portion of the canonical management data from the data store; and

display management data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical management data.

19. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a SAN manager client, wherein the SAN manager client is configured to:

obtain a portion of the canonical management data from the SAN management server; and

display management data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical management data.

20. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the SAN management server comprises:

a plurality of explorers, wherein each explorer is configured to communicate with one or more of the SAN components to obtain management data from the one or more SAN components conforming to one or more data management models of the one or more SAN components; and

wherein the SAN management server is further configured to obtain the management data corresponding to the one or more SAN components from the explorers.

21. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the SAN management server comprises a plurality of explorers, wherein the explorers are configured to:

obtain the management data from each of the plurality of SAN components; and

convert the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into canonical management data conforming to a common data management model of the SAN management server.

22. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the SAN management server is configured to use eXtensible Markup Language (XML) for data representation in the canonical management data.

23. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to discover the SAN components coupled to the SAN fabric, and wherein the management data obtained from the SAN components comprises discovery data.

24. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to obtain the management data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric.

25. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to obtain the management data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

26. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the SAN management server is further configured to:

obtain a portion of the management data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric; and

obtain another portion of the management data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

27. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein, to convert the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into canonical management data, the SAN management server is further configured to convert the management data from each of the plurality of SAN components into data objects conforming to the common data management model, wherein each data object comprises information about a corresponding one of the heterogeneous SAN components.

28. A method, comprising:

obtaining management data from each of a plurality of heterogeneous SAN components coupled to a SAN fabric for managing each of the plurality of SAN components, wherein the management data from each of the SAN components conforms to a data management model of the particular SAN component;

converting the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into canonical management data conforming to a common data management model;

storing the canonical management data to a data store; and

managing the plurality of heterogeneous SAN components using the canonical management data, wherein said managing the heterogeneous SAN components comprises modifying at least one attribute of the heterogeneous SAN components, wherein said modifying at least one attribute of the heterogeneous SAN components comprises;

modifying a portion of the canonical data for a particular one of the plurality of heterogeneous SAN components;

converting the portion of the canonical data from the common data model into a portion of data conforming to the data model of the particular SAN component; and

sending the portion of data to the particular SAN component to modify one or more attributes of the SAN component.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein said obtaining, said converting and said storing are performed by a SAN management server.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising:

accessing a rules file comprising rules for converting the management data from each of the plurality of SAN components to the common data management model; and

converting the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into the canonical management data conforming to the common data management model according to the rules from the rules file.

31. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprising editing the rules file to include rules for converting management data conforming to different data management models of additional SAN components to the common data management model.

32. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising:

accessing a portion of the canonical management data from the data store; and

displaying management data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical management data.

33. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein said obtaining, said converting, and said storing are performed by a SAN management server, the method further comprising:

a SAN manager client of the SAN management server obtaining a portion of the canonical management data from the SAN management server; and

the SAN manager client displaying management data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical management data.

34. The method as recited in claim 28,

wherein said obtaining comprises:

one or more explorers each obtaining a different portion of the management data from one or more of the SAN components conforming to one or more data management models of the one or more SAN components; and

the one or more explorers each providing the different portion of the management data obtained by the particular explorer to a SAN management server;

wherein the SAN management server performs said converting and said storing.

35. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein said obtaining and said converting are performed by one or more explorers, wherein each explorer is configured to communicate with one or more of the SAN components to obtain management data from the one or more SAN components conforming to one or more data management models of the one or more SAN components.

36. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is used for data representation in the canonical management data.

37. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising discovering the SAN components coupled to the SAN fabric, wherein the management data obtained from the SAN components comprises discovery data.

38. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising obtaining the management data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric.

39. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising obtaining the management data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

40. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising:

obtaining a portion of the management data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric; and

obtaining another portion of the management data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

41. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein converting the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into canonical management data comprises converting the management data from each of the plurality of SAN components into data objects conforming to the common data management model, wherein each data object comprises information about a corresponding one of the heterogeneous SAN components.

42. A non-transitory computer-accessible medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are configured to implement:

obtaining management data from each of a plurality of heterogeneous SAN components coupled to a SAN fabric for managing each of the plurality of SAN components, wherein the management data from each of the SAN components conforms to a data management model of the particular SAN component;

converting the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into canonical management data conforming to a common data management model;

storing the canonical management data to a data store; and

managing the plurality of heterogeneous SAN components using the canonical management data, wherein said managing the heterogeneous SAN components comprises modifying at least one attribute of the heterogeneous SAN components, wherein said modifying at least one attribute of the heterogeneous SAN components comprises;

modifying a portion of the canonical data for a particular one of the plurality of heterogeneous SAN components;

converting the portion of the canonical data from the common data model into a portion of data conforming to the data model of the particular SAN component; and

sending the portion of data to the particular SAN component to modify one or more attributes of the SAN component.

43. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein said obtaining, said converting and said storing are performed by a SAN management server.

44. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement:

accessing a rules file comprising rules for converting the management data from each of the plurality of SAN components to the common data management model; and

converting the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into the canonical management data conforming to the common data management model according to the rules from the rules file.

45. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 44, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement editing the rules file to include rules for converting management data conforming to different data management models of additional SAN components to the common data management model.

46. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement:

accessing a portion of the canonical management data from the data store; and

displaying management data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical management data.

47. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein said obtaining, said converting, and said storing are performed by a SAN management server, and wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement:

a SAN manager client of the SAN management server obtaining a portion of the canonical management data from the SAN management server; and

the SAN manager client displaying management data corresponding to one or more of the SAN components from the portion of the canonical management data.

48. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein, in said obtaining, the program instructions are further configured to implement:

one or more explorers each obtaining a different portion of the management data from one or more of the SAN components conforming to one or more data management models of the one or more SAN components; and

the one or more explorers each providing the different portion of the management data obtained by the particular explorer to a SAN management server;

wherein the SAN management server performs said converting and said storing.

49. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein said obtaining and said converting are performed by one or more explorers, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement each explorer communicating with one or more of the SAN components to obtain management data from the one or more SAN components conforming to one or more data management models of the one or more SAN components.

50. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is used for data representation in the canonical management data.

51. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement discovering the SAN components coupled to the SAN fabric, wherein the management data obtained from the SAN components comprises discovery data.

52. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement obtaining the management data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric.

53. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement obtaining the management data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

54. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein the program instructions are further configured to implement:

obtaining a portion of the management data from the SAN components over the SAN fabric; and

obtaining another portion of the management data from the SAN components over a network separate from the SAN fabric.

55. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein, in converting the management data from the one or more data management models of the SAN components into canonical management data, the program instructions are further configured to implement converting the management data from each of the plurality of SAN components into data objects conforming to the common data management model, wherein each data object comprises information about a corresponding one of the heterogeneous SAN components.