Path discovery and mapping in a storage area network
First Claim
1. A method of allocating storage to a host in a computer network, said method comprising:
- performing path discovery;
identifying storage coupled to said computer network;
mapping said storage to said host;
building a storage path database; and
storing said database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and mechanism for allocating storage in a computer network. A storage allocation mechanism is configured to automatically identify and discover paths to storage which are coupled to a computer network. The identified storage is then selected for allocation to a host coupled to the computer network. A database describing the selected storage and paths to the selected storage is created and stored within the host. Upon detecting a failure of the host, the allocation mechanism is configured to automatically retrieve the stored database and re-map the previously mapped storage to the host. In addition, the allocation mechanism may check the validity of the database subsequent to its retrieval. Further, the allocation mechanism may attempt to access the storage corresponding to the database. In response to detecting the database is invalid, or the storage is inaccessible, the allocation mechanism may convey a message indicating a problem has been detected.
67 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of allocating storage to a host in a computer network, said method comprising:
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performing path discovery;
identifying storage coupled to said computer network;
mapping said storage to said host;
building a storage path database; and
storing said database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer network comprising:
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a network interconnect, wherein said interconnect includes a switching mechanism;
a first storage device coupled to said interconnect; and
a first host coupled to said interconnect, wherein said first host is configured to perform path discovery, identify said first storage coupled to said computer network, map said first storage to said host, build a storage path database, and store said database. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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14. A host comprising:
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a first port configured to be coupled to a computer network; and
an allocation mechanism, wherein said mechanism is configured to perform path discovery, identify a first storage coupled to said computer network, map said first storage to said host, build a storage path database, and store said database.
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21. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein said program instructions are executable to:
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perform path discovery;
identify storage coupled to a computer network;
map said storage to a host;
build a storage path database; and
store said database. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of identifying and allocating storage to a host in a computer network, said method comprising:
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identifying storage coupled to said computer network;
identifying a path between said identified storage and said host;
mapping said identified storage to said host;
building a storage path database;
storing said database; and
automatically initiating an attempt to re-map said storage to said host, wherein said automatic attempt comprises detecting a failure of said host, retrieving said stored database, and utilizing said database to re-map said storage to said host.
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30. A computer network comprising:
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a network interconnect;
a first storage coupled to said interconnect; and
a first host coupled to said interconnect, wherein said first host is configured to;
identify said first storage;
identify a path between said first storage and said host;
map said first storage to said host;
build a storage path database;
store said database; and
automatically initiate an attempt to re-map said storage to said host, wherein said host is configured to detect a failure of said host, retrieve said stored database in response to detecting said failure, and utilize said database to re-map said first storage to said host.
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31. A host comprising:
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a first port configured to be coupled to a computer network; and
an allocation mechanism, wherein said mechanism is configured to;
identify storage coupled to said computer network;
identify a path between said storage and said host;
map said storage to said host;
build a storage path database;
store said database; and
automatically initiate an attempt to re-map said storage to said host, wherein said host is configured to detect a failure of said host, retrieve said stored database in response to detecting said failure, and utilize said database to re-map said first storage to said host.
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32. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein said program instructions are executable to:
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identify storage coupled to a computer network;
identify a path between said storage and a host;
map said storage to said host;
build a storage path database;
store said database; and
automatically initiate an attempt to re-map said storage to said host, wherein in performing said attempt said instructions are executable to detect a failure of said host, retrieve said stored database in response to detecting said failure, and utilize said database to re-map said first storage to said host.
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Specification