Abstract: A system and method for planning and configuring the components of a modular computing system is provided. In some embodiments, the method for planning an implementation of a modular computing system comprises presenting a user interface at a display device, the user interface including a plurality of user-selectable objects, each of the user-selectable objects representing a component of the modular computing system. A user selection is received via a user input device. The user selection is from among the user-selectable objects and specifies one of an enclosure, an existing component, and a future component of the modular computing system. A representation of the specified one of an enclosure, an existing component, and a future component is displayed at a display device. The user selection is verified with respect to an implementation guideline. An indicator of whether the user selection meets the implementation guideline is displayed at the display device.

Abstract: Network storage system configuration via a network is disclosed. A network address assignment component is configured to listen for network discovery requests over the network. Responsive to receiving a network discovery request from a network storage system, one or more candidate network addresses are (e.g., randomly) generated until an available candidate network address is generated. For example, if a first candidate network address is determined as available (e.g., not used by another device within the network), then the first candidate network address is offered and/or assigned to the network storage system as an initial configuration network address that may be used to provide configuration access to the network storage system, otherwise a second candidate network address is generated and/or evaluated for availability. As such, configuration access may be provided over the network to the network storage system regardless of whether the network comprises an IP address assigning (e.g., DHCP) server.

Abstract: Network storage system configuration via a network is disclosed. A network address assignment component is configured to listen for network discovery requests over the network. Responsive to receiving a network discovery request from a network storage system, one or more candidate network addresses are (e.g., randomly) generated until an available candidate network address is generated. For example, if a first candidate network address is determined as available (e.g., not used by another device within the network), then the first candidate network address is offered and/or assigned to the network storage system as an initial configuration network address that may be used to provide configuration access to the network storage system, otherwise a second candidate network address is generated and/or evaluated for availability. As such, configuration access may be provided over the network to the network storage system regardless of whether the network comprises an IP address assigning (e.g., DHCP) server.

Abstract: A system and method for planning and configuring the components of a modular computing system is provided. In some embodiments, the method for planning an implementation of a modular computing system comprises presenting a user interface at a display device, the user interface including a plurality of user-selectable objects, each of the user-selectable objects representing a component of the modular computing system. A user selection is received via a user input device. The user selection is from among the user-selectable objects and specifies one of an enclosure, an existing component, and a future component of the modular computing system. A representation of the specified one of an enclosure, an existing component, and a future component is displayed at a display device. The user selection is verified with respect to an implementation guideline. An indicator of whether the user selection meets the implementation guideline is displayed at the display device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing customer guidance in deploying a modular computing system is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving a shipping container identifier. A computing system is used to determine, based on the shipping container identifier, that a component of the modular computing system has been received by a customer. It is determined whether the modular computing system can be deployed based on the component having been received by the customer. An indicator is provided of whether the modular computing system can be deployed. An instruction is provided for deploying the modular computing system, and a diagnostic procedure is performed on a deployed component of the modular computing system. In one such embodiment, the diagnostic procedure determines whether the instruction was correctly performed.

Abstract: A system and method for helping customers install a modular computing system is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining, using a computing system, whether all components of a modular computing system have been received by a customer. Based on determining that not all the components of the modular computing system have been received by the customer, it is determined whether the modular computing system can be incrementally deployed. A customer instruction for incrementally deploying the modular computing system is provided at a display device. A communication link is established with a component of the modular computing system. Communications directed over the communication link are used to determine whether a customer correctly performed the provided customer instruction. In one such embodiment, the determining of whether the modular computing system can be incrementally deployed includes determining whether a minimum resource requirement is met.

Abstract: Network storage system configuration via a network is disclosed. An IP assignment component is configured to listen for IP assignment requests over the network. Responsive to identifying an IP assignment request originating from a network storage system, the IP assignment component assigns an IP address to the network storage system, and provides configuration access to the network storage system based upon the IP address. A network device management component is configured to send identification requests over the network. Responsive to receiving a response from a network storage system having a previously assigned IP address, the network device management component provides configuration access to the network storage system based upon the previously assigned IP address. In this manner, a network storage system is (e.g., remotely) configured (e.g., over a network), rather than a technician having to physically connect (e.g., via a serial cable) to the network storage system.

Abstract: A server system allows an administrator to visualize storage space utilization of a storage system. In one implementation, the server system monitors the amount of used storage space in a storage system with respect to different types of usage. The server system generates a Graphical User Interface comprising a graphical chart displaying the amount of used storage space relating to a period of time. The graphical chart includes a breakdown of the different types of usage over the period of time. In another implementation, the server system receives a user input applied on the graphical chart, adjusts an allocation of storage space in the storage system in response to the user input, and updates the graphical chart to reflect the adjusted allocation of the storage space.

Abstract: A rule-based performance analysis tool and a method analyze metrics from a network storage system and generate recommendations for resolving actual or anticipated performance problems. The tool and method collect system metrics from one or more sources, including a storage appliance and optional user-reported comments and/or information about proposed changes to the network storage system. A rule base is applied against the collected metrics and user inputs. Each rule is associated with one or more metrics and has one or more threshold values. A rule can analyze a rate of change of a metric. For each triggered rule, the tool provides an output that includes an explanation of the rule, a suggested action to alleviate or avoid the problem that triggered the rule and, optionally, a priority level. The outputs are presented in a hierarchical display.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring storage resources, storage containers are monitored to identify their individual normal usage patterns over time. Based on a storage container's normal usage pattern, limits may be established for determining whether its rate of change over a predetermined amount of time (i.e., usage change rate) is normal or abnormal based on a mean and a standard deviation of historical usage rate values. The limits are periodically updated to ensure that the limits remain indicative of the storage container's current usage pattern, as usage patterns may vary over the life of a storage container.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to manage data using data sets are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes allowing an administrator of a data storage system to define a data set having a plurality of storage objects and to associate the data set with a data management policy, wherein each of the plurality of storage objects includes a logical representation of a collection of data and replicas of the collection of data, the collection of data stored in storage containers managed by storage servers in the data storage system, wherein the storage containers are independent of the logical representation. The method may further include using a storage manager to manage the data set as a single unit according to the data management policy.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring storage resources, storage containers are monitored to identify their individual normal usage patterns over time. Based on a storage container's normal usage pattern, limits may be established for determining whether its rate of change over a predetermined amount of time (i.e., usage change rate) is normal or abnormal based on a mean and a standard deviation of historical usage rate values. The limits are periodically updated to ensure that the limits remain indicative of the storage container's current usage pattern, as usage patterns may vary over the life of a storage container.

Abstract: A rule-based performance analysis tool and a method analyze metrics from a network storage system and generate recommendations for resolving actual or anticipated performance problems. The tool and method collect system metrics from one or more sources, including a storage appliance and optional user-reported comments and/or information about proposed changes to the network storage system. A rule base is applied against the collected metrics and user inputs. Each rule is associated with one or more metrics and has one or more threshold values. A rule can analyze a rate of change of a metric. For each triggered rule, the tool provides an output that includes an explanation of the rule, a suggested action to alleviate or avoid the problem that triggered the rule and, optionally, a priority level. The outputs are presented in a hierarchical display.