Abstract: System and method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a storage area network (SAN) is disclosed. In one embodiment, in a method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a SAN, subsystem information associated with each subsystem in the SAN is obtained. Then, an IP port and zoning information associated with connections of each subsystem is obtained. Component information associated with each component is also obtained. Any other relevant information associated with each subsystem and each component is obtained from users. The obtained subsystem information, IP port and zoning information, component information, and any other relevant information are compiled. Test packets are then sent from end-to-end in SAN using compiled information. The sent test packets are tracked via each component in each subsystem in the SAN. The cabling topology of the SAN is then outputted based on the outcome of the tracking.

Abstract: A system and method for providing firmware update for network connected storage subsystem components is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage system is registered via a secured process using a client management module of a firmware update management module residing in a client device associated with the storage system. The storage system includes a plurality of storage subsystems. Further, an inventory list including each storage subsystem component in each of the plurality of storage subsystems along with its associated firmware code level is formed by the client management module. Furthermore, the inventory list along with an associated firmware code level of the storage system is stored by a registration management module of the firmware update management module residing in a registration server coupled to the client device via the network.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an array controller and a frame buffer. The array controller may be configured to read/write data to/from a drive array in response to one or more input/output requests. The frame buffer may be implemented within the array controller and may be configured to perform (i) a first data integrity check to determine a first type of data error and (ii) a second data integrity check to determine a second type of data error. The frame buffer may log occurrences of the first type of error and the second type of error in a field transmitted with the data. The field may be used to determine a source of possible corruption of the data.

Abstract: A method for establishing a secure connection between a first computer and a second computer, comprising the steps of (A) generating a signature authentication pair on the first computer, (B) receiving a plurality of authentication pairs that may or may not include the signature authentication pair, (C) detecting whether the signature authentication pair is received in the authentication pairs and (D) if the signature authentication pair is detected, creating a secure connection between the first computer and the second computer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first of a plurality of array modules and a second of a plurality of array modules. The first of the plurality of array modules may be configured to connect a first one or more of a plurality of host devices to a first one or more of a plurality of storage arrays. The first array module may comprise a primary controller and a secondary controller. The second of the plurality of array modules may be configured to connect a second one or more of the plurality of host devices to a second one or more of the plurality of storage arrays. The second array module may comprise a primary controller and a secondary controller. Control of access to the storage arrays may be transferred to the secondary controller of the first array module during a failure of the primary controller of the first array module.

Abstract: System and method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a storage area network (SAN) is disclosed. In one embodiment, in a method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a SAN, subsystem information associated with each subsystem in the SAN is obtained. Then, an IP port and zoning information associated with connections of each subsystem is obtained. Component information associated with each component is also obtained. Any other relevant information associated with each subsystem and each component is obtained from users. The obtained subsystem information, IP port and zoning information, component information, and any other relevant information are compiled. Test packets are then sent from end-to-end in SAN using compiled information. The sent test packets are tracked via each component in each subsystem in the SAN. The cabling topology of the SAN is then outputted based on the outcome of the tracking.

Abstract: System and method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a storage area network (SAN) is disclosed. In one embodiment, in a method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a SAN, subsystem information associated with each subsystem in the SAN is obtained. Then, an IP port and zoning information associated with connections of each subsystem is obtained. Component information associated with each component is also obtained. Any other relevant information associated with each subsystem and each component is obtained from users. The obtained subsystem information, IP port and zoning information, component information, and any other relevant information are compiled. Test packets are then sent from end-to-end in SAN using compiled information. The sent test packets are tracked via each component in each subsystem in the SAN. The cabling topology of the SAN is then outputted based on the outcome of the tracking.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface circuit and a controller. The interface circuit may be configured to calculate a speed signal in response to data traffic measured over a network. The controller may be configured to present and receive data from an array in response to (a) the speed signal and (b) one or more input/output requests. The interface circuit may generate the speed signal in response to a plurality of predetermined factors. The controller may present and receive the data at one of a plurality of speeds in response to the speed signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an array controller and a frame buffer. The array controller may be configured to read/write data to/from a drive array in response to one or more input/output requests. The frame buffer may be implemented within the array controller and may be configured to perform (i) a first data integrity check to determine a first type of data error and (ii) a second data integrity check to determine a second type of data error. The frame buffer may log occurrences of the first type of error and the second type of error in a field transmitted with the data. The field may be used to determine a source of possible corruption of the data.

Abstract: A method for establishing a secure connection between a first computer and a second computer, comprising the steps of (A) generating a signature authentication pair on the first computer, (B) receiving a plurality of authentication pairs that may or may not include the signature authentication pair, (C) detecting whether the signature authentication pair is received in the authentication pairs and (D) if the signature authentication pair is detected, creating a secure connection between the first computer and the second computer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first of a plurality of array modules and a second of a plurality of array modules. The first of the plurality of array modules may be configured to connect a first one or more of a plurality of host devices to a first one or more of a plurality of storage arrays. The first array module may comprise a primary controller and a secondary controller. The second of the plurality of array modules may be configured to connect a second one or more of the plurality of host devices to a second one or more of the plurality of storage arrays. The second array module may comprise a primary controller and a secondary controller. Control of access to the storage arrays may be transferred to the secondary controller of the first array module during a failure of the primary controller of the first array module.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface circuit and a controller. The interface circuit may be configured to calculate a speed signal in response to data traffic measured over a network. The controller may be configured to present and receive data from an array in response to (a) the speed signal and (b) one or more input/output requests. The interface circuit may generate the speed signal in response to a plurality of predetermined factors. The controller may present and receive the data at one of a plurality of speeds in response to the speed signal.

Abstract: A method for configuring resources in a storage array, comprising the steps of (a) determining if a data access is a first type or a second type, (b) if the data access is the first type, configuring the storage array as a reliable type configuration, (c) if the data access is the second type, configuring the storage array as a secure type configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first switch and a second switch. The first switch may include a first plurality of ports, where a first of the ports is connected to a first host device, a second of the ports is connected to a first target device, and a third of the ports is connected to a network. The first target device may include a first storage LUN. The second switch may include a second plurality of ports, where a first of the ports is connected to a second host device, a second of the ports is connected to a second target device, and a third of the ports is connected to the network. The second target device may include a second storage LUN. The first storage LUN and the second storage LUN form a data mirror.

Abstract: System and method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a storage area network (SAN) is disclosed. In one embodiment, in a method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a SAN, subsystem information associated with each subsystem in the SAN is obtained. Then, an IP port and zoning information associated with connections of each subsystem is obtained. Component information associated with each component is also obtained. Any other relevant information associated with each subsystem and each component is obtained from users. The obtained subsystem information, IP port and zoning information, component information, and any other relevant information are compiled. Test packets are then sent from end-to-end in SAN using compiled information. The sent test packets are tracked via each component in each subsystem in the SAN. The cabling topology of the SAN is then outputted based on the outcome of the tracking.

Abstract: A system and method for providing firmware update for network connected storage subsystem components is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage system is registered via a secured process using a client management module of a firmware update management module residing in a client device associated with the storage system. The storage system includes a plurality of storage subsystems. Further, an inventory list including each storage subsystem component in each of the plurality of storage subsystems along with its associated firmware code level is formed by the client management module. Furthermore, the inventory list along with an associated firmware code level of the storage system is stored by a registration management module of the firmware update management module residing in a registration server coupled to the client device via the network.

Abstract: A method for configuring a storage array, comprising the steps of (A) checking a syntax of an input file, (B) generating an error if a particular syntax is not met, (C) determining whether a physical hardware configuration matches a desired set of design parameters, (D) generating a script file containing a plurality of symbol commands, (E) sending the script file containing the symbol commands to the storage array and (F) verifying whether the physical hardware configuration is valid.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a storage array, a controller, a cache storage area and a backup storage area. The storage array may include a plurality of storage devices. The controller may be configured to send one or more commands configured to control reading and writing data to and from the storage array. The commands may include volume configuration information used by each of the plurality of storage devices. The cache storage area may be within the controller and may be configured to store a copy of the commands. The backup storage area may be configured to store the copy of the commands during a power failure.

Abstract: A method for configuring a storage array, comprising the steps of (A) checking a syntax of an input file, (B) generating an error if a particular syntax is not met, (C) determining whether a physical hardware configuration matches a desired set of design parameters, (D) generating a script file containing a plurality of symbol commands, (E) sending the script file containing the symbol commands to the storage array and (F) verifying whether the physical hardware configuration is valid.

Abstract: A system comprises a RAID engine disposed within a housing of a handheld computing or communications device and an interface engine connected to the RAID engine for providing an interface between the RAID engine and a memory of the handheld computing or communications device.