Abstract: A storage manager connects containers of virtual machine (VM) images and virtual storage device data within hosts. The storage management provides a set of northbound application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow configuration of images associated with VM images and virtual storage devices provided to the operating systems and applications within virtual machine images. The northbound APIs, include methods for creating a virtual storage container that contains storage for the VM instance and also at least one virtual storage device to be provided to an operating system executed by the VM, a method for causing an attach of the virtual storage container to the host and a method for causing a deployment of the virtual storage device within the host. A set of southbound APIs are provided by the host, including at least a method that creates virtual storage devices and a method that attaches virtual storage devices to the host.

Abstract: A method for configuring zoning within a switch of a storage network is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a list of devices to a user. The method enables the user to select devices from the list and assign the devices to a zone of a storage network. To determine which ports of a switch the devices are connected to, the method searches a device inventory database containing information about devices in the storage network. The method then determines underlying port-to-port mappings that are needed to enable communication between the devices through the switch. The method then sends a request to the switch to establish, within the switch, the zone with the determined port-to-port mappings. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage manager connects containers of virtual machine (VM) images and virtual storage device data within hosts. The storage management provides a set of northbound application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow configuration of images associated with VM images and virtual storage devices provided to the operating systems and applications within virtual machine images. The northbound APIs, include methods for creating a virtual storage container that contains storage for the VM instance and also at least one virtual storage device to be provided to an operating system executed by the VM, a method for causing an attach of the virtual storage container to the host and a method for causing a deployment of the virtual storage device within the host. A set of southbound APIs are provided by the host, including at least a method that creates virtual storage devices and a method that attaches virtual storage devices to the host.

Abstract: A storage manager connects containers of virtual machine (VM) images and virtual storage device data within hosts. The storage management provides a set of northbound application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow configuration of images associated with VM images and virtual storage devices provided to the operating systems and applications within virtual machine images. The northbound APIs, include methods for creating a virtual storage container that contains storage for the VM instance and also at least one virtual storage device to be provided to an operating system executed by the VM, a method for causing an attach of the virtual storage container to the host and a method for causing a deployment of the virtual storage device within the host. A set of southbound APIs are provided by the host, including at least a method that creates virtual storage devices and a method that attaches virtual storage devices to the host.

Abstract: A storage management method provides an intermediary between storage subsystems and a virtual machine manager, e.g., a hypervisor. The storage management provides a unified user interface for configuration and unifies handling virtual machine image storage/retrieval, as well as management of virtual disk volumes provided to the operating systems and applications within virtual machine images. The images including the virtualized storage along with the entire state of the virtual machine form snapshots that can be cloned, stored when taking a virtual machine off-line and loaded when the virtual machine is being brought on-line.

Abstract: A storage manager connects containers of virtual machine (VM) images and virtual storage device data within hosts. The storage management provides a set of northbound application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow configuration of images associated with VM images and virtual storage devices provided to the operating systems and applications within virtual machine images. The northbound APIs, include methods for creating a virtual storage container that contains storage for the VM instance and also at least one virtual storage device to be provided to an operating system executed by the VM, a method for causing an attach of the virtual storage container to the host and a method for causing a deployment of the virtual storage device within the host. A set of southbound APIs are provided by the host, including at least a method that creates virtual storage devices and a method that attaches virtual storage devices to the host.

Abstract: A storage management method and computer program serves as an intermediary between storage subsystems and a virtual machine manager, e.g., a hypervisor. The storage management provides a unified user interface for configuration and unifies handling virtual machine image storage/retrieval, as well as management of virtual disk volumes provided to the operating systems and applications within virtual machine images. The images including the virtualized storage along with the entire state of the virtual machine form snapshots that can be cloned, stored when taking a virtual machine off-line and loaded when the virtual machine is being brought on-line.

Abstract: A partition wizard allows automatically defining from a set of system requirements a solution profile that defines a combination of hardware and software in multiple logical partitions to satisfy the performance objectives. The solution profile may be used by an order processing system to automatically generate an order for a target computer system. The solution profile may also be used by a hardware management console to automatically create logical partitions on the target computer system, then may be used by an operating system install engine to automatically install a desired operating system in each of the logical partitions on the target computer system and to automatically install desired software into each of the logical partitions in the target computer system. The solution profile may also be used to manage the target computer system.

Abstract: A logically-partitioned computer system provides support for multiple logical partitions to access a single file system, thereby allowing the logical partitions to share a file without the overhead of communicating over a VLAN. An area of shared memory is defined that multiple logical partitions may access. One or more file control blocks that control access to the files in the file system are then created in the shared memory. Existing mechanisms for locking a file system between processes may then be used across logical partitions to serialize access to the file system by all processes in all logical partitions that share the file system. In this manner the sharing of files in a file system is enabled by leveraging existing technology that is used within a single logical partition to extend across multiple logical partitions.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage medium, and boot server that, in an embodiment, receive a command that requests a name of a boot image and a network address of a boot server that contains the boot image, invoke a plug-in to determine the name of the boot image based on an address of a client that sent the command, and send the name of the boot image and the network address of the boot server to a client that sent the command. In various embodiments, the address of the client may be a network address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address. The client retrieves the boot image via the name, and the boot image initializes the client when executed at the client. The name of the boot image is changed to a second name and sent to the client in response to another command.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive a command that requests a name of a boot image and a network address of a boot server that contains the boot image, invoke a plug-in to determine the name of the boot image and the network address of the boot server based on an address of a client that sent the command, and send the name of the boot image and the network address of the boot server to a client that sent the command. In various embodiments, the address of the client may be a network address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address. The client retrieves the boot image via the name and the network address of the boot server, and the boot image initializes the client when executed at the client. In various embodiments, the name of the boot image or the network address of the boot server are changed to second names or addresses and sent to the client in response to another command.

Abstract: A partition wizard allows automatically defining from a set of system requirements a solution profile that defines a combination of hardware and software in multiple logical partitions to satisfy the performance objectives. The solution profile may be used by an order processing system to automatically generate an order for a target computer system. The solution profile may also be used by a hardware management console to automatically create logical partitions on the target computer system, then may be used by an operating system install engine to automatically install a desired operating system in each of the logical partitions on the target computer system and to automatically install desired software into each of the logical partitions in the target computer system. The solution profile may also be used to manage the target computer system.

Abstract: A partition wizard allows automatically defining from a set of system requirements a solution profile that defines a combination of hardware and software in multiple logical partitions to satisfy the performance objectives. The solution profile may be used by an order processing system to automatically generate an order for a target computer system. The solution profile may also be used by a hardware management console to automatically create logical partitions on the target computer system, then may be used by an operating system install engine to automatically install a desired operating system in each of the logical partitions on the target computer system and to automatically install desired software into each of the logical partitions in the target computer system. The solution profile may also be used to manage the target computer system.

Abstract: A logically-partitioned computer system provides support for multiple logical partitions to access a single file system, thereby allowing the logical partitions to share a file without the overhead of communicating over a VLAN. An area of shared memory is defined that multiple logical partitions may access. One or more file control blocks that control access to the files in the file system are then created in the shared memory. Existing mechanisms for locking a file system between processes may then be used across logical partitions to serialize access to the file system by all processes in all logical partitions that share the file system. In this manner the sharing of files in a file system is enabled by leveraging existing technology that is used within a single logical partition to extend across multiple logical partitions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to improve order fulfilment and the management of installed software on a computer system. In preferred embodiments, a software catalog provides a proxy entry to a CD image stored on a system resource. When the proxy entry is selected by the computer user, the proxy entry is materialized, it is changed into an actual image of the software on the user's computer ready for use. In preferred embodiments, the proxy entry includes installation information. In other preferred embodiments, the software catalog is used in a system for the management of software installation and order fulfilment of purchased software. The proxy entry may also include ownership information such as a key or certificate to increase security from software piracy.

Abstract: A method for providing a provisioning key for connecting a computer to a computer network is disclosed. Initially, an order for an electronic device, such as a computer or a personal digital assistant, is placed by an user. The electronic device includes a network communication device capable of providing communication between the electronic device and a computer network. During the purchasing process, the user is prompted to answer a few questions. According to the answers given by the user, corresponding provisioning information for the network communication device within the electronic device is then generated. The provisioning information is stored in a portable medium that can be readily recognized by the electronic device. The portable medium is then delivered to the user.