Abstract: Intelligent services are provided in a storage network using intelligent service modules that can be cabled to a switch external to the switch chassis and yet be managed as part of the switch's logical domain. Data and management communications between the intelligent service module and the core switch are provided through a “soft-backplane” implemented using in-band communications through cabling attached between the switch and the intelligent service module rather than through hardwired backplane within the chassis. Management communications from management software is directed to the switch, which handles the management functions relating to the intelligent service module or forwards the management requests to the intelligent service module for processing.

Abstract: A method, system or computer program product for managing a switch fabric in a computer network, the switch fabric containing a plurality of switches, the method, system or product further including the capability for establishing a client/provider mode of operation between at least two switches of the plurality of switches; and operating the at least two switches in the client/provider mode; wherein the operating of the at least two switches in a client/provider mode includes conserving at least one functionality of at least one of the at least two switches.

Abstract: Differential configuration update commands can be communicated and applied quickly and efficiently to active zone sets and zone set libraries, without requiring propagation of entire zone sets through a fabric of a SAN. Furthermore, the commands can be applied quickly to support dynamic configuration updates. Ordered differential configuration update commands can be applied to ordered zone set data structures to minimize update instruction communication requirements and optimize configuration update operations. In addition, differential configuration update commands can be applied to active zone set data structures (e.g., in an active zone set or a zone set library) to optimize configuration update operations.

Abstract: A SAN management software program controls access to resources in the SAN by associating individual users with one or more administration domains. A user that is associated with an administration domain that includes a port of a SAN switch can configure or otherwise access the port but is restricted from accessing ports outside of that administration domain. Likewise, access to other sub-fabric resources can be restricted and allowed to individual users and users in specific roles or groups. In this manner, the SAN administrative user has very specific control over which users can access which SAN resources and what level of access these users are granted.