Abstract: A methodology is provided. The methodology includes: creating a virtual storage area network between one or more storage arrays and a switch; creating a service profile for a zoning configuration, wherein the service profile is associated with at least one or more servers to create the zoning configuration; updating the zoning configuration with a worldwide port name identity for each of the one or more servers; configuring virtual host bus adapters for the service profile; associating a storage target port on one of the one or more storage arrays with a specific one of the virtual host bus adapters; and associating at least one of the one or more servers to a storage policy, wherein storage target ports can be added and removed from the storage policy, wherein a change of one of the storage target ports in the storage policy causes a change of the zoning configuration.

Abstract: A methodology is provided. The methodology includes: creating a virtual storage area network between one or more storage arrays and a switch; creating a service profile for a zoning configuration, wherein the service profile is associated with at least one or more servers to create the zoning configuration; updating the zoning configuration with a worldwide port name identity for each of the one or more servers; configuring virtual host bus adapters for the service profile; associating a storage target port on one of the one or more storage arrays with a specific one of the virtual host bus adapters; and associating at least one of the one or more servers to a storage policy, wherein storage target ports can be added and removed from the storage policy, wherein a change of one of the storage target ports in the storage policy causes a change of the zoning configuration.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes connecting one or more storage arrays to a switch; connecting one or more servers to the switch; creating a virtual storage area network between the one or more storage arrays and the switch; creating a service profile for a zoning configuration; and associating at least one of the one or more servers to the service profile for the zoning configuration. In more specific examples, the method can include configuring virtual host bus adapters for the service profile; configuring parameters for each of the virtual host bus adapters; and associating a target port on one of the one or more storage arrays with a specific one of the virtual host bus adapters.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes connecting one or more storage arrays to a switch; connecting one or more servers to the switch; creating a virtual storage area network between the one or more storage arrays and the switch; creating a service profile for a zoning configuration; and associating at least one of the one or more servers to a storage policy, wherein storage target ports can be added and removed from the storage policy, wherein a change of one of the storage target ports in the storage policy causes a change of the zoning configuration, wherein the storage policy includes an identifier of a fiber channel adaptor. In more specific examples, the method can include configuring virtual host bus adapters for the service profile; configuring parameters for each of the virtual host bus adapters; and associating a target port on one of the one or more storage arrays with a specific one of the virtual host bus adapters.

Abstract: An example method for hybrid Fiber Channel (FC) storage with end-to-end storage provisioning and external connectivity in a storage area network (SAN) environment is provided and includes partitioning a SAN into an internal virtual storage area network (VSAN) for connectivity to an internal storage element located in a first portion of the SAN implemented in a unified computing system (UCS), where a second portion of the SAN is external to the UCS, partitioning the SAN into an external VSAN for connectivity to an external storage element located in the second portion of the SAN, and facilitating communication with the internal storage element over the internal VSAN and with the external storage element over the external VSAN. In one embodiment, border ports on a FI in FC switching mode are configured as N-ports for the external VSAN, and the external storage element is attached to the UCS through an N-port.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes instantiating a virtual adapter on a network device connected to a storage array, the virtual adapter capable of communicating with the storage array; determining storage configuration properties for the network device; and provisioning a portion of the storage array to the network device in accordance with the determined storage configuration properties. The method may further comprise associating the network device with a service profile, where the storage configuration properties are specified in the service profile. Still further, the method may comprise configuring the network device in accordance with the associated service profile, where the instantiating is also performed in accordance with the associated service profile.

Abstract: An example method for hybrid Fibre Channel (FC) storage with end-to-end storage provisioning and external connectivity in a storage area network (SAN) environment is provided and includes partitioning a SAN into an internal virtual storage area network (VSAN) for connectivity to an internal storage element located in a first portion of the SAN implemented in a unified computing system (UCS), where a second portion of the SAN is external to the UCS, partitioning the SAN into an external VSAN for connectivity to an external storage element located in the second portion of the SAN, and facilitating communication with the internal storage element over the internal VSAN and with the external storage element over the external VSAN. In one embodiment, border ports on a FI in FC switching mode are configured as N-ports for the external VSAN, and the external storage element is attached to the UCS through an N-port.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes instantiating a virtual adapter on a network device connected to a storage array, the virtual adapter capable of communicating with the storage array; determining storage configuration properties for the network device; and provisioning a portion of the storage array to the network device in accordance with the determined storage configuration properties. The method may further comprise associating the network device with a service profile, where the storage configuration properties are specified in the service profile. Still further, the method may comprise configuring the network device in accordance with the associated service profile, where the instantiating is also performed in accordance with the associated service profile.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes connecting one or more storage arrays to a switch; connecting one or more servers to the switch; creating a virtual storage area network between the one or more storage arrays and the switch; creating a service profile for a zoning configuration; and associating at least one of the one or more servers to the service profile for the zoning configuration. In more specific examples, the method can include configuring virtual host bus adapters for the service profile; configuring parameters for each of the virtual host bus adapters; and associating a target port on one of the one or more storage arrays with a specific one of the virtual host bus adapters.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for managing the use of a plurality of security service providers during network communication. A first security service provider is utilized for affording secure communication between applications using a network. During operation, the system is monitored for events relating to the secure communication between the applications. Upon the detection of an event, a second security service provider is utilized for affording secure communication between the applications using the network.