Abstract: A storage area network (SAN), which includes one or more remote systems, a plurality of storage devices, a SAN fabric comprising a plurality of fabric components for coupling the remote systems to the storage devices, and a central system having a SAN management server configured to monitor an amount of available storage in a file system used in the remote systems, and automatically provision additional storage to the file system in the event the amount of available storage in the file system decreases below a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying the context of messages based on a selected rule set are provided. The method comprises selecting a rule set from the database, scanning the message while comparing content of a textual message to the rule set, and determining textual modifications to the textual message based on the selected rule set to define a modified message having content that is different from the textual message.

Abstract: A SAN (storage area network) configuration utility may be used to automatically configure a SAN management system for SAN discovery and management. The SAN configuration utility may be used to identify and verify SAN devices, device firmware, device drivers, etc. for the SAN management system, and to configure the SAN management system to support one or more previously incompatible SAN devices. In one embodiment, the SAN configuration utility may automatically configure the SAN management system to use only the SAN devices that are known to be compatible with the SAN management system. In one embodiment, the SAN configuration utility may automatically modify one or more SAN management system configuration files to support the discovered SAN devices and/or automatically modify one or more SAN devices for support by the SAN management system (e.g. by updating firmware). In one embodiment, the SAN configuration utility may generate one or more SAN configuration reports.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for providing service-level monitoring for applications in SANs. Embodiments may identify what applications are running on which hosts in a SAN, automatically identify which paths the applications use through the storage infrastructure to reach their storage, and may monitor SAN components of the paths. One embodiment may provide a task group monitor that monitors groups of SAN components and reports problems detected on group members at the application level. Embodiments may proactively monitor SAN infrastructure including the hardware and/or software components of storage, hosts, fabric, etc. needed for scheduled application tasks such as backup tasks and may alert the operator when problems are detected. Thus, embodiments correlate detected infrastructure problems directly to the applications that are affected, allowing these problems to be addressed at the application level, and prior to scheduled execution of tasks.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for generating SAN management objects corresponding to heterogeneous Storage Access Network (SAN) components from discovered SAN information. In order to manage and monitor SAN components with heterogeneous management interfaces, embodiments may use one or more user-editable rules files for interpreting discovered SAN information, including management interface information, when generating SAN management objects used in managing and monitoring corresponding SAN components. Embodiments may include a mechanism for generating manageable objects for heterogeneous SAN components, including proxy agents and their corresponding proxied SAN components, by applying rules from the rules file(s) to discovered SAN information including proxy agent management interface information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing one or more logical relationships between a plurality of devices in a storage area network (SAN). The method includes receiving a first identifier associated with a first SAN device, determining the logical relationships associated with the first SAN device, receiving a second identifier associated with a second SAN device, and associating the second identifier to the logical relationships associated with the first SAN device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing one or more logical relationships between a plurality of devices in a storage area network (SAN). The method includes receiving a first identifier associated with a first SAN device, determining the logical relationships associated with the first SAN device, receiving a second identifier associated with a second SAN device, and associating the second identifier to the logical relationships associated with the first SAN device.