Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for handling secure information (e.g., a password, an account number, a personal identification number (PIN), a user identifier, an encryption key, and a path where said secure information is stored) is presented. Secure information is stored in a software container. A plurality of representations of the secure information is provided, each of the plurality of representations for use under different conditions. Dependent on the particular condition, at least one of the plurality of representations of the secure information is provided by the container. The container holds the secure information during all stages of processing in a manner that prevents unauthorized parties from gaining access to the secret in clear form.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request to register a second data storage system of a second data center in a first data storage system of a first data center, storing data center connection information to connect the second data center to the first data center, replicating a database to the first data storage system and enabling a first data storage system to access and control components of the second data center using the component connection information and the component management information. The data base includes component connection information to connect the second storage system to the components of the second data center and component management information required to monitor and manage the components.

Abstract: A system receives managed resource data collected by an agent from a managed resource in a storage area network. The system evaluates conditions associated with the managed resource data to select a read mechanism based on the conditions, and applies the read mechanism to read managed object data from the managed object database. The managed object data corresponds to the managed resource data. After application of the read mechanism, the system synchronizes the managed object data from the managed object database with the managed resource data collected from the managed resource.

Abstract: A computer program product, system, and computer-executable method for managing meta volumes in a data storage system, the computer program product, system, and computer-executable method comprising receiving one or more data storage characteristics, analyzing the one or more data storage characteristics, based on the analyzing, creating a policy responsive to the data storage characteristics, and allocating a meta volume based on the policy.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes reading a configuration file to obtain settings of device drivers for a cloud computing storage array, enumerating a backend driver as the cloud computing storage array in a data storage system, instantiating a default port for the cloud computing storage array and accessing the cloud computing storage array using the data storage system.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes filtering one or more available ports on a data storage system to determine candidate ports based on at least their hardware redundancy information. The data storage system includes one or more data storage volumes. The method also includes allocating one or more ports to the data storage volume from the candidate ports based on a usage metric to enable communication from a host, using the one or more allocated ports, to the data storage volume through the one or more storage components.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request to provision a resource in a data storage system, determining whether any one of a set of quotas will be exceeded if the resource is provisioned, denying the request to provision the resource if any one of a set of quotas is exceeded and enabling the resource to be provisioned if none of the set of quotas is exceeded.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes filtering one or more available ports on a data storage system to determine candidate ports based on at least their hardware redundancy information. The data storage system includes one or more data storage volumes. The method also includes allocating one or more ports to the data storage volume from the candidate ports based on parameters to enable communication from a host, using the one or more allocated ports, to the data storage volume through the one or more storage components. The parameters include at least one of a maximum paths parameter, a paths per initiator parameter and a minimum paths parameter.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein describe a data retrieval process for storing management data from a network environment using an efficient polling-based approach without sacrificing the real-time aspect of data retrieval that a push model provides. The process is highly scalable and reliable, and is useful in Network Address Translation (NAT) environments because the number of holes in a NAT firewall is minimized. The data retrieval component uses intelligent polling to retrieve data and store the data in a central database without overloading the system. A data retrieval component polls a data collection agent for a dataset. The data collection agent transfers the data set and a poll indication of when a subsequent data set will be ready for transfer. Subsequent polling is based on a processor load at a data retrieval component.

Abstract: A SAN management agent computes a validator corresponding to a full data set from which a relative (change) data set is derived. The validator, such as a checksum, identifies the full data set to which the relative data set is applicable. The validator is transmitted with the relative data set, and the store process compares the validator with the previous validator stored with the full data set in a database. If the validators correspond (i.e. match), then the received relative data set is applicable to the full data set stored at the database, and the relative data set may be processed as a change set. The remote agent therefore computes the validator on a full data set at a remote node, and transmits the validator with the change set. Subsequent relative data sets may then compare the current validator of the DB data set with the validator from which the relative set was derived.

Abstract: Determining port failover information is described. First information is determined by a first storage processor executing first code for performing port matching. The first information identifies a first set of port pairs. Each port pair includes a first port of the first or second storage processor and a second port of the first or second storage processor. Each port pair denotes the first port as protecting the second port. Upon failure or unavailability of the second port, the first port virtualizes the second port and requests directed to the second port are redirected to the first port. Similarly, second information is determined by the second storage processor executing second code for performing the port matching. Port failover processing is performed upon failure or unavailability of port(s) of the first storage processor and/or the second storage processor. Port failover processing uses the first information and/or the second information.

Abstract: Described are techniques for coordinating processing to redirect requests. First and second storage processors of a data storage system are provided. Requests are directed to a first set of physical target ports of the first storage processor. The second storage processor is unavailable and has a second set of virtual target ports. Each virtual port of the second set is virtualized by a physical port of the first set. First processing is performed to redirect requests from the second set of virtual ports to a third set of physical ports of the second storage processor. First processing includes booting the second storage processor, directing requests to the third set of physical ports of the second storage processor rather than second set of virtual ports, and queuing requests received at the third set of physical ports until completion of pending requests previously received at the second set of virtual ports.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to create a volume using an automated storage tier policy and a virtual storage tier from storage pools having a plurality of disk types. In one embodiment, a utilization percentage for the storage virtual tiers is used.

Abstract: Method and system for managing port failover in storage system comprising first storage processor and first port and second storage processor and second port. Storage system adapted to communicate with FC switch. Storage system providing first and second names characterizing first and second ports to switch for registration such that the first name associated with first port and second name associated with second port. Storage system detects the state of first and second processors. Failure state in first or second processor activates deregistration of port associated therewith. Storage system providing to switch for re-registration one of the names in response to detecting failure in processor associated with one of the ports. The one of the names provided to switch such that the one of the names characterizing the one of the ports is associated with the other of the ports.

Abstract: A system receives identification of at least one data structure to contain the network management data associated with the managed resource. The system receives notification that at least one type adapter structure has been created. The type adapter is associated with the data structure. The system receives identification of at least one key common to the data structure, and the network management data. The system receives notification that methods within the at least one type adapter structure have been implemented to enable the network management data to be mapped from the at least one data structure to a managed object database.

Abstract: Described are techniques for processing requests. A request is received at a data storage system. The request is a command to perform first processing and the request is sent from a client over a virtualized path. The virtualized path includes a virtual target port of the data storage system. The virtual target port is a first physical target port that provides a virtualized counterpart port for a second physical target port whereby requests directed to the second physical target port are routed to the first physical target port rather than the second physical target port. First processing is performed and a response to the request is generated. The response includes first information consistent with sending the request over a non-virtualized path to the second physical target port. The response is sent to the client.

Abstract: A system provides a store process and method of operation that stores network management data collected from a managed resource by obtaining agent data collected by an agent from a managed resource in a network. The store process populates a set of adapters with the agent data, the set of adapters determined from the agent data collected from the managed resource. Based on the set of adapters populated with the agent data, the store process selects and applies at least one of a plurality of read mechanisms to read corresponding managed object data from a management database into managed objects that are to be synchronized with the agent data collected from the managed resource. The store process then synchronizes the agent data populated in the set of adapters with the managed object data in the management database.

Abstract: In a storage area network, agents provide transactions of data sets containing updates to manageable entities in a SAN. A SAN server avoids intermittent dissemination of events pertaining to a single transaction by storing events in a cache until completion of all subtransactions in the transaction, and then disseminating all events pertaining to the transaction. Transactions are broken down into update sections, each containing one or more subtransactions collectively defining the entire transaction. Update sections corresponding to the transaction are tagged with a section ID. Events indicating completion of processing of the update section are identified by the section ID, and suppressed temporarily by storing them in the event cache pending completion of the transaction. Other events not matching a tagged section ID are allowed to disseminate. Upon completion of the transaction, events for all section IDs corresponding to the transaction are disseminated from the cache.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a transaction in a storage area network is presented. A request is received from an agent process at a management server. The management server provides a ticket relating to the request. The ticket is sent to the agent process. The management server identifies a storage process related to the ticket. The storage process contacts the agent process and receives the information from the agent process.

Abstract: A system receives, from an agent, an agent timestamp associated with a production of a collection of data. The system creates a history associated with the collection of data and the agent timestamp. The system receives an indication that processing the collection of data is complete, and associates the collection of data and the agent timestamp with at least one resource referenced within the collection of data.