Abstract: In one embodiment, a system may include a storage array and a controller. The storage array may include a plurality of storage resources, where each storage resource of the plurality of storage resources may include plurality of active storage drives and a plurality of hot spare drives. The controller, coupled to the storage array, may be configured to generate a mapping of the location of hot spare drives in the plurality of storage resources; detect a failure in an active storage drive in a first storage resource of the plurality of storage resources; using at least the map, select a hot spare drive in a second storage resource for rebuilding the active storage drive in the first storage resource; and provide the selected hot spare drive in the second storage resource to rebuild the failed active storage drive in the first storage resource.

Abstract: In an example process for facilitating network installation, a vendor of network components may generate a network installation package (NIP) based on a list of devices to be included in the network and a library of installation guidelines. The NIP may include multiple items of software, documentation, etc., for devices to be included in the network, as well as a network installation manager (NIM) and customized installation instructions. In a related process, the NIP may be loaded into a workstation in a network, and the NIM may explain how to connect additional devices to the network, and the NIM may push software and configuration parameters to the additional devices. Also, a planning module in the NIP may generate an export list describing additional hardware components to be ordered. A vendor may use the export list to identify additional components, such as software, to accompany the hardware components.

Abstract: An information handling system validates a network configuration. The information handling system includes a network interface in communication with a network of devices. The information handling system also includes a predefined set of valid device attributes, stored in a computer-usable medium. In addition, the information handling system includes processing resources in communication with the network interface and the computer-usable medium. The processing resources receive user input requesting a validation process and, in response, automatically communicate with the devices via the network interface to discover attributes of the devices. The processing resources also automatically compare the discovered attributes with the predefined set of valid device attributes, and the processing resources generate output data that indicates whether the discovered attributes match the valid device attributes.