Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include storing one or more data volumes to a small computer system interface storage device, and receiving a request to map a given data volume to a host computer. One or more attributes of the given data volume are identified, and using the identified one or more attributes, a unique logical unit number (LUN) for the given data volume is generated. The given data volume is mapped to the host computer via the unique LUN. In some embodiments, the generated LUN includes one of the one or more attributes. In additional embodiments, the generated LUN includes a result of a hash function using the one or more attributes. In storage virtualization environments, the data volume may include secondary logical units, and mapping the given data volume to the host may include binding the SLU to the host.

Abstract: The present invention includes establishing, by a storage system coupled to a first host computer via a storage area network (SAN), metrics indicating a status of the first host computer, and storing the indicated metrics to the storage system. A second host computer, coupled to the storage system via the storage area network, determines an availability of the first host computer based on the metrics.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include establishing, by a storage system coupled to a first host computer via a storage area network (SAN), metrics indicating a status of the first host computer, and storing the indicated metrics to the storage system. A second host computer, coupled to the storage system via the storage area network, determines an availability of the first host computer based on the metrics.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include storing one or more data volumes to a small computer system interface storage device, and receiving a request to map a given data volume to a host computer. One or more attributes of the given data volume are identified, and using the identified one or more attributes, a unique logical unit number (LUN) for the given data volume is generated. The given data volume is mapped to the host computer via the unique LUN. In some embodiments, the generated LUN includes one of the one or more attributes. In additional embodiments, the generated LUN includes a result of a hash function using the one or more attributes. In storage virtualization environments, the data volume may include secondary logical units, and mapping the given data volume to the host may include binding the SLU to the host.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include storing one or more data volumes to a small computer system interface storage device, and receiving a request to map a given data volume to a host computer. One or more attributes of the given data volume are identified, and using the identified one or more attributes, a unique logical unit number (LUN) for the given data volume is generated. The given data volume is mapped to the host computer via the unique LUN. In some embodiments, the generated LUN includes one of the one or more attributes. In additional embodiments, the generated LUN includes a result of a hash function using the one or more attributes. In storage virtualization environments, the data volume may include secondary logical units, and mapping the given data volume to the host may include binding the SLU to the host.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include receiving, by a first computer in communication with a storage system, multiple resource packs, each of the resource packs including a plurality of attributes for storage resources on the storage system. Upon the first computer receiving a request from a second computer for a storage service, one or more of the received resource packs are identified that have respective attributes matching the storage service, a given identified resource pack is selected and the given identified resource pack is conveyed to the second computer. In some embodiments, the given identified resource pack can be conveyed by conveying an allocation request to the storage system for a portion of the given identified resource pack, and in response to the request, the storage system can allocate the requested portion of the given identified resource pack to the second computer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include storing one or more data volumes to a small computer system interface storage device, and receiving a request to map a given data volume to a host computer. One or more attributes of the given data volume are identified, and using the identified one or more attributes, a unique logical unit number (LUN) for the given data volume is generated. The given data volume is mapped to the host computer via the unique LUN. In some embodiments, the generated LUN includes one of the one or more attributes. In additional embodiments, the generated LUN includes a result of a hash function using the one or more attributes. In storage virtualization environments, the data volume may include secondary logical units, and mapping the given data volume to the host may include binding the SLU to the host.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining a source data volume including a first multiple of source snapshots, and storing the first multiple of the source snapshots in a first storage pool including a second multiple of storage regions having respective identifiers. Upon receiving a request to copy the source data volume to a target data volume in a second storage pool, a first given source snapshot including a first set of the storage regions is accessed, and a second given source snapshot preceding the first given source snapshot is identified, the second given source snapshot including a second set of the storage regions. A set difference of the second and the first sets of the storage regions is identified, and respective identifiers of the set difference are stored to the target volume.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include identifying, by a first computer in communication with a storage system having one or more storage devices, storage resources on the storage system, and defining multiple resource packs, each of the resource packs comprising respective multiple attributes for the storage resources. In response to an inventory request from a second computer in communication with the first computer, each of the resource packs can be conveyed to the second computer. Additionally, upon receiving, from the second computer, an allocation request to allocate a portion of a given resource pack, the portion of the given resource pack can be allocated in response to the request.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining, by a first computer in communication with a storage system, at least two priority levels for storage management commands to be processed by the storage system, and defining a respective queue for each of the defined priority levels. Upon receiving multiple storage management commands from one or more second computers in communication with the first computer and the storage system, a respective priority is determined for each of the received storage management commands, and the respective queue is identified for each of the received storage management commands based on the respective priority thereof. Each of the received storage management commands is loaded to the respective identified queue thereof, and the received storage management commands stored in the respective queues are processed by the storage system according to the priority levels thereof.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining a source data volume including a first multiple of source snapshots, and storing the first multiple of the source snapshots in a first storage pool including a second multiple of storage regions having respective identifiers. Upon receiving a request to copy the source data volume to a target data volume in a second storage pool, a first given source snapshot including a first set of the storage regions is accessed, and a second given source snapshot preceding the first given source snapshot is identified, the second given source snapshot including a second set of the storage regions. A set difference of the second and the first sets of the storage regions is identified, and respective identifiers of the set difference are stored to the target volume.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining a source data volume including a first multiple of source snapshots, and storing the first multiple of the source snapshots in a first storage pool including a second multiple of storage regions having respective identifiers. Upon receiving a request to copy the source data volume to a target data volume in a second storage pool, a first given source snapshot including a first set of the storage regions is accessed, and a second given source snapshot preceding the first given source snapshot is identified, the second given source snapshot including a second set of the storage regions. A set difference of the second and the first sets of the storage regions is identified, respective identifiers of the set difference are stored to the target volume, and a target snapshot is created for the target volume.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include configuring one or more storage devices as a plurality of physical storage units, each of the physical storage units having a storage granularity, and configuring, on the one or more storage devices, a thin provisioned storage pool having a physical number of the physical storage units and a logical number of logical storage units. Upon receiving a request to create a thick data volume having a requested number of the physical storage units, an available number of the physical storage units that are available in the thin provisioned pool can be identified. A certain number of physical storage units are then allocated based upon a determination of the identifying.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include configuring one or more storage devices as a plurality of physical storage units, each of the physical storage units having a storage granularity, and configuring, on the one or more storage devices, a thin provisioned storage pool having a physical number of the physical storage units and a logical number of logical storage units, the physical number being less than the logical number. Upon receiving a request to create a thick data volume having a requested number of the physical storage units, an available number of the physical storage units that are available in the thin provisioned pool can be identified.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include configuring one or more storage devices as a plurality of physical storage units, each of the physical storage units having a storage granularity, and configuring, on the one or more storage devices, a thin provisioned storage pool having a physical number of the physical storage units and a logical number of logical storage units, the physical number being less than the logical number. Upon receiving a request to create a thick data volume having a requested number of the physical storage units, an available number of the physical storage units that are available in the thin provisioned pool can be identified.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include configuring one or more storage devices as a plurality of physical storage units, each of the physical storage units having a storage granularity, and configuring, on the one or more storage devices, a thin provisioned storage pool having a physical number of the physical storage units and a logical number of logical storage units, the physical number being less than the logical number. Upon receiving a request to create a thick data volume having a requested number of the physical storage units, an available number of the physical storage units that are available in the thin provisioned pool can be identified. Upon determining that the requested number is less than the available number, the requested number of the physical storage units can be allocated, from the thin provisioned storage pool, to the thick data volume.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include configuring one or more storage devices as a plurality of physical storage units, each of the physical storage units having a storage granularity, and configuring, on the one or more storage devices, a thin provisioned storage pool having a physical number of the physical storage units and a logical number of logical storage units. Upon receiving a request to create a thick data volume having a requested number of the physical storage units, an available number of the physical storage units that are available in the thin provisioned pool can be identified. A certain number of physical storage units are then allocated based upon a determination of the identifying.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include configuring one or more storage devices as a plurality of physical storage units, each of the physical storage units having a storage granularity, and configuring, on the one or more storage devices, a thin provisioned storage pool having a physical number of the physical storage units and a logical number of logical storage units, the physical number being less than the logical number. Upon receiving a request to create a thick data volume having a requested number of the physical storage units, an available number of the physical storage units that are available in the thin provisioned pool can be identified. Upon determining that the requested number is less than the available number, the requested number of the physical storage units can be allocated, from the thin provisioned storage pool, to the thick data volume.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include identifying, by a first computer in communication with a storage system having one or more storage devices, storage resources on the storage system, and defining multiple resource packs, each of the resource packs comprising respective multiple attributes for the storage resources. In response to an inventory request from a second computer in communication with the first computer, each of the resource packs can be conveyed to the second computer. Additionally, upon receiving, from the second computer, an allocation request to allocate a portion of a given resource pack, the portion of the given resource pack can be allocated in response to the request.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining, by a first computer in communication with a storage system, at least two priority levels for storage management commands to be processed by the storage system, and defining a respective queue for each of the defined priority levels. Upon receiving multiple storage management commands from one or more second computers in communication with the first computer and the storage system, a respective priority is determined for each of the received storage management commands, and the respective queue is identified for each of the received storage management commands based on the respective priority thereof. Each of the received storage management commands is loaded to the respective identified queue thereof, and the received storage management commands stored in the respective queues are processed by the storage system according to the priority levels thereof.