Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) includes a plurality of digital data processors, each with a file system that effects access to one or more storage devices coupled to the SAN, for example, via an interconnect fabric. A process (e.g., executing on a manager digital data processor) responds to a file system over-extension notification from at least a selected one of the digital data processors, e.g., by assigning a further storage device to the selected digital data processor. The type of response is, more particularly, determined in accord with a hierarchically defined policy inherited, in whole or in part, from one or more hierarchical groups of which the digital data processor is a member.

Abstract: A storage area network has one or more digital data processors, e.g., hosts, in communication with one or more storage devices. At least a selected one of the hosts has an operating system in which a storage device must be claimed before the storage device can be accessed by applications programs executing on that host. The improvement is characterized by a selectively actuable filter, e.g., loaded with the selected host operating system, that when downloaded and actuated to a host intervenes to block claiming of one or more selected storage devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a storage area network (SAN) of type having one or more digital data processors coupled to one or more storage devices. At least a selected one of the hosts includes a file system that effects access by the host to assigned storage devices. This can be, for example, a conventional AIX or other host platform file system that oversees file and other data accesses between the host and those assigned devices. That host can be associated, according to these aspects of the invention, with lower and upper capacity bounds for purposes of file system extension. In response to a request by (or on behalf of) the selected digital data processor for extension of the file system, the manager assigns one of more further storage devices to that digital data processor.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved SAN of type having one or more host digital data processors, coupled to one or more storage devices. At least a selected one of the hosts includes a file system that effects access by the host to assigned storage devices. This can be, by way of non-limiting example, an AIX journal file system, a Veritas file system, a Unix file systems using Veritas volume manager or other host platform file system that oversees file and other data accesses between the host and those assigned devices. In response to a request by (or on behalf of) the selected host for extension of the file system, a manager (e.g., executing on a further digital data processor) assigns one of more further storage devices to that digital data processor. An agent associated with the first digital data processor that responds to the assignment by extending the file system to include the assigned storage device.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN), e.g., as described above, includes a one or more hosts digital data processors, each having a file system that effects access to one or more storage devices. Each processor is associated with multiple groups from respective levels of a hierarchy, e.g., a first processor group and a second processor group hierarchically descendant from the first processor group. A process, e.g., executing on a manager digital data processor, includes a graphical user interface that displays the processor groups as a hierarchical tree. Along, for example, with the identities of the processor groups, nodes of the displayed tree list attributes of the policy defined for each respective group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing help navigation information for a computer network. The method includes identifying a plurality of registered applications; collecting a plurality of tags from the plurality of registered applications; and organizing the collected plurality of tags to provide a homogeneous, task-oriented help navigation system for the plurality of registered applications. The method provides homogeneous, dynamic help information which reflects the applications installed on a computer system. As applications are installed or removed based on customer needs and licensing changes, the content of the help system changes accordingly. This change occurs transparently to a user. The help information in the help system is organized in a task-oriented manner and displayed in a homogeneous view.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) includes a plurality of digital data processors, each with a file system that effects access to one or more storage devices coupled to the SAN, for example, via an interconnect fabric. A process (e.g. executing on a manager digital data processor) responds to a file system over-extension notification from at least a selected one of the digital data processors, e.g., by assigning a further storage device to the selected digital data processor. The type of response is, more particularly determined in accord with a hierarchically defined policy inherited, in whole or in part, from one or more hierarchical groups of which the digital data processor is a member.

Abstract: Novel storage area networks (SANs) and methods of operation thereof utilize a plurality of hosts coupled via an interconnect with one or more storage units. A manager device, process or other functionality in communication with a plurality of agent processes, devices or other functionality, each of which is associated with a host. The agents identify attributes of (i) their associated hosts, (ii) interconnect to which that host is coupled, and/or (iii) storage units to which that host is coupled via the interconnect. The manager responds to these attributes identified by the agents to manage the SAN. The manager can be implemented on a first digital data processor and the hosts on further digital data processors. These digital data processors can be coupled via a first network, e.g., an IP or other network, to support communications between the manager and the agents. A second network, e.g.

Abstract: A storage area network has one or more digital data processors, e.g., hosts, in communication with one or more storage devices. At least a selected one of the hosts has an operating system in which a storage device must be claimed before the storage device can be accessed by applications programs executing on that host. The improvement is characterized by a selectively actuable filter, e.g., loaded with the selected host operating system, that when downloaded and actuated to a host intervenes to block claiming of one or more selected storage devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a storage area network (SAN) of type having one or more digital data processors coupled to one or more storage devices. At least a selected one of the hosts includes a file system that effects access by the host to assigned storage devices. This can be, for example, a conventional AIX or other host platform file system that oversees file and other data accesses between the host and those assigned devices. That host can be associated, according to these aspects of the invention, with lower and upper capacity bounds for purposes of file system extension. In response to a request by (or on behalf of) the selected digital data processor for extension of the file system, the manager assigns one of more further storage devices to that digital data processor.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved SAN of type having one or more host digital data processors, coupled to one or more storage devices. At least a selected one of the hosts includes a file system that effects access by the host to assigned storage devices. This can be, by way of non-limiting example, an AIX journal file system, a Veritas file system, a Unix file systems using Veritas volume manager or other host platform file system that oversees file and other data accesses between the host and those assigned devices. In response to a request by (or on behalf of) the selected host for extension of the file system, a manager (e.g., executing on a further digital data processor) assigns one of more further storage devices to that digital data processor. An agent associated with the first digital data processor that responds to the assignment by extending the file system to include the assigned storage device.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN), e.g., as described above, includes a one or more hosts digital data processors, each having a file system that effects access to one or more storage devices. Each processor is associated with multiple groups from respective levels of a hierarchy, e.g., a first processor group and a second processor group hierarchically descendant from the first processor group. A process, e.g., executing on a manager digital data processor, includes a graphical user interface that displays the processor groups as a hierarchical tree. Along, for example, with the identities of the processor groups, nodes of the displayed tree list attributes of the policy defined for each respective group.