Abstract: Described are techniques for providing a host identifier for a host. A first portion including a first identifier associated with a system for the host is received. A second portion including a second identifier generated in accordance with a hardware property of the host is received. The host identifier is formed using the first and second portions. The host identifier is used to uniquely identify the host in a storage area network.

Abstract: In a multinode computer network, a directory database (DDB) in each of the nodes, contents of the DDB being replicated throughout the network through use of one of its nodes having been appointed as master node. The master node updates each DDB in each node in its network or domain configuration when the configuration changes. A global administrator has authority to replace or select a master node and to configure a domain, and performs these and other functions by way of computer terminal screen dialogs offered by a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the computer network. In the case of multiple master nodes attempting to be master for the same nodes in the same network at the same time, this conflict is resolved in one embodiment of the present invention by allowing the most recently selected purported master node to be the actual master node. After resolution of this conflict the result is communicated by the prevailing master node to all nodes in the network.

Abstract: Described are techniques for performing indication forwarding. At an indication consolidator, a request is received from a client to receive indications about a plurality of nodes in accordance with first filter information. A communication structure for forwarding indications is determined. Subscription requests including said first filter information are forwarded from said indication consolidator to others of said plurality of nodes to establish communication connections between said plurality of nodes in accordance with said communication structure. Indications fired from any of said plurality of nodes in accordance with said first filter information are forwarded to said indication consolidator node in accordance with said communication structure. The client is notified of any indications received at said indication consolidator node in accordance with said first filter information.

Abstract: A data replication facility for distributed computing environments. A computer network having a plurality of network nodes utilizes a distributed directory provider service (DPS) having an established master node. The DPS supports a file replication service (FRS). The FRS establishes one of the nodes as originator node which receives new or updated files from one or more user/GUIs and/or from one or more software providers such as a security provider. The originator node in cooperation with the master node establish a backup copy of the new or updated file in the master node. Thereafter, the originator node publishes a File Version Variable (FVV) representation of the new or updated file to other network nodes (slave nodes) which obtain such file from the originator or, if need be, from the backup master node.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for achieving scalable communication within a distributed system using dynamic communication trees. In a client server environment, and particularly in such an environment in which storage systems and storage area networks are managed by distributed management software, embodiments of the present invention are presented by which communication trees are built in a manner that evenly distributes load throughout nodes in the network, whereby scalability is enhanced allowing a larger number of nodes than otherwise allowable without such trees. Other advantages achievable by utilization of such trees are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a computer network having a plurality of computer nodes, a directory database (DDB) distributed throughout the network in each of the nodes, the contents of the DDB being maintained consistent or replicated throughout the network through the use of one of its nodes having been appointed as master node. The master node has a privileged status as compared to the other nodes. The master node updates each DDB in each node in its network or domain configuration when the configuration changes. A global administrator is a privileged user compared to other computer network users who has authority to replace or select a master node and to configure a domain, and who performs these and other functions by way of computer terminal screen dialogs offered by a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the computer network.

Abstract: A technique for robust indication processing. In client server network environments running object oriented software, there is a need for monitoring the operating state or status of objects in the network. Prior monitoring schemes involved many specific and frequent inquiries or requests of multitudinous objects, for which the connections were constructed and destroyed on an as-needed basis, thereby taking an immense toll on the network's processing capacity. Subsequently, asynchronous monitoring has been employed as an improvement over the prior monitoring schemes, wherein an observer object monitors a subject object and is set at “hair-trigger” to fire back indications to an interested client if and when the subject object's state changes. Asynchronous monitoring limitations include an inability to detect client and/or server failure, insecure and unreliable connections through which indications are intended to be fired back, and other drawbacks.

Abstract: In a computer network having a plurality of computer nodes, a directory database (DDB) distributed throughout the network in each of the nodes, the contents of the DDB being maintained consistent or replicated throughout the network in a manner to avoid a single point of failure through the use of one of its nodes having been appointed as master node. The master node has a privileged status as compared to the other nodes. The master node updates each DDB in each node in its network or domain configuration when the configuration changes, such as when a node fails, a network link fails and/or a node is added or removed. A node can be added to or removed from the configuration through the master node or through a non master node. A node can fail under different circumstances in which it may or may not know which node is its master node. A master node can fail and be replaced or can be replaced for other reasons.

Abstract: A technique for handling failure modes which may occur during the processing of indications. In a client-server environment such as a client-server network used in computer data storage running object-oriented software, the client may subscribe for certain indications on certain objects in the servers. When the state of any of those certain objects change, an indication is fired back to the client to indicate a state change. Failures in the client, server, or connection therebetween reduce the effectiveness of this state-change notification scheme. The present invention mitigates the impact of such failures, employing a technique by which a failed storage processor in a server can failover to another storage processor in the same server to enable the seamless transition of the processing of such indications to the other processor without stopping and by which the server can destroy any of its resources that were dedicated to the processing of indications for a specific client if and when such client fails.

Abstract: A data replication facility for distributed computing environments. A computer network having a plurality of network nodes utilizes a distributed directory provider service (DPS) having an established master node. The DPS supports a file replication service (FRS). The FRS establishes one of the nodes as originator node which receives new or updated files from one or more user/GUIs and/or from one or more software providers such as a security provider. The originator node in cooperation with the master node establish a backup copy of the new or updated file in the master node. Thereafter, the originator node publishes a File Version Variable (FVV) representation of the new or updated file to other network nodes (slave nodes) which obtain such file from the originator or, if need be, from the backup master node.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for achieving scalable communication within a distributed system using dynamic communication trees. In a client server environment, and particularly in such an environment in which storage systems and storage area networks are managed by distributed management software, embodiments of the present invention are presented by which communication trees are built in a manner that evenly distributes load throughout nodes in the network, whereby scalability is enhanced allowing a larger number of nodes than otherwise allowable without such trees. Other advantages achievable by utilization of such trees are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protocol translator for use in a storage system or storage area network for translating between incompatible communication protocols. Apparatus, methodology, computer program product and interface embodiments are disclosed, and code examples are provided, for translating between Common Information Model/eXtensible Markup Language/Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (CIM/XML/HTTP) and Windows Management Interface/Distributed Component Object Model (WMI/DCOM) communication protocols for distributed management software used within a storage system or storage area network in a client server environment.