Abstract: Methods, storage arrays and computer readable media for path discovery to ports of a Fibre Channel storage system that includes a multi-array pool and is part of a group of arrays are provided. One example method includes executing a pull operation via a group leader array of the group of arrays. The pull operation is configured to gather port status of each one of the arrays in the group of arrays. The method further executes a push operation via the group leader array of the group of arrays. The push operation is configured to populate a local cache of each array in the group of arrays with the port status of each one of the arrays in the group of arrays. The method executes the pull operation and the push operation on a periodic schedule, such that changes that occur at particular ones of the arrays of the group of arrays are pushed to each one of the arrays in the group of arrays.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing name assignments in a Fiber Channel (FC) storage arrays are provided. One example method includes receiving a port name for a slot of a controller of the FC storage array. The slot of the controller is configured to receive an FC card for providing communication between the FC storage array and an FC fabric. The method includes binding the port name to the slot of the controller, and the port name is saved to a database managed by the controller. The method further includes assigning the port name to the FC card when installed in the slot. The FC card is swappable with other FC cards, and thus other FC card will also maintain the port name of the slot.

Abstract: Storage arrays, methods and computer readable media are provided for obtaining alias assignments of initiators connected to a Fiber Channel (FC) fabric for configuration use on a storage array. One method includes generating a request from the storage array to a switch of the FC fabric to which the storage array is connected. The request is to obtain a copy of a world wide port name (WWPN) of an initiator that is connected to the FC fabric and a copy of an alias name for the initiator. The method includes receiving the WWPN and alias name of the initiator from the switch and caching the received WWPN and alias name to a database of the storage array. The method further includes processing a user interface by the storage array to enable selection of the initiator for assignment to a volume of the storage array. The user interface includes a selection control that identifies the initiator using the alias name received from the switch.

Abstract: Methods, storage arrays and computer readable media for path discovery to ports of a Fibre Channel storage system that includes a multi-array pool and is part of a group of arrays are provided. One example method includes executing a pull operation via a group leader array of the group of arrays. The pull operation is configured to gather port status of each one of the arrays in the group of arrays. The method further executes a push operation via the group leader array of the group of arrays. The push operation is configured to populate a local cache of each array in the group of arrays with the port status of each one of the arrays in the group of arrays. The method executes the pull operation and the push operation on a periodic schedule, such that changes that occur at particular ones of the arrays of the group of arrays are pushed to each one of the arrays in the group of arrays.

Abstract: Storage arrays, methods and computer readable media are provided for obtaining alias assignments of initiators connected to a Fibre Channel (FC) fabric for configuration use on a storage array. One method includes generating a request from the storage array to a switch of the FC fabric to which the storage array is connected. The request is to obtain a copy of a world wide port name (WWPN) of an initiator that is connected to the FC fabric and a copy of an alias name for the initiator. The method includes receiving the WWPN and alias name of the initiator from the switch and caching the received WWPN and alias name to a database of the storage array. The method further includes processing a user interface by the storage array to enable selection of the initiator for assignment to a volume of the storage array. The user interface includes a selection control that identifies the initiator using the alias name received from the switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing name assignments in a Fibre Channel (FC) storage arrays are provided. One example method includes receiving a port name for a slot of a controller of the FC storage array. The slot of the controller is configured to receive an FC card for providing communication between the FC storage array and an FC fabric. The method includes binding the port name to the slot of the controller, and the port name is saved to a database managed by the controller. The method further includes assigning the port name to the FC card when installed in the slot. The FC card is swappable with other FC cards, and thus other FC card will also maintain the port name of the slot.

Abstract: Methods, storage arrays and computer readable media for triggering a failover between an active controller and a standby controller of a storage array are provided. One method includes determining by the active controller a number of connected fabrics available between ports of the active controller and a host and determining by the standby controller a number of connected fabrics available between the ports of the standby controller and the host. The method further includes executing a policy configuration to determine if the number of connected fabrics for each of the active controller and the standby controller meet a threshold for triggering the failover. The failover being a forced failover where the active controller takes a role of the standby controller and the standby controller takes a role of the active controller.