Abstract: A host device is configured to communicate over a network with a storage system. The host device comprises a multi-path input-output (MPIO) driver configured to control delivery of input-output (IO) operations from the host device to the storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through the network. The MPIO driver is further configured to identify a plurality of partitions of a storage device of the storage system, the storage device being used for booting a server. The MPIO driver is also configured to monitor an amount of consumed space of each partition, to transmit to the storage system data corresponding to the amount of consumed space of each partition, to process data from the storage system indicating that a size of the storage device has been increased, and to increase a size of one or more of the partitions.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment comprises detecting one or more storage arrays in an information technology infrastructure, and receiving input-output (IO) operation performance data recorded over a given time period from the one or more storage arrays. The performance data comprises a plurality of IO operation counts, each IO operation count comprising a number of IO operations per time unit for a component of a given storage array. The method also includes analyzing metadata for the IO operation counts to generate a time series comprising the IO operation counts sorted over a plurality of ordered time intervals of the given time period, and identifying a plurality of time blocks within the time series, each of the time blocks comprising a subset of the ordered time intervals. A proposed time interval for performance of a planned maintenance activity is generated based on one or more of the time blocks.

Abstract: A host device comprises a processor coupled to a memory. The host device is configured to obtain from a storage system connectivity information characterizing one or more ports of the storage system, and to automatically establish connectivity of a particular type between the host device and one or more logical storage devices of the storage system based at least in part on the obtained connectivity information. For example, the host device can obtain the connectivity information directly from the storage system or via at least one intermediary device such as a management station. In some embodiments, the obtaining and automatically establishing are performed by at least one multi-path input-output driver of a multi-path layer of the host device. The connectivity of a particular type illustratively comprises Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) connectivity between the host device and the storage system, although other connectivity types can be supported.

Abstract: Switch topology-aware path selection in an information processing system is provided. For example, an apparatus comprises a host device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The host device is configured to communicate with a storage system over a network with a plurality of switches. The host device is further configured to obtain topology information associated with the plurality of switches in the network, and select a path from the host device to the storage system through one or more of the plurality of switches based at least in part on the obtained topology information.

Abstract: A host device comprises a processor coupled to a memory. The host device is configured to obtain from a storage system connectivity information characterizing one or more ports of the storage system, and to automatically establish connectivity of a particular type between the host device and one or more logical storage devices of the storage system based at least in part on the obtained connectivity information. For example, the host device can obtain the connectivity information directly from the storage system or via at least one intermediary device such as a management station. In some embodiments, the obtaining and automatically establishing are performed by at least one multi-path input-output driver of a multi-path layer of the host device. The connectivity of a particular type illustratively comprises Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) connectivity between the host device and the storage system, although other connectivity types can be supported.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment comprises detecting one or more storage arrays in an information technology infrastructure, and receiving input-output (IO) operation performance data recorded over a given time period from the one or more storage arrays. The performance data comprises a plurality of IO operation counts, each IO operation count comprising a number of IO operations per time unit for a component of a given storage array. The method also includes analyzing metadata for the IO operation counts to generate a time series comprising the IO operation counts sorted over a plurality of ordered time intervals of the given time period, and identifying a plurality of time blocks within the time series, each of the time blocks comprising a subset of the ordered time intervals. A proposed time interval for performance of a planned maintenance activity is generated based on one or more of the time blocks.

Abstract: A host device comprises a processor coupled to a memory. Upon installation or update of a software program configured to execute on the host device and wherein a management operation is to be performed for the software program in conjunction with a management server, the host device is configured to send a query to a given system with which the host device interacts with respect to one or more operations different than the management operation. The host device is further configured to obtain from the given system, in response to the query, a reply with management server information previously stored on the given system, and then utilize the management server information obtained from the given system to communicate with the management server to perform the management operation.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a host device comprising a processor coupled to memory. The host device is configured to obtain a network congestion notification from a portion of a network that is utilized by the host device for submitting IO operations to a storage system. The network congestion notification comprises an indication that the portion of the network is experiencing network congestion. The host device is further configured to identify a first path of a plurality of paths as a path that utilizes the portion of the network and to adjust a dispatch weight of the first path based at least in part on the network congestion notification. The host device is further configured to submit an IO operation to the storage system along a second path instead of the first path based at least in part on the adjusted dispatch weight of the first path.

Abstract: Access path management is provided based on one or more path conditions in an information processing system. For example, an apparatus comprises a storage system comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The storage system is configured to communicate over a network with one or more host devices. The storage system is further configured to obtain notification from one of the one or more host devices that a first path through the network between the storage system and the given one of the one or more host devices is at least temporarily unreliable. The storage system is further configured to cause a path state change for the first path from a first state to a second state and a path state change for a second path to the first state.

Abstract: Determining an optimal path through a storage area network from a specific initiator to a specific target includes determining a plurality of possible paths through the storage area network between the specific initiator and the specific target, examining a plurality of previously-determined latency values for each of the paths, the previously-determined latency values being set according to empirical observation of propagation through each of the paths, and choosing a specific one of the paths having a lowest latency value. The previously-determined latency values may be determined by sending a command from the specific initiator to the specific target. The command may avoid queuing any I/O operations at the specific target. The command may be a status request command or a vendor specific command. The source may be a host system and the target may be a storage system. The previously-determined latency may be measured using a PowerPath Management Appliance.

Abstract: A host device is configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises a multi-path input-output (MPIO) driver configured to control delivery of input-output (IO) operations from the host device to the storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through the network, where the paths are associated with respective initiator-target pairs, and each of a plurality of targets of the initiator-target pairs comprises a corresponding port of the storage system. The MPIO driver is further configured to obtain from the storage system information characterizing failure status of at least a subset of the targets, and to update availability status of the paths based at least in part on the obtained information.

Abstract: Determining an optimal path through a storage area network from a specific initiator to a specific target includes determining a plurality of possible paths through the storage area network between the specific initiator and the specific target, examining a plurality of previously-determined latency values for each of the paths, the previously-determined latency values being set according to empirical observation of propagation through each of the paths, and choosing a specific one of the paths having a lowest latency value. The previously-determined latency values may be determined by sending a command from the specific initiator to the specific target. The command may avoid queuing any I/O operations at the specific target. The command may be a status request command or a vendor specific command. The source may be a host system and the target may be a storage system. The previously-determined latency may be measured using a PowerPath Management Appliance.

Abstract: A host device is configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises a multi-path input-output (MPIO) driver configured to control delivery of input-output (IO) operations from the host device to the storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through the network, where the paths are associated with respective initiator-target pairs, and each of a plurality of targets of the initiator-target pairs comprises a corresponding port of the storage system. The MPIO driver is further configured to obtain from the storage system information characterizing failure status of at least a subset of the targets, and to update availability status of the paths based at least in part on the obtained information.