Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for fast routing of data in a Storage Area Network. A protocol interface module (PIM) interfaces with outside networks and the storage devices, such as over fiber channel (FC). The PIM encapsulates received data into a streaming protocol, enabling storage processors to direct data to/from the appropriate physical disk in a similar manner to the directing of network messages over the Internet or other network.

Abstract: An automated, policy-based system and method provides information security at various levels in the network, including at the baseline inventory, device, network frame, and command level. This approach improves over the conventional distributed security model by centralizing security in one multi-level management structure. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a scheme for mapping vendor-unique opcodes to access rights.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for fast routing of data in a Storage Area Network. A protocol interface module (PIM) interfaces with outside networks and the storage devices, such as over fiber channel (FC). The PIM encapsulates received data into a streaming protocol, enabling storage processors to direct data to/from the appropriate physical disk in a similar manner to the directing of network messages over the Internet or other network.

Abstract: A storage virtualization controller for transferring data between a host and a storage device at a wire-speed data transfer rate. A downstream processing element adapted for connection to the storage device is configurable coupled to an upstream processing element adapted for connection to the host. A central processing element coupled to the upstream processing element grants permission to the upstream processing element to transfer the data at the wire-speed rate without further involvement by the central processing element.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the invention perform functions including discovery, classification, and profiling of storage devices, computer systems, connection elements, and other components relating to a storage area network (SAN). Changes to the SAN topology are tracked in order to show growth patterns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting information from ports on a storage network and performing flow control is provided. The data collection method and apparatus includes, identifying a data type transported on the storage network, selecting a port-storage identifier to measure the data type transported across the storage network, monitoring the port-storage identifier on the storage network for the data type, and enumerating occurrences of the data type associated with the port-storage identifier while monitoring the port-storage identifier and the data type.

Abstract: A storage server includes various components that monitor and control the data flow therebetween. If an egress (downstream) port becomes congested, that information is propagated upstream to the egress components such as the port manager, the traffic manager processor, and the egress storage processor, which are each configured to control their data flow to prevent dropped data frames. In addition, the egress storage processor can communicate the congestion information to the ingress storage processor, which further propagates the congestion information to the ingress components such as the traffic manager processor and the port manager processor. The ingress port manager processor can then direct the ingress port to stop accepting ingress data for the storage server to process until the congestion has been addressed.

Abstract: A storage virtualization system for accessing at least one storage device for a virtual logical unit (VLUN) from at least one host. The system includes at least one upstream processing element (UPE) which is adapted for coupling to a corresponding host server. The system is further adapted for coupling to at least one storage device. The controller also includes a primary central processing element (CPE) that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The primary CPE permits data transfer to occur between a host and a storage device via the corresponding UPE. The controller further includes a backup CPE that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The backup CPE is configurable to permit the data transfer when the primary CPE becomes unavailable.

Abstract: One or more circuits that validate data frames are provided. The validation may validate information for a fiber channel header and information for a small computer system interface (SCSI) header. The validation is performed by one or more circuits at wire speed.

Abstract: A storage server in a storage area network (SAN) environment connecting host computers and storage devices. The storage server includes a plurality of storage processors and a switching circuit. Data is routed between the storage processors via the switching circuit according to routing tags. The routing tags are examined prior to completely receiving the data, allowing the data to be routed with minimal delay.

Abstract: A method and system to enter a time out interval in a storage area network includes identifying a time slot in a sequence of time slots to insert a time out event for the event in the storage area network, determining if other events in the storage network already have corresponding other time out events in the same time slot and inserting the time out event for the event in the identified time slot along with the other time out events and the other corresponding events. Monitoring time out intervals for the events includes receiving a request to determine if events in the storage area network have timed out, identifying events associated with a current time slot, determining if the identified current time slot is empty, removing events from the identified current time slot in response to the determination and notifying a time-out handler to perform appropriate time-out related processing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method offloads processing from a networking processor operating in a storage environment. Three main functions are offloaded: semaphore processing, frame order processing, and timer processing. Offloading of semaphore processing enables ordered access to semaphores. Offloading of frame order processing enables the network processor to quickly transmit an incoming frame if the incoming frame is the next one in the frame order. Offloading of timer processing enables background checking of the timer list.

Abstract: A storage virtualization controller for transferring data between a host and a storage device at a wire-speed data transfer rate. A downstream processing element adapted for connection to the storage device is configurable coupled to an upstream processing element adapted for connection to the host. A central processing element coupled to the upstream processing element grants permission to the upstream processing element to transfer the data at the wire-speed rate without further involvement by the central processing element.

Abstract: An automated, policy-based system and method provides information security at various levels in the network, including at the baseline inventory, device, network frame, and command level. This approach improves over the conventional distributed security model by centralizing security in one multi-level management structure. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a scheme for mapping vendor-unique opcodes to access rights.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the invention perform functions including discovery, classification, and profiling of storage devices, computer systems, connection elements, and other components relating to a storage area network (SAN). Changes to the SAN topology are tracked in order to show growth patterns.

Abstract: A storage virtualization system for accessing at least one storage device for a virtual logical unit (VLUN) from at least one host. The system includes at least one upstream processing element (UPE) which is adapted for coupling to a corresponding host server. The system is further adapted for coupling to at least one storage device. The controller also includes a primary central processing element (CPE) that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The primary CPE permits data transfer to occur between a host and a storage device via the corresponding UPE. The controller further includes a backup CPE that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The backup CPE is configurable to permit the data transfer when the primary CPE becomes unavailable.

Abstract: A method and system to enter a time out interval in a storage area network includes identifying a time slot in a sequence of time slots to insert a time out event for the event in the storage area network, determining if other events in the storage network already have corresponding other time out events in the same time slot and inserting the time out event for the event in the identified time slot along with the other time out events and the other corresponding events. Monitoring time out intervals for the events includes receiving a request to determine if events in the storage area network have timed out, identifying events associated with a current time slot, determining if the identified current time slot is empty, removing events from the identified current time slot in response to the determination and notifying a time-out handler to perform appropriate time-out related processing.

Abstract: A storage virtualization system for accessing at least one storage device for a virtual logical unit (VLUN) from at least one host. The system includes at least one upstream processing element (UPE) which is adapted for coupling to a corresponding host server. The system is further adapted for coupling to at least one storage device. The controller also includes a primary central processing element (CPE) that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The primary CPE permits data transfer to occur between a host and a storage device via the corresponding UPE. The controller further includes a backup CPE that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The backup CPE is configurable to permit the data transfer when the primary CPE becomes unavailable.

Abstract: A Virtual Storage Server is provided for transferring data between a source storage device and one or more destination storage devices. A write command is issued to the one or more destinations for an amount of data. In response, one or more Transfer Ready Responses are returned indicating the amount of data the destinations are prepared to receive. The Virtual Storage Server then sends a read command to the source for an amount of data based on the amounts of data in the Transfer Ready Responses. The data is then transferred from the source storage device through the Virtual Storage Server to the one or more destination storage devices. Because data is transferred only in amounts that the destination is ready to receive, the Virtual Storage Server does not need a large buffer, and can basically send data received at wire speed. This process continues until the amount of data in the write command is transferred to the one or more destination storage devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting information from ports on a storage network and performing flow control is provided. The data collection method and apparatus includes, identifying a data type transported on the storage network, selecting a port-storage identifier to measure the data type transported across the storage network, monitoring the port-storage identifier on the storage network for the data type, and enumerating occurances of the data type associated with the port-storage identifier while monitoring the port-storage identifier and the data type.