Abstract: Described are a system and method of embedding a virtual storage area network on an electronic device. A virtual machine runs on the electronic device. The virtual machine provides a virtual storage target for responding to block storage requests from storage initiators. A virtual fabric is coupled between the virtual machine and an external storage area network (SAN). The virtual fabric routes a storage request from a storage initiator to the virtual storage target.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for a multicast data mirroring method including defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a first synchronous storage target and one or more asynchronous storage targets. The synchronous storage target is a member of a synchronously-mirrored storage group including at least a second synchronous storage target and a storage initiator device. A write request for storing a data segment within the synchronously-mirrored storage group is received on the storage initiator device. The data segment is written to the first synchronous storage target and the second synchronous storage target. The data segment is multicast to the asynchronous storage targets included within the multicast group.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a storage initiator device and a plurality of storage targets. Each of the plurality of storage targets includes a storage index that identifies one or more data segments stored on the storage target. A write request for storing a data segment within the multicast group is received on the storage initiator device. A “check exist” message is generated that defines the data segment to be stored within the multicast group. The “check exist” message is multicast to the plurality of storage targets included within the multicast group.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a storage initiator device, a plurality of storage targets, and one or more coded targets. A write request for storing a data segment within the multicast group is received on the storage initiator device. The data segment is multicast to the plurality of storage targets and the one or more coded targets included within the multicast group. A unique data chunk of the data segment is stored on each of the plurality of storage targets. A unique coded chunk of the data segment is generated and stored on each of the one or more coded targets.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a storage initiator device and a plurality of storage targets. A write request for storing a data segment within the multicast group is received on the storage initiator device. The data segment is multicast to the plurality of storage targets included within the multicast group. The data segment is stored on each of the plurality of storage targets.