Abstract: Disclosed is a computer implemented method, data processing system and computer program product to discover an SCSI target. The method comprises a client adapter transmitting an N_port ID virtualization (NPIV) login to a virtual I/O server (VIOS). The client adapter receives a successful login acknowledgement from the VIOS and issues a discover-targets command to the fabric. Upon determining that the SCSI target information is received, wherein the SCSI target information includes at least one SCSI identifier. Responsive a determination that SCSI target information is received the client adapter issues a port login to a target port, wherein the target port is associated with the at least one SCSI target. The client adapter makes a process login to form an initiator/target nexus between a client and at least one SCSI target. The client adapter queries the SCSI target by using a world wide port name associated with the target port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer implemented method, data processing system and computer program product to discover an SCSI target. The method comprises a client adapter transmitting an N_port ID virtualization (NPIV) login to a virtual I/O server (VIOS). The client adapter receives a successful login acknowledgement from the VIOS and issues a discover-targets command to the fabric. Upon determining that the SCSI target information is received, wherein the SCSI target information includes at least one SCSI identifier. Responsive a determination that SCSI target information is received the client adapter issues a port login to a target port, wherein the target port is associated with the at least one SCSI target. The client adapter makes a process login to form an initiator/target nexus between a client and at least one SCSI target. The client adapter queries the SCSI target by using a world wide port name associated with the target port.

Abstract: Maintaining SAN access rights during migration of operating systems including assigning, to a virtual SAN interface adapter of a source virtualization intermediary (SVI?) on the source server, at least two world wide port names (WWPN), identifying devices coupled for data communications to the SVI through the primary WWPN; selecting a target physical SAN interface adapter on a target server available to a target virtualization intermediary (‘TVI’) having a target virtual SAN interface adapter; assigning to the target virtual SAN interface adapter the secondary WWPN; identifying devices coupled for data communications to the TVI through the secondary WWPN; determining whether the devices coupled to the SVI through the primary WWPN are also coupled to TVI through the secondary WWPN; migrating the operating system from the source server to the target server if the devices coupled to the SVI through the primary WWPN are also coupled to TVI through the secondary WWPN.

Abstract: Embodiments that dynamically manage physical and virtual multipath I/O are contemplated. Various embodiments comprise one or more computing devices, such as one or more servers, having at least two HBAs. At least one of the HBAs may be associated with a virtual I/O server that employs the HBA to transfer data between a plurality of virtual clients and one or more storage devices of a storage area network. The embodiments may monitor the availability of the HBAs, such as monitoring the HBAs for a failure of the HBA or a device coupled to the HBA. Upon detecting the unavailability of one of the HBAs, the embodiments may switch, dynamically, from the I/O path associated with the unavailable HBA to the alternate HBA.

Abstract: Embodiments that dynamically manage physical and virtual multipath I/O are contemplated. Various embodiments comprise one or more computing devices, such as one or more servers, having at least two HBAs. At least one of the HBAs may be associated with a virtual I/O server that employs the HBA to transfer data between a plurality of virtual clients and one or more storage devices of a storage area network. The embodiments may monitor the availability of the HBAs, such as monitoring the HBAs for a failure of the HBA or a device coupled to the HBA. Upon detecting the unavailability of one of the HBAs, the embodiments may switch, dynamically, from the I/O path associated with the unavailable HBA to the alternate HBA.

Abstract: Maintaining SAN access rights during migration of operating systems including assigning, to a virtual SAN interface adapter of a source virtualization intermediary (SVI?) on the source server, at least two world wide port names (WWPN), identifying devices coupled for data communications to the SVI through the primary WWPN; selecting a target physical SAN interface adapter on a target server available to a target virtualization intermediary (‘TVI’) having a target virtual SAN interface adapter; assigning to the target virtual SAN interface adapter the secondary WWPN; identifying devices coupled for data communications to the TVI through the secondary WWPN; determining whether the devices coupled to the SVI through the primary WWPN are also coupled to TVI through the secondary WWPN; migrating the operating system from the source server to the target server if the devices coupled to the SVI through the primary WWPN are also coupled to TVI through the secondary WWPN.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer implemented method, data processing system and computer program product to discover an SCSI target. The method comprises a client adapter transmitting an N_port ID virtualization (NPIV) login to a virtual I/O server (VIOS). The client adapter receives a successful login acknowledgement from the VIOS and issues a discover-targets command to the fabric. Upon determining that the SCSI target information is received, wherein the SCSI target information includes at least one SCSI identifier. Responsive a determination that SCSI target information is received the client adapter issues a port login to a target port, wherein the target port is associated with the at least one SCSI target. The client adapter makes a process login to form an initiator/target nexus between a client and at least one SCSI target. The client adapter queries the SCSI target by using a world wide port name associated with the target port.

Abstract: When a hypervisor in a computer server receives input/output (I/O) data traffic, the hypervisor sends the I/O data traffic to a security sensor application shared by multiple operating system (OS) partitions. If the security sensor application indicates that the I/O data traffic meets pre-defined security standards in the security sensor application, and the I/O data traffic is addressed to one of the OS partitions in the computer server, the hypervisor sends the I/O data traffic to the applicable OS partition. If the I/O data traffic meets the pre-defined security standards, and the I/O data traffic is not addressed to one of the OS partitions, the hypervisor sends the I/O data traffic to an external destination in a network coupled to the computer server.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for regulating received data in a multiple operating system environment on an I/O adapter. The method includes a hypervisor for determining that the I/O adapter indicated a receive completion. The hypervisor, responsive to retrieving the receive completion, determines that the receive completion is associated with a successful status. The hypervisor, determines in hypervisor space whether an at least one data packet satisfies a security criterion. The hypervisor, routes the data packet to at least one selected from a group consisting of an operating system partition of the multiple operating system environment and a network address on a local area network.

Abstract: A method for intelligent patch scheduling for a virtual (I/O) server is provided. Virtual I/O performance indicators of a virtual I/O server are monitored. The performance indicators are stored in a database. Historic averages of the performance indicators are maintained in the database. Patches to be applied to a client partition of the virtual I/O server are received. A reboot window is received for the client partition and is an allowed time frame for rebooting to apply the patches. Future virtual I/O utilization is predicted by running predictive modeling utilizing the historic averages of the performance indicators, and based on the predictive modeling, a specific time within the allowed time frame is determined for rebooting the client partition of the virtual I/O server to apply the patches. The virtual I/O server is rebooted to apply the patches to the client partition at the specific time within the reboot window.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) management and configuration method and apparatus are provided via enabling in-band communications. In the storage area network (SAN) management and configuration method, a SAN management application is utilized for communicating with a device driver. A pass through is provided by the device driver to a host bus adapter (HBA) for passing communications to a device in the storage area network from the SAN management application. The storage area network (SAN) management and configuration apparatus via enabling in-band communications includes a storage area network (SAN) management application for communicating with at least one SAN-connected host system. Each SAN connected host system includes a management application agent for communicating with a host bus adapter (HBA) device driver. The HBA device driver is provided for communicating with a device in the storage area network.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a Fibre Channel adapter is disclosed. When a close request is received by the Fibre Channel adapter, the adapter is set to a quasi-open state. In a quasi-open state, the adapter keeps the link to the Fibre Channel network open, releases extended resources, and maintains minimal resources in order to keep the link open. When a request is received by the adapter while in a quasi-open state, the request is rejected thereby preventing other devices from logging into the quasi-opened device and informing other devices that the quasi-opened device is not currently communicating across the Fibre Channel network. An information handling system and a computer program product for implementing the Fibre Channel adapter quasi-open state are further disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely waking up a Fibre Channel attached device. A Fibre Channel attached device is set in a quasi-open mode wherein the device summarily rejects most requests and allocates a minimal set of resources to operate the adapter. One request that is not rejected is an activation request received from another Fibre Channel attached device. When an activation request is received, an optional authentication process can be invoked to insure that only authenticated devices issue the activation command. An additional security feature can be used to restrict the devices authorized to activate a device. A list of devices can be stored on nonvolatile storage or in memory. When a requesting device has been authenticated, its address is checked against the list of approved devices before the device adapter is activated.

Abstract: A method for testing a computer bus using a bridge chip having a freeze-on-error option that enables a computer system's central processing unit (CPU) to recover and continue processing even when the computer bus is not functional. The testing method of the present invention remains transparent to a user and can be accomplished while performing standard diagnostics tests. In general, the present invention injects an input/output (I/O) error into a specific bus slot of the computer bus to test the functionality (such as the error recovery capability) of the bus. The present invention then recovers from the failure condition without having the computer system shutdown or stop working and without having to restart the computer system. More specifically, the method for testing a computer bus according to the present invention includes enabling the freeze-on-error option on the bridge chip, injecting an error into the specified computer bus slot and recovering from the injected error.

Abstract: A GPS device is used in conjunction with a device, such as a SAN device, to record and track the device's location. A device can periodically report its location to one or more computer systems that track device locations. Another device can send a request to other devices requesting the devices' geographic location. The devices, in turn, respond with data corresponding to their geographic location. In the event of a catastrophe or other event rendering devices in one area inoperable, one of the computer systems can be used to identify a location of another device that includes similar data. The GPS data corresponding to a device can also be used to identify a technician that should respond to a device maintenance or repair event.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product applicable within a server for adaptively allocating target resources in a network environment. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a storage name server triggers a forced target rediscovery evolution during competing sessions in which multiple initiator nodes are communicatively connected to a target node utilizing an associated network target address.

Abstract: A GPS device is used in conjunction with a device, such as a SAN device, to record and track the device's location. A device can periodically report its location to one or more computer systems that track device locations. Another device can send a request to other devices requesting the devices' geographic location. The devices, in turn, respond with data corresponding to their geographic location. In the event of a catastrophe or other event rendering devices in one area inoperable, one of the computer systems can be used to identify a location of another device that includes similar data. The GPS data corresponding to a device can also be used to identify a technician that should respond to a device maintenance or repair event.

Abstract: A method for testing a computer bus using a bridge chip having a freeze-on-error option that enables a computer system's central processing unit (CPU) to recover and continue processing even when the computer bus is not functional. The teeting method of the present invention remains transparent to a user and can be accomplished while performing standard diagnostics tests. In general, the present invention injects an input/output (I/O) error into a specific bus slot of the computer bus to test the functionality (such as the error recovery capability) of the bus. The present invention then recovers from the failure condition without having the computer system shutdown or stop working and without having to restart the computer system. More specifically, the method for testing a computer bus according to the present invention includes enabling the freeze-on-error option on the bridge chip, injecting an error into the specified computer bus slot and recovering from the injected error.