Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for matching a storage dependent device to a storage subsystem. Storage requirements are identified for a storage dependent device that is coupled to a network. Additionally, a set of storage subsystems that are coupled to the network are identified. A determination is made as to whether at least one storage subsystem in the set of storage subsystems meets the storage requirements of the storage dependent device. An identified storage subsystem is formed by identifying the at least one storage subsystem that meets the storage requirements of the storage dependent device. Responsive to forming the identified storage subsystem, at least one storage subsystem is coupled to the storage dependent device, wherein the storage dependent device utilizes storage capabilities of the identified storage subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and system for the disposition of tasks which failed to run during their originally scheduled time. The determination of whether to run missed or delayed tasks is based on calculated ratios rather than on fixed window sizes. A Lateness Ratio is calculated to determine if the time elapsed between the missed task and the scheduled run time is small enough to still allow a late task to run. A Closeness Ratio is calculated to determine if the next available run time for the missed task is close enough to the next scheduled execution of the task that the missed task will be run in place of the upcoming scheduled task. Each ratio is compared to a user defined ratio limit, so if the calculated ratio does not exceed the limit, then the missed task is executed at the first available opportunity.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) of the type has a plurality of components including one or more digital data processors in communication with one or more storage devices via a switching fabric. An interface process, e.g., resident on a manager digital data processor, permits the operator/administrator to effect execution of at least a process residing on the manager and at least one process, such as a management application, residing on another SAN component.

Abstract: A digital data processing apparatus of the type that manages a SAN includes a first queue with entries representing tasks and a second queue with entries representing data that correspond to those tasks. Data in the second queue is grouped in accord with the task to which they correspond. A manager service updates the internal representation of the SAN (e.g., the representation of the SAN topology) by executing the tasks in the first queue one at a time, for example, atomically using a single-threaded process.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for selectively removing entities from a user interface displaying network entities. A discovery database includes information on at least one network, and, for each network, information on entities in the network and a status of the entities. A user interface display is generated indicating the entities in one network that are available and unavailable. User selection is received of at least one entity in the network that is displayed as unavailable, wherein at least one displayed unavailable entity is not selected. User selection is received to remove the selected at least one entity and the selected at least one entity and any underlying entities within the selected entity are removed in response to the user selection to remove the selected at least one entity.

Abstract: An improved storage area network has a manager digital data processor that includes a first element that maintains a first representation of the SAN, and a second element that maintains a second representation of the SAN. The first element generates notifications of events in the SAN, e.g., addition or removal of components or relationships between components. The second element responds to such notifications by accessing the first representation (e.g., via the first element) and updating the second representation. In the event of a discrepancy between the event notification and either representation, the second element selectively disregards the event notification or rebuilds (recovers) the second representation by copying one or more attributes of the first representation.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for matching a storage dependent device to a storage subsystem. Storage requirements are identified for a storage dependent device that is coupled to a network. Additionally, a set of storage subsystems that are coupled to the network are identified. A determination is made as to whether at least one storage subsystem in the set of storage subsystems meets the storage requirements of the storage dependent device. An identified storage subsystem is formed by identifying the at least one storage subsystem that meets the storage requirements of the storage dependent device. Responsive to forming the identified storage subsystem, at least one storage subsystem is coupled to the storage dependent device, wherein the storage dependent device utilizes storage capabilities of the identified storage subsystem.

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: An storage area network (SAN) has a manager digital data processor that includes a first element that maintains a first representation of the SAN and a second element that maintains a second representation of the SAN. The first element generates notifications of events in the SAN, e.g., addition or removal of components or relationships between components, and includes with them data pertaining to the event. The second element responds to such notifications and data by updating the second representation. That data is preferably sufficient for the second element to update the second representation without further reference to information contained in the representation.

Abstract: A digital data processor of the type used, e.g., in management of a storage area network (SAN), executes a process (a “manager” process) to maintain a representation of the SAN topology or at least an attribute thereof. A graphical output device displays the SAN representation. A further process (a “user interface” process) controls the output device for purposes of displaying that representation. An interface element effects retrieval of the SAN representation, for example, in response to a request from the user interface process. It transmits that representation to the user interface process for display on the graphical output device.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) has one or more host digital data processors are coupled to one or more storage devices (e.g., LUNs) by an interconnect, e.g., a fiber channel-based fabric. Switches or switch-like interfaces on the interconnect fabric define zones or regions in which certain hosts can access certain storage devices, but not other storage devices. Scanners, e.g., operating within agents associated with the hosts, collect information regarding the regions and, more particularly, the hosts, storage devices and interconnect elements that make them up. A manager operating, for example, on a further digital data processor disambiguates information from the regions and discerns the topology of the portion of the SAN spanned by the regions. Thus, it identifies as a virtual SAN elements from regions that have at least one common storage device with at least one other region.

Abstract: Method, program product, and system for the probabilistic determination of storage device enclosure-to-storage device relationships in a storage system, when the exact relationship is unknown. A table is built at storage system startup representing the initial storage device enclosure to storage device relationship. For efficiency, as topology changes occur within the storage system, the table is not updated to reflect the topology change. When a user wishes to access a specific storage device enclosure, the table is opened, and the most recently added storage device entry for the selected enclosure is chosen. The chosen storage device is queried for its current physical location. If the storage device still resides within the selected enclosure, the user access the enclosure via the chosen storage device.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) of the type has a plurality of components including one or more digital data processors in communication with one or more storage devices via a switching fabric. An interface process, e.g., resident on a manager digital data processor, permits the operator/administrator to effect execution of at least a process residing on the manager and at least one process, such as a management application, residing on another SAN component.

Abstract: Novel storage area networks (SANs) and methods of operation thereof utilize a plurality of hosts coupled via an interconnect with one or more storage units. A manager device, process or other functionality in communication with a plurality of agent processes, devices or other functionality, each of which is associated with a host. The agents identify attributes of (i) their associated hosts, (ii) interconnect to which that host is coupled, and/or (iii) storage units to which that host is coupled via the interconnect. The manager responds to these attributes identified by the agents to manage the SAN. The manager can be implemented on a first digital data processor and the hosts on further digital data processors. These digital data processors can be coupled via a first network, e.g., an IP or other network, to support communications between the manager and the agents. A second network, e.g.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) has one or more host digital data processors are coupled to one or more storage devices (e.g., LUNs) by an interconnect, e.g., a fiber channel-based fabric. Switches or switch-like interfaces on the interconnect fabric define zones or regions in which certain hosts can access certain storage devices, but not other storage devices. Scanners, e.g., operating within agents associated with the hosts, collect information regarding the regions and, more particularly, the hosts, storage devices and interconnect elements that make them up. A manager operating, for example, on a further digital data processor disambiguates information from the regions and discerns the topology of the portion of the SAN spanned by the regions. Thus, it identifies as a virtual SAN elements from regions that have at least one common storage device with at least one other region.

Abstract: An improved storage area network has a manager digital data processor that includes a first element that maintains a first representation of the SAN, and a second element that maintains a second representation of the SAN. The first element generates notifications of events in the SAN, e.g., addition or removal of components or relationships between components. The second element responds to such notifications by accessing the first representation (e.g., via the first element) and updating the second representation. In the event of a discrepancy between the event notification and either representation, the second element selectively disregards the event notification or rebuilds (recovers) the second representation by copying one or more attributes of the first representation.

Abstract: A digital data processor of the type used, e.g., in management of a storage area network (SAN), executes a process (a “manager” process) to maintain a representation of the SAN topology or at least an attribute thereof. A graphical output device displays the SAN representation. A further process (a “user interface” process) controls the output device for purposes of displaying that representation. An interface element effects retrieval of the SAN representation, for example, in response to a request from the user interface process. It transmits that representation to the user interface process for display on the graphical output device.

Abstract: Improved storage area networks (SANs) maintain a first store containing an internal representation of the SAN and a separate store identifying changes to the SAN. A process executing, for example, in the manager digital data processor of the type described above utilizes the first store to generate a display, e.g., on the operator/administrator console, of the SAN topology, its components and/or the relationships (collectively, “topology”) among those components. The manager responds to information in the second store to identify on the display changes in the SAN. The digital data processor selectively discontinues identifying changes on the topology display. This can be in response, for example, to an operator/administrator request. At the same time, or otherwise in connection therewith, the digital data processor can, moreover, remove the corresponding history information from the second store.

Abstract: An storage area network (SAN) has a manager digital data processor that includes a first element that maintains a first representation of the SAN and a second element that maintains a second representation of the SAN. The first element generates notifications of events in the SAN, e.g., addition or removal of components or relationships between components, and includes with them data pertaining to the event. The second element responds to such notifications and data by updating the second representation. That data is preferably sufficient for the second element to update the second representation without further reference to information contained in the representation.

Abstract: A digital data processing apparatus of the type that manages a SAN includes a first queue with entries representing tasks and a second queue with entries representing data that correspond to those tasks. Data in the second queue is grouped in accord with the task to which they correspond. A manager service updates the internal representation of the SAN (e.g., the representation of the SAN topology) by executing the tasks in the first queue one at a time, for example, atomically using a single-threaded process.