System and method for providing access to resources using a fabric switch

A method for providing access to resources using a system including first and second data centers for providing a network service at first and second geographic locations, respectively, wherein the first data center includes a first file server for providing access to resources, and a first data storage unit including active resources configured for active use, and wherein the second data center includes a second file server for providing access to resources, and a second data storage unit including standby resources configured for standby use in the event that the active resources cannot be obtained from the first data center, comprising the steps of:

• routing communication between the first file server and the first data storage unit using a fabric switching mechanism;
• determining whether a failure condition has occurred;
• analyzing the failure condition, and determining, using an intelligent controller, whether the failure condition warrants re-routing communication through the fabric switching mechanism;
• and
• re-routing communication through the fabric switching mechanism if the intelligent controller deems that this warranted.

A system for providing access to resources over a wide area network, comprising:

• a first data center coupled to the wide area network for providing a network service at a first geographic location, including:
• a first file server for providing access to resources;
• a first data storage unit including active resources configured for active use;
• a second data center coupled to the wide area network for providing the network service at a second geographic location, including:
• a second file server for providing access to resources;
• a second data storage unit including standby resources configured for standby use in the event that the active resources cannot be obtained from the first data center;
• a fabric switching mechanism for providing communicative connectivity to the first server, second server, first data storage unit, and second data storage unit;
• failure sensing logic for sensing a failure condition in at least one of the first and second data centers, and for generating an output based thereon;
• and
• an intelligent controller, coupled to the wide area network, and also coupled to the switching mechanism for controlling the flow of data through the switching mechanism, and for coordinating fail over operations, based on the output of the failure sensing logic;
• wherein the intelligent controller includes:
• logic for coupling the first file server to the first data storage unit in the absence of a detected failure condition, and for coupling the first file server to the second data storage unit when a failure condition is detected pertaining to the first data storage unit.

A method for providing access to resources over a wide area network using a system including first and second data centers for providing a network service at first and second geographic locations, respectively, wherein the first data center includes a first file server for providing access to resources, and a first data storage unit including active resources configured for active use, and wherein the second data center includes a second file server for providing access to resources, and a second data storage unit including standby resources configured for standby use in the event that the active resources cannot be obtained from the first data center, comprising the steps of:

• routing communication between the first file server and the first data storage unit using a fabric switching mechanism;
• determining whether a failure condition has occurred;
• analyzing the failure condition, and determining, using an intelligent controller, whether the failure condition warrants re-routing communication within the system;
• and
• re-routing communication through the switching mechanism if the intelligent controller deems this warranted,
• wherein the step of re-routing includes coupling the first file server to the second data storage unit when a failure condition is detected pertaining to the first data storage unit.