Disk device and disk access route mapping

An access control method in a storage area network system including a plurality of storage subsystems each having a plurality of storage devices, and an information network for connecting said storage subsystems to one another, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing management information in one of storage devices contained in one of said plurality of storage subsystems, said management information being used for setting a recognition range of accessible storage devices in said plurality of subsystems in said storage area network system;
• and
• managing and controlling access routes from nodes corresponding to said accessible storage devices in said recognition range on the basis of said management information read from said storage device.

An access control method in a storage area network system including a plurality of storage subsystems each having a plurality of storage devices, and an information network for connecting said storage subsystems to one another, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing management information in one of said storage devices contained in each of said plurality of storage subsystems, said management information being used for managing groups each containing storage devices in said storage area network system;
• and
• selectively recognizing storage devices belonging to a group corresponding to one of servers on the basis of said management information when a request to recognize said storage devices is given from said server.

A storage area network system comprising a plurality of storage subsystems each containing a plurality of storage devices, and a network interface and a network switch for connecting said storage subsystems to one another, wherein:

• one of said storage devices contained in each of said storage subsystems stores management information for setting a recognition range of storage devices in said storage area network system;
• and
• said network switch has a route control function for setting an access route on the basis of contents stored in said storage device having said management information stored therein so that said storage device in said recognition range are selectively accessed when a request of recognition of storage devices in said storage area network system is issued.

A network switch for connecting a plurality of storage subsystems to information processors, each of said storage subsystems containing a plurality of storage devices and constituting a storage area network system, said information processors accessing said storage devices, comprising:

• a storage device for storing an access range of storage subsystems set in advance in accordance with each of said information processors;
• and
• a route control function for selectively limiting an access route to said storage devices in said access range.