System and method for a failover protocol in storage area network controllers
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsJacob Cherian, Thomas J. Kocis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for managing the multipath failover protocol of a storage area network that includes storage systems that include multiple ports and multiple storage controllers. A number of available storage paths between each server and each storage unit of the storage system are identified. A storage path is selected. In the event that the storage path becomes inoperable, an alternate storage path is selected in replacement of the inoperable storage path. The alternate storage path will be selected so that it does not include a storage controller that was part of the inoperable storage path.
Claims20
A method for selecting an alternate storage path between a server and a storage unit in a storage area network following the failure of an existing storage path, comprising the steps of:
- identifying the storage controller of the existing storage path;
- and
- selecting an alternate storage path that does not include the storage controller of the existing storage path.
A storage area network, comprising:
- a server having a driver;
- a storage system, wherein the storage system comprises,
- multiple ports;
- multiple storage controllers, wherein each of the ports is associated with one of the storage controllers;
- a storage unit;
- and
- wherein the driver is able to select a storage path between the server and the storage unit and is able to select an alternate storage path in the event that the first selected storage path becomes inoperable, wherein the alternate path does not include the storage controller of the first selected storage path.
A method for providing a default and an alternate storage path between a server and a storage system having multiple ports, multiple storage controllers, and one or more storage units, comprising the steps of:
- identifying the available storage paths between each server the one or more storage units of the storage system;
- selecting a first storage path between the server and a storage unit of the storage system;
- and
- if the first storage path becomes inoperable, selecting an alternate storage path between the server and the storage unit of the storage system, the alternate storage path including a storage controller that is different than the storage controller of the first storage path.
A method for switching from a default storage path to an alternate storage path between a server and a storage system having multiple ports, multiple storage controllers, and one or more storage units, comprising the steps of:
- recognizing a failure condition in the default storage path;
- and
- selecting an alternate storage path between the server and the storage unit of the storage system, wherein the alternate storage path including a storage controller that is different than the storage controller of the first storage path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.