Storage area network boot server and method

A SAN Boot Server or SBS, operative in association with a host boot SAN or BSAN, having:

• a plurality of hosts and of storage devices coupled via network communication links to a network switch,
• the hosts being further coupled to a user network supporting user workstations, and forming groups of hosts, each group having at least one group member, and
• the SBS being coupled to the network switch and to the user network, wherein:
• the hosts, when turned on to become operative, are configured to access an SBS wherefrom each host out of the plurality of hosts is directed to a boot image containing common and host-specific computer programs for booting the host,
• a mapping of virtual volumes being stored in the SBS, with each virtual volume containing one boot image for one host, which is directed by the SBS to at least one storage device storing computer programs for booting the host,
• whereby the hosts are booted automatically from at least one storage device when turned on to become operative.

A method for booting hosts with a SAN Boot Server, or SBS, coupled to a host boot SAN, or BSAN, having a plurality of hosts and of physical storage devices, coupled via network communication links to a network switch, the hosts being further coupled to a user network supporting user workstations,

• the method comprising the steps of:
• storing a mapping of virtual volumes in the SBS, each virtual volume containing one boot image,
• coupling the SBS to the network switch and to the user network, and configuring the hosts to access a virtual boot image when turned on to become operative, and for directing each host out of the plurality of hosts to at least one storage device storing a booting computer program for booting the host,
• whereby the hosts are booted automatically from at least one storage device when turned on to become operative.

A method for operating a SAN Boot Server or SBS) in association with a host boot SAN (BSAN) having a plurality of hosts and of storage devices coupled via network communication links to a network switch,

• the hosts being further coupled to a user network supporting user workstations, and forming groups of hosts, each group having at least one group member, and
• the SBS being coupled to the network switch and to the user network,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• configuring the hosts, when turned on to become operative, to access an SBS wherefrom each host out of the plurality of hosts, is directed to a boot image containing common and host-specific computer programs for booting the host, and
• storing a mapping of virtual volumes in the SBS, with each virtual volume containing one boot image for one host, which is directed by the SBS to at least one storage device storing computer programs for booting the host,
• whereby the hosts are booted automatically from at least one storage device when turned on to become operative.