Storage array network path impact analysis server for path selection in a host-based i/o multi-path system

A system comprising:

• a host device coupled to the storage area network, the storage area network comprising a plurality of paths from a storage device to a host device and comprising a plurality of components on the plurality of paths;
• a path impact analysis server for receiving path configuration information associated with the host device, a listing of the plurality of components within the storage area network, and a notification of a failure of a first component of the plurality of components within the storage area network, wherein the path impact analysis server is configured to:
• correlate the received path configuration information, the received listing of components, and the received notification of the failure of the first component to determine one or more paths associated with the host device affected by the failure;
• and
• a path management module in the host to select an alternative one of the paths to avoid the first component.

An article comprising:

• a non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores executable instructions to select a path for an I/O in a storage area network, the storage area network comprising a plurality of paths from a storage device to a host device and comprising a plurality of components on the plurality of paths, the instructions causing a machine to:
• receive path configuration information associated with the host device, a listing of the plurality of components within the storage area network, and a notification of a component failure of the first component of the plurality of components within the storage area network;
• correlate the received path configuration information, the received listing of the plurality of components, and the received notification of the failure of the first component to determine one or more paths associated with the host device affected by the failure;
• and
• select an alternative one of the paths to avoid the failed first component.