Computer system and method for establishing a standardized shared level for each storage unit
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorJohn E. Dimitroff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer system and method using a standardized shareability scheme for establishing a shared level for each of a plurality of storage units located in the computer system. The computer system includes a plurality of hosts and controllers coupled to a peer network (storage area network). Each storage unit is coupled to one of the controllers and includes at least one parametric from a group of parametrics used in classifying the shared level of a particular storage unit. The hosts using the standardized shared levels are able to identify a shareability characteristic of each storage unit.
Claims46
A computer system comprising:
- a storage area network;
- a plurality of hosts coupled to the storage area network;
- and
- a plurality of storage units coupled to the storage area network, each storage unit classified by a standardized shared level from a plurality of standardized shared levels, each standardized shared level comprising at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics, the plurality of distinct parametrics being associated with functionalities of the plurality of storage units, wherein the respective standardized shared level assigned to each storage unit enables the hosts to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of each storage unit.
A computer system comprising:
- a peer network;
- a plurality of hosts coupled to the peer network;
- a plurality of controllers coupled to the peer network;
- and
- a plurality of storage units coupled to the peer network, each storage unit classified by a standardized shared level from a plurality of standardized shared levels, each standardized shared level comprising at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics, the plurality of distinct parametrics being associated with functionalities of the plurality of storage units, wherein the respective standardized shared level assigned to each storage unit enables the hosts to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of each storage unit.
A method for establishing a standardized shared level for a storage unit located in a computer system, said computer system includes a storage area network located between the storage unit and a plurality of hosts, said method comprising the steps of:
- assigning at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics to the storage unit;
- determining, in response to the at least one assigned parametric, the standardized shared level for the storage unit;
- and
- enabling the hosts to identify a shareability characteristic of the storage unit using the determined standardized shared level.
A storage unit used in a computer system including a storage area network for connecting the storage unit to a plurality of hosts, the storage unit comprising:
- at least one parametric from a plurality of distinct parametrics comprising
- a security parametric, an access parametric, an availability parametric, an ownership parametric, and a management parametric;
- and
- a plurality of standardized shared levels, each standardized shared level corresponds with the at least one parametric and enables the hosts to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of the storage unit.
A storage unit, comprising:
- at least a first parametric from a plurality of parametrics, the plurality of parametrics comprising an access parametric, an availability parametric, an ownership parametric, and a management parametric;
- and
- a first standardized shared level from a plurality of standardized shared levels, wherein each of the standardized shared levels is defined by at least one parametric from the plurality of parametrics, wherein the first standardized shared level is determined based on the at least first parametric, and wherein the first standardized shared level enables a host to identify a standardized shareability characteristic of the storage unit when the storage unit is coupled to the host via a network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.