Method and apparatus for authenticating connections to a storage system coupled to a network

A method for managing access by at least one of a plurality of devices to a storage system coupled to the at least one of a plurality of devices by a network, the storage system including a plurality of storage devices, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving, from the storage system, at the at least one of the plurality of devices, at least one expected identifier to be included in at least one subsequent request issued by the at least one of the plurality of devices to the storage system to indicate that the at least one of the plurality of devices issued the request;
• and
• issuing, from the at least one of the plurality of devices, at least one request to the storage system, the at least one request including the at least one expected identifier indicating that the at least one request has been issued by the at least one of the plurality of devices.

A host computer for use in a computer system including a storage system having a plurality of storage devices, and a network that couples the host computer to the storage system, the host computer comprising:

• a port to receive from the storage system at least one expected identifier to be included in at least one subsequent request to the storage system;
• and
• a controller to issue at least one request for access to the storage system, the at least one request including the at least one expected identifier to indicate that the request is being issued by the host computer.

An adapter for use in a device to authenticate a connection between the device and a storage system, the adapter comprising:

• a data structure comprising at least one entry to store at least one unique identifier provided by the storage system;
• and
• a controller to issue at least one request to the storage system, wherein the request includes the at least one unique identifier, thereby indicating that the at least one request is being issued from the device, so that the storage system can use the at least one unique identifier to authenticate the connection between the device and the storage system.