Method of enabling heterogeneous platforms to utilize a universal file system in a storage area network
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorMichael A. O'Connor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A network file system and method wherein a storage area network Universal File System allows any host in a heterogeneous based storage area network to read or write data as if in its native format. Any host coupled to the storage area network may be configured to access any storage device on the storage area network. By augmenting the operating system of a host, the host is enabled to mount the Universal File System. Subsequent to mounting the Universal File System, a host may read data from and write data to the Universal File System.
Claims21
A method of enabling a first host of a heterogeneous storage area network to access a universal file system of a storage device on said storage area network, wherein said storage area network comprises an independent network comprising a storage area network interconnect to which a plurality of independent storage devices including said storage device are coupled, said method comprising:
- augmenting an operating system of said first host, wherein a native file system of said first host is incompatible with said universal file system;
- mounting said universal file system of said storage device by said first host;
- and
- mounting said file system of said storage device by a second host, wherein said second host is coupled to said storage area network, and wherein a native file system of said second host is incompatible with said file system of said first host;
- wherein each of said plurality of storage devices are independently accessible by said first host and said second host.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.