System and method for accessing a storage area network as network attached storage

A method for managing the allocation of storage from a storage area network (SAN) as network attached storage (NAS) to a data communication network, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a storage management directive from a graphical user interface;
• (b) sending a message corresponding to the received storage management directive to a NAS server;
• and
• (c) receiving a response corresponding to the sent message from the NAS server.

An apparatus for accessing a plurality of storage devices in a storage area network (SAN) as network attached storage (NAS) in a data communication network, comprising:

• a SAN server that includes:
• a first interface configured to be coupled to the SAN;
• and
• a second interface that is coupled to a first data communication network;
• and
• a NAS server that includes:
• a third interface configured to be coupled to a second data communication network;
• and
• a fourth interface that is coupled to said first data communication network;
• wherein said SAN server allocates a first portion of the plurality of storage devices in the SAN to be accessible through said second interface to at least one first host coupled to said first data communication network;
• wherein said SAN server allocates a second portion of the plurality of storage devices in the SAN to said NAS server;
• and
• wherein said NAS server configures access to said second portion of the plurality of storage devices to at least one second host coupled to said second data communication network.

A storage appliance for accessing a plurality of storage devices in a storage area network (SAN) as network attached storage (NAS) in a data communication network, comprising:

• a first SAN server configured to be coupled to the plurality of storage devices in the SAN via a first data communication network, wherein said first SAN server is configured to be coupled to a second data communication network;
• a second SAN server configured to be coupled to the plurality of storage devices in the SAN via a third data communication network, wherein said second SAN server is configured to be coupled to a fourth data communication network;
• a first NAS server configured to be coupled to a fifth data communication network, wherein said first NAS server is coupled to said second and said fourth data communication networks;
• and
• a second NAS server configured to be coupled to said fifth data communication network, wherein said second NAS server is coupled to said second and said fourth data communication networks;
• wherein said first SAN server allocates a first portion of the plurality of storage devices in the SAN to be accessible to at least one first host coupled to said second data communication network;
• wherein said first SAN server allocates a second portion of the plurality of storage devices in the SAN to said first NAS server;
• wherein said first NAS server configures access to said second portion of the plurality of storage devices to at least one second host coupled to said fifth data communication network;
• wherein said second NAS server assumes the configuring of access to said second portion of the plurality of storage devices by said first NAS server during failure of said first NAS server;
• and
• wherein said second SAN server assumes allocation of said second portion of the plurality of storage devices by said first SAN server during failure of said first SAN server.

A system for interfacing a storage area network (SAN) with a first data communication network, wherein one or more hosts coupled to the first data communication network can access data stored in one or more of a plurality of storage devices in the SAN, wherein the one or more hosts access one or more of the plurality of storage devices as network attached storage (NAS), comprising the steps of:

• means for coupling a SAN server to a SAN;
• means for coupling a NAS server to the SAN server through a second data communication network;
• means for coupling the NAS server to the first data communication network;
• means for allocating a portion of at least one of the plurality of storage devices from the SAN server to the NAS server;
• means for configuring the allocated portion as NAS storage in the NAS server;
• and
• means for exporting the configured portion from the NAS server to be accessible to the one or more hosts coupled to the first data communication network.