US 6,898,670 B2 · Storage virtualization in a storage area network

Abstract

A distributed architecture for the virtualization of storage capacity in a Storage Area Network (SAN) and for the management of virtual and physical memory is described. There is provided a virtualization software computer program consisting of two portions, namely virtualization and translation, each portion residing in a different location but both portions operating interactively. A SAN coupling an array of hosts (1) via a Network Switch (2) to an array of storage devices (4) is equipped with a Storage Virtualization Manager (3). The SVM operating the virtualization computer software handles physical storage capacity virtualization and metadata management. The Network Switch routes storage I/O operations between the hosts and the storage devices, while the translation software resides in a processor, in either a host or elsewhere on the Network Switch SAN. Although the Network Switch and the SVM decouple tasks to relieve load and prevent bottlenecks, practical implementation permits to design the Network Switch, the processor(s) operating the virtualization program, and the SVM in many configurations spanning from distributed to integrated packaging. The virtualization software also supports real time configuration adaptation of changes occurring in the configuration of the array of hosts and of storage devices of the SAN.

Claims52

Dependent claims

A method for storage virtualization in a Storage Area Network (SAN) comprising an array of hosts (1) coupled to an array of storage devices (4) via a Network Switch (2) operative for routing storage I/O operations between the array of hosts and the array of storage devices, the storage devices having a storage capacity, and the array of hosts, the array of storage devices and the Network Switch being coupled together in a storage network (5′), and the array of hosts being coupled to a plurality of user workstations (7) on a user network (6′), the method comprising the steps of:

coupling a Storage Virtualization Manager (SVM) (3) by a storage network link (5) to the Network Switch on the storage network, and coupling the SVM by a user network link (6) to the user network, the SVM being configured for virtualization of the storage capacity and for managing metadata, and
operating the SVM for virtualization of the storage capacity and for managing metadata,
whereby virtualization of the storage capacity and managing metadata are decoupled from routing storage I/O operations.

A method for storage virtualization in a Storage Area Network (SAN) comprising an array of hosts (1) coupled to an array of storage devices (4) having a storage capacity, and an Enhanced Network Switch (2E) operative for routing storage I/O operations between the array of hosts and the array of storage devices, and the array of hosts, the array of storage devices and the Enhanced Network Switch being coupled together in a storage network (5′), and the array of hosts being coupled to a plurality of user workstations (7) in a user network (6′), the method comprising the steps of:

forming an Upgraded Network Switch (UNS) (2*) to upgrade the Enhanced Network Switch (2E), the UNS integrating an adjusted Storage Virtualization Manager (SVM) (3/500) configured for and operative for virtualization of the storage capacity and for managing metadata, the (UNS) comprising a first Enhanced Network Switch portion and a second adjusted SVM portion,
coupling the second adjusted SVM portion by a storage network link (5) to the first Enhanced Network Switch portion and by a user network link (6) to the user network, and
operating the second adjusted SVM portion for virtualization of the storage capacity and for managing metadata,
whereby virtualization of the storage capacity and managing of metadata are decoupled from routing storage I/O operations.

1 more element

A system for a Storage Area Network (SAN) comprising an array of hosts (1), an array of storage devices (4) having a storage capacity, and an Enhanced Network Switch (2E) operative for routing I/O operations between the array of hosts and the array of storage devices, the array of hosts being coupled to the array of storage devices via the Enhanced Network Switch, the array of storage devices and the Enhanced Network Switch being coupled together in a storage network (5′), and the array of hosts being coupled to a user network (6′) comprising a plurality of user workstations (7), the system comprising:

an Upgraded Network Switch (UNS) 2* created to upgrade the Enhanced Network Switch, the UNS integrating an adjusted Storage Virtualization Manager (SVM) (3/500) configured for and operative for virtualization of the storage capacity and for managing metadata, the UNS comprising a first Upgraded Network Switch portion and a second adjusted SVM portion, and
a storage network link (5) coupling the first Enhanced Network Switch portion to the second adjusted SVM portion and a user network link (6) coupling the second adjusted SVM portion to the user network,
whereby virtualization of the storage capacity and managing metadata are decoupled from routing storage I/O operations.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Storage virtualization in a storage area network

Life of this patent

Storage virtualization in a storage area network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52