Dynamic network based storage with high availability

A network data storage manager system for a computer network, the system comprising:

• a network interface that permits access to communication between one or more network client machines that request data files and network storage devices at which the data files are stored, such that network requests for data files can be received and processed;
• a memory in which instructions and data are stored;
• and
• a processor, coupled to the memory, such that the processor receives the instructions stored in the memory and executes the instructions to perform a data movement transaction to move one or more data files between different network storage devices in a manner that is transparent to the client machines such that a client machine can access a data file during and after movement of the data file by providing a network request over the network interface and referencing a data path that does not change when the storage manager system moves the data file.

A distributed network data storage system for a computer network, the system comprising:

• a network interface that permits communication between one or more network client machines that request data files and network storage device devices at which the data files are stored, such that network requests for data files can be received and processed;
• and
• a distributed storage manager application that accesses data files, specified in a data request, that are stored at the network storage devices using a network file mapping interface of the network storage devices, wherein the network file mapping is dynamically determined to provide the correct mapping,
• and such that the data stored on the network storage devices or which is being moved to a network storage device is available to network clients and servers in a single virtual volume, the distributed file manager translating a file location in the virtual volume to a file location on a physical volume in an operation that is transparent to the network clients and servers.

A storage manager system for processing requests relating to data movement for network storage devices, the system comprising:

• a memory in which instructions and data are stored;
• and
• a processor, coupled to the memory, such that the processor receives the instructions stored in the memory and executes the instructions to perform operations comprising:
• receiving file movement instructions to move a first data file from a first network storage device to a second network storage device;
• moving the first data file from a first location at the first network storage device to a second location at the second network storage device, said moving comprising providing access to the first data file during said moving;
• and
• automatically mapping the first location at the first network storage device to the second location at the second network storage device so that a client machine can access the first data file using a data file pathname that does not change when the data file is moved from the first location to the second location to thereby render the data file move transparent to the client machine.

A program product for use in a computer that executes program steps recorded in a computer-readable media to perform a method of processing requests relating to data movement for network storage devices, the program product comprising:

• a recordable media;
• and
• computer-readable instructions recorded on the recordable media, comprising instructions executable by the computer to perform operations comprising:
• receiving file movement instructions to move a first data file from a first network storage device to a second network storage device;
• moving the first data file from a first location at the first network storage device to a second location at the second network storage device, said moving comprising providing access to the data file during movement of the data file from the first location to the second location;
• and
• automatically mapping the first location at the first network storage device to the second location at the second network storage device so that a client machine can access the first data file using a data file pathname that does not change when the data file is moved from the first location to the second location to thereby render the data file move transparent receiving file movement instructions to move a first data file from a to the client machine.

A distributed network data storage system for a computer network, the system comprising:

• a network interface that permits access to communication between at least one client machine that requests data files and at least one network storage device at which the data files are stored, such that network requests for data files can be received and processed;
• a memory in which instructions and data are stored;
• and
• a processor, coupled to the memory, such that the processor receives the instructions stored in the memory and executes the instructions to perform a data movement transaction to move one or more data files between different network storage devices, and wherein the storage manager system communicates over the network interface and provides the client machine with uninterrupted access to the data files during the data movement transaction.