Method and system for path selection in a network

A machine implemented method for transmitting an input/output (“I/O”) request between a storage system and a storage array, comprising:

• determining that an alternate path is available for transmitting the I/O request when an error is reported by a current path that is being used for transmitting the I/O request;
• determining a path quality of the alternate path;
• wherein the path quality is based on a weight assigned to a plurality of factors associated with a plurality of components between the storage system and the storage array and a value of each weight is based on a likely contribution of each factor to a repetition of the error reported by the current path;
• selecting the alternate path when the path quality is at least equal to a threshold value;
• wherein the threshold value is a minimum path quality used for selecting the alternate path for transmitting the I/O request without having to evaluate other available alternate paths;
• determining a path quality of other available alternate paths, when the path quality of the alternate path is less than the threshold value;
• and
• selecting an alternate path from among the other alternate paths with a highest path quality.

A system, comprising:

• a storage system and a storage array using a current path having a plurality of components for processing an input/output (“I/O”) request;
• and
• a processor for the storage system executing instructions for determining that an alternate path is available for transmitting the I/O request, after an error is reported by the current path;
• and determining a path quality of the alternate path;
• wherein the path quality is based on a weight assigned to a plurality of factors associated with the plurality of components between the storage system and the storage array and a value of each weight is based on a likely contribution of each factor to a repetition of the error reported by the current path;
• and
• wherein the alternate path is selected when the path quality is at least equal to a threshold value, which is a minimum path quality for selecting the alternate path for transmitting the I/O request without having to evaluate other available paths.

A machine implemented method, comprising:

• generating a data structure comprising a weight assigned to a factor for determining a path quality of a path between a processor executable system and a storage space;
• detecting an error associated with transmitting an input/output (I/O) request through a first path;
• and
• accessing the data structure to determine an alternate path for transmitting the I/O request based on the weight assigned to the factor;
• wherein a value of the weight is based on a likely contribution of the factor to a repetition of the error reported by the first path and the alternate path is selected when the path quality of the alternate path is at least equal to a threshold value which is an indicator of an acceptable path quality for the alternate path;
• wherein the alternate path is selected if the path quality is equal to a threshold value, which is a minimum path quality for selecting an alternate path for transmitting the I/O request without having to evaluate other available paths.