Non-disruptive configuration of a virtualization controller in a data storage system

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising:

• computer readable program code configured to establish a first data path between a host and a storage controller that interfaces with the host and a plurality of disks for storing data, wherein the host accesses the disks through the storage controller, wherein the host and the disks are in a communication zone, wherein the communication zone provides an allocation of resources for selective access to only specified users to control who can access the resources defined for the communication zone;
• computer readable program code configured to add, after establishing the first data path, a virtualization controller wherein the virtualization controller is zoned with the storage controller, the disks, and the host, and maps the disks into a plurality of virtual volumes and establishes a second data path between the host and the disks of the storage controller through the virtual volumes, wherein the host recognizes the virtual volumes as an alternate data path to the first data path between the hosts and the disks;
• computer readable program code configured to remove the first data path and the communication zone allowing direct communication between the host and the storage controller in response to establishing the second path, wherein the virtualization controller is configured without disrupting I/O operations between the host and the disks;
• and
• computer readable program code configured to perform I/O operations between the host and the disks through the second data path and the virtualization controller.

A controller system configured to be coupled to a storage area network (SAN), the controller system comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• establish a first data path between a host and a storage controller, wherein the host and the storage controller are in a communication zone and the storage controller is coupled to a plurality of disks for storing data, wherein the communication zone provides an allocation of resources for selective access to only specified users to control who can access the resources defined for the communication zone;
• add, after establishing the first data path, a virtualization controller, wherein the virtualization controller is zoned with the storage controller, the disks, and the host, and maps the disks to a plurality of virtual volumes and establishes a second data path between the host and the disks through one of the virtual volumes, wherein the host recognizes the virtual volumes as an alternate data path to the first data path between the hosts and the disks;
• remove the first data path and the communication zone allowing direct communication between the host and the storage controller in response to establishing the second data path, wherein the virtualization controller is configured without disrupting I/O operations between the host and the disks;
• and
• perform I/O operations between the host and the disks through the second data path and the virtualization controller.