Exposing expanders in a data storage fabric
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsMichael G. Myrah, Balaji Natrajan, Pruthviraj Herur Puttaiah
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of selectively exposing expanders in a data storage fabric is disclosed. The method includes generating a phy permission table in a switch expander. The phy permission table is configured for access by an initiator and includes data as to which enclosure expanders are discoverable by the initiator. A zone group of phys from the enclosure expanders assigned to the initiator is created. The phy permission table is updated to identify each phy coupled to the enclosure expanders in the zone group.
Claims20
A method of exposing expanders in a data storage fabric, wherein the data storage fabric includes an initiator, a switch expander, and a plurality of enclosure expanders, wherein an enclosure expander of the plurality of enclosure expanders includes a plurality of phys, the method comprising:
- generating a phy permission table in the switch expander, wherein the phy permission table is configured for access by the initiator and includes data as to which phys in a subset of less than the plurality of phys in the enclosure expander are discoverable by the initiator, wherein phys in the enclosure expanders not listed in the phy permission table in the switch expander are not discoverable by the initiator;
- creating a zone group of phys from the enclosure expanders assigned to the initiator;
- and
- updating the phy permission table to identify each phy coupled to the enclosure expanders in the zone group.
A switch expander in a data storage fabric, the switch expander comprising:
- a first port operably coupleable to an initiator;
- a second port operably coupleable to an enclosure expander, wherein the enclosure expander is coupled to a plurality of phys;
- a memory system including a phy permission table stored the memory system;
- wherein the phy permission table is configured to be accessed by the initiator and includes data as to whether initiator can discover the enclosure expander and data as to which phys in a subset of less than the plurality of phys in the enclosure expander are discoverable, wherein phys in the enclosure expander not listed in the phy permission table in the switch expander are not discoverable by the initiator.
A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions for controlling a computing device to perform a method of exposing expanders in a data storage fabric, wherein the data storage fabric, includes an initiator, a switch expander, and a plurality of enclosure expanders, wherein an enclosure expander of the plurality of enclosure expanders includes a plurality of phys, the method comprising:
- generating a phy permission table in the switch expander, wherein the phy permission table is configured for access by the initiator and includes data as to which phys in a subset of less than the plurality of phys in the enclosure expander are discoverable by the initiator, wherein phys in the enclosure expander not listed in the phy permission table in the switch expander are not discoverable by the initiator;
- creating a zone group of phys from the enclosure expanders assigned to the initiator;
- and
- updating the phy permission table to identify each phy coupled to the enclosure expanders in the zone group.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.