Netapp, Inc.

Network Appliance, Inc.

Gen-Hwa Chiang

Rahim Ibrahim

Tuan Anh Nguyen

Chan Y Ng

Richard Meyer

Ranjit Ghate

Ashish Shah

Kwan Sang Yap

Glenn Yu

Glen C Yu

Embodiments according to the invention perform functions including discovery, classification, and profiling of storage devices, computer systems, connection elements, and other components relating to a storage area network (SAN). Changes to the SAN topology are tracked in order to show growth patterns.

Method and system for identifying storage devices

A storage virtualization system for accessing at least one storage device for a virtual logical unit (VLUN) from at least one host. The system includes at least one upstream processing element (UPE) which is adapted for coupling to a corresponding host server. The system is further adapted for coupling to at least one storage device. The controller also includes a primary central processing element (CPE) that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The primary CPE permits data transfer to occur between a host and a storage device via the corresponding UPE. The controller further includes a backup CPE that can be configurably coupled to the UPEs. The backup CPE is configurable to permit the data transfer when the primary CPE becomes unavailable.

Compensating for unavailability in a storage virtualization system

Method and apparatus for identifying storage devices

Detecting unavailability of primary central processing element, each backup central processing element associated with a group of virtual logic units and quiescing I/O operations of the primary central processing element in a storage virtualization system

Growing community of inventors

Milpitas, CA, United States of America

Gen-Hwa Chiang