Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

Jason M Fox

Evan Chiu

Tao Jin

Naveen Bali

Luan Anh Hong

Methods, storage arrays and computer readable media for path discovery to ports of a Fibre Channel storage system that includes a multi-array pool and is part of a group of arrays are provided. One example method includes executing a pull operation via a group leader array of the group of arrays. The pull operation is configured to gather port status of each one of the arrays in the group of arrays. The method further executes a push operation via the group leader array of the group of arrays. The push operation is configured to populate a local cache of each array in the group of arrays with the port status of each one of the arrays in the group of arrays. The method executes the pull operation and the push operation on a periodic schedule, such that changes that occur at particular ones of the arrays of the group of arrays are pushed to each one of the arrays in the group of arrays. Configurations for enabling volume moves, striping data across arrays and pools, pool creation, pool deletes, pool adds, group merge and other processes are also provided.

Fibre channel scale-out with physical path discovery and volume move

Systems and methods for managing name assignments in a Fiber Channel (FC) storage arrays are provided. One example method includes receiving a port name for a slot of a controller of the FC storage array. The slot of the controller is configured to receive an FC card for providing communication between the FC storage array and an FC fabric. The method includes binding the port name to the slot of the controller, and the port name is saved to a database managed by the controller. The method further includes assigning the port name to the FC card when installed in the slot. The FC card is swappable with other FC cards, and thus other FC card will also maintain the port name of the slot.

Fibre channel hardware card port assignment and management method for port names

Storage arrays, methods and computer readable media are provided for obtaining alias assignments of initiators connected to a Fiber Channel (FC) fabric for configuration use on a storage array. One method includes generating a request from the storage array to a switch of the FC fabric to which the storage array is connected. The request is to obtain a copy of a world wide port name (WWPN) of an initiator that is connected to the FC fabric and a copy of an alias name for the initiator. The method includes receiving the WWPN and alias name of the initiator from the switch and caching the received WWPN and alias name to a database of the storage array. The method further includes processing a user interface by the storage array to enable selection of the initiator for assignment to a volume of the storage array. The user interface includes a selection control that identifies the initiator using the alias name received from the switch. In one example, an auto-fill function is used as part of the selection control.

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

Jason M Fox