Netapp, Inc.

Robert P Mowry

Jacob Gladish

Michael Comer

A method and system for automatic configuration and installation of network storage server to a network storage cluster is described. When the first storage server is installed, the automatic configuration process extracts from the user information necessary for configuration of the cluster. Upon entering all the configuration information, the storage server is rebooted and the new cluster is created. For a network storage server attempting to join an existing cluster, broadcast packets are sent by the joining storage server on its cluster port requesting a response from all available clusters. If a single response is received the joining storage server initiates the configuration process and joins the cluster. If multiple responses are received the joining storage server let the operator choose the cluster to join. If no responses are received the joining storage server retries the broadcast request repeatedly until a response is received.

Method and apparatus for a storage server to automatically discover and join a network storage cluster

An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method that use auto support data for upgrade compatibility. The method includes capturing the input commands that are used by a user (customer) of a storage appliance and that are processed by a current storage operating system in the storage appliance. These input commands are then stored in a database and are the auto support data that is transmitted from the storage appliance via a network to the database. These input commands can be recorded or categorized in the database, based upon the command name or command line arguments of the input commands. These input commands can then be mapped to new input commands that are used with an upgraded storage operating system in a storage appliance. These mapping can be implemented in, for example, a data structure that maps previous input commands to new input commands.

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Cranberry Township, PA, United States of America

Robert P Mowry