Netapp, Inc.

Steven Ewing

Craig Fulmer Everhart

Exemplary embodiments provide various techniques for managing groups of authenticated entities. In one exemplary computer-implemented method, an entity accesses a group roster that includes a first group identifier identifying a first group, a first group digital certificate associated with the first group, and a first entity identifier identifying the entity being a member of the first group. The entity also receives a request to update the group roster. Here, the request includes a second group identifier identifying a second group and a second group digital certificate associated with the second group. In response to the request, the entity replaces the first group identifier in the group roster with the second group identifier. Additionally, in response to the request, the entity replaces the first group digital certificate with the second group digital certificate. The replacements change a membership of the entity from the first group to the second group.

Group management of authenticated entities

The present application provides techniques to interrelate a group of multiple entities. A master entity makes configuration decisions regarding the group of entities and communicates those decisions to the entities. When the master relinquishes the master role, the retiring master selects a new master to accede to the master role. The retiring master releases the master role and ensures that the new master becomes aware of its assignment to the master role. During the time between when the retiring master abdicates and when the new master accedes, the group of entities is temporarily permitted to have no master. The master changes the configuration of the group of entities in a similar way. Using the techniques described herein, a new master may eventually replace the retiring master, and a new configuration may eventually replace the old configuration, without the risk of duplicating or dropping the master role or a configuration change.

Eventual consistency among many clusters including entities in a master member regime

A system and method for designating and administering authority in a trusted environment is provided. In some embodiments, a determination is made that a transfer of the authority to a second computing entity is warranted. The second computing entity is opportunistically contacted, and during the opportunistic contact, the authority is passed from the first computing entity to the second computing entity. The passing of the authority from the first computing entity to the second computing entity tasks the second computing entity with updating members of the group of the passing of the authority. The passing of authority may include providing an outstanding group update to the second computing entity and may also include tasking the second computing entity with completing the outstanding group update.

Status transfer within a group of computing entities

Data storage and management systems can be interconnected as clustered systems to distribute data and operational loading. Further, independent clustered storage systems can be associated to form peered clusters. As provided herein, methods and systems for creating and managing intercluster relationships between independent clustered storage systems, allowing the respective independent clustered storage systems to exchange data and distribute management operations between each other while mitigating administrator involvement. Cluster introduction information is provided on a network interface of one or more nodes in a cluster, and intercluster relationships are created between peer clusters. A relationship can be created by initiating contact with a peer using a logical interface, and respective peers retrieving the introduction information provided on the network interface. Respective peers have a role/profile associated with the provided introduction information, which is mapped to the peers, allowing pre-defined access to respective peers.

Intercluster relationship management

A system and method for selecting data paths among nodes of a clustered storage system is provided. A data path selection module is operatively interconnected with one or more test modules executing on a client computer of the clustered storage system. When invoked, the data path selection module performs an auto discovery process to identify the configuration of the cluster and identifies an appropriate data path to be utilized for either local/remote access to a specified data container.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Steven Ewing