Distributed storage resource management in a storage area network

Abstract

A method and system for managing storage resources associated with a network having at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path. The method and system includes servers managing the storage resource over the data path, and clients directing I/O requests to the storage resources and redirecting. I/O requests to the servers upon the detection of a failure condition.

1 . A method of managing storage resources associated with a network having at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path, wherein said server manages said storage resources over said data path, and wherein said client receives a description of the storage resources from the at least one server, said client directs I/O requests directly to said storage resources using the description of the storage resources and redirects I/O requests to said server upon the detection of a failure condition.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  which further includes: 
 authentication of said client; and    communication of volume information associated with said storage resource to said client based on the results of said authentication.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  which further includes: 
 allocation of storage space from said storage resource in response to a client request; and    communication of volume information associated with said allocated space to said client.    
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  which further includes: 
 changing the volume configuration corresponding to said storage resource;    committing the changes to said changed configuration, during which time said client is excluded from accessing said storage resource; and    communicating the new state of said configuration to said client.    
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  which further includes: 
 communication between said clients and said servers over at least a second data path.    
   
   
       9 . A distributed shared storage resource management system comprising: 
 at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path, wherein said server manages said storage resource over said data path, and said client receives a description of the storage resources from the at least one server, said client directs I/O requests directly to said storage resources using the description of the storage resources and redirects I/O requests to said server upon the detection of a failure condition.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said server is configured to: 
 authenticate each client; and    communicate volume information associated with said storage resource to said client based on the results of said authentication.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said server is configured to: 
 allocate space from said storage resource in response to a request from a client; and communicate volume information associated with said allocated space to said client.    
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said server is configured to: 
 change volume configuration associated with said storage resource;    commit the changes to said changed configuration during which time said client is excluded from accessing said storage resource; and    communicate the new state of said configuration to said client.    
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 9  further includes: 
 at least a second data path configured to allow communication between said client and said server.    
   
   
       17 . An article comprising a computer-readable medium that stores computer executable instructions for causing a computer in a distributed shared storage resource management system which comprises at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path, wherein said computer executable instructions cause said server to manage said storage resource over said data path, and said client receives a description of the storage resources from the at least one server, said client directs I/O requests directly to said storage resources using the description of the storage resources and redirects  110  requests to said server upon the detection of a failure condition.  
   
   
       18 . The article of  claim 17  further includes instructions to: 
 authenticate each client; and    communicate volume information associated with said storage resource to said client based on the results of said authentication.    
   
   
       19 . The article of  claim 17  further comprising instructions to: 
 allocate space from said storage resource in response to a request from a client; and communicate volume information associated with said allocated space to said client.    
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . The article of  claim 17  further comprising instructions to: 
 change configuration associated with said storage resource;    commit said changes to said changed configuration during which time said client is excluded from accessing said storage resource; and    communicate the new state of the changed configuration to said client.    
   
   
       23 . (canceled).  
   
   
       24 . The article of  claim 17  further comprising instructions to: 
 provide least a second data path to facilitate communication between said client and said server.    
   
   
       25 . A method of managing storage resources associated with a network having at least one storage resource coupled to at least one server and at least one client over at least one data path, wherein said server manages said storage resources over said data path, and wherein said client receives a description of the storage resources from the at least one server, said client directs I/O requests directly to said storage resources using the description of the storage resources and redirects I/O requests to said server upon the detection of a failure condition, wherein said method comprising: 
 changing the volume configuration corresponding to said storage resource;    committing the changes to said changed configuration, during which time said client is excluded from accessing said storage resource; and    communicating the new state of said configuration to said client.