Managing Virtual Ports in an Information Processing System

Abstract

A method is provided with which a name of a virtual port is not changed when virtualized storage is moved among switches. Information about a creator and a borrower of name information is added to a table including name information and address information of a virtual port of a name server managing the name information and the address information. The name information is provided to plural switches and managed. In addition, name information, which can be used commonly among name servers managing the name information and the address information is pooled in advance, and the name information of the virtual port is borrowed from there.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An information processing system having a plurality of switches connected to each other, the information processing system comprising:
 a first switch including:
 a plurality of ports for making connection with other switches; 
 a CPU controlling the first switch; and 
 a memory storing a first program and information; 
   wherein:
 the memory includes a common area storing a port name which is commonly used by the plurality of switches; 
 the first switch is connected to a first storage system; and 
 the first program is configured to:
 acquire the port name from the common area; 
 set a virtual port of a virtualized storage not existing physically; 
 associate the virtualized storage with the first storage system; and 
 set the acquired port name in the virtual port. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The information processing system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a second switch that is connected to a second storage system, wherein:
 the second switch includes:
 a port for making connection with the first switch; 
 a CPU controlling the second switch; and 
 a memory storing a second program and information; and 
   the second program is configured to:
 set a virtual port of a virtualized storage not existing physically; 
 associate the virtualized storage and the second storage system; 
 send a request to borrow a port name of the virtual port stored in the common area to the first switch; 
 receive the port name from the second switch; and 
 set the received port name in the virtual port. 
   
     
     
         15 . A first switch connected to a second switch, the first switch comprising:
 a plurality of ports for making a connection with the second switch;   a CPU controlling the first switch; and   a memory storing a program and information;   wherein:
 the memory includes a common area storing a port name which is commonly used by the first and second switches; 
 the first switch is connected to a first storage system; and 
 the first program is configured to:
 acquire the port name from the common area; 
 set a virtual port of a virtualized storage not existing physically; 
 associate the virtualized storage with the first storage system; and 
 set the acquired port name in the virtual port.