Auto-creating Storage Resource Management Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Multi-Appliance Management Applications (MMAs) require administrators to manually provide directory paths for scanning storage objects, which is burdensome and inconvenient, especially in large data storage systems where administrators may not be aware of all storage object paths.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for automatically creating Storage Resource Management (SRM) paths by monitoring the data storage system to collect configuration data and generating the necessary paths in response to user requests, relieving administrators from tracking interconnections and directory paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If administrators manually provide directory paths for scanning storage objects, then scanning functionality is available, but administrative burden increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs path discovery and creation without requiring administrator intervention. The MMA autonomously monitors the data storage system, collects configuration data, and creates SRM paths when scan requests are received, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous administrator input
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively monitors and collects configuration data about storage objects in advance, maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the storage system topology. This preliminary action ensures that when a scan request arrives, the path is already known or can be quickly determined without requiring administrator research or manual path specification
2Ease of operation
If administrators manually track directory paths of all storage objects, then complete path information is available, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The MMA performs multiple functions: it monitors the storage system, collects configuration data, maintains topology information, and creates scan paths. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate administrator tasks into a single automated system, reducing operational complexity while maintaining comprehensive path information
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary monitoring and path creation mechanism between the administrator and the storage objects. Instead of administrators directly interacting with complex path structures, the MMA acts as an intermediary that automatically resolves paths based on monitored configuration data, simplifying the administrator's interaction with the complex storage system
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus to automatically create storage resource management (SRM) paths has been presented. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a data storage system to collect configuration data of storage objects in the data storage system and automatically creating a storage resource management (SRM) path for a storage object in the data storage system using at least a portion of the configuration data in response to a user request to scan the storage object.