Fibre Channel Path Verification for Redundant Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Fibre Channel networks, there is a need to verify the existence of a redundant path before moving World Wide Node Names (WWNN) and World Wide Port Names (WWPN) to ensure connectivity is restored if the primary path is lost, as existing methods rely on accessing the original connection's physical interface.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect connection changes in a Fibre Channel network and verify the existence of a backup path by using a processor to query the name-table stored in the Fabric, ensuring the backup physical interface has a path to the connection change, allowing for seamless WWNN and WWPN relocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If WWNN and WWPN are moved to a backup physical interface without verifying path existence, then device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but reliability of connectivity restoration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by verifying the existence of a redundant path through the Fabric before actually moving the WWNN and WWPN to the backup physical interface. The system queries the Fabric's name-table to confirm the backup path exists and is valid prior to performing the name relocation, ensuring connectivity can be restored if the primary path fails.
2Reliability
If the system verifies backup path existence by querying the Fabric's name-table, then reliability of path verification is improved, but use of energy and processing resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the Fabric's name-table as an intermediary to verify path existence. Instead of directly testing connectivity or maintaining complex path state information, the system queries the centralized name-table which already contains routing information, obtaining verification with minimal processing overhead.
3Measurement precision
If the system maintains detailed path state information to verify backup paths, then measurement precision of path existence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the backup physical interface autonomously query the Fabric's name-table to verify its own path existence. The system does not require centralized path state management or complex coordination between interfaces, as each interface independently verifies its redundancy status using the Fabric's existing naming infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and program storage device for verifying existence of a redundant Fiber Channel path is disclosed. The present invention verifies that a redundant path exists prior to moving the WWNN and WWPN. Thus, if the path being used for Fiber Channel communication is lost, connectivity can be restored when the source of the original connection can access the physical interface where the WWNN and WWPN have been moved.