Automated Host Storage Masking View Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face challenges in efficiently managing connectivity between hosts and data storage systems, particularly in automatically creating and managing masking views to ensure secure and efficient access to logical storage devices across multiple hosts and target ports.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically create masking views by processing host registration commands to determine initiator groups, target port groups, and default storage groups, allowing hosts to access devices through target ports, and verify connectivity to the expected data storage system, using network addresses and identifiers for unique host identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual configuration of masking views is used, then security and access control are maintained, but system complexity and configuration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting hosts, determining initiator groups, identifying target ports, and creating masking views without manual intervention. The masking view creation process is triggered automatically when hosts connect to the storage system, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure connectivity settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes masking views before hosts attempt to access storage devices. By proactively detecting host connections and automatically configuring the necessary masking views in advance, the system ensures that hosts can immediately access storage resources without waiting for manual configuration.
2Productivity
If automated masking view creation is implemented, then configuration time is reduced, but potential security risks and connectivity errors may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors host connections and automatically updates masking views based on real-time feedback from host registration commands. When hosts connect or disconnect, the system detects these changes and adjusts the masking configuration accordingly, ensuring that the connectivity state always reflects the actual system status.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking view configuration is dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adapts the masking views in response to changing host connectivity conditions, adding or removing access permissions as hosts connect or disconnect from the storage system, ensuring both speed and accuracy in connectivity management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hosts access multiple storage devices, then resource sharing is improved, but managing connectivity and permissions becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments connectivity management into distinct groups: initiator groups for hosts, target port groups for storage ports, and masking view groups for permission sets. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex multi-host, multi-device connectivity by organizing connections into manageable units that can be independently configured and modified.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated masking view creation system provides universal functionality that works across all host-storage connections. A single automated process handles connectivity configuration for multiple hosts accessing multiple storage devices through various target ports, eliminating the need for separate manual configuration procedures for each connection scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
Masking information may be automatically determined for a host after zoning between the host and data storage system is complete. Processing may include the host sending host registration commands from host initiators. From registration information provided with the host registration commands, an initiator group may be determined for the masking view as including the initiators identified as belonging to the host. A port group may be determined as those target ports at which the host registration commands are received. A default storage group with a default device may be created. A masking view for the host may be created that includes the initiator group, the target port group and the default storage group whereby the masking view indicates that the first device is accessible or exposed, through each target port of the target port group, to each initiator of the initiator group.