IP Storage Fabric Zoning Policies for Consistent Network Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The configuration of IP devices in a data center network, including hosts and storage devices, is time-intensive and error-prone, requiring numerous manual steps and complex interactions with network entities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a management server to define IP zones and generate configurations based on an IP zone policy, automating the deployment of IP settings across hosts and storage devices, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration of IP devices is performed, then flexibility and customization are improved, but time consumption and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration through automated IP address allocation, subnet mask assignment, and gateway configuration. The server automatically configures IP devices without requiring manual intervention, reducing configuration time while maintaining flexibility through programmable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration parameters and policies are pre-defined and stored in the system before actual device configuration. This preliminary setup allows the automated configuration process to quickly deploy settings across multiple devices without repeated manual input, significantly reducing configuration time.
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration of IP devices is performed, then control and customization are improved, but error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where configuration status is monitored and reported back to the management server. This allows for verification of correct configuration deployment and enables corrective actions if errors occur, thereby improving configuration accuracy while maintaining control.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated configuration system reduces human error by eliminating manual typing and configuration steps. The system self-configures devices according to pre-defined policies, ensuring consistent and accurate IP address allocation, subnet mask assignment, and gateway configuration across all devices.
3Productivity
If automated configuration is implemented, then configuration time and error rate are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration management server as an intermediary between administrators and IP devices. This intermediary handles the complexity of automated configuration, IP address management, and policy enforcement, while presenting a simplified interface to users. The server acts as a mediator that manages system complexity internally while maintaining ease of use externally.
4Reliability
If IP zoning is implemented for multiple hosts and storage devices, then configuration consistency is improved, but initial setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
IP zone configurations, policies, and parameters are pre-defined and stored in the configuration management server before actual device deployment. This preliminary setup includes defining IP address ranges, subnet masks, gateways, and zone memberships. When devices are added to zones, the pre-configured settings are automatically applied, ensuring consistency without requiring complex real-time configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example method of configuring connection between hosts and storage devices over an Internet Protocol (IP) network includes: defining, by a server, a first group of the hosts and a first group of the storage devices, the hosts connected to a first IP network and the storage devices connected to a second IP network; defining an IP zone that includes a connection between the first group of hosts and the first group of storage devices over a link between the first IP network and the second IP network; generating, according to an IP zone policy for the IP zone, an IP configuration for the first groups of hosts and storage devices, the first IP network, and the second IP network; and deploying, to implement the IP zone, the IP configuration to the first groups of hosts and storage devices, the first IP network, and the second IP network.