Protocol Independent Ontology Model for Storage Network Discovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Storage area networks (SANs) face challenges in communicating with components using different protocols, such as SNMP, Celerra XML API, and SMI-S, due to the lack of a unified approach for management and discovery across various abstraction layers.
Innovation Solution
A protocol-independent ontology model is implemented to enable discovery and management of storage network elements, allowing devices like arrays, switches, hosts, and NAS devices to be accessed using multiple protocols, with a discovery collector initiating jobs and performing discovery based on events, and using standards-based protocols like SMI-S, SNMP, and WMI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different protocols (SNMP, Celerra XML API, SMI-S) are used to communicate with storage network elements, then protocol-specific management capabilities are maintained, but system complexity and difficulty of unified management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (discovery service, ontology model, and protocol adapters) that sits between the management application and the diverse storage network elements. This intermediary translates multiple proprietary protocols (SNMP, SMI-S, Celerra XML API) into a unified internal representation, allowing single-point management while preserving protocol-specific capabilities. The discovery service acts as the mediator that discovers devices and their capabilities regardless of protocol, then manages them through a common interface.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive discovery of all storage network elements is performed, then complete visibility and management capability are achieved, but time and computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary discovery actions where the discovery service proactively discovers and builds a comprehensive ontology model of the storage network topology in advance, before management operations are needed. This preliminary action caches device information, relationships, and capabilities so that subsequent management operations can proceed without repeating the full discovery process, significantly reducing time for ongoing operations while maintaining complete visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic discovery updates rather than continuous full discovery. The discovery service can be configured to refresh its view of the storage network at scheduled intervals or triggered by events, balancing the need for current information with resource consumption. This periodic action maintains discovery completeness for critical operations while limiting time and computational overhead to manageable periods.
3Productivity
If event-based discovery is implemented, then discovery efficiency and responsiveness are improved, but system architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic event-based discovery where the discovery service responds to events (device additions, removals, state changes) in real-time rather than following static periodic schedules. Event sources include SNMP traps, SMI-S indications, and other notifications from storage network elements. This dynamic approach improves discovery efficiency and responsiveness by immediately reacting to changes, while the event-driven architecture manages complexity through asynchronous processing and decoupled event handlers.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing a storage resource management application having a protocol independent model for event-based discovery. In response to an event, discovery is performed using a protocol independent ontology model.