SAN Driver Upgrade Identifier Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
When upgrading drivers in storage area networks (SANs), certain SAN-based information is lost, requiring manual re-entry of vital data, particularly target persistent data, which is tedious and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically updates and converts identifier information for target devices from the format supported by the old driver to the new driver, eliminating the need for manual re-entry during driver upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If driver upgrade is performed in SAN, then driver functionality and performance are improved, but identifier information for target devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the driver upgrade event and automatically retrieving, converting, and storing identifier information before the new driver fully operationalizes. This prevents information loss by ensuring the data is preserved and transformed in advance of the driver replacement completing.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction acts as an intermediary component between the old and new drivers. It intercepts identifier information from the old driver, converts it to the appropriate format, and transfers it to the new driver, thereby mediating the information transfer during the driver upgrade process and preventing data loss.
2Reliability
If manual re-entry of identifier information is performed, then data can be restored, but time consumption and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting driver upgrades, retrieving lost identifier information, converting it to the appropriate format, and restoring it without requiring manual user intervention. This eliminates the time-consuming and error-prone manual re-entry process while ensuring accurate data restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to detect when a driver upgrade has occurred and automatically triggers the information retrieval and restoration process. This closed-loop approach ensures that identifier information is preserved and restored based on system-detected conditions rather than manual user actions.
3Loss of information
If identifier information format is converted automatically, then data loss is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction serves as an intermediary conversion layer that handles format transformations between old and new driver identifier systems. This centralized mediation approach manages the complexity of format conversions in one dedicated component rather than distributing conversion logic across multiple system elements, making the system more manageable despite the added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages parameter changes by detecting format differences between old and new driver identifier information and automatically applying appropriate conversion transformations. This systematic handling of parameter changes through detected format differences reduces the perceived complexity by providing a structured approach to format conversion.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for converting identifier information after a driver upgrade is provided. The method includes updating a driver for a peripheral device in a storage area network, wherein a first driver is replaced by a second driver and the peripheral device is operationally coupled to one or more target device; reading identifier information for the target devices; and converting identifier information for the target device from a format supported by the first driver to a format supported by the second driver.