SAN Non-TDP Zone Detection and Conversion via Fabric Watcher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage area networks (SANs) face challenges in managing uniform zone configurations, as they often include a mix of Target-Driven Peer (TDP) zones and non-TDP zones, making it difficult to segregate and manage these zones uniformly, which can lead to complexity and errors in access control and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining whether each target port in a SAN is a member of one or more non-TDP zones by identifying TDP zones and converting non-TDP zones to TDP zones, allowing for uniform zone configuration and management through a single control interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a SAN includes both TDP zones and non-TDP zones, then the system can support diverse zone configurations, but the device complexity and difficulty of uniform management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone configuration diversityVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fabric watcher component as an intermediary that automatically detects non-TDP zones and facilitates their conversion to TDP zones. This mediator handles the complexity of zone management by monitoring zone configurations, identifying non-TDP zones through comparison of zone member lists, and coordinating the conversion process, thereby reducing the burden on administrators while maintaining support for diverse zone configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service mechanisms where the fabric watcher automatically performs detection and conversion of non-TDP zones without requiring manual administrator intervention. The fabric watcher autonomously monitors zone configurations, identifies non-TDP zones by comparing zone member lists across switches, and triggers conversion processes, enabling the system to self-manage and reduce operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual management of non-TDP zones is used, then flexibility in zone configuration is maintained, but errors in access control and resource utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone configuration flexibilityVSAvoidaccess control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the fabric watcher continuously monitors zone configurations and provides information about non-TDP zones to the management system. This feedback loop enables automatic detection of non-TDP zones by comparing zone member lists across different switches, allowing the system to identify and convert non-TDP zones to TDP zones, thereby improving access control accuracy while maintaining configuration flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric watcher acts as an intermediary between the zone configuration system and the management interface, automatically detecting non-TDP zones and facilitating their conversion. This intermediary reduces human error by automating the detection and conversion process, ensuring more accurate access control while preserving the flexibility to configure diverse zone structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If automatic conversion of non-TDP zones to TDP zones is implemented, then uniform zone management is achieved, but the complexity of the conversion process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone management uniformityVSAvoidconversion process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the zone management process into distinct functional components: the fabric watcher that detects non-TDP zones, the conversion mechanism that transforms non-TDP zones to TDP zones, and the management interface that provides uniform control. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of the conversion process independently, reducing overall system complexity while achieving uniform zone management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric watcher serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of the conversion process by automatically detecting non-TDP zones through comparison of zone member lists and coordinating the conversion to TDP zones. This intermediary handles the complex detection and conversion logic, presenting a simplified uniform management interface to administrators while maintaining support for diverse zone configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20210337022A1Determining non-TDP zones in a storage area network

Publication Date: 2021.10.28 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

Examples include determination of non-TDP zones in a storage area network. Some examples use a member zone list request to request identification of each zone of which a target port of a target device is a member, identify each TDP zone among identified zones of which a target port is a member and determine whether the identified zones include one or more non-TDP zones.