Graphical Matrix Table for SAS Fabric Zone Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphical user interface methods for Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) fabric management are inefficient in displaying configurations intuitively, requiring an additional layer of indirection due to the concept of zone groups, making it challenging to manage SAS networking and storage device topologies.
Innovation Solution
A graphical dynamic matrix table and port mapping matrix table are provided, allowing users to modify zone group states by left-clicking on color-coded cells, with the tables displaying only populated zone groups or port mappings, enabling intuitive state changes between 'mutual access', 'previous mutual access', 'proposed mutual access', and 'no access' states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional graphical user interface methods are used for SAS fabric management, then the system can display configuration information, but the interface becomes complex and non-intuitive due to the additional layer of indirection required by zone groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical matrix table as an intermediary layer between the user and the complex zone group indirection mechanism. This matrix table translates the abstract zone group relationships into a visual grid format where rows and columns represent storage devices and initiators respectively, making the configuration relationships immediately visible and intuitive without requiring users to navigate through multiple indirection layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional hierarchical or list-based configuration display into a two-dimensional matrix table. By organizing configuration data across rows and columns with visual coding, the system adds a spatial dimension to configuration management, allowing users to perceive relationships between storage devices and initiators at a glance rather than navigating through nested structures
2Loss of information
If all zone groups are displayed in the graphical interface, then complete configuration information is available, but the interface becomes cluttered and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display based on the state of each zone group relationship. The matrix table uses visual coding to highlight only the relevant configuration states (such as active vs. inactive zone groups), allowing users to focus on important information while still having access to complete configuration data. This selective highlighting maintains both completeness and usability
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment of the present invention, in a matrixed method for serial attached SCSI (SAS) fabric management, a user is provided with a graphical dynamic matrix table, which illustrates a plurality of matrixed cells corresponding to a plurality of zone groups in a one-to-one relationship. The matrixed cells are organized as a graphical dynamic table on an X-axis and a Y-axis. The table is a packed table, meaning the X and Y axes only display populated (or active) zone groups. To modify the zoning configuration the user uses a pointing device such as a mouse to left click the appropriate matrixed cell to toggle between states. There are four states ‘mutual access’, ‘previous mutual access’, ‘proposed mutual access’, and ‘no access’.