Virtual SAN Adapter WWPN Assignment for OS Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operating system migration techniques require extensive reconfiguration of Storage Area Networks (SAN) to maintain access rights, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when migrating an operating system connected to a zoned SAN.
Innovation Solution
Assigning a primary and secondary world wide port name to a virtual SAN interface adapter on the source server, identifying devices through these port names, and determining if they are accessible on the target server, allowing for seamless migration of the operating system without extensive SAN reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional operating system migration techniques are used, then the operating system can be migrated from source to target server, but extensive reconfiguration of the SAN is required to maintain access rights
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the source World Wide Port Name (WWPN) on the target server through virtualization. Instead of physically reconfiguring SAN connections, a virtual WWPN is assigned to the target server's virtual SAN interface adapter, which mirrors the source WWPN's access rights. This allows the migrated operating system to access storage devices through the virtualized adapter without requiring actual SAN reconfiguration, effectively copying the identity and permissions of the source adapter.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual SAN interface adapter acts as an intermediary between the migrated operating system and the physical SAN infrastructure. It decouples the operating system from direct physical SAN connections, allowing the OS to access storage through virtualized interfaces while the physical SAN configuration remains unchanged. This intermediary layer handles the translation and mapping of virtual WWPNs to physical storage resources.
2Reliability
If SAN zoning and LUN masking are maintained for security and data integrity, then storage access control is preserved, but migration requires extensive reconfiguration of these zoning settings
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualization process copies the source WWPN's zoning and LUN masking permissions to the virtual WWPN assigned on the target server. This allows the target server to inherit the same storage access control rights as the source server without requiring administrators to manually reconfigure SAN zones or LUN masks. The virtualized adapter maintains identical access control characteristics, preserving security and data integrity while eliminating time-consuming reconfiguration tasks.
3Reliability
If physical SAN connections are reconfigured for migration, then access rights can be maintained, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical process of physically reconfiguring SAN connections with a software-based virtualization approach. Instead of manually changing physical cable connections, switch configurations, or adapter settings, the system uses virtual WWPN assignment and software-based mapping to maintain SAN access rights. This substitution transforms a cumbersome manual process into an automated software operation that preserves access rights without physical intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
Maintaining SAN access rights during migration of operating systems including assigning, to a virtual SAN interface adapter of a source virtualization intermediary (SVI') on the source server, at least two world wide port names (WWPN), identifying devices coupled for data communications to the SVI through the primary WWPN; selecting a target physical SAN interface adapter on a target server available to a target virtualization intermediary (?TVI') having a target virtual SAN interface adapter; assigning to the target virtual SAN interface adapter the secondary WWPN; identifying devices coupled for data communications to the TVI through the secondary WWPN; determining whether the devices coupled to the SVI through the primary WWPN are also coupled to TVI through the secondary WWPN; migrating the operating system from the source server to the target server if the devices coupled to the SVI through the primary WWPN are also coupled to TVI through the secondary WWPN.