Virtual Server Administration via Management Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The administration and management of virtual servers (vfilers) in storage systems are complex and prone to errors due to the need for manual configuration and lack of graphical tools, especially in Storage Service Provider (SSP) environments where customers desire to manage their own vfilers without permissions to access physical storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing virtual servers using management software that enables creation of vfiler administrators with access control permissions, allowing only authorized administrators to access specific vfilers and hiding physical storage system details, thus preventing unauthorized access to confidential information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration commands are executed for each vfiler individually, then customers can manage their own vfilers without permissions to access physical storage systems, but the complexity of system administrators' job increases and errors/mis-configurations become more likely
Solution Approach 1:
A management interface is introduced as an intermediary between customers and vfilers. This interface allows customers to manage their vfilers through a unified graphical user interface without needing direct access to physical storage systems. The management interface handles authentication, presents only relevant vfilers to each customer, and executes configuration commands centrally, thereby reducing administration complexity and error rates while maintaining customer autonomy.
2Ease of operation
If customers can access and manage their vfilers independently, then customer control over their storage resources is improved, but unauthorized access to physical storage system details may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The management interface implements local quality by providing customized views and access rights to different customers. Each customer sees and can only manage their own vfilers through the interface. The system dynamically presents different sets of vfilers based on customer authentication, ensuring that confidential information about other customers' vfilers or physical storage systems remains protected while allowing full control over their own resources.
3Ease of operation
If graphical administration tools are provided for vfiler management, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management interface serves as an intermediary layer that provides graphical administration tools to customers without increasing the complexity of the underlying storage system. The interface translates customer-friendly graphical commands into appropriate configuration commands for vfilers. By centralizing the graphical interface functionality and handling authentication and vfiler presentation logic at the interface layer, the core storage system complexity remains unchanged while customers benefit from improved ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method administers virtual servers executing on one or more physical storage systems. One or more virtual servers are created and associated with a management group. An administrator is then granted permissions to the group. Upon logging into management software, only information relating to the virtual servers associated with the group are displayed to the administrator, thereby limiting access to information related to other virtual servers and/or physical storage systems.