Importance

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Abstract

An analyzer for a storage network attached to a host computer system through multiple controllers receives information from each controller concerning a shared storage network bus, and resolves incomplete information received from one controller using information received by another controller. Unknown devices are resolved by selecting devices known to multiple controllers as cross-reference objects, determining sets of possible placements for an unresolved device, and finding one possible placement common to each set. Preferably, the network analyzer is part of a larger distributed storage management program which supports management of storage networks connected to multiple host computer systems through one or more controllers in each respective host, the distributed management program comprising a central manager and a separate agent in each host, the analyzer being part of the agent. Each agent independently collects data from the network(s) attached to its host, analyzes the network(s), builds data structures representing the network(s), and uses the data structures to service information requests from the central manager.

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First Claim