Patent ID: 8001267
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to automatically verify access to a multipathed target at boot time, the apparatus comprising: a processor and a memory connected to the processor, the memory comprising: an identification module configured to identify a plurality of network paths from a computing device to a target data storage device during a Basic Input Output Software (“BIOS”) boot process of the computing device, each of the plurality of network paths providing a path to the target data storage device such that access to target data stored on the target data storage device is available via each of the plurality of network paths, wherein the target data storage device is a remote storage device and wherein the computing device is configured to remotely boot an operating system from the remote target data storage device across one of the plurality of identified network paths, the identification module further configured to retrieve a data structure containing identification information in response to initiation of the BIOS boot process; a selection module configured to automatically select at least one of the plurality of network paths to the target data storage device during the BIOS boot process; and a verification module configured to verify access on at least one selected network path to the target data storage device during the BIOS boot process and to abandon an attempt to connect to the target data storage device in response to the passing of a predetermined timeout period, wherein the selection module is further configured to select a new network path to the target data storage device for verification in response to a failed attempt to verify access to the target data storage device using a previously selected network path.