Patent ID: 7478107
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: G06F,H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method facilitating management of a storage area network, the method comprising: enabling a user to manage a configuration of the storage area network via a guided mode in which a graphical user interface displays, to the user, a set of automatically generated operations to be performed by the user to execute a storage area network management function; enabling the user to manage configuration of the storage area network via an interactive mode in which the graphical user interface enables the user free navigation amongst storage area network resources and initiation of user-generated operations on the storage area network resources to execute the storage area network management function; preserving state information of performed operations associated with the storage area network management function while the user switches between the guided mode and the interactive mode of the graphical user interface; and (a) while in the guided mode: processing input from the user to complete at least one operation of the predefined set of automatically generated operations in furtherance of executing the management function; and generating state information associated with the at least one operation; and (b) while in the interactive mode: displaying preserved state information associated with the at least one operation; and enabling the user to modify the preserved state information associated with the at least one operation based on free navigation amongst storage area network resources and initiation of user-generated operations on the storage area network resources.