Patent ID: 7165152
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for managing access to a storage system by a plurality of devices that are coupled to the storage system via a network, the method including acts of: (a) in response to a non-media access request by a first of the plurality of devices to a logical device at the storage system for which the first device has no data access privileges, determining, based, at least in part, on an identity of the first device, whether the first device is authorized to have non-media access to the logical device; (b) authorizing the non-media access request when it is determined in the act (a) that the first device is authorized to have non-media access to the logical device; wherein the act (a) includes an act of, in response to the non-media access request by the first device to a logical volume of data at the storage system for which the first device has no data access privileges, determining whether the first device is authorized to have non-media access to the logical volume; wherein the act (b) includes an act of authorizing the non-media access request when it is determined in the act (a) that the first device is authorized to have non-media access to the logical volume; and wherein the acts (a) and (b) are performed outside of the storage system.