Patent ID: 8601131
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for performing data storage system management of a data storage system, the method comprising: performing, using an active element manager component, a data storage system management operation in connection with provisioning storage of a data storage device of the data storage system for use by an application, wherein said performing the data storage management operation results in a first error condition; collecting, using said active element manager component, context information, said context information including information about a current state of the data storage system resulting from performing said data storage system management operation, said context information including information regarding said first error condition; providing, by said active element manager component, said context information to a target location in an external environment which has connectivity to said data storage system and is external with respect to a data storage system environment including said data storage system; providing for automatically connecting, by said active element manager component, a current session associated with said data storage system management operation to said target location; and receiving, by said active element manager component, one or more communications from said external environment, wherein said target location is a website and said providing for automatically connecting provides for automatically connecting said current session to said website that sends, to said active element manager for display, first information regarding said current state of the data storage system in accordance with said context information, wherein said active element management component is configured to automatically select said website from a plurality, of different websites in accordance with the first error condition, and wherein when the first error condition relates to a component provided by a vendor of the data storage system, a first of the plurality of websites of the vendor is selected whereby the active element manager automatically connects to the first website, and wherein when the first error condition relates to a component provided by another party other than the vendor a second of the plurality of websites of the another is selected whereby the active element manager automatically connects to the second website, wherein the method further comprises: collecting, at said external environment, user profile information including data associated with each of a plurality of user identifiers, said context information including a first user identifier of said plurality of user identifiers to identify said current session of the active element manager component performing the data storage system management operation, wherein said active element manager component connects to said website including information about said first error condition, and the website includes at least one of: interactive online technical support, and one or more data sources of technical information, and wherein said website selected is the second website which interacts with the first website to obtain information provided to said active element manager component, said first website being provided by said vendor of said data storage system and said second website being provided by a partner of said vendor, said partner being a supplier of said data storage system.