Patent ID: 7680905
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In a first server, a computer-implemented method in which the first server executes instructions retrieved from computer storage for distributing configuration information associated with a storage area network, the computer-implemented method comprising: maintaining a hierarchical tree associated with the storage area network, the hierarchical tree including a first portion for keeping track of references to storage area network resources managed by the first server, the hierarchical tree including a second portion for keeping track of references to storage area network resources managed by a second server; wherein maintaining the hierarchical tree associated with the storage area network includes: receiving a request from a client for a configuration view associated with at least one resource in the storage area network; identifying that respective configuration information associated with the at least one resource is managed by the second server, which is located at a remote location over a communication network with respect to the first server; communicating with the second server to retrieve the configuration view associated with the at least one resource; forwarding the configuration view to the client; maintaining, via the first server, configuration information associated with resources as specified by the first portion of the hierarchical tree, the second server maintaining configuration information associated with resources as specified by the second portion the hierarchical tree; generating a configuration management view including a rendition of the hierarchical tree; forwarding the configuration management view to the client for display of the hierarchical tree on a respective display screen at the client, the hierarchical tree enabling the client to select different configuration views associated with the storage area network; wherein forwarding the configuration to the client view occurs in response to selection of the at least one resource in the hierarchical tree; after forwarding the configuration view associated with the at least one resource to the client, receiving a command to modify the respective configuration information associated with the at least one resource; in response to receiving the command, forwarding the command from the first server over the communication network to the second server; after forwarding the command to the second server, receiving an updated configuration view associated with the at least one resource from the second server; forwarding the updated configuration view from the first server to the client; wherein the client is a first client of multiple clients, and wherein a second client of the multiple clients has direct access to the second server, the second client being restricted to viewing the second portion of the hierarchical tree and for viewing configuration information associated with resources in the second portion; wherein the client is a first client of multiple clients, and wherein a second client of the multiple clients has direct access to the second server, the second client restricted to viewing the second portion of the hierarchical tree and for viewing configuration information associated with resources in the second portion of the hierarchical tree; wherein the first server enables retrieval of configuration view information associated with storage area network resources managed by both the first server and the second server; and wherein the second server enables retrieval of configuration view information associated with storage area network resources managed only by the second server.