Patent ID: 7089293
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. In an IP data network including a network management system (NMS), a switch element operable to communicate with the NMS via the IP network, and at least one remote SCSI device attached to the switch element, a method of automatically discovering the remote SCSI device via the network, the method comprising: assigning, in the switch element, an IP address for the remote SCSI device; creating, in the switch element, an address resolution protocol (ARP) table including a table entry for the remote SCSI device, the ARP table entry providing a mapping between the IP address and a physical address corresponding to the remote SCSI device; receiving, at the switch element, a query representative of a request to discover SCSI devices; returning, in response to receipt of the query, the ARP entry for the remote SCSI device; receiving, at the switch element, in response to return of the ARP entry, an echo request for the remote SCSI device; translating, at the switch element, the echo request into a SCSI read request; transmitting the SCSI read request from the switch element to the remote SCSI device; and if the SCSI read request successfully completes, returning an echo reply in response to the echo request, the echo reply notifying the NMS of the existence of the remote SCSI device attached to the switch element and verifying that the NMS can access the remote SCSI device, or if the SCSI read request fails, not responding to the echo request.