Patent ID: 7577802
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: determining, by a monitor, that the monitor requires temporary access to a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) Enclosure Services (SES) path device that is owned by a first host, the first host currently having a persistent reservation on the SES path device and the monitor configured not to perform storage operations; checking an enclosure, by the monitor, for an available path device; in response to no available path device, clearing transiently by the monitor the persistent reservation of the first host and accessing transiently, by the monitor, the SES path device; placing, by the monitor, a transient reservation on the SES path device, the transient reservation preventing any other host from placing a new persistent reservation on the SES path device until the monitor is done using the SES path device for the monitor's required temporary access; removing, by the monitor, the transient reservation placed on the SES path device by the monitor, removing allowing the first host to place a persistent reservation on the SES path device during a periodic check performed by the first host, the periodic check determining that the first host does not have a persistent reservation on the SES path device; and in response to the periodic check determining that the first host does not have a persistent reservation on the SES path device, renewing, by the first host, the persistent reservation, previously owned by the first host, on the SES path device.