Patent ID: 7724677
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A connectivity checking method for checking connectivity between a plurality of initiator computers and a plurality of target computers in a storage system, said storage system comprising a plurality of connecting ports for connecting to an Internet Protocol network, and said target computers providing prescribed storage volumes via any of said plurality of connecting ports to said initiator computers connected to said network, said connectivity checking method comprising: configuring at least one data communication path between said target computers and said initiator computers via said connecting ports, and for each said at least one data communication path, storing in a path configuration table a target name that identifies a target computer of the plurality of target computers, an initiator name that identifies an initiator computer of the plurality of initiator computers, and a port name that identifies a prescribed connecting port of the plurality of connecting ports; transmitting an echo request based on an Internet Control Message Protocol from said target computer identified by said stored target name to said initiator computer identified by said stored initiator name via said prescribed connecting port identified by said stored port name of said at least one communication path; determining said connectivity via said at least one data communication path having said prescribed connecting port based on a reachable status of an echo reply in said target computer, said echo reply being transmitted from said initiator computer in response to said transmitted echo request; configuring a new data communication path between said initiator computer and said target computer via a connecting port other than said prescribed connecting port; checking connectivity for said new data communication path; and registering said new data communication path in said path configuration table if it is determined that said connectivity via said new data communication path is normal.