Patent ID: 8024426
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method executed by a management server in communication with a switching fabric, the switching fabric being in communication with a host and a data storage, the method comprising: creating a takeover target based on a primary target such that the takeover target has at least some of the same attributes as the primary target, the primary target being part of a virtual data path between the host and the data storage, the data storage comprising a plurality of data storage devices, the primary target facilitating the host performing system input and output operations in connection with data read and write operations on one or more of the data storage devices; modifying metadata associated with the virtual data path to expose the takeover target to the host so that the takeover target becomes part of the virtual data path; and unexposing the primary target from the host so that the primary target is no longer part of the virtual data path; wherein if and only if a delay between exposing the takeover target and unexposing the primary target is below a threshold amount of time, the host does not detect a change of targets in the virtual data path and does not register an error condition with respect to the change of targets in the virtual data path; and wherein if and only if the delay between exposing the takeover target and unexposing the primary target is not below the threshold amount of time, the host detects a change of targets in the virtual data path and registers an error condition with respect to the change of targets in the virtual data path.