Patent ID: 8271556
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A machine implemented method for a storage environment having a cluster based storage system and a non-cluster based storage system, comprising: (a) collecting information regarding a plurality of components including physical components and logical components of both the cluster based storage system and the non-cluster based storage system; wherein the cluster based storage system includes a plurality of nodes, each node executing a network module for interfacing with other network modules and client computing systems, a storage module for managing storage space at storage devices in a distributed architecture used for storing information for the client computing systems, and the non-cluster based storage system includes a storage server having access to a dedicated storage subsystem for storing information for the client computing systems; (b) generating a hierarchical layout having a plurality of data structures for storing information regarding the plurality of components of both the cluster based storage system and the non-cluster based storage system and maintaining relationships between shared and non-shared components of the cluster based storage system and the non-cluster based storage system for selectably presenting information regarding the physical and logical components of only the cluster based storage system, of only the non-cluster based storage system and for both the cluster based storage system and the non-cluster based storage system; wherein a shared component includes a storage device and a non-shared component includes a global namespace used by the plurality of nodes of the cluster based storage system for accessing storage space; (c) receiving a client request for information regarding a component of the storage environment; (d) retrieving a data structure associated with the component of the storage environment; and (e) presenting information regarding the component in response to the client request.