Patent ID: 7673031
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method in which a computer system initiates execution of software instructions stored in memory, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a collection of data associated with a resource in a storage area network environment, the collection of data comprising resource specific data collected from the resource, the resource being an unknown resource type that does not initially map to a known resource type based on the resource specific data; modifying the collection of data; identifying a specific identity of the resource based on utilization of the modified collection of data; maintaining a set of mapping information to include multiple entries, each entry enables a mapping between a unique grouping of data and a corresponding specific identity of a storage area network resource that produces at least a portion of the unique grouping of data when queried; in response to receiving the collection of data, and prior to modifying the collection of data, attempting to map the unknown resource type directly to a known resource type, associated with the storage area network environment, by searching a global map of resources; in response to receiving the collection of data, and prior to modifying the collection of data, attempting to map the unknown resource type directly to a known resource type, associated with the storage area network environment, based on a generated user mapping history of resources that are manually mapped in the storage area network environment; in response to attempting to map, failing to map the unknown resource directly to a known resource type; wherein modifying the collection of data includes, subsequent to failing to map, applying a set of exclude patterns that remove data identified as not useful for mapping resources, and applying a set of include patterns that prevent deletion of data identified as useful for mapping resources; and analyzing an arrangement of identified types of resources, according to a set of configuration rules to determine whether the arrangement is compatible for use in the storage area network environment Storing the specific identity of the resource in the set of mapping information.