Abstract:
A method for operating a storage system, which includes a plurality of storage networks, a gateway device to which the storage networks are connected, and a server device connected to the gateway device, comprises: providing a management computer that is connected to the server device and that is for getting hold of a usage state of storages connected to the respective storage networks; and changing a path setting of the gateway device in accordance with information notified from the management computer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a method for operating a storage system and, more particularly, to a technology for enabling a storage operator managing a data center or the like to perform storage operation efficiently.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    A progress in IT technology has brought about a greater demand for a mechanism to efficiently manage enormous data. Recently, a large number of so-called data centers have been managed for business purposes of providing storage areas.  
           [0005]    Data centers are used by many customers for various purposes. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to accurately estimate the amount of storage area necessary for the management of the data center. Consequently, a contradicting situation may occur. For example, there may be a data center in which the capacity of necessary storage area has been overestimated and that holds superfluous free space area, resulting in enormous operation costs. On the other hand, there may be a data center which has underestimated the capacity of necessary storage area and is short of free space area, resulting in difficulties in system management such as impossibility of increasing the storage area when it is necessary. It is normal that the data center holding the superfluous free space area would like to use the free space area to make profits, and that the data center which has underestimated the storage area and is suffering from difficulties in system management would like to use a mechanism that would enable quick expansion of storage area when the free space area becomes short.  
           [0006]    Therefore, in order to fulfill the needs of both such data centers and also to solve the contradiction, the inventors of the present invention have conceived an idea of providing a mechanism for data centers to mutually rent storage areas through a communication line. In other words, according to the present concept, data centers holding superfluous free area can change the free storage area, which used to be a negative property, into a profitable source by collecting rental fees, and on the other hand, data centers that could not expand their storage area are able to quickly expand their storage area by renting the storage area through the communication line.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is made based on the foregoing concept, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage system operating method which enables a storage operator managing a data center or the like to perform storage operation efficiently.  
           [0008]    According to a main aspect of the present invention to attain the object, a method for operating a storage system, which includes a plurality of storage networks, a gateway device to which the storage networks are connected, and a server device connected to the gateway device, comprises: providing a management computer that is connected to the server device and that is for getting hold of a usage state of storages connected to the respective storage networks; and changing a path setting of the gateway device in accordance with information notified from the management computer. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The present invention and its advantages can be understood more fully upon reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage service system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining a process carried out on rental application according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a rental application screen according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a rental permission approval screen according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of path setting of a gateway device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining rental application according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a rental cancellation application screen according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining a rental cancellation process according to the embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a rental cancellation notification screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    At least the following will become apparent by the description of the specification and the accompanying drawings.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage service system, which is described as an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a service center  10  is managed by a service trader which sells and rents storage to providers A, B and C. Data centers  20  are managed by the providers A, B and C.  
         [0021]    In each data center  20 , a storage area network (SAN)  30  is configured. Host computers  35  (referred to as “hosts” hereinafter) used for various purposes such as web server management and a database system, and storages  40  that are storage resources for the hosts  35  are connected to each of the SANs  30 . In the embodiment, the storage  40  is assumed to be, for example, a disk array device. However, the storage  40  is not limited to such a device.  
         [0022]    In the service center  10  the following devices are operated: a gateway device  60  which is connected to the SANs  30  by appropriate communication means  50  such as a private line, the Internet or a public communication network; and a server device  70  which is connected to the gateway device  60  and is provided with a function for setting paths of the gateway device  60  using a zoning function, an LU masking function or the like. The gateway device  60  in the present embodiment is a Fibre Channel switch. In the server device  70 , various software applications are operated to carry out various processes such as state management and history management of usage of the storages  40  provided by the service trader, and billing management of rented storages  40 .  
         [0023]    A management computer  80  is provided in each of the data centers  20 . The management computer  80  is connected to the storages  40  through a communication line (not shown), which may be, for example, an IP network or based on simple network management protocol (SNMP) or SCSI, to get hold of the usage state, such as remaining capacity, of the storages  40 . The management computer  80  is also connected to the server device  70  through appropriate communication means  90  such as a private line or the Internet.  
         [0024]    The service trader provides services so that a storage area supplied from the unused storage  40  in a certain data center  20  can be rented out to another data center  20 . Rental can be carried out according to various units: per storage  40 ; per physical device, such as a disk unit mounted on a disk array device; per predetermined area of the physical device; or per logical device, which is defined among a plurality of physical devices.  
         [0025]    In the server device  70 , a storage database used for performing such services is operated. In the storage database is registered information about the storages  40  supplied by the service trader to the data centers  20 . The information may include: IDs of the data centers  20  in which the storages  40  are provided, the IDs being registered in association with the IDs of those storages; IDS of the providers which manage the data centers  20 ; and information about performance, such as total capacity and reading/writing speed of the storages  40 .  
         [0026]    [Rental Application] 
         [0027]    Now, a process carried out on rental application will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. As shown in the flowchart, an operator of a data center  20  operates a management computer  80  to carry out the rental application. FIG. 3 shows a rental application screen which is shown on the display of the management computer  80  when the operator performs application. With reference to the screen, the operator studies the usage state, such as a remaining capacity, of a storage  40  owned or rented by a provider, and decides whether or not to carry out the rental application.  
         [0028]    If the operator decides to apply for rental, the operator specifies, for example, a size of a storage area to be rented, a desired period of use, or a billing method on the screen shown in FIG. 3 and then presses the “YES” button thereon. Then, communication data indicating a request for the rental application and the specified information is sent from the management computer  80  to the server device  70  through the communication means  90  (S 210 ). The communication data contains additional information such as a user ID given to each provider or information about the billing method.  
         [0029]    Receiving the communication data, the server device  70  retrieves a storage  40  which matches the conditions (specifications) specified in the communication data, such as the size of the storage area to be rented and the desired period of use, from a storage database (S 220 ). In this retrieval, a plurality of storages that match the condition may be retrieved. In such a case, selection of a storage  40  can be carried out, for example, by selecting a specific storage  40  automatically in accordance with selection conditions preset by the provider, such as inexpensive use fees, a fast operation speed, and a long-term availability, or by sending a screen urging the operator to select a storage from the server device  70  to the management computer  80  to make the operator select a storage  40 .  
         [0030]    Next, the server device  70  transmits an ID of the retrieved storage and communication data for requesting rental permission approval of that storage to a management computer  80  of a data center  20  that has the retrieved storage  40  through the communication means  90  (S 230 ). When the communication data arrives, the management computer  80  displays a rental permission approval screen (an example is shown in FIG. 4) on a display (S 240 ). Here, when the operator presses the “YES” button on the screen, communication data indicating permission for using that storage  40  is sent from the management computer  80  to the server device  70  through the communication means  90  (S 250 , S 260 ).  
         [0031]    Receiving the communication data, the server device  70  performs path setting of the gateway device  60  so that the storage  40  can be accessed from a predetermined host  35  of the data center  20  managed by the provider which-has made the rental application (S 270 ). The path setting in this case is carried out by a function of the gateway device  60  such as zoning or LU masking. After the path setting, the server device  70  transmits to the management computer  80  a notification notifying that the rental has started, and at the same time, registers, in the storage database and corresponding to the ID of the storage, that the storage is being rented (S 280 ).  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 shows an example of a zoning setting in the above case. The zoning setting is carried out, for example, by allocating to a port “a” of the gateway device  60  a world wide name (WWN) specific to a host bus adapter (HBA) for a Fibre Channel of the host  35  that has been permitted access. Information necessary for this path setting, such as the WWN of each host  35  and each storage  40  which are provided in each data center  20 , is stored and managed in the database by the server device  70 .  
         [0033]    [Automation of Contract Confirmation] 
         [0034]    The foregoing rental application method employs a configuration in which the operator monitors the usage state of the storage  40 . However, another configuration can be employed in which the operation is automatically carried out by the server device  70 . Hereinafter, such an embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0035]    In each host  35 , an agent program  38  is operated. The agent program  38  has a function of sending, to the server device  70  at a proper timing, an ID of the storages  40  to be monitored and communication data indicating the usage state (e.g., remaining capacity) of each storage  40 , the usage state being obtained by real-time monitoring of states of the storages  40  (remaining capacity and the like) through an IP network or communication means (not shown) based on protocols such as simple network management protocol (SNMP) or SCSI.  
         [0036]    The server device  70  stores and manages, in a database in accordance with each storage ID, the usage state of the storages  40  described in the communication data sent at a proper timing from the agent program  38 , and gets hold of a real-time usage state of the storages  40 , such as the remaining capacity, provided in each data center  20  (S 310 ).  
         [0037]    In the server device  70 , a rental condition database is operated. In this database, a rental condition of each storage  40  is registered corresponding to the storage ID given to each storage  40 . A rental condition may be such that, for example, rental is started if a storage capacity of a predetermined size or more is not used for a predetermined period of time. The rental condition is usually set by the provider. The provider can operate the management computer  80  to register the rental condition in the database, or can have the service trader register the rental condition by informing the service trader the rental condition with telephone, FAX, mail or the like.  
         [0038]    The server device  70  compares at a proper timing, such as at regular intervals, a real-time usage state of the storage  40  sent from the agent program  38  with the rental start condition registered in the rental condition database (S 320 ). If the usage state meets the rental start condition, the server device  70  transmits the aforementioned rental approval application screen (S 330 ). The processes that take place after this, in other words, the processes from predetermined path setting of the gateway  60  until the rental start of the storage  40  is similar to that of the foregoing case (process of S 250  and after in FIG. 2), and so description thereof will be omitted.  
         [0039]    [Cancellation Process] 
         [0040]    Cancellation of a rented storage is carried out by an operator of a data center through a rental cancellation application screen (such as that shown in FIG. 7) displayed on a management computer  80 . If there are a plurality of rented storages, a screen that lists all of the rented storages may be displayed before displaying the screen of FIG. 7. The operator selects a storage from the list, and then the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. Hereinafter, the process of rental cancellation will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 8.  
         [0041]    On the rental cancellation application screen, the usage state, the remaining capacity, a change in usage capacity and the like of a storage  40  are also displayed. If there is a request for a backup of data or transfer of data to another storage, such as a newly introduced storage, on cancellation, the request can be designated through the screen. To carry out cancellation, the operator of a data center  20  presses the “YES” button on the screen. Accordingly, the management computer  80  transmits to the server device  70  the ID of the provider and communication data indicating the request for cancellation and the ID of the storage  40  to be cancelled (S 410 ).  
         [0042]    Receiving the communication data, the server device  70  changes the path setting of the gateway device  60  so that the provider can no longer use the storage  40  (S 420 ). Then, taking the provider ID and the storage ID indicated in the received communication data as keys, the server device  70  performs a search through the storage database and deletes the registration indicating that the storage under that ID is being rented (S 430 ).  
         [0043]    After the completion of the above process, the server device  70  transmits a rental cancellation notification screen, such as the screen shown in FIG. 9, that shows rental fees or the like calculated in accordance with the billing method that is stored and managed to each management computer  80  of the borrower data center  20  that borrowed the storage and the lender data center  20  that rented out the storage (S 440 ).  
         [0044]    As a method for billing the rental fees, for example, it is possible to perform billing in accordance with information on specifications of the rented storage, a usage capacity of a rented storage area, usage time, or other such information that has been comprehended by the server device  70  or an agent program  38 . As another method, it is possible to calculate the usage fees in a manner that the server device  70  monitors an amount of data flowing through the gateway device  60  and/or the elapsed time from when the path setting of the gateway device  60  was changed, and the amount of data and/or the elapsed time are used as parameters. In the latter case, for example, by using the ID of the transmitter and the ID of the receiver that are described in the data passing through the gateway device  60 , the parameters can be monitored and comprehended for each storage  40 , each provider and each data center.  
         [0045]    On the screen of FIG. 7, if instructions to back-up data have been given, upon cancellation of the rental contract, the data in a rented storage area is backed up off-line to a backup medium, and then deleted from the rented storage area. If instructions to transfer data have been given, the service trader transfers the backed-up data to another storage  40  on-line or by taking the backup medium to a data center  20  that has the storage  40 .  
         [0046]    Further, the server device  70  can estimate a change in the remaining capacity of the storage  40  that may occur in the future, notify such estimation to the management computers  80 , and carry out rental application automatically based on the estimation. This can be done, for example, by storing in the database a history of a usage state sent from an agent program  38 , and using this history, for example, to apply an approximate expression for the change over time in the remaining capacity in the past.  
         [0047]    Further, there may be a situation in which the storages  40  can be shared among the plurality of data centers  20  by using the service according to the above-mentioned embodiments and also methods other than the service described above. In this case, by configuring the communication means between the data centers  20  used in the aforementioned service independent of communication means used in the other method, it becomes possible to easily obtain information about the amount of data or the like necessary for the billing process in the aforementioned service.  
         [0048]    The storage  40  may be a component of a network attached storage (NAS).  
         [0049]    As described above, according to the storage system operating method of the present invention, a storage operator managing a data center or the like can perform storage operation efficiently.  
         [0050]    Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from spirit and scope of the inventions as defined by the appended claims.