System and method for managing devices

A device which is subject to management by the management unit comprises a storage region for storing device status information, which is information indicating a status relating to the device, and control sections for sending the device status information stored in this storage region to the management unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application relates to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-157180, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-339805, filed on Nov. 25, 2004 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technology for managing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A method for managing devices is known in which a terminal for maintaining devices (hereafter, called a “maintenance terminal”) is prepared, the maintenance terminal thus prepared is connected to a device, and the status of the device is acquired by operating the maintenance terminal.

A generic computer may be used as the device subject to maintenance, for example. When carrying out maintenance tasks with respect to a plurality of generic computers, a technique as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-47898, for example, can be employed. According to this technology, a SVP (Service Processor) is installed in each of the plurality of generic computers. Each SVP is connected to the other SVPs. A maintenance work console is connected to one of the plurality of SVPs. The maintenance work console is able to send a maintenance procedure to the other SVPs, via the SVP to which it is connected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, it is also possible to employ a storage control device comprising a plurality of storage device (for example, hard disk drives) as the device that is managed. It should be desirable from the viewpoint of the user to employ a storage control device that is inexpensive but affords high reliability. Moreover, it should also be desirable to provide a configuration whereby a storage system of larger capacity can be constructed by adding on storage control devices. The present inventors devised a management method by envisaging cases such as this.

FIG. 1is an example of the composition of a storage system devised by the present inventors.

A plurality of (for example, two) storage control devices401A and401B are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network)416. The storage control devices401A and401B have substantially the same composition. Therefore, inFIG. 1, for the plurality of the storage control devices401A and401B, the same parent reference number is applied to constituent elements that are the same, and different subsidiary symbols (A or B) are applied after these parent numbers, for the sake of convenience. Where a constituent element is described using the parent number only, the description applies to all such elements, whatever their subsidiary symbol. Below, the storage control device401A is described as a representative example.

A host device421afor sending a data write command or read command (hereafter, called “I/O request”) is connected to the storage control device401A. The storage control device401A comprises a shared memory (hereafter, SM)405A, a cache memory (hereafter, “CM”)406A, one or a plurality of channel adapters (hereafter, CHA)402A, one or a plurality of disk adapters (hereafter, DKA)403A, a coupled logic section407A, a storage device404A, an environment monitoring section408A, a sub-service processor (hereafter, S-SVP)409A, and a service processor (hereafter, SVP)410A.

The CHA402A is provided with a channel port section411A connected to a host device421A, a data transfer section412A for transferring data, and a local memory (hereafter, LM)441A capable of storing computer programs, such as a control program443A. Furthermore, the CHA402A also comprises a microprocessor (hereafter, MP)413A for reading in computer programs, such as the control program443A, from the LM441A, and a LAN controller (hereafter, LANC)415A for controlling communications via the LAN416. The processing implemented by the CHA402A can be controlled by the MP413A. By means of the MP413A, data is transferred between the host device421A and the CM406A, via the channel port section411A, the data transfer section412A and the coupled logic section407A.

The DKA403A comprises a drive port section514A connected to the storage device404A, a data transfer section512A for performing data transfer, and an LM541A capable of storing computer programs, such as the control program543A. The DKA403A also comprises an MP513A which reads in computer programs, such as the control program543A, from the LM541A, and a LANC515A which controls communications via the LAN416. The processing implemented by the DKA403A can be controlled by the MP513A. By means of the MP513A, data is transferred between the CM406and the storage device404A, via the coupled logic section407A and the drive port section514A.

The coupled logic section407A connects together the CHAs402A, the DKAs403A, the CM406A and the SM405A. The coupled logic section407A may be composed, for example, in the form of a high-speed bus, such as an ultra-high-speed cross-bar switch, which performs data transfer by means of a high-speed switching operation. Furthermore, the coupled logic section407A may also be constituted by a communications network, such as a LAN or SAN, and furthermore, it may also be constituted by a plurality of networks, as well as the aforementioned high-speed bus.

For the storage device404A, it is possible to use devices such as a hard disk, flexible disk, magnetic tape, semiconductor memory, optical disk, or the like.

The environment monitoring section408A is a device for monitoring the environmental status relating to the storage control device401A. The environmental monitor section408A is connected to a variety of sensors423A, such as temperature sensors, for example, and it is able to determine various environmental statuses (such as the power source of the storage control device401A, the temperature at a particular position, the rotating/non-rotating status of the cooling fan, and the like), from the signal value from the various sensors423A. The environmental monitor section408A transfers information indicating the determined environmental status (hereinafter, called “environmental status information”) to the S-SVP409A, via a signal line417A, at periodic intervals or prescribed timings (for example, when the determined environmental status indicates an abnormality).

The S-SVP409A is a device (such as a circuit board) fitted with a microprocessor427A. The S-SVP409A converts the environmental status information from the environmental monitor section408A into a format that can be interpreted by the SVP410A, and it transfers the converted environmental status information to the SVP410A. Furthermore, the S-SVP409A monitors whether or not the SVP410A is operating normally, for example.

The SVP410A is a device used by an administrator in order to maintain or manage the storage control device401A. The SVP401A is provided with both a control system and an input/output system, and it may be a notebook PC, for example. More specifically, for example, the SVP410A comprises an input/output device435A and a management unit445A. The input/output device435A comprises an input device, such as a keyboard, and an output device, such as a display screen. The management unit445A is a device (a circuit board such as a motherboard) that is provided with a processor431A, a storage region (for example, a memory)433A, and a LANC471A. The processor431A receives environmental status information from the S-SVP409A, and stores the received environmental status information in the storage region433A. Furthermore, the processor431A sets information input from the input/output device435A in the CHAs402A or the DKAs403A, and displays the environmental status information stored in the storage region433A on the input/output device435A.

The foregoing provides an example of the composition of a storage system devised by the present inventors.

It is also possible to use a personal computer, for example, as an SVP410. However, the cost of a personal computer is high. Since at least one SVP410is installed in each storage control device401, the greater the number of storage control devices401provided in one storage system, the greater the number of SVPs, and hence the greater the cost.

Therefore, the present inventors attempted to manage a plurality of storage control devices401by means of one SVP410(for example, the management unit445in the SVP410, in particular) However, it was discovered that handling a plurality of storage control devices401by means of one SVP410is not straightforward, due to the following two typical reasons.

(1) First Reason

When one SVP410is used, in the storage control devices401that are not installed with the SVP410, the environmental monitor section408or the S-SVP409is connected to the LAN416. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a LANC or an equivalent function, in the environment monitoring section408or the S-SVP409. However, in this case, since the cost of the environment monitoring section408or S-SVP409installed in each storage control device401is high, there is no substantial merit in managing a plurality of storage control devices401by means of a single SVP410.

(2) Second Reason

In a particular storage system, an IP address is assigned to the plurality of MPs413and513installed in the CHAs402and the DKAs403, on the basis of the serial number of the storage control device401in which they are installed. Even if the serial number for any given model is a unique number for that model, it may not be unique with respect to other models and hence it is possible that the same serial number may exist. Therefore, when seeking to manage a plurality of storage control devices401by means of a single SVP410, the SVP410may not be able to identify the MP413or513uniquely. For example, the IP address of the MP413A in the storage control device401A and the IP address of the MP413B in another storage control device401B may be the same.

The aforementioned problems are not limited to cases where the object of maintenance is a storage control device, and they may also arise in the case of other types of device.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to resolve problems arising when a plurality of devices are managed by one management unit.

Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

The system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a management unit; a first device connected to the management unit; and a second device connected to the management unit. The first device comprises: a first storage region for storing first device status information which is information indicating a status relating to the first device; and a first control section for sending first device status information stored in the first storage region to the management unit. The second device comprises: a second storage region for storing second device status information which is information indicating a status relating to the second device; and a second control section for sending second device status information stored in the second storage region to the management unit.

Here, the first device and second device are the devices managed by the management unit. The first device and second device maybe personal computers, or storage control devices, for example. This system may be employed with a mainframe system or an open type storage system.

Moreover, the management unit may be set in at least the control system, of the control system and the input/output system. More specifically, for example, the management unit may be a circuit board, such as a motherboard. A processor and a memory, or the like, may be mounted on this circuit board.

In one embodiment of this system, the first control section and the management unit can be connected by means of a communications network. The second control section and the management unit can be connected by means of the communications network or another communications network. The system may comprise a subsidiary management unit for managing whether or not the management unit is operating normally. The subsidiary management unit is not connected to the communications network or the other communications network, but is connected to the management unit.

In a second embodiment of this system, the first device and the second device may respectively have a first ID and a second ID. There may be cases where the second ID of the first device and the second ID of the second device are the same as each other, even if the first ID of the first device and the first ID of the second device are different to each other. The first control section, the second control section and the management unit may be connected to a communications network which allows communications to be performed on the basis of IP addresses. The management unit may generate a first IP address on the basis of the second ID of the first device, generate a second IP address on the basis of the second ID of the second device, check whether or not the first IP address and the second IP address are mutually duplicating, and output the result of the check.

Here, the first ID is a device name or model name, for example. The second ID is the serial number of the device, for example.

In a third embodiment of this system, the first device may further comprise a first status writing unit which inputs a status relating to the first device, and writes the information indicating a status thus input, to the first storage region, as the first device status information. The second device may further comprise a second status writing unit which inputs a status relating to the second device, and writes the information indicating a status thus input, to the second storage region, as the second device status information.

In a fourth embodiment of this system, the first control section may be a first processor which operates by reading in a first computer program. The second control section may be a second processor which operates by reading in a second computer program. The first device may comprise a first memory having a plurality of storage regions including the first storage region. The second device may comprises a second memory having a plurality of storage regions including the second storage region. The first computer program read in by the first processor may refer to the first storage region, and if it detects that the first device status information is stored in the first storage region, then it may send the first device status information to the management unit; and the second computer program read in by the second processor may refer to the second storage region, and if it detects that the second device status information is stored in the second storage region, then it may send the second device status information to the management unit.

In a fifth embodiment of this system, in the fourth embodiment, at least the first device may be a storage control device provided with a storage device capable of storing data. The storage control device may be connected to a host device which transmits a write command for writing data to the storage device or a read command for reading out data from the storage device. If the first computer program seeks to refer to the first storage region while the write command or the read command is being processed, then the first computer program may refer to the first storage region when the processing of the write command or read command has finished. Furthermore, the storage device may be a physical storage device or a logical storage device, for example. Moreover, the storage control device may be a personal computer, a hard disk drive comprising hard disks, or a disk array device comprising a plurality of storage devices, for example.

In a sixth embodiment of this system, the first device and the second device may respectively have a first ID and a second ID. There may be cases where the second ID of the first device and the second ID of the second device are the same as each other, even if the first ID of the first device and the first ID of the second device are different to each other. The first control section may be a first processor which operates by reading in a first computer program. The second control section may be a second processor which operates by reading in a second computer program. The first processor, the second processor and the management unit may be connected to a communications network which allows communications to be performed on the basis of IP addresses. The system may comprise a subsidiary management unit for managing whether or not the management unit is operating normally. The subsidiary management unit is not connected to the communications network, but is connected to the management unit. The management unit may generate a first IP address on the basis of the second ID of the first device, generate a second IP address on the basis of the second ID of the second device, check whether or not the first IP address and the second IP address are mutually duplicating, and output the result of the check. The first device may comprise a first memory having a plurality of storage regions including the first storage region, and a first status writing unit which inputs a status relating to the device, and writes the information indicating a status thus input, to the first storage region, as the first device status information. The second device may comprise a second memory having a plurality of storage regions including the second storage region, and a second status writing unit which inputs a status relating to the device, and writes the information indicating a status thus input, to the second storage region, as the second device status information. The first computer program read in by the first processor may refer to the first storage region, and if it detects that the first device status information is stored in the first storage region, then it sends the first device status information to the management unit via the communications network. The second computer program read in by the second processor may refer to the second storage region, and if it detects that the second device status information is stored in the second storage region, then it may send the second device status information to the management unit via the communications network.

The principles of the system described above may be applied to devices or methods which are subject to management.

For example, the device according to a second aspect of the present invention can be connected to a management unit and may comprise a storage region for storing device status information, which is information indicating a status relating to the device; and a control section for transmitting the device status information stored in the storage region to the management unit.

Moreover, for example, the method according to a third aspect of the present invention may comprise the steps of: storing first device status information which is information indicating a status relating to a first device, in a first storage region; sending the first device status information stored in the first storage region to a management unit; storing second device status information which is information indicating a status relating to a second device, in a second storage region; and sending the second device status information stored in the second storage region to the management unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Below, several practical examples relating to one embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 2shows an example of the composition of the storage system relating to one embodiment of the present invention. The storage system shown inFIG. 2is an improvement of the storage system shown inFIG. 1. Therefore, the same reference numerals are applied to constituent elements which do not contain any substantial improvement with respect to the same constituent elements shown inFIG. 1, and different reference numerals are applied to constituent elements which do contain an improvement. The following description will focus on the points of improvement (changes) with respect to the storage system illustrated in FIG.1, by referring toFIG. 2. Parts of the description which would duplicate the description given above are omitted or abbreviated here. Furthermore, in the following description, the storage control device601A is taken as a representative example, but unless stated explicitly otherwise, the composition of the storage control device601A can also be applied to the other storage control device601B.

A storage region (hereafter, status storage region)661A for storing environmental status information is prepared in a prescribed location of the SM605A. The SM605A comprises a further storage region, namely, a control storage region663A storing a table, or the like, for managing the logical volumes provided in at least one storage device404A, for example.

The environment monitoring section608A is connected to various sensors423A, such as temperature sensors, for example, and it is able to determine environmental statuses (for example, the power supply of the storage control device601A, the temperature at a certain position, the operational status of the cooling fan, or the like) on the basis of the signal values from the various sensors423A. The environment monitoring section608A may be constituted by a hardware circuit, software or a combination of these. The environment monitoring section608A is connected to the SM605(either directly) or via the coupled logic section407A. The environment monitoring section408A stores environmental status information indicating the detected environmental statuses, in a status storage region661A of the SM605A, either periodically or at prescribed timings (for example, if the determined environmental status indicates an abnormality). In so doing, the environment monitoring section608A may convert the environmental status information into a format that can be interpreted by the management unit645, and it may store the converted environmental status information in the status storage region661A.

The coupled logic section607A connects together the CHAs702A, DKAs703A, the CM406A, the SM605A and the environment monitoring section608A.

The MP613A of the CHA702A and the MP713A of the DKA703A also refer to the status storage region661A at regular or irregular intervals. Here, if the MPs613A and713A, for example, are processing an I/O request, the processing of the I/O request is prioritized and the processing for referring to the status storage region661A is not performed. When the processing of the I/O request has finished, the processing for referring to the status storage region661A is then implemented. Furthermore, if, for example, the MP613A detects, before the MP713A, that environmental status information has been stored which has not yet been read out by either MP, then the MP613A reads out this environmental status information from the status storage region661A, and it sends the environmental status information thus read out to the management unit645, via the LANC415A. In this case, the MP613A is able to convert the environmental status information read out into a format that can be interpreted by the management unit645, and it can send the converted environmental status information to the management unit645. Furthermore, the MP613A may also establish the fact that the environmental status information has been read out, in respect of environmental status information that has been read out. More specifically, for example, the MP613A may delete the environmental status information that has been read out, from the status storage region661A, and it may set a flag in the status storage region661A which indicates that the environmental status information has been read out. Thereby, when the MP613A or another MP subsequently refers to the status storage region661A, it is possible to prevent that MP from reading out again environmental status information that has already been read out. Furthermore, the processing described above relating to the reading and sending of the environmental status information is carried out by a control program643that is read in to the MP. Therefore, it is possible to adopt the same composition for the control program643that is read in to each one of the plurality of MPs613and713. In other words, it is possible to construct a control program643without paying any consideration to which MP the control program is to be read into.

Of the input/output system and the control system of the SVP, the control system, in other words, the management unit645is installed in the storage control device601A. The management unit645receives environmental status information from the MP613A or713A of the storage control device601A in which it is installed, or from the MP613B or713B of a storage control device601B other than the one in which it is installed, and it stores the environmental status information thus received in the storage region633. The management unit645does not necessarily have to be installed in one of the storage control devices601and it may also be connected to the LAN416.

The S-SVP609installed in the storage control device601A is connected to the management unit645and monitors whether or not the management unit645is operating normally. However, the S-SVP609does not receive environmental status information from the environment monitor608A, and therefore it is not required to convert the format of the environmental status information. In this respect, the load on the processor627of the S-SVP609is less than that on the first processor427A. The S-SVP609does not necessarily have to be installed in one of the storage control devices601, either, and it may be connected to the management unit645.

Since one management unit645manages a plurality of storage control devices601A and601B, a management unit645is not installed in the storage control device601B, at the least. Therefore, the S-SVP609is not installed in the storage control device601B either. Even if a composition of this kind is adopted, and even if the storage control device601A and the storage control device601B are devices of the same level, there is no relationship of dependency on another device, such as a master-slave or parent-subsidiary relationship. More specifically, for example, even if a fault occurs in the storage control device601A, this will not necessarily affect the other storage control device601B.

An input/output terminal635is connected to the LAN416. The input/output terminal635inputs information to the management unit645and outputs information from the management unit645. The input/output terminal635may be a personal computer, for example. More specifically, for example, the input/output terminal635may be constituted by a LANC681, a control circuit687provided with a processor (for example, a CPU)683and a storage region (for example, memory)685, an input device691, such as a keyboard, and a display device689comprising a display screen. The environmental status information accumulated in the management unit645is displayed on the display device689, via the LAN416, for example.

The foregoing was a description of the composition of a storage system relating to one embodiment.

In this storage system, a composition is adopted in which the control system of the SVP is installed in the storage control device601A, and the input/output system thereof is not installed in the storage control device601A. However, it is also possible to install an SVP provided with both a control system and an input/output system, in the storage control device601A, and simply to connect a LAN416to the storage control device601A, rather than installing it therein. Furthermore, rather than a LAN416, it is also possible to adopt a communications network of another type (in particular, a network which performs communications on the basis of an Internet protocol, for example.)

In this storage system, by implementing a processing sequence such as that described below, an IP address that is unique within the storage system is assigned to each of the MPs belonging to the storage system.

FIG. 3shows one example of a processing sequence for assigning unique IP addresses for the storage system to the respective MPs in the respective storage control devices.

The storage region633of the management unit645comprises a registration table640, a control program643for the MPs613and713, and an environmental status information storage area691for each of the storage control devices. For each storage control device connected to the LAN416, information is registered in the registration table640, namely, a device ID (for example, a number), a serial number, a calculation result calculated from the serial number using a prescribed formula (for example, the second and third octet of the IP address), the IP address of the MP of the CHA, and the IP address of the MP of the DKA. Furthermore, information indicating where the fourth octet of the IP address of the MP613of the CHA702is located between 40-100, and where the fourth octet of the IP address of the MP713of the DKA703is located between 101-255, is also registered in the registration table640.

In this storage system, for example, the management unit645is able to function as a so-called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

At a prescribed timing or a desired timing indicated by the administrator (for example, the user of the input/output terminal635), the management unit645generates an IP address on the basis of the serial number of the storage control device601installed in the MP forming the connection destination (step S302). The management unit645can identify which of the storage control devices601the MP forming the connection destination is installed in by receiving information relating to the storage control device601where that MP is installed. Moreover, the management unit645is also able to identify the storage control device601by generating a provisional IP address, accessing the MP on the basis of this address, and then receiving information (for example, the vendor name, model name, serial number, and the like) relating to the storage control device601in which the MP is installed, from the MP.

At S302, the management unit645calculates the second and third octet of the IP address on the basis of the serial number, and it can register the calculation results in the registration table640. Furthermore, if the management unit645identifies the fact that a calculation result based on the serial number has already been registered, by referring to the registration table640, then it is able to generate an IP address by using that calculation result, without performing calculation. As a calculation rule for the IP address, for example, the first octet is taken to be “126”, the second and third octets are taken to be calculation results based on the serial number, and the fourth octet is taken to be a value between 40 and 100 in the case of the MP613and a value between101and255in the case of the MP713. Since the serial number may be the same in the case of different models, then according to this calculation rule, the same IP address may be generated for the MP613A and613B of the CHAs602A and603B of different storage control devices.

The management unit645judges refers to the registration table640, and judges whether or not an IP address which duplicates the generated IP address is already present in the registration table640(S303).

If the result of the judgment step in S303indicates that a duplicate IP address is present, then the management unit645causes the two duplicated IP addresses to be displayed on the display device689of the input/output terminal635. If one of the IP addresses is revised by the administrator (S305), then the management unit645is able to register the revised IP address in the registration table640(S306). The management unit645also performs the judgment step in S303for the revised IP address, and if the judgment result is affirmative, then it performs step S304again, whereas if it is negative, then it is able to perform S306. The management unit645may also revise the IP address automatically on the basis of the aforementioned calculation rule. For example, the management unit645may seek to generate non-duplicating IP addresses by setting the number of the fourth octet of the generated IP address (for example,48) to the next number (for example,49).

Provided that a unique, non-duplicating IP address has been generated, the management unit645registers the generated IP address in a suitable location of the registration table640(more specifically, a location corresponding to the MP that has been assigned that IP address) (S306). The management unit645transfers the control program643stored in the storage region633to the connected MP (for example,613A), using this IP address, and it instructs the MP to start up that control program (S307). Thereby, the control program643is read in to the MP from the LM (for example,641A).

Thereupon, the management unit645receives information used for processing the MP that has read in the control program643(hereafter, called “configuration information”), from the input/output terminal635, and it sets up the configuration information thus input (for example, it registers the information in the LM641A) (S308).

The management unit645carries out the processing in steps S302to S308for all of the MPs (S309).

By means of the foregoing processing sequence, it is possible to prevent the existence of duplicated IP addresses in the storage system. In other words, for example, if the storage control device connected to the management unit645is changed from601A to601B, then if measures such as those described above are not adopted, it is not possible to ascertain the IP address that has been assigned to the MPs613A and713A of the storage control device601A. Consequently, there is a risk that an IP address which duplicates an IP address previously assigned to the MP613A or713A may be generated and assigned to the MP613B or713B of the storage control device601B forming the connection destination after switching. However, by adopting the measures described above, it is possible to prevent such situations occurring, in advance.

FIG. 4shows one example of a processing sequence implemented in the storage control device601A until environmental status information is sent to the management unit645.

The environment monitoring section608A takes the detection results from the sensor423A, or the like (for example, a signal value), as environmental status information, and writes this information to the status storage region661A (S350).

At the reference timing (YES at S402), if the MP613A (more specifically, the control program643read in to the MP613A) is currently processing an I/O request when referenced (YES at S403), then the sequence waits until that processing terminates (S404). If the MP613A is not processing an I/O request, then it references the status storage region661A (S405).

If, as a result of S405, environmental status information that has not been read out by any MP is found to be present in the status storage region661A (YES at S406), then the MP613A reads out that environmental status information from the status storage region661A and sends the environmental status information thus read out to the management unit645(S407). The management unit645refers to the registration table640, by using the IP address of the MP to which the environmental status information is to be sent as a key. It then selects a storage destination area from the plurality of environmental status storage areas691(in other words, an area corresponding to the storage control device in which the destination MP is installed)691, and it stores the received environmental status information in the selected area691.

Needless to say, the processing in steps S402to S407may also be carried out by the other MPs713A,613B and713B. Moreover, the MP613A may also establish that the environmental status information has been read out, at step S407, for example. More specifically, for example, the MP613A may delete the environmental status information that has been read out, from the status storage region661A, and it may set a flag in the status storage region661A to indicate that that environmental status information has been read out. In this way, at the following step S406, it is possible to judge whether or not there exists any environmental status information that has been read out.

The foregoing was a description of a first practical example.

In this first practical example, for example, if there are duplicated IP addresses, the management unit645is able to display the two duplicated IP addresses on the display device689, by means of a method such as that shown inFIG. 5, for example. For example, as shown in the example inFIG. 5, if the tag831of a particular storage control device601A has been selected, then the management unit645displays a screen835having that tag and it is able to display information relating to that storage control device601A on the screen835. In this case, if there are duplicated IP addresses, or the like, then the management unit645is able to display common information for a plurality of storage control devices601, even though the tag of one of the plurality of storage control devices601is selected. Furthermore, if the management unit645has received a revised IP address from the administrator, via the input device691and the control circuit687, then it is able to register the revised IP address in the registration table640of the storage region633.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as shown in the example inFIG. 6, each of the storage control devices601may be a so-called rack-mounted device, for example. In other words, the storage control device601A has a frame body700A, for instance, and a plurality of storage devices404A (such as hard disk drives), a CHA702A, DKA703A, CM406A and SM605A, and the like, can be installed inside the frame body700A. Furthermore, the frame body700A comprises a space in which a management unit645can be installed and a space in which an S-SVP609can be installed. The management unit645and S-SVP609are installed detachably in the frame body700A. The composition of the frame body700A may also be applied to the frame body of the other storage control device601B. In other words, in the first practical example, the user is able to select any one storage control device of a plurality of storage control devices, and install a management unit645and S-SVP609in the selected storage control device. Furthermore, in the first practical example, the dimensions of the management unit645and the S-SVP609(the height H and h) may be determined on the basis of prescribed standards (for example, a dimension of 1 U).

Above, according to the first practical example described above, in the respective storage control devices601, the monitoring results for the environmental status (namely, environmental status information) are stored in a status storage region661, which is a prescribed location that can be accessed by a plurality of MPs. The environmental status information stored in this storage region661is read out by the first MP that discovers the information,613or713, and is transferred to the management unit645. In this way, it becomes possible to manage a plurality of storage control devices601A and601B by means of a single management unit645, without making significant design modifications to the constituent elements of the respective storage control devices601A and601B.

According to the first practical example described above, when IP addresses are assigned to the MPs of the respective storage control devices, a check for the presence of duplicated IP addresses is made, and if duplicated IP addresses exist, the IP addresses are revised. Therefore, even if one management unit645controls a plurality of storage control devices601A and601B, it is still possible to assign IP addresses that are unique in the storage system, to the MPs613and713of the storage control devices601.

Moreover, according to the first practical example described above, the management unit645is mounted in the storage control device601A, rather than in an SVP formed by a personal computer. In device to device connections, there is the issue of compatibility between devices, but since personal computers themselves are gradually upgraded, then even if there has been good compatibility with the SVP prior to upgrading, the compatibility with the SVP410may deteriorate after upgrading. According to this first practical example, as described above, since the management unit645is installed in the storage control device601A, rather than in a SVP formed by a personal computer, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of situations of this kind.

SECOND PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

A second practical example of the present invention will now be described. The following description will focus principally on the points of difference with respect to the first practical example.

As shown inFIG. 7, in this second practical example, the storage system may be provided with dual management units645A and645B.

Normally, the main management unit645A operates. The main management unit645A reports the information stored in its own storage region633(for example, the contents of the registration table640) to the management unit645B, at regular or irregular intervals. The subsidiary management unit645B stores the information thus reported in its own storage region633. By means of this processing, it is possible to synchronize the main management unit645A and the subsidiary management unit645B.

The S-SVP609monitors the operational status of the main management unit645A that is functioning. If a problem has occurred in the main management unit645A, then the S-SVP609shuts off the power supply to the main management unit645A and switches on the power supply to the management unit645B, thereby making the subsidiary management unit645A operate as a main management unit.

This system may adopt technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-157180.

Several preferred practical examples of the present invention were described above, but these are examples for the purpose of describing the present invention and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these practical examples only. The present invention may be implemented in various other modes.