Remote zone management of JBOD systems

Various examples of the present technology provide a method for remotely controlling zone management of a storage system that comprises generating and initializing a network service for a remote device and a new thread for handing commands from the remote device, determining, for each port of a plurality of ports associated with storage devices of a storage system, a corresponding zone group based at least upon zone IDs of the plurality of ports, setting a zoning configuration parameter corresponding to each group of the plurality of zoning groups using a serial protocol (e.g., SAS management protocol (SMP)), and configuring a zone and port mapping table and a zone permission table based at least upon the zoning configuration parameter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to zone management of a storage system in a telecommunications network.

BACKGROUND

Modern server farms or datacenters typically employ a large number of servers to handle processing needs for a variety of application services. Each server handles various operations and requires a certain level of storage capacity to handle these operations. For server systems, it is relatively easy to add storage capacity in Just a Bunch of Disks (JBOD) systems. The JBOD system can be a collection of disk drives contained in a single drive enclosure.

However, zone management of JBOD systems can be tedious and is typically accomplished by executing a serial attached SCSI (SAS) protocol function in a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) console system. A user or operator needs to be present at the JBOD systems to perform the zone management. Thus, there is a need to perform the zone management of the JBOD systems remotely.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods in accordance with various examples of the present technology provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems by combining a network protocol and a SAS management protocol function to control zone management of a storage system (e.g., a JBOD). More specifically, various examples of the present technology provide methods for remotely controlling zone management of a storage system by generating and initializing a network service for a remote device and a new thread for handing commands from the remote device, determining, for each port of a plurality of ports associated with storage devices of a storage system, a corresponding zone group based at least upon zone IDs of the plurality of ports, setting a zoning configuration parameter corresponding to each group of the plurality of zoning groups using a serial protocol (e.g., SAS management protocol (SMP), serial SCSI protocol (SSP), or serial ATA tunneled protocol (STP)), and configuring a zone and port mapping table and a zone permission table based at least upon the zoning configuration parameter. Hardware and memory initiation of the storage system can then be performed based at least upon the zone and port mapping table and the zone permission table.

In some examples, a network service on a storage system is configured to provide a virtual terminal connection and can be generated via an application layer protocol (e.g., a Telnet protocol). For example, user data or command can be interspersed in-band with Telnet control information in an n-bit byte-oriented data connection over a transmission control protocol (TCP).

Some examples provide a means of interaction between a remote device and a storage system using a command-line interface (CLI) where the remote device or a user can input commands in a form of successive lines of text. The CLI includes, but is not limited to, a digital command language (DCL) interface, Unix shell, control program interface for microcomputers (CP/M), command com interface, cmd.exe interface, and resource time sharing system (RSTS) interface. In some examples, the remote device or user can login onto a CLI of the storage system and using an application layer protocol to input zone IDs of the plurality of ports associated with storage devices of the storage system via the CLI.

In response to determining that a first zoning command received from a remote device is not supported on a storage system, some examples receive a second zoning command associated with the storage devices of the storage system to yield the first zoning command. In some examples, an option can be provided for a remote device or user to replace a default CLI generated by the storage system. For example, the option can be a 4DOS for a disk operating system (DOS), 4OS2 for an OS/2 operating system, and take-command for a Window operating system.

In some examples, a zone and port mapping table and a zone permission table are configured for providing an exclusive access control of storage devices of a storage system. A plurality of zone groups is defined based at least upon zone IDs of a plurality of ports associated with the storage devices of the storage system. Each port of the plurality of ports can be assigned to a specific zone group of the plurality of zone group. Computer or server systems that are connected to ports belonging to different zone groups may not recognize each other to prevent illegal disk access.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples of the present technology provide systems and methods for remotely controlling zone management of a storage system. In some examples, methods for remotely controlling zone management of a storage system that comprise generating and initializing a network service for a remote device and a new thread for handing commands from the remote device, determining, for each port of a plurality of ports associated with storage devices of a storage system, a corresponding zone group based at least upon zone IDs of the plurality of ports, setting a zoning configuration parameter corresponding to each group of the plurality of zoning groups using a serial protocol (e.g., SAS management protocol (SMP)), and configuring a zone and port mapping table and a zone permission table based at least upon the zoning configuration parameter.

FIG. 1illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system100containing a storage subsystem102and a server system101in accordance with an implementation of the present technology. In this example, the server system101comprises at least one microprocessor or CPU110connected to a cache111, one or more cooling components112, a main memory (MEM)180, at least one power supply unit (PSU)121that receives an AC power from a power supply120and provides power to the server system101. The storage subsystem102comprises one or more PSUs122that receive an AC power from the power supply120and provides power to the storage subsystem102, at least one expander (e.g., expanders191and192), and a plurality of storage devices (e.g.,1911,1912,1921and1922). The storage devices may include at least one of SCSI (SAS) disk, a serial ATA (SATA) disk, or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage devices may be individual storage devices or may be arranged in a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). Each of the at least one expander is configured to manage one or more storage devices of the storage subsystem102(e.g., receiving commands and routing them to the corresponding storage devices) and communicate with a remote device over a network, a management module, and other expanders of the storage subsystem102. The commands may include read or write commands, information requests, or management commands (e.g., zoning commands). The command can be in a format of text, small computer system interface (SCSI), AT attachment (ATA), or serial ATA (SATA). In this example, the expander191is configured to manage the storage devices1911and1912, while the expander192is configured to manage the storage devices1921and1922.

In this example, the at least one expander (e.g., expanders191and192) can also provide a command-line interface (CLI) between a remote device155and the storage subsystem102. The remote device155or remote user can input commands via the CLI. The CLI includes, but is not limited to, digital command language (DCL), various Unix shells, control program for microcomputers (CP/M), command com, cmd.exe, and resource time sharing system (RSTS) CLI. The remote device155or remote user can login onto a CLI of the storage subsystem102and using an application layer protocol and input zone IDs of a plurality of ports associated with the plurality of storage devices (e.g.,1911,1912,1921and1922) of the storage subsystem102via the CLI.

In some implementations, the expanders of the storage subsystem102are connected to the plurality of storage devices in the storage subsystem102with connection redundancy to protect against a failed communication link (e.g., a failed cable or port, or accidentally unplugged connection). In some implementations, the storage subsystem102and the server system101can be configured on a single rack or different server racks.

The at least one PSU121is configured to supply power to various components of the server system101, such as the CPU110, cache111, NB logic130, PCIe slots160, Memory180, SB logic140, storage device145, ISA slots150, PCI slots170, and controller151. After being powered on, the server system101is configured to load software application from memory, computer storage device, or an external storage device to perform various operations. The hard drive145is structured into logical blocks that are available to an operating system and applications of the server system101and configured to retain server data even when the server system101is powered off. The one or more PSUs122are configured to supply powers to various component of the storage subsystem102, such as the plurality of storage devices, the at least one expander, and one or more cooling components (not shown).

The main memory180can be coupled to the CPU110via a north bridge (NB) logic130. A memory control module (not shown) can be used to control operations of the memory180by asserting necessary control signals during memory operations. The main memory180may include, but is not limited to, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), double data rate DRAM (DDR DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or other types of suitable memory.

In some implementations, the CPU110can be multi-core processors, each of which is coupled together through a CPU bus connected to the NB logic130. In some implementations, the NB logic130can be integrated into the CPU110. The NB logic130can also be connected to a plurality of peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slots160and a south bridge (SB) logic140. The plurality of PCIe slots160can be used for connections and buses such as PCI Express x1, USB 2.0, SMBus, SIM card, future extension for another PCIe lane, 1.5 V and 3.3 V power, and wires to diagnostics LEDs on the server's chassis.

In this example, the NB logic130and the SB logic140are connected by a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) Bus135. The PCI Bus135can support function on the CPU110but in a standardized format that is independent of any of CPU's native buses. The PCI Bus135can be further connected to a plurality of PCI slots170(e.g., a PCI slot171). Devices connect to the PCI Bus135may appear to a bus controller (not shown) to be connected directly to a CPU bus, assigned addresses in the CPU110's address space, and synchronized to a single bus clock. PCI cards can be used in the plurality of PCI slots170include, but are not limited to, network interface cards (NICs), sound cards, modems, TV tuner cards, disk controllers, video cards, small computer system interface (SCSI) adapters, and personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) cards.

The SB logic140can couple the PCI bus135to a plurality of expansion cards or slots150(e.g., an ISA slot152) via an expansion bus. The expansion bus can be a bus used for communications between the SB logic140and peripheral devices, and may include, but is not limited to, an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, PC/104bus, low pin count bus, extended ISA (EISA) bus, universal serial bus (USB), integrated drive electronics (IDE) bus, or any other suitable bus that can be used for data communications for peripheral devices.

In the example, the SB logic140is further coupled to a controller151that is connected to the at least one PSU121. In some implementations, the controller151can be a baseboard management controller (BMC), rack management controller (RMC), or any other suitable type of system controller. The controller151is configured to control operations of the at least one PSU121and/or other applicable operations. In some implementations, the controller151is configured to monitor processing demands, and components and/or connection status of the server system101.

In this example, the controller151is connected to the at least one expander (e.g., expanders191and192) of the storage subsystem102via a cable or wireless connection (e.g., I2C, SMBus, or PCIe).

Although only certain components are shown within the exemplary system100inFIG. 1, various types of electronic or computing components that are capable of processing or storing data, or receiving or transmitting signals can also be included in the exemplary system100. Further, the electronic or computing components in the exemplary system100can be configured to execute various types of application and/or can use various types of operating systems. These operating systems can include, but are not limited to, Android, Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), iPhone OS (iOS), Linux, OS X, Unix-like Real-time Operating System (e.g., QNX), Microsoft Windows, Window Phone, and IBM z/OS.

Depending on the desired implementation for the exemplary system100, a variety of networking and messaging protocols can be used, including but not limited to TCP/IP, open systems interconnection (OSI), file transfer protocol (FTP), universal plug and play (UpnP), network file system (NFS), common internet file system (CIFS), AppleTalk etc. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the exemplary system100illustrated inFIG. 1is used for purposes of explanation. Therefore, a network system can be implemented with many variations, as appropriate, yet still provide a configuration of network platform in accordance with various examples of the present technology.

In exemplary configurations ofFIG. 1, the server system101and or storage subsystem102can also include one or more wireless components operable to communicate with one or more electronic devices within a computing range of the particular wireless channel. The wireless channel can be any appropriate channel used to enable devices to communicate wirelessly, such as Bluetooth, cellular, NFC, or Wi-Fi channels. It should be understood that the device can have one or more conventional wired communications connections, as known in the art. Various other elements and/or combinations are possible as well within the scope of various examples.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various examples of the present technology. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.

FIG. 2Aillustrates an exemplary method200for remote zone management of a storage system in accordance with an implementation of the present technology. It should be understood that the exemplary method200is presented solely for illustrative purposes and that in other methods in accordance with the present technology can include additional, fewer, or alternative steps performed in similar or alternative orders, or in parallel. The exemplary method200starts with generating and initiating a network service on the storage system (e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 1) for a remote device, at step210. The network service is configured to provide a virtual terminal connection to the storage system and can be generated via an application layer protocol.

At step220, a new thread is generated on the network service to handle at least one command from the remote device, as illustrated inFIG. 1. In some examples, a means for the remote device to interact with the storage system is a command-line interface (CLI). The remote device or a user can input command on the CLI in a form of text. In some examples, the remote device or user can login onto a CLI of the storage system and use a Telnet protocol to input commands (e.g., zoning commands) and/or zone IDs of a plurality of ports associated with storage devices of the storage system.

At step230, a first zoning command associated with the storage device of the storage system is received from the remote device. In some examples, the first zoning command may include a zone ID for each of a plurality of ports associated with the storage devices of the storage system. In response to determining that the first zoning command is supported on the storage system, a corresponding zone group of a plurality of zone group can be determined for each port of the plurality of ports, at step250. In response to determining that the first zoning command is not supported on the storage system, the exemplary method200goes back to step230for receiving a second zoning command associated with the storage devices of the storage system to yield the first zoning command.

At step250, a corresponding zone group can be determined for each port of the plurality of ports associated with the storage devices of the storage system. A zoning configuration parameter can be set for each zone group of the plurality of zone groups, at step260. The plurality of zone groups can be defined based at least upon zone IDs of the plurality of ports associated with the storage devices of the storage system. Servers connected to ports belonging to different zone groups may not recognize each other and have access to storage devices that are not assigned in a same zone group.

At step270, a zone and port mapping table can be configured based upon the zoning configuration parameter. At step280, a zone permission table can be configured based upon the zoning configuration parameter. Hardware and software initiation can be performed on the storage system based at least upon the zone and port mapping table and the zone permission table, at step290.

FIG. 2Billustrates an exemplary method step270of configuring the zone and port mapping table in accordance with an implementation of the present technology. The exemplary method step270starts with configuring mapping between a first port associated with the storage devices of the storage system and a corresponding zone group of the plurality of zone groups. In some examples, configuring the mapping can be performed by a controller or an expander of the storage system, for example, the controller151, expanders (e.g.,191and192), or the storage subsystem module153as illustrated inFIG. 1.

At step272, a determination can be made whether mappings between the plurality of ports and the plurality of zone groups are completed. In some implementations, the determination can be made by a controller or an expander of the storage system, as illustrated inFIG. 1. In response to determining that mappings are completed, the zone and port mapping table can be written on the storage system using the serial protocol to yield a previous version, at step273. In response to determining that mappings are not completed, the exemplary method step270goes back to the step271.

FIG. 2Cillustrates an exemplary method step280of configuring the zone permission table in accordance with an implementation of the present technology. The exemplary method step280starts with configuring a zone permission for each zone group of the plurality of zone groups associated with the storage devices of the storage system. In some examples, configuring the zone permission table can be performed by a controller or an expander of the storage system, for example, the controller151, expanders (e.g.,191and192), or the storage subsystem module153as illustrated inFIG. 1.

At step282, a determination can be made whether zone permission is configured for each zone group of the plurality of zone groups. In some implementations, the determination can be made by a controller or an expander of the storage system, as illustrated inFIG. 1. In response to determining that mappings zone permission is configured for each zone group of the plurality of zone groups, the zone permission table can be written on the storage system using the serial protocol to yield a previous version, at step283. In response to determining that zone permission is not configured for each zone group of the plurality of zone groups, the exemplary method step280goes back to the step281.

A computer network is a geographically distributed collection of nodes interconnected by communication links and segments for transporting data between endpoints, such as personal computers and workstations. Many types of networks are available, with the types ranging from local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) to overlay and software-defined networks, such as virtual extensible local area networks (VXLANs).

LANs typically connect nodes over dedicated private communications links located in the same general physical location, such as a building or campus. WANs, on the other hand, typically connect geographically dispersed nodes over long-distance communications links, such as common carrier telephone lines, optical lightpaths, synchronous optical networks (SONET), or synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) links. LANs and WANs can include layer 2 (L2) and/or layer 3 (L3) networks and devices.

The Internet is an example of a WAN that connects disparate networks throughout the world, providing global communication between nodes on various networks. The nodes typically communicate over the network by exchanging discrete frames or packets of data according to predefined protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). In this context, a protocol can refer to a set of rules defining how the nodes interact with each other. Computer networks can be further interconnected by an intermediate network node, such as a router, to extend the effective “size” of each network.

Overlay networks generally allow virtual networks to be created and layered over a physical network infrastructure. Overlay network protocols, such as Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN), Network Virtualization using Generic Routing Encapsulation (NVGRE), Network Virtualization Overlays (NVO3), and Stateless Transport Tunneling (STT), provide a traffic encapsulation scheme which allows network traffic to be carried across L2 and L3 networks over a logical tunnel. Such logical tunnels can be originated and terminated through virtual tunnel end points (VTEPs).

Moreover, overlay networks can include virtual segments, such as VXLAN segments in a VXLAN overlay network, which can include virtual L2 and/or L3 overlay networks over which VMs communicate. The virtual segments can be identified through a virtual network identifier (VNI), such as a VXLAN network identifier, which can specifically identify an associated virtual segment or domain.

Network virtualization allows hardware and software resources to be combined in a virtual network. For example, network virtualization can allow multiple numbers of VMs to be attached to the physical network via respective virtual LANs (VLANs). The VMs can be grouped according to their respective VLAN, and can communicate with other VMs as well as other devices on the internal or external network.

Network segments, such as physical or virtual segments, networks, devices, ports, physical or logical links, and/or traffic in general can be grouped into a bridge or flood domain. A bridge domain or flood domain can represent a broadcast domain, such as an L2 broadcast domain. A bridge domain or flood domain can include a single subnet, but can also include multiple subnets. Moreover, a bridge domain can be associated with a bridge domain interface on a network device, such as a switch. A bridge domain interface can be a logical interface which supports traffic between an L2 bridged network and an L3 routed network. In addition, a bridge domain interface can support internet protocol (IP) termination, VPN termination, address resolution handling, MAC addressing, etc. Both bridge domains and bridge domain interfaces can be identified by a same index or identifier.

Furthermore, endpoint groups (EPGs) can be used in a network for mapping applications to the network. In particular, EPGs can use a grouping of application endpoints in a network to apply connectivity and policy to the group of applications. EPGs can act as a container for buckets or collections of applications, or application components, and tiers for implementing forwarding and policy logic. EPGs also allow separation of network policy, security, and forwarding from addressing by instead using logical application boundaries.

Cloud computing can also be provided in one or more networks to provide computing services using shared resources. Cloud computing can generally include Internet-based computing in which computing resources are dynamically provisioned and allocated to client or user computers or other devices on-demand, from a collection of resources available via the network (e.g., “the cloud”). Cloud computing resources, for example, can include any type of resource, such as computing, storage, and network devices, virtual machines (VMs), etc. For instance, resources can include service devices (firewalls, deep packet inspectors, traffic monitors, load balancers, etc.), compute/processing devices (servers, CPU's, memory, brute force processing capability), storage devices (e.g., network attached storages, storage area network devices), etc. In addition, such resources can be used to support virtual networks, virtual machines (VM), databases, applications (Apps), etc.

Cloud computing resources can include a “private cloud,” a “public cloud,” and/or a “hybrid cloud.” A “hybrid cloud” can be a cloud infrastructure composed of two or more clouds that inter-operate or federate through technology. In essence, a hybrid cloud is an interaction between private and public clouds where a private cloud joins a public cloud and utilizes public cloud resources in a secure and scalable manner Cloud computing resources can also be provisioned via virtual networks in an overlay network, such as a VXLAN.

In a network switch system, a lookup database can be maintained to keep track of routes between a number of end points attached to the switch system. However, end points can have various configurations and are associated with numerous tenants. These end-points can have various types of identifiers, e.g., IPv4, IPv6, or Layer-2. The lookup database has to be configured in different modes to handle different types of end-point identifiers. Some capacity of the lookup database is carved out to deal with different address types of incoming packets. Further, the lookup database on the network switch system is typically limited by 1K virtual routing and forwarding (VRFs). Therefore, an improved lookup algorithm is desired to handle various types of end-point identifiers. The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for address lookups in a telecommunications network. Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for unifying various types of end-point identifiers by mapping end-point identifiers to a uniform space and allowing different forms of lookups to be uniformly handled. A brief introductory description of example systems and networks, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, is disclosed herein. These variations shall be described herein as the various examples are set forth. The technology now turns toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3illustrates an example computing device300suitable for implementing the present technology. Computing device300includes a master central processing unit (CPU)362, interfaces368, and a bus315(e.g., a PCI bus). When acting under the control of appropriate software or firmware, the CPU362is responsible for executing packet management, error detection, and/or routing functions, such as miscabling detection functions, for example. The CPU362preferably accomplishes all these functions under the control of software including an operating system and any appropriate applications software. CPU362can include one or more processors363such as a processor from the Motorola family of microprocessors or the MIPS family of microprocessors. In an alternative example, processor363is specially designed hardware for controlling the operations of the computing device300. In a specific example, a memory361(such as non-volatile RAM and/or ROM) also forms part of CPU362. However, there are many different ways in which memory could be coupled to the system.

Although the system shown inFIG. 3is one specific computing device of the present technology, it is by no means the only network device architecture on which the present patent application can be implemented. For example, an architecture having a single processor that handles communications as well as routing computations, etc. is often used. Further, other types of interfaces and media could also be used with the router.

Regardless of the network device's configuration, it can employ one or more memories or memory modules (including memory361) configured to store program instructions for the general-purpose network operations and mechanisms for roaming, route optimization and routing functions described herein. The program instructions can control the operation of an operating system and/or one or more applications, for example. The memory or memories can also be configured to store tables such as mobility binding, registration, and association tables, etc.

FIG. 4A, andFIG. 4Billustrate example possible systems in accordance with various aspects of the present technology. The more appropriate example will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when practicing the present technology. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will also readily appreciate that other system examples are possible.

FIG. 4illustrates a conventional system bus computing system architecture400wherein the components of the system are in electrical communication with each other using a bus405. Example system400includes a processing unit (CPU or processor)410and a system bus405that couples various system components including the system memory415, such as read only memory (ROM)420and random access memory (RAM)425, to the processor410. The system400can include a cache of high-speed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of the processor410. The system400can copy data from the memory415and/or the storage device430to the cache412for quick access by the processor410. In this way, the cache can provide a performance boost that avoids processor410delays while waiting for data. These and other modules can control or be configured to control the processor410to perform various actions. Other system memory415can be available for use as well. The memory415can include multiple different types of memory with different performance characteristics. The processor410can include any general purpose processor and a hardware module or software module, such as module432, module434, and module436stored in storage device430, configured to control the processor410as well as a special-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design. The processor410can essentially be a completely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processor can be symmetric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction with the computing device400, an input device445can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An output device435can also be one or more of a number of output mechanisms known to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodal systems can enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicate with the computing device400. The communications interface440can generally govern and manage the user input and system output. There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement and therefore the basic features here can easily be substituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed. Any features or steps in any example of this patent application may be mixed with any other features or steps in any other examples.

Storage device430is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk or other types of computer readable media which can store data that are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories (RAMs)425, read only memory (ROM)420, and hybrids thereof.

The storage device430can include software modules432,434,436for controlling the processor410. Other hardware or software modules are contemplated. The storage device430can be connected to the system bus405. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particular function can include the software component stored in a computer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardware components, such as the processor410, bus405, output device435(e.g., a display), and so forth, to carry out the function.

FIG. 5illustrates a computer system500having a chipset architecture that can be used in executing the described method and generating and displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). Computer system500is an example of computer hardware, software, and firmware that can be used to implement the disclosed technology. System500can include a processor555, representative of any number of physically and/or logically distinct resources capable of executing software, firmware, and hardware configured to perform identified computations. Processor555can communicate with a chipset560that can control input to and output from processor555. In this example, chipset560outputs information to output device565, such as a display, and can read and write information to storage device570, which can include magnetic media, and solid state media, for example. Chipset560can also read data from and write data to RAM575. A bridge580for interfacing with a variety of user interface components585can be provided for interfacing with chipset560. Such user interface components585can include a keyboard, a microphone, touch detection and processing circuitry, a pointing device, such as a mouse, and so on. In general, inputs to system500can come from any of a variety of sources, machine generated and/or human generated.

Chipset560can also interface with one or more communication interfaces590that can have different physical interfaces. Such communication interfaces can include interfaces for wired and wireless local area networks, for broadband wireless networks, as well as personal area networks. Some applications of the methods for generating, displaying, and using the GUI disclosed herein can include receiving ordered datasets over the physical interface or be generated by the machine itself by processor555analyzing data stored in storage570or RAM575. Further, the machine can receive inputs from a user via user interface components585and execute appropriate functions, such as browsing functions by interpreting these inputs using processor555.

It can be appreciated that example systems400and500can have more than one processor410or be part of a group or cluster of computing devices networked together to provide greater processing capability.

Various aspects of the present technology provide systems and methods for remotely controlling zone management of a storage subsystem. While specific examples have been cited above showing how the optional operation can be employed in different instructions, other examples can incorporate the optional operation into different instructions. For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology can be presented as including individual functional blocks including functional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps or routines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardware and software.

To the extent examples, or portions thereof, are implemented in hardware, the present patent application can be implemented with any or a combination of the following technologies: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, programmable hardware such as a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the patent application as set forth in the claims.