Patent ID: 7873808

Claim:
A method of synchronizing direct access storage volumes managed by storage management software with direct access storage volumes available to a computer system, comprising: identifying a first set of one or more direct access storage volumes, said first set physically connected to and available to said computer system, said identifying providing an identifier of a direct access storage volume of said first set; determining a plurality of ratings that measure a plurality of fits between said identifier and a plurality of identification patterns, wherein each identification pattern is a generic pattern that identifies a group of direct access storage volumes that includes said direct access storage volume; identifying a rating of said plurality of ratings based on a predetermined criterion, wherein said rating is a measure of a fit between said identifier and an identification pattern of said plurality of identification patterns, wherein said fit is included in said plurality of fits, and wherein said identification pattern is included in a record of a plurality of records residing in a database accessible by said computer system; identifying said record in response to said identifying said rating; retrieving, from said record and in response to said identifying said record, a plurality of management options capable of facilitating a management of said direct access storage volume by said storage management software, wherein said direct access storage volume is not designated as being managed by said storage management software; and a processor of said computer system automatically adding said direct access storage volume to a second set of one or more direct access storage volumes, said second set designated as being managed by said storage management software, wherein said adding comprises: designating said direct access storage volume as being managed by said storage management software, and providing said plurality of management options to said storage management software, wherein said storage management software associates said plurality of management options with said direct access storage volume.