Patent ID: 7392328

Claim:
A fabric for use with a host, a snapshot server and two storage devices, the fabric comprising: first and second switches, said first switch including: a first port for connection to the host; at least a second port for coupling to at least said second switch and the snapshot server; and a module coupled to said first port and said at least a second port for receiving a snapshot creation command, said command directing creation of a snapshot of data stored on a storage device, provided by the host to a well known address and for transmitting a snapshot creation command, said command directing creation of a snapshot of data stored on a storage device, directed to said second switch and the snapshot server; and said second switch including: a first port for connection to a storage device; at least a second port for coupling to at least said first switch, the snapshot server and the host; and a module coupled to said first port and said at least a second port for receiving a snapshot creation command provided by said first switch, said command directing creation of a snapshot of data stored on the connected storage device, and for enabling capturing of write operations from the host to said data stored on the connected storage device.