Patent ID: 8006059

Claim:
A method of preparing a first network storage controller to create a session with a host for storing and retrieving files using storage managed by the first network storage controller, the method comprising: discovering that the first network storage controller has not been prepared to provide storage to the host; generating a graphical user interface at a controller management engine to display indicators of one or more network storage controllers that includes an indication that each said network storage controller has not received an initial setup, the graphical user interface to receive user input information for configuration of the first network storage controller, the first network storage controller is in communication with the controller management engine; and in response to receiving the information at the graphical user interface, performing the following: automatically configuring the first network storage controller to communicate with the host, provisioning storage managed by the first network storage controller, and mapping the host to the storage managed by the first network storage controller at one or more storage devices.