MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT METHOD FOR MANAGING COMPUTER
SYSTEM
[Technical Field]
[0001]
The present invention relates to the management of a computer
system.
[Background Art]
[0002]
The functions of a storage apparatus (hereinafter, called "storage
sub-system") include the following functions, for example.
[0003]
A first function is an automatic capacity expansion function (for
example. Patent Literature 1). By means of an automatic capacity
expansion function, a storage sub-system allocates a portion of
the region of a physical resource (hereinafter, called a "segment")
to a logical storage area (hereinafter, called "logical volume")
in response to an access request from a host computer. By this
means, the capacity of the logical volume is automatically
expanded.
[0004]
A second function is an access control function (for example.
Patent Literature 2). By means of an access control function, a
storage sub-system manages access attributes (for example, read
only, writeable and readable) for each logical volume, and controls
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permission or denial of access to the logical volume on the basis
of the access attributes corresponding to that logical volume.
[0005]
A third function is a migration function (for example. Patent
Literatures 3 to 5) . By means of a migration function, a storage
sub-system migrates the data in a logical volume to another logical
volume.
[0006]
A virtual logical volume of which the capacity is automatically
expanded by the automatic capacity expansion function is called
an "automatic capacity expansion volume" in the present
specification. Furthermore, a logical storage device on a RAID
(Redundant Array of Independent Disks) which is constituted by a
plurality of physical storage devices (for example, hard disk
drives or flash memory devices) is called a "physical resource"
in the present specification. Moreover, a logical volume with
which access attributes have been associated is called a "security
volume".
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[0007]
[PTL 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-15915
[PTL 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-112822
[PTL 3]
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Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-293317
[PTL 4]
U.S. Patent Specification No. 6108748
[PTL 5]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-345522
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0008]
An administrator of the storage sub-system (hereinafter, called
the "user") manages the storage sub-system inside a computer
system.
[0009]
The number of storage sub-systems included in a computer system
has been rising with the increasing scale of computer systems.
Therefore, the number of storage sub-systems which must be managed
by the user has been increasing.
[0010]
Furthermore, a computer system having a hetero environment is also
known. A computer system of this kind includes a combination of
storage sub-systems of a plurality of different types (for example,
storage sub-systems from different vendors and/or new and old
storage sub-systems). Here, the type of storage sub-system may
be specified by at least one of the vendor, functions,
configuration and characteristics of the storage sub-system.
[0011]
In order to set an object (for example, a logical volume or a path
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to a logical volume) where the functions desired by the user are
displayed, the user must recognize the type of storage sub-system.
For example, when wishing to create an automatic capacity expansion
volume displaying functions desired by the user, the user decides
which storage sub-system to create the automatic capacity
expansion volume in, on the basis of the types of the respective
storage sub-systems.
[0012]
The object of the present invention is to be able to make settings
whereby functions satisfying an administrator's requirements are
displayed, without the administrator (user) being aware of the type
of storage apparatus (storage sub-system).
[Solution to Problem]
[0013]
A management system coupled to a computer system including storage
sub-systems of one or more types comprises a storage resource which
stores management information and a processor which is coupled to
the storage resource. The management information includes: (a)
request/function correspondence information which is information
containing, for each user request, information indicating a
storage function (a function held by the storage sub-system)
required in order to achieve a function satisfying a user request;
and (b) function information which is information containing, for
each storage sub-system, information indicating storage functions
of the storage sub-system included in the computer system. The
processor executes: (A) reception of a user request; (B)
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identification of an implementation pattern which is a system
configuration including a storage sub-system having a storage
function required in order to achieve a function satisfying the
user request received in the (A), on the basis of the
request/function correspondence information and the function
information; and (C) setup for achieving a function satisfying the
user request received in the (A) , in respect of a specified
implementation pattern, which is any implementation pattern of the
one or more implementation patterns identified in (B).
[0014]
The user request may be received via a user interface screen (GUI
(Graphical User Interface)) or may be received via another
interface.
[0015]
Possible examples of a user request are: the creation of an
automatic expansion volume, the creation of a security volume,
archiving, migration, or the like. Here, "archiving" means that
a plurality of data (for example, files) in a logical volume in
a storage sub-system is gathered into one data element. In this,
technology for reducing the data voliome while maintaining the
effective quality of the data can be employed.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[0016]
[Fig. 1]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the composition of a computer system
relating to a first embodiment of the present invention.
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[Fig. 2]
Fig. 2 shows the internal configuration of a storage sub-system
1000.
[Fig. 3]
Fig. 3 shows the internal configuration of a host computer 2000.
[Fig. 4]
Fig. 4 shows the internal configuration of a management computer
4000.
[Fig. 5]
Fig. 5 shows one example of the details of a required configuration
table 4190.
[Fig. 6]
Fig. 6 shows one example of the details of a restriction information
4200.
[Fig. 7]
Fig. 7 shows one example of the details of a system function table
4210.
[Fig. 8]
Fig. 8 shows one example of the details of a system configuration
information table 4220.
[Fig. 9]
Fig. 9 shows one example of the details of an implementation pattern
table 4230.
[Fig. 10]
Fig. 10 shows one example of the details of a characteristics table
4240.
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[Fig. 11]
Fig. 11 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a configuration
management program 4110.
[Fig. 12]
Fig. 12 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a function
management program 4120.
[Fig. 13]
Fig. 13 shows a flowchart of processing executed by an
implementation pattern acquisition program 4130.
[Fig. 14]
Fig. 14 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a
characteristics monitoring program 4140.
[Fig. 15]
Fig. 15 shows one example of the details of a user request UI screen
(UI 1100).
[Fig. 16]
Fig. 16 shows one example of the details of a configuration
specification UI screen (UI 2100) .
[Fig. 17]
Fig. 17 shows a flowchart of processing executed by an
implementation pattern specification program 4150.
[Fig. 18]
Fig. 18 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a matching
configuration detection program 4160.
[Fig. 19]
Fig. 19 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a restriction
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information addition program 417 0.
[Fig. 20]
Fig. 20 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a system setup
program 4180.
[Fig. 21]
Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the composition of a computer system
relating to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 22]
Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the composition of a computer system
relating to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Description of Embodiments]
[0017]
In one embodiment of the present invention, a management system
is coupled to a computer system (for example, one or more host
computers and/or one or more storage sub-systems) comprising one
or more host computers (for example, host computers of a plurality
of different types), and one or more storage sub-systems (for
example, storage sub-systems of a plurality of different types)
which are coupled to the one or more host computers. When setting
a certain logical object (for example, a logical volume), the user
is able to specify a configuration change request instructing a
condition after a configuration change (hereinafter, change
condition) to the management system. In order to satisfy the
instructed change condition in accordance with a configuration
change request, the management system acquires information
representing the functions of the storage sub-system (hereinafter,
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storage function information), information representing the
functions of the host computer (hereinafter, host function
information), and information representing the system
configuration which indicates which host computer is coupled to
which storage sub-system (hereinafter, system configuration
information). The management system indicates system
configuration information representing the system configuration
which satisfies the user's change condition, and information
representing restrictions according to that system configuration
(hereinafter, called "restriction information"). The user
instructs a desired system configuration to the management system
on the basis of the combination of. the indicated system
configuration information and restriction information. The
management system sets the aforementioned logical object in the
apparatus corresponding to the instructed system configuration
(for example, the storage sub-system in the specified system
configuration).
[0018]
In the following description, an ID (identifier) or number is used
as information for identifying several elements, but this
invention is not limited to this and identification information
of another type can also be used. For example, the identification
information may be information which can uniquely identify a
management object, such as the model name or serial number of an
storage sub-system, or the like.
[0019]
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Furthermore, in the description given below, a "program" may be
stated as the subject of a processing action, but since a program
is implemented by a processor (for example, a CPU (Central
Processing Unit)) and the specified processing is carried out by
suitably using storage resources (for example, a memory) and/or
a communications interface processor (for example, a
communications port) , then a processor may be taken to be the
subject of processing. Processing described with a program as the
subject of the action may also be considered as processing carried
out by the management system. Furthermore, a processor may include
a hardware circuit which performs all or a potion of the processing
carried out by the processor.
[0020]
A management system may be constituted by one or more computers.
More specifically, for example, if the management computer
displays information, or if the management computer sends
information for display to a remote computer, then the management
computer is a management system. Furthermore, if functions similar
to those of a management computer are achieved by means of a
plurality of computers, for example, then the plurality of
computers (also including a display computer if display is
performed by a display computer) form a management system. In the
respective embodiments described above, the management computer
is taken to be a management system.
[0021]
Furthermore, the data structure of the information managed by the
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storage sub-system and/or the management system (hereinafter,
called "management information") may be a data structure such as
a table as employed in the embodiment, or a hierarchical data
structure such as XML. There are no particular restrictions on
the data structure of the management information. Furthermore,
the management information may be stored in a physical storage
device (for example, a hard disk drive), or in a memory.
[0022]
Next, several embodiments of the present invention will be
described. The present invention is not limited to the first to
third embodiments described below (or to a combination of two or
more of these embodiments).
[Example 1]
[0023]

[0024]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the composition of a computer system
relating to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the
description given below, the communications interface apparatus
is abbreviated to "I/F".
[0025]
This computer system comprises a storage sub-system 1000, a host
computer 2000, a switch apparatus 3000, a management computer 4000
and a switch apparatus 5000.
[0026]
In the drawings, there are respectively one storage sub-system
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1000, one host computer 2000 and one management computer 4000, but
there may also be more than one of each of these. Furthermore,
although there are one switch apparatus 3000 and one switch
apparatus 5000 respectively, as long as the storage sub-system
1000, the host computer 2 000 and the management computer 4000 can
be coupled, then it is possible not to provide any switch apparatus
(in other words, zero switch apparatuses is possible).
[0027]
The storage sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000 are network
coupled via a switch apparatus 3000. The storage sub-system 1000
and the management computer 4000 are network coupled via the switch
apparatus 5000. The switch apparatus 3000 and the switch apparatus
5000 may be the same apparatus.
[0028]
The switch apparatus 3000 comprises an I/F 3100 for coupling with
the storage sub-system 1000 and an I/F 3200 for coupling with the
host computer 2000. The communications protocol used here between
the storage sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000 (and
communications via the switch apparatus 3000) is FC (Fiber Channel)
or iSCSI, but any protocol may be used. Furthermore, in the
drawings, there is one I/F 3100 and one I/F 3200, but there may
be more than one of each of these.
[0029]
The switch apparatus 5000 comprises an I/F 5100 for coupling with
the storage sub-system 1000 and an I/F 5200 for coupling with the
management computer 4000. The communications protocol used
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between the storage sub-system 1000 and the management computer
4000 (and communications via the switch apparatus 5000) is TCP/IP,
but any protocol may be used. Furthermore, in the drawings, there
is one I/F 5100 and one I/F 5200, but there may be more than one
of each of these.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the switch apparatus 3000 and the switch
apparatus 5000 are coupled via an I/F, but the coupling is not
limited to this.
[0031]
Fig. 2 shows the internal configuration of the storage sub-system
1000.
[0032]
The storage sub-system 1000 comprises a disk apparatus 1100 and
a disk controller 1200.
[0033]
The disk apparatus 1100 has a plurality of disk type storage
devices. More specifically, for example, the disk apparatus 1100
includes one or more RAID groups, and each RAID group is a group
of a plurality of disk type physical storage devices based on a
RAID system. A disk type storage device is, for example, a HDD
(Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) . It is also possible
to employ a physical storage device of another type, instead of
a disk type storage device. Consequently, it is also possible to
employ a controller (storage controller) capable of accessing
physical storage devices of a type other than disk type storage
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devices, instead of the disk controller 1200.
[0034]
One or more physical resources 1121 is provided on the basis of
one or more RAID groups. Here, "physical resource" is a portion
of a storage area belonging to a RAID group, and means a storage
area spanning a plurality of physical storage devices which
constitute a RAID group. There are no particular restrictions of
the type of physical storage device which provides the physical
resource 1121. In the drawings, there are two physical resources
1121, but the invention is not limited to this, provided that there
is one or more physical resources.
[0035]
The disk controller 1200 comprises a memory 1210, a control
apparatus 1220, an I/F 1230 for coupling with the switch apparatus
3000, an I/F 1240 for coupling with the switch apparatus 5000, and
an I/F 1250 for coupling with a physical storage device inside the
disk apparatus 1100. These constituent elements are coupled
together via a bus or switch, for example.
[0036]
The disk controller 1200 manages a logical volume 1110. The logical
volume 1110 is a logical storage device which is constituted by
one or more physical resources 1121 (a logical storage area which
is provided to the host computer 2000 by the disk controller 1200) .
The logical volume 1110 illustrated is constituted by one or a
plurality of physical resources 1121 allocated previously, and the
capacity of the logical volume 1110 and the total capacity of the
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physical resources 1121 constituting same are equal.
[0037]
Here, there may be one or more than one type of logical volume 1100.
For example, an automatic capacity expansion volume may be present
as a logical volume 1100.
[0038]
Furthermore, in the drawings, the number of logical volumes 1100
is one, but the disk controller 1200 may manage a plurality of
logical volumes 1100. In the present embodiment, for the sake of
the description, the disk controller 1200 is regarded as not
managing automatic capacity expansion volumes, but there may be
automatic capacity expansion volumes as logical volumes 1110.
[0039]
The memory 1210 stores programs and data used by the control
apparatus 1220. For example, the memory 1210 has a configuration
acquisition program (hereinafter, configuration acquisition
program) 1211, a storage function acquisition program
(hereinafter, function acquisition program) , and a storage setup
program 1213. Examples of the functions realized by software
(computer programs) and/or hardware belonging to the storage
sub-system 1000, and/or software (computer program) and/or
hardware belonging to the host computer 2000 include: a volume
creation management function, a copying function, an automatic
capacity expansion volume creation function, a security volume
creation function, and the like.
[0040]
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The configuration acquisition program 1211 gathers configuration
information including information representing the coupling
relationships between the storage sub-system 1000 and the host
computer 2000. The program 1211 sends this configuration
information to other programs.
[0041]
The function acquisition program 1212 gathers storage function
information representing the functions held by the storage
sub-system 1000. The program 1212 sends this storage function
information to other programs.
[0042]
The storage setup program 1213 specifies configuration settings
for the storage sub-system 1000. The program 1213 has a function
for receiving configuration change requests for the storage
sub-system 1000 from the management computer 4000.
[0043]
The control apparatus 1220 controls the execution of the programs
inside the memory 1210, the input and output of data to and from
the memory 1210, and the input and output of data and control
commands via the respective interfaces (I/F) belonging to the disk
controller 1200. The control apparatus 1220 is a CPU, for example.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the storage sub-system 1000 is taken
to have a function of joining together a plurality of logical
volumes 1110 (hereinafter called "LUSE" (Logical Unit Size
Expansion)), and a function of allocating one logical volume 1110
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to the host computer 2000. Furthermore, in the present embodiment,
the storage sub-system 1000 has generic functions which are
normally provided in a storage sub-system (for example, a function
for allocating a logical volume to the host computer 2000 via the
I/F (A) 1230) , but for the sake of simplification, these functions
are not depicted. In the present embodiment, functions which
affect the object settings desired by the user may be called
"particular functions" in order to distinguish them from generic
functions of this kind. For instance, the particular functions
are the functions represented by the information stated in the
table shown in Fig. 5.
[0045]
The storage sub-system 1000 may also comprise an input apparatus
for the user of the storage sub-system 1000 to input data, and an
output apparatus for presenting information to the user of the
storage sub-system 1000, but these are not depicted.
[0046]
Fig. 3 shows the internal configuration of the host computer 2000.
[0047]
The host computer 2000 comprises a memory 2100, a control apparatus
2200, and an I/F 2300 for coupling to the switch apparatus 3000.
These constituent elements are coupled together via a bus or
switch, for example.
[0048]
The memory 2100 stores programs and data used by the control
apparatus 22 00. For example, the memory 2100 stores a business
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application 2110, an operating system 2120, and a host setup
program 2130.
[0049]
The business application 2110 is a program held by the host computer
2000, and may be an application program of any kind.
[0050]
The operating system 2120 comprises the following elements, for
example:
(*) information relating to the devices belonging to the host
computer 2 000 (for instance, the control apparatus (such as a CPU)
2200, the memory 2100, I/F 2300), (hereinafter, devices H);
(*) a function for controlling the devices H;
(*) a function for acquiring information (characteristics
information) indicating the characteristics of the devices H;
(*) a function for acquiring device H function information
indicating the functions of the devices H;
(*) a function for managing data recorded in the storage sub-system
(hereinafter, called "a file system function"); and
(*) a function for acquiring application function information
indicating the functions of the business application 2110.
In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description,
all of these functions are included in the operating system, but
at least one of these functions may be held by the host computer
2000 as a separate program from the operating system. Furthermore,
the operating system 2120 may have a function for managing the
devices H virtually, a virtual server management function which
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runs on the operating system 212 0, a user management function, and
the like. The virtual server management function may, for example,
be held by a hypervisor running on the operating system.
[0051]
The host setup program 2130 receives input values from other
programs and instructs device settings to the operating system 2120
in accordance with these input values.
[0052]
The control apparatus 2200 controls the execution of programs in
the memory 2100, the input and output of data to and from the memory
2100, and the input and output of data or control commands via the
I/F 2300.
[0053]
In the present embodiment, the functions held by the operating
system of the host computer 2000 may include a function capable
of creating an automatic capacity expansion volume. The method
of creating and managing the volume on the operating system is a
commonly known method, and therefore description thereof is
omitted here. Furthermore, the host computer 2000 may include an
input apparatus for the user to input data, or an output apparatus
for presenting information to the user of the host computer 2000,
but these are not depicted.
[0054]
Fig. 4 shows the internal configuration of the management computer
4000.
[0055]
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The management computer 4000 comprises a memory 4100, a control
apparatus 4500, and an I/F 4300 for coupling to the switch apparatus
5000. The memory 4100 stores programs and data used by the control
apparatus 4500. The memory 4100 includes, for example, a
configuration management program 4110, a function management
program 4120, an implementation pattern acquisition program 4130,
a characteristics monitoring program 4140, an implementation
pattern specification program 4150, a matching configuration
detection program 4160, a restriction information addition program
4170, a system setup program 4180, a required configuration table
4190, a restriction information table 4200, a system function table
4210, a system configuration information table 4220, an
implementation pattern table 4230, and a characteristics table
4240.
[0056]
The configuration management program 4110 acquires storage
configuration information representing the configuration of the
storage sub-system 1000 and host configuration information
representing the configuration of the host computer 2000. The
program 4110 stores the acquired storage configuration information
and host configuration information in the system configuration
information table 4220. The configuration management program 4110
may include a function for acquiring storage configuration
information (a function for acquiring storage configuration
information by communicating with the configuration information
acquisition program 1211 of the storage sub-system 1000), and a
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function for acquiring host configuration information (a function
for acquiring host configuration information by communicating with
the operating system 2120 of the host computer 2000) . In the
present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, only the
information relating to the coupling relationship between the
storage sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000 (the system
configuration information) is acquired, and this system
configuration information is stored in the system configuration
information table 422 0. However, information other than this may
also be acquired. For example, information indicating the free
capacity of the logical volume 1110 belonging to the storage
sub-system 1000 may also be acquired, and information indicating
whether or not a logical volume 1110 has been allocated to the host
computer 2000 may also be acquired. The configuration management
program 4110 may also comprise a function for generating a logical
volume 1110 from a physical resource 1121, a function for
allocating a logical volume to a host computer 2000 via the I/F
(A) 1230, and a scheduler function for carrying out specific
processing at specific times.
[0057]
The management program 4120 acquires storage function information
and host function information, and stores this information in the
system function table 4210. The function management program 4120
acquires, in particular, storage function information by
communicating with the function acquisition program 1212 of the
storage sub-system 1000. Moreover, the function management
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program 4120 acquires host function information by communicating
with the business application 2110 or the operating system 2120
in the host computer 2000. Apart from this, the function management
program 4120 may also include a scheduler function which carries
out specific processing at specific times, and may present an input
interface for adding functional information about the storage
sub-system 1000 and the host 2000, to the user.
[0058]
The implementation pattern acquisition program 4130 acquires
system configuration information (information indicating the
coupling relationship between the storage sub-system 1000 and the
host computer 2000), from the system configuration information
table 4220. Furthermore, the program 4130 acquires storage
function information and host function information from the system
function table 4210 and extracts the functions which can be
implemented.
[0059]
The characteristics monitoring program 4140 acquires
characteristics information for the storage sub-system 1000 and
characteristics information for the devices H belonging to the host
computer 2000, from the configuration acquisition program and the
operating system 2120, and stores this information in a
characteristics table. In the present embodiment, in order to
simplify the description, the devices H which are the object of
characteristics monitoring are ports (the ports belonging to the
I/F 2300) , but devices H of other types may also be characteristics
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monitoring objects. The characteristics monitoring program 4140
may acquire at least one of the following as characteristics
information for the storage sub-system 1000 and/or characteristics
information for the devices H:
(*) information indicating the capacity of the logical volume 1110
belonging to the storage sub-system 1000;
(*) information indicating the I/O frequency for the logical volume
1110 (the unit of I/O frequency is, for example, lOPS (Input Output
Per Second);
(*) information indicating the operating rate of the CPU (control
apparatus) of the storage sub-system 1000 and/or the host computer
2 000; and
(*) information indicating the free capacity of the memory of the
storage sub-system 1000 and/or the host computer 2000.
The acquired information of any type may be stored in the
characteristics table 4240.
[0060]
The implementation pattern specification program 4150 specifies
a system configuration which satisfies the change condition
(condition after configuration change) instructed by the user, and
sends information indicating the specified system configuration
to the system setup program 4180.
[0061]
In the present embodiment, a user configuration change request
(hereinafter, called "user request") is a request for a
configuration change instructed by the user (for example, a logical
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volume capacity expansion, back-up, archiving or encryption). Of
the one or more system configurations corresponding to a user
request, a system configuration corresponding to restriction
information which matches the change condition is not regarded as
a system configuration capable of implementing the user request
(for example, such a configuration is excluded from the system
configuration options which can be selected by the user). For
instance, if the user request is for creation of an automatic
capacity expansion volume, then one example of a change condition
is that size reduction is possible (in other words, allocation of
a storage area corresponding to the automatic capacity expansion
volume can be released dynamically) . In this case, a system
configuration associated with restriction information indicating
the disabling of size reduction is not regarded as a system
configuration capable of implementing the user request.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, a user inputs a user request and change
condition via a user request UI (User Interface) screen (UIllOO)
(see Fig, 15) provided by the implementation pattern specification
program. Upon receiving this input, the implementation pattern
specification program 4150 sends the information (information
indicating the user request and the change condition) to the
matching configuration detection program 4160. The implementation
pattern specification program 4150 receives system configuration
candidates which satisfy the input user request and change
condition, from the matching configuration detection program 4160,
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and displays these candidates on the configuration specification
UI screen (UI2100) (see Fig. 16) . The user then selects a system
configuration from the configuration specification UI screen (UI
2100) . When a system configuration has been selected, the
implementation pattern specification program 4150 sends
information indicating the selected system configuration to the
system setup program 4180. The method of selecting the system
configuration is not limited to this and may employ another method.
For example, the implementation pattern specification program may
automatically select a system configuration and send information
indicating the selected system configuration to the system setup
program 4180.
[0063]
The matching configuration detection program 4160 receives
information indicating the user request and change condition from
the implementation pattern specification program 4150.
Furthermore, this program 4160 sends information indicating a
system configuration which satisfies the user request and the
change condition to the restriction information addition program
4170. Moreover, the program 4160 identifies a system configuration
that can be implemented, on the basis of the implementation pattern
table 4230, and sends information indicating the identified system
configuration to the implementation pattern specification program
4150.
[0064]
The restriction information addition program 4170 associates
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restriction information with the system configuration which is
represented by the information received from the matching
configuration detection program 4160. In the present embodiment,
in order to simplify the description, if a host computer 2000 has
no prescribed particular functions, then restriction information
indicating a restriction such as "capacity expansion disabled when
on" (which means that the host computer 2000 is not able to
recognize the capacity of an automatic capacity expansion volume
after capacity expansion, without the host computer 2000 being
restarted) is associated with the system configuration which
includes that host computer 2000. The contents of the restriction
information vary depending on the type of the particular function.
For instance, it is also possible to associate restriction
information stating "decline in system reliability" and/or "little
free capacity upon capacity expansion", on the basis of the number
of switch apparatuses 3000 interposed between the storage
sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000 and/or the free capacity
of the physical resource of the storage sub-system 1000. In other
words, the restriction information can be specified on the basis
of at least one of (A) to (C) below.
(A) at least one of the functions, configuration and status of the
storage system (for example, the free capacity of the physical
resource);
(B) the functions, configuration and status of the host computer
which is coupled to the storage system; and
(C) the number of switch apparatuses interposed between the storage
27
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system and the host computer coupled to the storage system.
[0065]
The system setup program 418 0 receives information indicating the
system configuration specified by the implementation pattern
specification program 4150 (including information indicating a
logical object to be set) and sets up a logical object corresponding
to that information. The system setup program 4160 can set up a
logical object by starting up the storage setup program 1213 and/or
the host setup program 2130.
[0066]
Fig. 5 shows one example of the details of a required configuration
table 4190.
[0067]
The required configuration table 4190 is a table which stores
information indicating a user request and information about the
functions of the storage sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000
which are required to satisfy the user request. The required
function table 4190 includes the following information, for
example, for each user request:
{*) user request 41901 indicating the user request;
(*) function ID 41902, which is an identifier of a function
satisfying the user request;
{*) function name 41903, which is a name of a storage function
(storage sub-system function) and/or a host function (function of
host computer) required to achieve a function satisfying the user
request; and
28
-y PHT100082IN01W
(*) target system 41904, which is the name or ID of a type of storage
sub-system having a storage function required to achieve a function
satisfying the user request, or the name or ID of a type of host
computer having a host function required to achieve this function.
[0068]
The text string forming the function ID 41902 may be any string,
provided that it is able to represent uniquely the user request
41901, the function name 41903 and the target system 41904.
Furthermore, the text string forming the function name 41903 is
not limited to the text strings in the drawings, and may be any
string which is capable of identifying the relevant function. This
applies similarly to information of at least one type in at least
one table. Here, the type of host computer may be specified by
at least one of the vendor, functions, configuration and
characteristics of the host computer.
[0069]
Fig. 6 shows one example of the details of a restriction information
table 4200.
[0070]
The restriction information table 4200 is a table which stores
information representing restrictions (restriction information)
which is attached to the function being implemented. The
restriction information table 4200 includes, for example, the
following information for each function:
(*) function ID 42001, which is a function identifier;
(*) restriction 42002, which is information indicating a
29
-y PHT100082IN01W
restriction corresponding to the function; and
(*) implementation pattern ID 42003, which is an identifier of the
system configuration corresponding to the restrictions and
function.
The table 4190 shown in Fig. 5 and the table 4200 shown in Fig.
6 contain information that has been prepared previously, for
example.
[0071]
Here "restriction" means a function and/or characteristic which
cannot be displayed when implementing a function in accordance with
a user request.
[0072]
The following can be deduced from the table 4190 shown in Fig. 5
and the table 4200 shown in Fig. 6.
[0073]
More specifically, for example, it can be seen that there are four
types of functions which correspond to the user request "automatic
capacity expansion".
[0074]
The function indicated by the function ID "TPl" is a generic Thin
Provisioning function also known as "dynamic provisioning". A
storage sub-system having a function indicated by the function name
"HDP" which corresponds to the function ID "TPl" is able to carry
out the following processing. More specifically, a storage
sub-system of this type is able to include a pool (group of actual
pages) constituted by a plurality of actual pages (actual storage
30
-^ PHT100082IN01W
areas), and an automatic capacity expansion volume constituted by
a plurality of virtual pages (virtual storage areas) . Upon
receiving a write command instructing an address in an automatic
capacity expansion volume or an address belonging to a virtual
page, the storage sub-system is able to allocate an actual page
to that virtual page and write data corresponding to the write
command, to the actual page. Furthermore, the storage sub-system
is also able to release the actual page dynamically from the
automatic capacity expansion volume (in other words, to reduce the
size (capacity) of the automatic capacity expansion volume). The
actual page is a storage area which is smaller than the physical
resource. There are no particular restrictions on the function
ID "TPl" (see Fig. 6) .
[0075]
The function indicated by the function ID "TP2" is achieved by
coordinated operation of the storage sub-system having the
function indicated by the function name "LUSE" and the host
computer which has a function indicated by the function name
"Windows" ("Windows" is a registered tradename). Detailed
description of the actual implementation of a function similar to
generic Thin Provisioning by coordinated operation of the storage
sub-system and the host computer is omitted here. According to
the function ID "TP2", there are the following restrictions:
(*) "Size reduction disabled" : a restriction which means that the
size of an automatic capacity expansion volume cannot be reduced
dynamically;
31
—^ PHT100082IN01W
(*) "Read-only prohibited" : a restriction which means that read
only access to the data in the automatic capacity expansion volume
is prohibited (a "read only" access attribute cannot be set for
the automatic capacity expansion volume).
[0076]
The function indicated by the function ID "TP3" is implemented by
a storage sub-system having a function indicated by the function
name "LUSE".
[0077]
The function indicated by the function ID "TP4" is implemented by
a host computer having a function indicated by the function name
"ZFS". According to the function ID "TP4", an automatic capacity
expansion function is provided even if the storage sub-system does
not have an automatic capacity function.
[0078]
In this way, there are a plurality of functions which can satisfy
one user request. However, certain functions of the plurality of
functions may have restrictions which other functions of the
plurality of functions do not have. The restriction may be a
restriction which is determined uniquely on the basis of the
functions of the storage sub-system, the functions of the host
computer, or a combination of these (namely, a static restriction) .
Furthermore, the restriction may also be determined on the basis
of the status (such as the performance (load) ) of the devices
belonging to the storage sub-system (for example, ports, CPU,
memory, logical volume or physical resource), the status (such as
32
-^ PHT100082IN01W
the performance (load) ) of the devices belonging to the host
computer (for example, the I/F, CPU or memory), or a combination
of these (namely, a dynamic restriction).
[0079]
Fig. 7 shows one example of the details of a system function table
4210.
[0080]
The system function table 4210 is a table which stores information
representing the functions held by the respective apparatuses,
such as the storage sub-system 1000 or the host computer 2000. The
system function table 4210 includes, for example, the following
information for each apparatus:
(*) system ID 42101 which is an identifier of the apparatus (for
example, the storage sub-system 1000 or host computer 2000); and
(*) function name 42102 which is a name of a function held by the
apparatus.
[0081]
Fig. 8 shows one example of the details of a system configuration
information table 4220.
[0082]
The system configuration information table 4220 is a table which
stores information indicating the coupling relationship (system
configuration) between the storage sub-system 1000 and the host
computer 2000. For each system configuration, the system
configuration information table 422 0 includes, for example:
(*) a storage sub-system ID 42201 which is an identifier of a
33
^ PHT100082IN01W
storage sub-system 1000 in the system configuration;
(*) a LUN (Logical Unit Number) 42202 which is one type of
identifier of a logical volume 1110; and
(*) a host ID 42203 which is an identifier of a host computer 2000
in the system configuration (a host computer which is coupled to
the storage sub-system and which recognizes the logical volume).
[0083]
Fig. 9 shows one example of the details of an implementation pattern
table 4230.
[0084]
The implementation pattern table 4230 is a table which stores
information indicating system configurations corresponding to
user requests. For each system configuration, the implementation
pattern table 4230 includes, for example, the following
information:
{*) implementation pattern ID 42301 which is an identifier of an
implementation pattern corresponding to the system configuration;
(*) user request 42302 indicating a user request corresponding to
the system configuration;
(*) storage ID 42303 which is an identifier of a storage sub-system
1000 in the system configuration;
{*) host ID 42304 which is an identifier of a host computer 2000
in the system configuration;
{*) function ID 42305, which is an identifier of a function that
can be implemented by the system configuration; and
{*) implementation enabled/disabled 42306 which indicates whether
34
-^ PHT100082IN01W
implementation of the system configuration is enabled or disabled.
[0085]
The implementation enabled/disabled element 42306 stores
information indicating "enabled" in the case of a composition which
can be implemented, and stores information indicating "disabled"
in the case of a composition which cannot be implemented, but the
implementation enabled/disabled information can also be expressed
by numbers or other text characters.
[0086]
Fig. 10 shows one example of the details of a characteristics table
4240.
[0087]
The characteristics table 4240 is a table which stores information
indicating the characteristics of the devices in the storage
sub-system 1000 (hereinafter, called "devices S") and/or
information indicating the characteristics of the devices H (the
devices inside the host computer). The characteristics
information table 4240 includes the following information, for
example, for each characteristic detected:
(*) system ID 42401 which is an identifier of an apparatus (storage
sub-system 1000 or host computer 2000) having a device having the
characteristic;
(*) device 42402 indicating the name of the device having the
characteristic;
(*) time 42403 indicating the characteristic acquisition time or
acquisition time band; and
35
I
•^ PHT100082IN01W
(*) lOPS 42404 indicating the I/O frequency as a characteristic.
The devices which are the object of characteristics monitoring are
not limited to network interfaces (for example, host bus adapters
(HBA), ports) and may include other types of device (hardware),
for example, CPUs or memories.
[0088]

[0089]
The data processing procedure in the present embodiment is now
described.
[0090]
Fig. 11 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the
configuration management program 4110.
[0091]
In step SIOOO, the configuration management program 4110 requests
provision of configuration information of the storage sub-system
1000, from the configuration acquisition program 1211. In response
to this request, the configuration acquisition program 1211
gathers configuration information of the storage sub-system 1000
on the basis of the management information held by the storage
sub-system 1000 (for example, information relating to the logical
volume, such as the LUN and capacity) . The management information
is stored in the memory 1210 of the storage sub-system 1000, for
example.
[0092]
In step SIOIO, the configuration management program 4110 receives
36
*-y PHT100082IN01W
configuration information of the storage sub-system 1000 (the
information gathered as described above), from the configuration
acquisition program 1211. This configuration information is
information stored in the system configuration information table
4220, but other types of information can also be received in
addition to this.
[0093]
In step S1020, the configuration management program 4110 receives
configuration information of the host computer 2 000 from the
operating system 2120, by communicating with the operating system
of the host computer 2000. In the present embodiment, the
configuration information received from the operating system 2120
is information stored in the system configuration information
table 4220, but other types of information can also be received
in addition to this. Furthermore, configuration information is
not limited to being acquired from the operating system, and it
is also possible to provide a program for acquiring configuration
information in the host computer 2000 and to receive configuration
information from this program.
[0094]
In step S1030, the configuration management program 4110 stores
the configuration information received at SIOIO and the
configuration information received at S1020, in the system
configuration information table 4220.
[0095]
The configuration management program 4110 may start the flow shown
37
-^ PHT100082IN01W
in Fig. 11 at prescribed time intervals, for example, or may start
the flow shown in Fig. 11 when a change in the storage sub-system
or the host computer (or the system configuration in which these
are combined) is detected. In a case where the flow shown in Fig.
11 is started at prescribed time intervals, information indicating
the time interval for starting the flow shown in Fig. 11 may be
set by the user in the memory of the management computer 4000. This
time interval may be fixed or modifiable.
[0096]
The system configuration information table 4220 is created or
updated by carrying out processing in accordance with the flow
shown in Fig. 11.
[0097]
Fig. 12 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the function
management program 412 0.
[0098]
In step S2000, the function management program 4120 requests the
function acquisition program 1212 to provide information
indicating the functions of the storage sub-system 1000 (storage
function information) , In response to this request, the function
acquisition program 1211 gathers storage function information on
the basis of the management information held by the storage
sub-system 1000.
[0099]
In step S2010, the configuration management program 4120 receives
storage function information (the information gathered as
38
•^ PHT100082IN01W
described above), from the function acquisition program 1212.
[0100]
In step S2020, the function management program 4120 receives
information indicating the functions of the host computer 2 000
(host function information) from the business application 2110
and/or the operating system 2120, by communicating with the
business application 2110 and/or the operating system 2120. In
the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, it
is supposed that the function information is gathered separately
from the business application 2110 and from the operating system
2120, but it is also possible to gather information via a specific
interface of the host computer 2000 (an interface which provides
host function information).
[0101]
In step S2030, the function management program 4120 stores the
storage function information received at S2010 and the host
function information received at S2020, in the system function
table 4210.
[0102]
The function management program 4120 may start the flow shown in
Fig. 12 at prescribed time intervals, for example, or may start
the flow shown in Fig, 12 when a change in the storage sub-system
or the host computer (or the system configuration in which these
are combined) is detected. In a case where the flow shown in Fig.
12 is started at prescribed time intervals, information indicating
the time interval for starting the flow shown in Fig. 12 may be
39
-y PHT100082IN01W
set by the user in the memory of the management computer 4000. This
time interval may be fixed or modifiable.
[0103]
The system function table 4210 is created or updated by carrying
out processing in accordance with the flow shown in Fig. 12.
[0104]
Fig. 13 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the
implementation pattern acquisition program 4130.
[0105]
In step S3000, the implementation pattern acquisition program 4130
acquires information indicated by the required configuration table
4190. Steps S3010 to S3040 are carried out in respect of each
function ID 41902 included in this information. Below, one
function ID (the "object function ID" in the description of Fig.
13) 41902 is taken as an example to describe the steps S3010 to
S3040.
[0106]
At step S3010, the implementation pattern acquisition program 4130
searches for a system configuration corresponding to the object
function ID 41902 by referring to the system function table 4210
and the system configuration information table 4220. For example,
the following processes are carried out.
(al) The implementation pattern acquisition program 4130 extracts
one or more function name 41903 and one or more target system 41904
corresponding to the objection function ID 41902, from the
information acquired at step S3000.
40
~-^ PHT100082IN01W
(a2) Next, the implementation pattern acquisition program 4130
searches for one or more system ID 42101 and one or more function
name 42102 which matches the one or more target system 41904 and
the one or more function name 41903 extracted in (al) above, from
the system functions information table 4210.
(a3) If the corresponding one or more system ID 42101 and one or
more function name 42102 are found in (a2) above, the
implementation pattern acquisition program 4130 searches the
system configuration information table 4120 for a system
configuration matching the one or more system ID 42101 thus found
(a storage sub-system ID 42201 and/or host ID 42203).
[0107]
However, the processing in step S3010 is not limited to (al) to
(a3) above, and may involve any processing capable of identifying
a system configuration which matches the information indicated by
the required composition table 4190, of the combination of storage
sub-systems 1000 and host computers 2000 under the management of
the management computer 4000.
[0108]
In step S3020, the implementation pattern acquisition program 4130
judges whether or not a system configuration has been found in step
S3010. If the result of this judgment is negative, then step S3040
is carried out, and if the result of this judgment is positive,
then step S3030 is carried out.
[0109]
In step S3030, the implementation pattern acquisition program 4130
41
-^ PHT100082IN01W
stores a storage ID 42303 and host ID 42304 corresponding to the
system configuration thus found, the function ID 42305 matching
the object function ID 41902, and the implementation pattern ID
42301, in the implementation pattern table 4230. If a function
ID 42305 matching the object function ID 41902 has already been
stored in the implementation pattern table 4230, then the storage
ID 42303 and the host ID 42304 corresponding to the found system
configuration described above are appended as a record
corresponding to the function ID 42305.
[0110]
In step S3040, the implementation pattern acquisition program 4130
judges whether or not the processing from S3010 onwards has been
completed in respect of all of the function IDs 41902 of the
required configuration table 4190. If the result of this judgment
is positive, then the flow shown in Fig. 13 terminates, whereas
if the result of this judgment is negative, then the processing
from S3010 onwards is carried out in respect of the other function
IDs 41902.
[0111]
The implementation pattern acquisition program 4130 may start the
flow shown in Fig. 13 at prescribed time intervals, for example,
or may start the flow shown in Fig. 13 when a change in the storage
sub-system or the host computer (or the system configuration in
which these are combined) is detected. In a case where the flow
shown in Fig. 13 is started at prescribed time intervals,
information indicating the time interval for starting the flow
42
-i( PHT100082IN01W
shown in Fig. 13 may be set by the user in the memory of the
management computer 4000. This time interval may be fixed or
modifiable.
[0112]
By implementing processing in accordance with the flow shown in
Fig. 13, an implementation pattern ID 42301, a storage ID 42303,
a host ID 42304 and a function ID 42305 are stored in the
implementation pattern table 4230, if there is a corresponding
system configuration, in respect of all of the function IDs 41903
stored in the required configuration table 4190.
[0113]
Fig. 14 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the
characteristic monitoring program 4140.
[0114]
In step S4000, the characteristics monitoring program 4140 gathers
the characteristics information for the respective devices of the
storage sub-system 1000 (the devices S which are the
characteristics monitoring objects) at desired time intervals.
The time interval at which the characteristics information for the
devices S is received may be specified by the characteristics
monitoring program 4140 or may be specified by the user.
Furthermore, the method of receiving the characteristics
information for the devices S may be a method whereby the
characteristics monitoring program 4140 sends a characteristics
information acquisition request to the storage sub-system 1000 at
desired time intervals, or may employ another method.
43
PHT100082IN01W I
[0115]
In step S4010, the characteristics monitoring program 4140 gathers
characteristics information for the devices of the host computer
2000 (the devices H) , at desired intervals. The interval at which
the characteristics information for the devices H is received may
be specified by the characteristics monitoring program 4140 or may
be specified by the user. Furthermore, the method of receiving
the characteristics information for the devices H may be a method
whereby the characteristics monitoring program 4140 sends a
characteristics information acquisition request to the operating
system 2120 of the host computer 2000 at desired time intervals,
or may employ another method.
[0116]
In step S4020, the characteristics monitoring program 4140 stores
the characteristics information gathered in S4000 and S4010, in
the characteristics table 4240.
[0117]
The characteristics monitoring program 4140 may restart the flow
after waiting for a prescribed period of time from the completion
of the flow shown in Fig. 14, or may start the flow shown in Fig.
14 upon receiving a manual request from the user. In a case where
the flow is starting after waiting for a prescribed period of time,
information indicating the length of the waiting time period may
be set by the user in the memory of the management computer 4000.
This waiting time period may be fixed or modifiable.
[0118]
44
-^ PHT100082IN01W
In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description,
the characteristics monitoring program 4140 gathers information
stored in the characteristics table 4240, from the storage
sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000, but if other
information is required in the characteristics table 4240, then
this other information may also be gathered. Furthermore, if an
interface gathering characteristics information is prepared in the
storage sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000, the
characteristics monitoring program 4140 may acquire
characteristics information via this interface or may acquire
characteristics information by another method.
[0119]
Fig. 15 shows one example of the details of the user request UI
screen (UI 1100) .
[0120]
The screen (UI 1100) is a UI screen which is presented by the
implementation pattern specification program 4150 (a UI screen for
setting a user request and change condition). The screen (UI 1100)
comprises the following tools, for example:
(*) a tool for selecting a host computer 2000 (for example, a
drop-down box) (UI 1200);
(*) a tool for setting change condition (for example, a conditions
settings table) (UI 1400);
(*) a tool for displaying system configuration candidates (for
example, a button) (UI 1500); and
(*) a tool for deleting settings from the screen (UI 1100) (for
45
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example, a button) (UI 1600) .
The conditions settings table (UI 1400) includes, for each change
condition, a check box and a text string indicating a change
condition. A user selects one or more change condition by inputting
a check mark in one or more check box corresponding to one or more
change condition, as desired, of the plurality of change
conditions.
[0121]
The screen shown in Fig. 15 (UI 1100) is a screen for instructing
"automatic capacity expansion" as a user request. There may be
different screens (UI 1100) for each user request. Furthermore,
the screen (UI 1100) may comprise a tool for inputting a user
request desired by the user, from user requests of a plurality of
types. In the description of Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, it is supposed
that the user request "automatic capacity expansion" has been
instructed.
[0122]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in order to simplify the
description, the name (or ID) of a host computer 2000 is displayed
in the drop-down box UI 1200, but it is also possible to display
the name (or ID) of a storage sub-system 1000. Moreover, depending
on the user request, the drop-down box UI 1200 and the check items
in the conditions settings table UI 14 00 may be increased or
decreased in number.
[0123]
The user inputs a user request and a change condition to the screen
46
--y PHT100082IN01W
(UI 1100) . The user firstly selects a host computer 2000 from the
drop-down box (UI 1200), for example. Thereupon, if there exists
a combination of a storage sub-system 1000 and a host computer 2000
which satisfies the user request, the user selects the change
condition to be set, from the conditions settings table (UI 1400) .
When the setting of the change condition has been completed, the
user presses the button (hereinafter, candidate display button)
(UI 1500), or in order to cancel the settings, the user presses
the button (UI 1600) . When the candidate display button (UI 1500)
is pressed, information indicating the user request "automatic
capacity expansion" and information indicating the instructed host
computer and change condition is sent to the implementation pattern
specification program 4150.
[0124]
To give a specific example, "Host. 1000" is selected from the
drop-down box (UI 1200) and the change condition "high allocation
frequency" is instructed. The change condition "high allocation
frequency" means that the frequency with which a storage area is
allocated to an automatic capacity expansion volume is high. In
this case, information indicating the instructed host computer
"Host. 1000" and information indicating the instructed change
condition "allocation frequency high" is sent to the
implementation pattern specification program 4150.
[0125]
Fig. 16 shows one example of the details of a configuration
specification UI screen (UI 2100). The UI screen shown in Fig.
47
V PHT100082IN01W
16 is a UI screen which is displayed when the user settings shown
in Fig. 15 are made on the UI screen (UI 1100).
[0126]
The UI screen (UI 2100) is a screen which displays a list of one
or more candidate system configurations (hereinafter, also called
"implementation patterns") which are provided by the
implementation pattern specification program 4150. An
implementation pattern desired by the user is selected from the
candidate implementation patterns displayed on the list. The UI
screen (UI 2100) comprises the following tools, for example:
(*) a configuration display area which displays the details of the
implementation pattern (system configuration) (UI 2200 and UI
2200b);
(*) a tool employed by the user to select a configuration (for
example, a radio button) (UI 2210 and UI 2210b);
(*) an area for displaying which logical object is set in which
apparatus (set content text field) (UI 2200 and UI 2200b);
(*) an area for displaying restriction information indicating
restrictions arising when the settings are implemented
(restriction information text field) (UI 2230 and UI 2230b);
(*) a tool (button) used to permit the setting of a logical object
in accordance with an implementation pattern (system
configuration) selected by the user UI2300; and
(*) a tool (button) UI 2400 used to cancel the setting of a system
configuration.
[0127]
48
•^ PHT100082IN01W
The number of configuration display areas, radio buttons, setting
content text fields and restriction information text fields may
be the same as the number of system configurations which satisfy
the user request and change condition. Furthermore, the number
and format of the user interface displayed is not limited to the
number and format shown in Fig. 16, and it is also possible to employ
a user interface of another type which is capable of displaying
the implementation patterns and restriction information to the
user in a suitable fashion.
[0128]
The user selects a radio button UI 2210 or UI 2210b corresponding
to a desired implementation pattern, by means of the UI screen (UI
2100) , and presses the button (UI 2300) to set up a logical object
(automatic capacity expansion volume) according to that
implementation pattern.
[0129]
Fig. 17 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the
implementation pattern specification program 4150.
[0130]
In step S5000, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 displays a user request UI screen (UI 1100).
[0131]
In step S5010, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 receives a change condition instruction from the user via the
screen (UI 1100).
[0132]
49
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In step S5020, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 sends information indicating the user request and change
condition to the matching configuration detection program 4160.
By this means, the flow shown in Fig. 18 is started.
[0133]
In step S5030, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 refers to the implementation enabled/disabled element 42306
of the implementation pattern table 4230.
[0134]
In step S5040, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 judges whether or not there is a system configuration for which
the implementation enabled/disabled element 42306 of the
implementation pattern table 4230 is set to "enabled". If the
result of this judgment is negative, then step S5050 is carried
out, and if the result of this judgment is positive, then step S5060
is carried out.
[0135]
In step S5050, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 displays information indicating that there is no
implementation pattern (system configuration) which can be
implemented.
[0136]
In step S5060, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 identifies a restriction 42002 corresponding to the
implementation pattern, for each implementation pattern of the
which the enabled/disabled element 42306 has been set to "enabled",
50
V PHT100082IN01W
on the basis of the implementation pattern table 4230 and the
restriction information table 4200. More specifically, the
following actions are carried out, for example.
(*) The implementation pattern specification program 4150
identifies a function ID 42001 matching the function ID 42306
having an enabled/disabled element 42306 set to "enabled".
(*) The implementation pattern specification program 4150
identifies a restriction 42002 corresponding to the identified
function ID 42001.
(*) If there are a plurality of implementation patterns for which
the enabled/disabled element 42306 is set to "enabled", then the
implementation pattern specification program 4150 displays a list
of a plurality of implementation patterns on the configuration
specification UI screen (UI 2100) , in such a manner that a plurality
of implementation patterns are arranged in order of increasing
number of identified restrictions 42002. For each implementation
pattern, information indicating the restriction in the case of
setting that implementation pattern (namely, the information
indicated in the restriction column 42002) is displayed.
[0137]
In step S507 0, the implementation pattern specification program
4150 receives instruction of an implementation pattern desired by
the user, via the configuration specification UI screen (UI 2100),
and sends information indicating the instructed implementation
pattern (an implementation pattern desired by the user) to the
system setup program 4180.
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[0138]
Fig. 18 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the matching
configuration detection program 4160.
[0139]
In step S6000, the matching configuration detection program 4160
receives information indicating the user request and change
condition from the implementation pattern specification program
4150.
[0140]
In step S6010, the matching configuration detection program 4160
searches for an implementation pattern on the basis of the
information (information indicating user request and change
condition) received at S6000, the implementation pattern table
4230, and the restriction information table 4200. Here, the
program 4160 searches for an implementation pattern which
satisfies (1) and (2) below:
(1) The implementation pattern corresponds to a user request 42302
matching the received information (information indicated by the
user request);
(2) The one or more restrictions 42002 corresponding to the
function ID 42001 matching the function ID 42305 which corresponds
to the user request 42302 in (1) above do not include a restriction
42 002 matching a change condition indicated by the received
information (a change condition instructed by the user).
[0141]
In step S6020, the matching configuration detection program 4160
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judges whether or not an implementation pattern has been found.
If an implementation pattern has been found, then step S6030 is
carried out. Below, the processing from step S6030 onwards is
described by taking one of the one or more implementation patterns
that have been found as an example. This one implementation pattern
is called the "object implementation pattern" in the description
of Fig. 18 and Fig. 19.
[0142]
In step S6030, the matching configuration detection program 4160
executes the restriction information addition program 4170 and
sends information indicating an object implementation pattern to
the restriction information addition program 4170.
[0143]
In step S6040, the matching configuration detection program 4160
receives information indicating whether or not restriction
information has been added to the object implementation pattern,
from the restriction information addition program 4170.
[0144]
At step S6050, the matching configuration detection program 4160
judges whether or not restriction information has been added to
the object implementation pattern, on the basis of the information
received at step S6040. If the result of this judgment is positive,
then step S6060 is carried out, and if the result of this judgment
is negative, then step S6080 is carried out.
[0145]
In step S6060, the matching configuration detection program 4160
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compares the change condition indicated by the information
received at S6000 (a change condition instructed by the user) , with
the restriction information corresponding to the object
implementation pattern.
[0146]
In step S6070, the matching configuration detection program 4160
judges whether or not the object implementation pattern satisfies
the user's desired conditions. If the restriction information
corresponding to the object implementation pattern includes
restriction information which matches the change condition
instructed by the user, then the result of the judgment in step
S6070 is negative, whereas if the restriction information
corresponding to the object implementation pattern does not
include restriction information which matches the change condition
instructed by the user, then the result of the judgment in step
S6070 is positive. If the result of the judgment in step S6070
is positive, then step S6080 is carried out, and if the result of
the judgment in step S6070 is negative, then step S6090 is carried
out.
[0147]
In step S6080, the matching configuration detection program 4160
stores "enabled" as the implementation enabled/disabled element
42306 corresponding to the object implementation pattern, in the
implementation pattern table 4230.
[0148]
In step S6090, the matching configuration detection program 4160
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stores "disabled" as the implementation enabled/disabled element
42306 corresponding to the object implementation pattern, in the
implementation pattern table 4230.
[0149]
In step S6100, the matching configuration detection program 4160
judges whether or not the processing from step S6030 onwards has
been carried out in respect of all of the implementation patterns
found in step S6010. If the result of this judgment is positive,
then the processing of the flow shown in Fig. 18 is terminated,
whereas if the result of the judgment is negative, then step S6030
is carried out in respect of an implementation pattern for which
step S6030 has not yet been carried out.
[0150]
Fig. 19 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the restriction
information addition program 417 0.
[0151]
In step S7000, the restriction information addition program 4170
receives information indicating the object implementation pattern
from the matching configuration detection program 4160.
[0152]
In step S7010, the restriction information addition program 4170
refers to the system configuration information table 4220, the
implementation pattern table 4230 and the characteristics table
4240, using information which indicates the object implementation
pattern.
[0153]
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In step S7020, the restriction information addition program 4170
identifies the I/O time band of the devices (here, the HBA)
belonging to the host computer 2000 constituting the object
implementation pattern, on the basis of the table referred to m
step S7010. More specifically, the following is carried out, for
example.
(*) The restriction information addition program 4170 identifies
the host computer constituting the object implementation pattern,
from the system configuration information table 4220 and the
implementation pattern table 4230.
(*) The restriction information addition program 4170 identifies
one or more time 42403 corresponding to the devices (HBA) of the
identified host computer.
[0154]
In step S7030, the restriction information addition program 4170
judges whether or not there is a time band in which no I/O has
occurred in respect of the devices of the host computer 2000
constituting the object implementation pattern. This judgment is
made on the basis of the one or more time 424 03 identified as
described above, for example. If the result of this judgment is
positive, then the processing according to the flow shown in Fig.
19 terminates and if the result of the judgment is negative, then
step S7040 is carried out.
[0155]
In step S7040, the restriction information addition program 4170
stores the restriction 42002 (for example, "capacity expansion
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disabled when on") relating to the function corresponding to the
object implementation pattern, and an implementation pattern ID
42003 (for example, "1") corresponding to this restriction 42002,
in the restriction information table 4200 (see, for example, the
tables shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 9).
[0156]
In step S7050, the restriction information addition program 4170
reports information indicating that a restriction 42002 has been
stored in the restriction information table 4200, to the matching
configuration detection program 4160.
[0157]
According to the processing of the flow shown in Fig. 19, the
restriction information table 4200 shown in Fig. 6 may include
restrictions 42002 which have been stored previously and
restrictions 42 002 which are added dynamically on the basis of the
status (for example, the characteristics (load)) of the devices
of the storage sub-system and/or the host computer.
[0158]
Fig. 2 0 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the system setup
program 4180.
[0159]
In step S8000, the system setup program 4180 receives information
indicating the implementation pattern desired by the user, from
the implementation pattern specification program 4150.
[0160]
In step S8010, the system setup program 4180 sets up a logical
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object (for example, a logical volume or path) in accordance with
the information received in S8000, by executing the storage setup
program 1213 and the host setup program 2130.
[0161]
The foregoing was a description of a first embodiment.
[0162]
According to the first embodiment, the user is able to set up a
logical object corresponding to a user request and change condition
desired by the user, by means of a similar operation, regardless
of the configuration of the computer system (the type of host
computer and the type of storage sub-system) . For example,
according to the first embodiment, even if the storage sub-system
1000 does not have a function for creating an automatic capacity
expansion volume, it is possible to identify a substitute function
for achieving this function, on the basis of the required
configuration table 4190 and the system configuration information
table 4220. Furthermore, information indicating restrictions
relating to this substitute function is identified from the
restriction information table 4200, and information indicating the
substitute function (implementation pattern) which satisfies the
user request, and information indicating restrictions relating to
the substitute function, can be shown appropriately to the user.
[0163]
Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when information
indicating an implementation pattern and restriction information
is shown to the user, restrictions which may occur under the current
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status of the computer system are identified, and information
indicating the identified restrictions can be added to the
restriction information table 4200.
[Second embodiment]
[0164]
Below, a second embodiment of the present invention is described.
The following description will focus on differences with respect
to the first embodiment, and points which are common with the first
embodiment are either omitted or are explained briefly.
[0165]

[0166]
Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the composition of a computer system
relating to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0167]
This computer system comprises a storage sub-system 1000, a host
computer 2000, a switch apparatus 3000b, a management computer
4000, a switch apparatus 5000b and a second storage sub-system
6000. In the drawings, there are respectively one storage
sub-system 1000, one host computer 2000, one management computer
4000 and one second storage sub-system 6000, but the invention is
not limited to this and there may also be more than one of each
of these. Furthermore, although there are one switch apparatus
3000 and one switch apparatus 5000 respectively, as long as the
storage sub-systems 1000 and 6000, the host computer 2000 and the
management computer 4000 can be coupled, the number of switch
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apparatuses may be zero.
[0168]
The switch apparatus 3000b comprises an I/F 3100 for coupling with
the storage sub-system 1000 and the storage sub-system 6000 and
an I/F 3200 for coupling with the host computer 2000. The
communications protocol used in communications between the storage
sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000 (communications via the
switch apparatus 3000) may be EC or iSCSI, but is not limited in
particular. Furthermore, the switch apparatus 3000b has an I/F
32 00 for coupling with the switch apparatus 5000b. In the drawings,
there are two I/F 3100 and two I/F 3200, but the number of interfaces
is not limited to this and there may be more than one of each of
these I/F.
[0169]
The switch apparatus 5000b comprises an I/F 5100 for coupling with
the storage sub-system 1000 and the storage sub-system 6000 and
an I/F 5200 for coupling with the management computer 4000. The
communications protocol used in communications between the storage
sub-system 1000 and the management computer 4000 (communications
via the switch apparatus 5000) may be TCP/IP, but is not limited
in particular. Furthermore, the switch apparatus 5000b has an I/F
3200 used for coupling with the switch apparatus 3000b. In the
present embodiment, there are two I/F 5100 and two I/F 5200, but
the number of interfaces is not limited to this and there may be
more than one of each of these I/F.
[0170]
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The composition of the second storage sub-system 6000 is similar
to the storage sub-system 1000, and therefore description or
depiction thereof is omitted here.
[0171]
In the present embodiment, the storage sub-systems 1000 and 6000
have a function for copying a logical volume 1110 between the
storage sub-systems (remote copying function). The host computer
2000 has a function for detecting a fault in the network I/F and
automatically switching the I/F (path switching software).
[0172]

[0173]
The major part of the data processing procedure of the present
embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. The difference
with respect to the data processing procedure of the first
embodiment is the fact that when the user request indicates a
copying function, the matching configuration detection program
4160 carries out processing for judging whether copying is enabled
or disabled from the copy source logical volume 1110 to the copy
destination logical volume 1110. As examples of processing for
judging whether the copy source and copy destination logical
volumes 1110 are enabled or disabled, the matching configuration
detection program 4160 may carry out:
(*) processing for judging whether or not the capacity of the copy
source logical volume 1110 is less than the capacity of the copy
destination logical volume 1110, and/or;
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(*) processing for judging whether or not the copy destination
logical volume 1110 is allocated to the host computer 2000.
If the result of this judgment is positive, copying is not possible,
and if the result of this judgment is negative, then copying is
possible.
[0174]
According to the second embodiment, even in the case of a computer
system having a configuration such as that shown in Fig. 21,
similarly to the first embodiment, the user is able to set up a
logical object corresponding to a user request and change condition
desired by the user, by means of a similar operation, regardless
of the configuration of the computer system (the type of host
computer and the type of storage sub-system).
[0175]
Even if the storage sub-system 1000 does not have a migration
function, it is possible to achieve migration between the storage
sub-systems 1000 and the 6000 by combining the copy function of
the storage sub-system 1000 and the path switching software
function of the host computer 2000 (see, for example. Fig. 5).
[Third embodiment]
[0176]
Below, a third embodiment of the present invention is described.
The following description will focus on differences with respect
to the first or second embodiments, and points which are common
with the first or second embodiments are either omitted or are
explained briefly.
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[0177]

[0178]
Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the composition of a computer system
relating to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0179]
This computer system comprises a storage sub-system 1000, a host
computer 2000, a switch apparatus 3000c, a management computer
4000, a switch apparatus 5000b, a second storage sub-system 6000
and a second host computer 7000. In the drawings, there are
respectively one storage sub-system 1000, one host computer 2000,
one management computer 4000, one second storage sub-system 6000
and one second host computer 2000, but the invention is not limited
to this and there may also be more than one of each of these.
Furthermore, although there are one switch apparatus 3000c and one
switch apparatus 5000b respectively, as long as the storage
sub-systems 1000 and 6000, the host computer 2000, the host
computer 7000 and the management computer 4000 can be coupled, the
number of switch apparatuses may be zero.
[0180]
The switch apparatus 3000c comprises an I/F 3100 for coupling with
the storage sub-system 1000 and the storage sub-system 6000 and
an I/F 3200 for coupling with the host computer 2000 and the host
computer 7000. The communications protocol used in communications
between the storage sub-system 1000 and the host computer 2000
(communications via the switch apparatus 3000c) may be FC or iSCSI,
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but is not limited in particular. Furthermore, the switch
apparatus 3000c has an I/F 3200 for coupling with the switch
apparatus 5000b. In the drawings, there are two I/F 3100 and two
I/F 3200, but the number of interfaces is not limited to this and
there may be more than one of each of these I/F.
[0181]
The composition of the second host computer 7000 is similar to that
of the first host computer 2000, and description thereof is omitted
here.
[0182]
In the present embodiment, the host computer 7000 has a function
for copying data on a file system, and the host computer 2 000 has
a function for applying access restrictions to a disk.
[0183]
.
[0184]
The data processing procedure according to the present embodiment
is the same as that of the second embodiment (or the first
embodiment) and therefore description thereof is omitted.
[0185]
According to the third embodiment, even in the case of a computer
system having a configuration such as that shown in Fig. 22,
similarly to the first and second embodiments, the user is able
to set up a logical object corresponding to a user request and
change condition desired by the user, by means of a similar
operation, regardless of the configuration of the computer system
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(the type of host computer and the type of storage sub-system).
[0186]
In the third embodiment, even if the host computer 2000 does not
have a migration function and the storage sub-system 6000 does not
have a function for creating a security volume, it is still possible
to copy data to the storage sub-system 6000 using the functions
of the host computer 7000 and it is still possible for the host
computer 2000 to achieve redundancy of a logical volume 1110
associated with access attributes, by using the functions of the
host computer 2000.
[0187]
In the foregoing, several embodiments of the present invention were
described, but the present invention is not limited to these
embodiments and may of course be modified in various ways without
departing from the essence of the invention. For example, two or
more embodiments of the first to third embodiments may be combined
with each other.
[Reference Signs List]
[0188]
1000 storage sub-system

Claims
A management system coupled to a computer system including
one or more types of storage apparatus; comprising:
a storage resource which stores management information; and
a processor coupled to the storage resource;
wherein the management information includes:
(a) request/function correspondence information, which is
information containing, for each request by an administrator,
information indicating a storage function required in order to
achieve a function satisfying the administrator request; and
(b) function information, which is information containing,
for each storage apparatus included in the computer system,
information indicating the storage functions held by the storage
apparatus,
the storage function is a function of a storage apparatus,
and
the processor executes:
(A) reception of a request of the administrator;
(B) identification of an implementation pattern which is a
system configuration including a storage apparatus having a
storage function required in order to achieve a function satisfying
the administrator request received in the (A) , on the basis of the
request/function correspondence information and the function
information; and
(C) setup for achieving a function satisfying the
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administrator request received in the (A) , in respect of a
specified implementation pattern, which is any implementation
pattern of the one or more implementation patterns identified in
(B) .
[Claim 2]
A management system according to claim 1,
wherein the management information further includes:
(c) restriction management information including
information indicating restrictions in respect of a function
having restrictions, of the one or more functions which satisfy
the administrator request;
in the (B), the processor identifies, in addition to an
implementation pattern, restrictions relating to a function
satisfying the administrator request received in the (A) , on the
basis of the restriction management information; and
the specified implementation pattern is an implementation
pattern specified on the basis of the one or more restrictions of
the one or more implementation patterns identified in the (B).
[Claim 3]
A management system according to claim 2,
wherein, in the (B), the processor displays a user interface
screen showing information indicating the identified one or more
implementation patterns;
information indicating restrictions is displayed in respect
of an implementation pattern having restrictions, of the one or
more implementation patterns, on the user interface screen; and
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the specified implementation pattern is an implementation
pattern selected by the administrator via the user interface
screen.
[Claim 4]
A management system according to claim 3,
wherein, in the (A) , the processor receives a setup condition
which is a condition relating to setup; and
in the (B), the processor identifies an implementation
pattern having no restriction that matches the setup condition,
of the one or more implementation patterns for achieving a function
satisfying the administrator request received in the (A).
[Claim 5]
A management system according to claim 4,
wherein the management information further includes:
(d) status information including information indicating
status of the storage apparatuses and/or the host computers and
information indicating time of the status; and
and the processor executes
(X) detection of the status of the storage apparatuses and/or
the host computers in the computer system, at periodic or irregular
intervals, and inclusion of information indicating the detected
status and information indicating the time corresponding to the
status, in the status information; and
(Y) judgment of whether or not there is a restriction that
ought to be added, in respect of each of the one or more
implementation patterns for achieving a function satisfying an
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administrator request received in the (A), on the basis of the
status information, and addition of the restriction that ought to
be added, to the restriction management information, in respect
of a function corresponding to an implementation pattern for which
the result of this judgment is affirmative.
[Claim 6]
A management system according to claim 5,
wherein the request/function correspondence information
includes information indicating a host function, which is a
function of a host computer, in place of or in addition to
information indicating a storage function, depending on the
function which satisfies an administrator request; and
the one or more implementation patterns identified in the (B)
include an implementation pattern including a host computer which
is coupled to the storage apparatus, in addition to the storage
apparatus.
[Claim 7]
A management system according to claim 6, wherein the setup
in the (C) is creation of a logical volume.
[Claim 8]
A management system according to claim 7, wherein there are
plural types of storage apparatuses and/or plural types of host
computers in the computer system.
[Claim 9]
A management system according to claim 2,
wherein, in the (A) , the processor receives a setup condition
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which is a condition relating to setup; and
in the (B), the processor identifies an implementation
pattern having no restriction that matches the setup condition,
of the one or more implementation patterns for achieving a function
satisfying the administrator request received in the (A).
[Claim 10]
A management system according to claim 2,
wherein the management information further includes:
(d) status information including information indicating
status of the storage apparatuses and/or the host computers and
information indicating time of the status, and
the processor executes:
(X) detection of the status of the storage apparatuses and/or
the host computers in the computer system, at periodic or irregular
intervals, and inclusion of information indicating the detected
status and information indicating time corresponding to the
status, in the status information; and
(Y) judgment of whether or not there is a restriction that
ought to be added, in respect of each of the one or more
implementation patterns for achieving a function satisfying an
administrator request received in the (A) , on the basis of the
status information, and addition of the restriction that ought to
be added, to the restriction management information, in respect
of a function corresponding to an implementation pattern for which
the result of this judgment is affirmative.
[Claim 11]
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A management system according to claim 1,
wherein the request/function correspondence information
includes information indicating a host function, which is a
function of a host computer, in place of or in addition to
information indicating a storage function, depending on the
function which satisfies an administrator request; and
the one or more implementation patterns identified in the (B)
include an implementation pattern including a host computer which
is coupled to a storage apparatus, in addition to the storage
apparatus.
[Claim 12]
A method of managing a computer system including storage
apparatuses of one or more types,
the method comprising:
(A) receiving a request of an administrator;
(B) identifying an implementation pattern which is a system
configuration including a storage apparatus having a storage
function required in order to achieve a function satisfying the
administrator request received in the (A) , on the basis of
request/function correspondence information and function
information; and
(C) performing setup for achieving a function satisfying the
administrator request received in the (A) , in respect of a
specified implementation pattern, which is any implementation
pattern of the one or more implementation patterns identified in
the (B),
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wherein the request/function correspondence information is
information containing, for each administrator request,
information indicating the storage function required in order to
achieve a function satisfying the administrator request; and
the function information is information containing, for each
storage apparatus included in the computer system, information
indicating the storage functions of the storage apparatus.
[Claim 13]
A computer program executed by a computer coupled to a
computer system including one or more types of storage apparatus,
the program causing the computer to execute:
(A) receiving a request of an administrator;
(B) identifying an implementation pattern which is a system
configuration including a storage apparatus having a storage
function required in order to achieve a function satisfying the
administrator request received in the (A) , on the basis of
request/function correspondence information and function
information; and
(C) performing setup for achieving a function satisfying the
administrator request received in the (A) , in respect of a
specified implementation pattern, which is any implementation
pattern of the one or more implementation patterns identified in
the (B);
wherein the request/function correspondence information is
information containing, for each administrator request,
information indicating a storage function required in order to
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achieve a function satisfying the administrator request; and
the function information is information containing, for each
storage apparatus included in the computer system, information
indicating storage functions of the storage apparatus.