U.S. patent application number 11/696850 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for storage system and method for a storage control apparatus using information on management of storage resources.
Invention is credited to Kozue Fujii, Tatsuya Murakami, Akinobu Shimada, Hironori Yasukawa.
Application Number | 20070168611 11/696850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34544879 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070168611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yasukawa; Hironori ; et
al. |
July 19, 2007 |
STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A STORAGE CONTROL APPARATUS USING
INFORMATION ON MANAGEMENT OF STORAGE RESOURCES
Abstract
A storage control apparatus comprises a data I/O control unit
which has communication ports adapted to connect with any of
information processing apparatuses, is communicatively connected to
physical disk drives for storing data, and performs data read/write
from/to the drives according to a data I/O request received from
the processing apparatus; a first memory storing a data
read/written among the data stored in the disk drives; and a second
memory storing information on management of storage resources
including the communication ports, the physical disk drives, and a
storage capacity of the first memory allocated for each user using
the processing apparatuses. Upon reception of a request of the
information on management from a user, an identifier of the
communication port, an identifier of the disk drive, and a storage
capacity of the first memory allocated for the user are transmitted
to a user interface.
Inventors: |
Yasukawa; Hironori;
(Odawara, JP) ; Shimada; Akinobu; (Chigasaki,
JP) ; Fujii; Kozue; (Odawara, JP) ; Murakami;
Tatsuya; (Odawara, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP
Suite 1800
1300 North Seventeenth Street
Arlington
VA
22209
US
|
Family ID: |
34544879 |
Appl. No.: |
11/696850 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10765883 |
Jan 29, 2004 |
7219192 |
|
|
11696850 |
Apr 5, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
711/114 ;
711/170; 711/E12.019 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0689 20130101;
G06F 3/0631 20130101; G06F 12/0873 20130101; G06F 3/0605 20130101;
G06F 2212/261 20130101; G06F 12/084 20130101; G06F 3/0665
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
711/114 ;
711/170 |
International
Class: |
G06F 12/16 20060101
G06F012/16; G06F 12/00 20060101 G06F012/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 28, 2003 |
JP |
2003-400515 |
Claims
1. A storage control apparatus comprising: a plurality of
communication ports each of which is connectable with any of a
plurality of information processing apparatuses, are
communicatively connected to a plurality of physical disk drives
for storing data, receives a data I/O request for data stored in
the physical disk drives from the information processing
apparatuses, and performs data read/write from/to the physical disk
drives in accordance with the received data I/O request; a cache
memory; and storage resources which are partitioned into a
plurality of storage resource groups each having one or more
communication ports, storage capacity in said cache memory and one
or more physical disk drives, wherein each storage resource group
is assigned to an user, wherein said user is permitted to set a
configuration of said one or more communication ports, said storage
capacity in said cache memory and said one or more physical disk
drives of said storage resource group assigned to said user; and
wherein in response to reception of a transmission request of
information on management of a first storage resource group from a
first user via a user interface, the storage control apparatus
transmits an identifier of the one or more communication ports, an
identifier of the one or more physical disk drives, and a storage
capacity of the cache memory in the first storage resource group
assigned to said first user.
2. A storage control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
information on management of said first storage resource group
includes: information representing a first relationship between the
one or more physical disk drives of said first storage resource
group and a data amount which can be stored in the cache memory
among the data stored in the one or more physical disk drives, and
information representing a second relationship between the first
relationship and the one or more communication ports of said first
storage resource group.
3. A storage control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
one or more physical disk drives of each storage resource group
include of a plurality of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant
Array of Inexpensive Disk (RAID).
4. A storage control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
plurality of communication ports comprise: at least some of said
communication ports each of which is connectable with one of the
information processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request
for data stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality
of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk
(RAID); and a disk control section which is communicatively
connected to the physical disk drives and performs data read/write
from/to the physical disk drives according to the data I/O
request.
5. A storage control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
plurality of communication ports comprise: at least some of said
communication ports each of which is connectable with one of the
information processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request
for data stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality
of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk
(RAID); and a disk control section which is communicatively
connected to the physical disk drives and performs data read/write
from/to the physical disk drives according to the data I/O
request.
6. A storage control apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
plurality of communication ports comprise: at least some of said
communication ports each of which is connectable with one of the
information processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request
for data stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality
of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk
(RAID); and a disk control section which is communicatively
connected to the physical disk drives and performs data read/write
from/to the physical disk drives according to the data I/O
request.
7. A storage control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
number of data blocks allocated to the storage capacity in said
cache memory of each storage resource group is increased or
decreased as needed to provide a set storage capacity of the cache
memory to each user so as not to be affected by use of the cache
memory by the other users.
8. A method for controlling a storage control apparatus comprising
a plurality of communication ports each of which is connectable
with any of a plurality of information processing apparatuses, are
communicatively connected to a plurality of physical disk drives
for storing data, receives a data I/O request for data stored in
the physical disk drives from the information processing
apparatuses, and performs data read/write from/to the physical disk
drives in accordance with the received data I/O request, a cache
memory, and storage resources, said method comprising: wherein said
storage resources are partitioned into a plurality of storage
resource groups each having one or more communication ports,
storage capacity in said cache memory and one or more physical disk
drives, wherein each storage resource group is assigned to an user,
wherein said user is permitted to set a configuration of said one
or more communication ports, said storage capacity in said cache
memory and said one or more physical disk drives of said storage
resource group assigned to said user; receiving a transmission
request of information on management of a first storage resource
group of storage resources from a first user via a user interface;
and in response to reception of the transmission request of
information on management of said first storage resource group from
said first user via , said user interface, transmitting an
identifier of the one or more communication ports, an identifier of
the one or more physical disk drives, and a storage capacity of the
cache memory in the first storage resource group assigned to said
first user.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said information on
management of said first storage resource group includes:
information representing a first relationship between the one or
more physical disk drives of said first storage resource group and
a data amount which can be stored in the cache memory among the
data stored in the one or more physical disk drives, and
information representing a second relationship between the first
relationship and the one or more communication ports of said first
storage resource group.
10. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said one or more
physical disk drives of each storage resource group include of a
plurality of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant Array of
Inexpensive Disk (RAID).
11. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of
communication ports comprise: at least some of said communication
ports each of which is connectable with one of the information
processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request for data
stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality of hard
disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk (RAID);
and a disk control section which is communicatively connected to
the physical disk drives and performs data read/write from/to the
physical disk drives according to the data I/O request.
12. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of
communication ports comprise: at least some of said communication
ports each of which is connectable with one of the information
processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request for data
stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality of hard
disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk (RAID);
and a disk control section which is communicatively connected to
the physical disk drives and performs data read/write from/to the
physical disk drives according to the data I/O request.
13. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said plurality of
communication ports comprise: at least some of said communication
ports each of which is connectable with one of the information
processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request for data
stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality of hard
disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk (RAID);
and a disk control section which is communicatively connected to
the physical disk drives and performs data read/write from/to the
physical disk drives according to the data I/O request.
14. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a number of data blocks
allocated to the storage capacity in said cache memory of each
storage resource group is increased or decreased as needed to
provide a set storage capacity of the cache memory to each user so
as not to be affected by use of the cache memory by the other
users.
15. A computer program stored on a storage medium for controlling a
storage control apparatus comprising a plurality of communication
ports each of which is connectable with any of a plurality of
information processing apparatuses, are communicatively connected
to a plurality of physical disk drives for storing data, receives a
data I/O request for data stored in the physical disk drives from
the information processing apparatuses, and performs data
read/write from/to the physical disk drives in accordance with the
received data I/O request, a cache memory, and storage resources,
said computer program when executed by said storage control
apparatus comprising: wherein said storage resources are
partitioned into a plurality of storage resource groups each having
one or more communication ports, storage capacity in said cache
memory and one or more physical disk drives, wherein each storage
resource group is assigned to an user, wherein said user is
permitted to set a configuration of said one or more communication
ports, said storage capacity in said cache memory and said one or
more physical disk drives of said storage resource group assigned
to said user; code for receiving a transmission request of
information on management of a first storage resource group of
storage resources from a first user via a user interface; and code
for, in response to reception of the transmission request of
information on management of said first storage resource group from
said first user via said user interface, transmitting an identifier
of the one or more communication ports, an identifier of the one or
more physical disk drives, and a storage capacity of the cache
memory in the first storage resource group assigned to said first
user.
16. A computer program as claimed in claim 15, wherein said
information on management of said first storage resource group
includes: information representing a first relationship between the
one or more physical disk drives of said first storage resource
group and a data amount which can be stored in the cache memory
among the data stored in the one or more physical disk drives, and
information representing a second relationship between the first
relationship and the one or more communication ports of said first
storage resource group.
17. A computer program as claimed in claim 15, wherein said one or
more physical disk drives of each storage resource group include of
a plurality of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant Array of
Inexpensive Disk (RAID).
18. A computer program as claimed in claim 15, wherein said
plurality of communication ports comprise: at least some of said
communication ports each of which is connectable with one of the
information processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request
for data stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality
of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk
(RAID); and a disk control section which is communicatively
connected to the physical disk drives and performs data read/write
from/to the physical disk drives according to the data I/O
request.
19. A computer program as claimed in claim 16, wherein said
plurality of communication ports comprise: at least some of said
communication ports each of which is connectable with one of the
information processing apparatuses and receives a data I/O request
for data stored in the physical disk drives including a plurality
of hard disk drives constituting a Redundant Array Inexpensive Disk
(RAID); and a disk control section which is communicatively
connected to the physical disk drives and performs data read/write
from/to the physical disk drives according to the data I/O
request.
20. A computer program as claimed in claim 15, wherein a number of
data blocks allocated to the storage capacity in said cache memory
of each storage resource group is increased or decreased as needed
to provide a set storage capacity of the cache memory to each user
so as not to be affected by use of the cache memory by the other
users.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of application
Ser. No. 10/765,883, filed Jan. 29, 2004, which claims priority
from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-400515, filed Nov. 28,
2003 in Japan, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
references.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a storage control apparatus
and a control method thereof.
[0003] With recent progress of information technique, storage
consolidation is performed so that a storage device is shared by a
plurality of users. In the storage consolidation, each user uses
the storage device by using storage resources such as a hard disk
drive and a communication port allocated to him/her. In this case,
various settings for using the storage resources should be
performed by a system administrator of each user for the storage
resources allocated for him/her. For example, see
JP-A-5-128002.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] However, in the conventional storage device, when the system
administrator instructs to transmit storage device configuration
information to the storage device, there is a case that
configuration information including storage resources allocated for
another user is transmitted.
[0005] For this, each system administrator must pay attention so
that the storage device is used within the range of the storage
resource allocated for him/her when performing various settings of
the storage device. Moreover, the administrator should pay
attention so that no erroneous setting will affect the storage
resources of other users. This increases the load of system
administration. The load is expected to be reduced.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a storage control apparatus and a control method thereof
which can solve the prior art problem mentioned above.
[0007] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the present
invention provides a storage control apparatus comprising: a data
I/O control section which includes a plurality of communication
ports that can be communicatively connected with any of a plurality
of information processing apparatuses, is communicatively connected
to a plurality of physical disk drives storing data, receives a
data I/O request for the data stored in the physical disk drives
from the information processing apparatuses via the communication
ports, and performs data read/write from/to the physical disk
drives in accordance with the data I/O request; a first memory
storing data which is read/written among the data stored in the
physical disk drives; and a second memory storing information on
management of storage resources including the communication ports,
the physical disk drives, and a storage capacity of the first
memory allocated for each user using the information processing
apparatuses; wherein upon reception of a transmission request of
the information on management of the storage resource from a user
via a user interface, an identifier of the communication port, an
identifier of the physical disk drive, and a storage capacity of
the first memory which have been allocated for the user are
transmitted to the user interface.
[0008] Other objects and solutions therefor disclosed in the
present application will become clear from the preferable
embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration
of a storage system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows an external configuration of the storage system
according to the present embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an external configuration of a storage control
apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
management terminal according to the present embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a physical drive management table according to
the present embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows an LU (logical unit) management table according
to the present embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a channel control section
according to the present embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a disk control section
according to the present embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an information processing
apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows storage resources of the storage system
according to the present embodiment divided and allocated to a
plurality of users.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows how the storage resources of the storage
system according to the present embodiment are divided.
[0020] FIG. 12 shows a CLPR (Cache Logical Partition) management
table according to the present embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 13 shows a cache memory according to the present
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 14 shows an SLPR (Storage Logical Partition) management
table according to the present embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 15 shows a port management table according to the
present embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 16 shows a user management table according to the
present embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 17 shows a user-SLPR relation table according to the
present embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 18 shows a common memory according to the present
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 19 shows a system configuration when partitioning and
allocating storage resources in the storage system according to the
present embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing flow when
partitioning and allocating storage resources according to the
present embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 21 shows a partition definition screen according to the
present embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when
displaying the storage resources allocated to each user according
to the present embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 23 shows a configuration information screen according
to the present embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[Outline of Configuration]
[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of
a storage system 600 including a storage control apparatus 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] The storage system 600 includes a storage control apparatus
100 and a storage drive 300. The storage control apparatus 100
controls the storage drive 300, for example, according to a command
received from an information processing apparatus 200. For example,
a data I/O request is received from information processing
apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) and read/write of data stored in a
physical disk drive 330 of the storage drive 300 is performed.
Moreover, the storage control apparatus 100 receives, for example,
various commands for managing the storage system 600 from
information processing apparatuses 6 to 8 (200) and performs
various settings of the storage system 600.
[0034] The information processing apparatus 200 is an information
apparatus such as a computer having a CPU (central processing unit)
and a memory. When various programs are executed by the CPU of the
information processing apparatus 200, various functions are
realized. The information processing apparatus 200 may be, for
example, a personal computer or a work station or a main frame
computer. The information processing apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) are
used, for example, as a central computer in the automatic teller
machine of a bank or in the aircraft seat reservation system.
Moreover, the information processing apparatuses 6 to 8 (200) are
used as a management computer for performing maintenance and
management of the storage system 600.
[0035] Here, each information processing apparatus 200 may be an
information processing apparatus 200 of different users. For
example, the information processing apparatuses 1, 2, 6 (200) can
be used as information processing apparatuses 200 of user A while
the information processing apparatuses 3 to 5, 7 (200) can be used
as information processing apparatuses 200 of user B. Moreover, the
information processing apparatus 8 (200) may be an information
processing apparatus 200 of the storage administrator who manages
the entire storage system 600. Here, the user may be, for example,
an enterprise or a department within the enterprise or an
individual.
[0036] In FIG. 1, the information processing apparatuses 1 to 5
(200) are communicably connected to the storage control apparatus
100 via a storage area network (SAN) 500. The SAN 500 is a network
for transmitting and receiving data to/from the information
processing apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) on a block basis as a data
management unit in the storage resources provided by the storage
drive 300. Communication between the information processing
apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) and the storage control apparatus 100
performed via the SAN 500 may be performed, for example, according
to a fibre channel protocol.
[0037] The information processing apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) and the
storage control apparatus 100 may not be connected via the SAN 500
but may be connected, for example, via the LAN (local area network)
or may be connected directly without using a network. When they are
connected via the LAN, communication may be performed, for example,
according to the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol) protocol. Moreover, when they are directly connected
without using a network, communication can be performed, for
example, according to the communication protocol such as FICON
(Fibre Connection).TM., ESCON (Enterprise System Connection).TM.,
ACONARC (Advanced Connection Architecture).TM., and FIBARC (Fibre
Connection Architecture).TM..
[0038] Moreover, the information processing apparatuses 6 to 8
(200) are connected to the storage control apparatus 100 via the
LAN 400. The LAN 400 may be the Internet or a dedicated network.
The communication between the information processing apparatuses 6
to 8 (200) and the storage control apparatus 100 performed via the
LAN 400 may be performed, for example, according to the TCP/IP
protocol.
[Storage Drive]
[0039] The storage drive includes a large number of physical disk
drives 330. Thus, it is possible to provide a large capacity of
storage region to the information processing apparatus 200. The
physical disk drives 330 may be composed of a data storage medium
such as hard disk drives or a plurality of hard disk drives
constituting a n RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks)
(hereinafter, a plurality of hard disk drives constituting one RAID
will be referred to as an RAID group or an ECC (error correction
code) group). Moreover, in the physical volume which is a physical
storage region provided by the physical disk drive 300, it is
possible to set a logical volume (hereinafter, also referred to as
LU) which is a logical storage region (hereinafter, a storage
region for storing data including a physical volume and a logical
volume will also be referred to as a storage volume 310).
[0040] The storage control apparatus can be directly connected to
the storage drive 300 as shown in FIG. 1 and they can also be
connected to each other via a network. Furthermore, the storage
drive 300 and the storage control apparatus 100 may also be
configured as a unitary block.
[Storage Control Apparatus]
[0041] The storage control apparatus 100 includes a channel control
section 110, a common memory (second memory) 120, a cache memory
(first memory) 130, a disk control section 140, a management
terminal 160, and a connection section 150.
[0042] The storage control apparatus 100 communicates with the
information processing apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) via the SAN 500 by
the channel control sections 1 to 8 (110).
[0043] The channel control section 110 has a communication
interface for communicating with the information processing
apparatus 200 and has a function for transmitting/receiving a data
I/O command to/from the information processing apparatus 200.
[0044] Each of the channel control sections 110 is connected
together with the management terminal 160 via the internal LAN 151.
Thus, it is possible to transmit and install a micro program to be
executed by the channel control section 110 from the management
terminal 160. Configuration of the channel control section 110 will
be detailed later.
[0045] The connection section 150 connects the channel control
section 110, the common memory 120, the cache memory 130, the disk
control section 140, and the management terminal 160 to one
another. Transmission and reception of data and commands between
the channel control section 110, the common memory 120, the cache
memory 130, the disk control section 140, and the management
terminal 160 are performed via the connection section 150. The
connection section is formed, for example, by a crossbar
switch.
[0046] The common memory 120 and the cache memory 130 are storage
memories shared by the channel control section 110 and the disk
control section 140. The common memory is used mainly for storing
control information and commands while the cache memory 130 is used
mainly for storing data.
[0047] For example, when the data I/O request received from the
information processing apparatus 200 by a channel control section
110 is a write command, the channel control section 110 writes the
write command into the common memory 120 and writes the write data
received from the information processing apparatus 120 into the
cache memory 130. On the other hand, the disk control section 140
monitors the common memory 120. Upon detection of that a write
command is written into the common memory 120, the disk control
section 140 reads write data from the cache memory 130 according to
the command and writes it into the storage drive 300.
[0048] Moreover, when the data I/O request received from the
information processing apparatus 200 by a channel control section
110 is a read command, the channel control section 110 checks
whether data to be read out is present in the cache memory 130. If
any data is present in the cache memory 130, the channel control
section 110 transmits the data to the information processing
apparatus 200. On the other hand, when no data to be read out is
present in the cache memory 130, the channel control section 110
writes the read command into the common memory 120 and monitors the
common memory 120. When the disk control section 140 detects that
the read command is written into the common memory, the disk
control section 140 reads out data to be read from the storage
drive 300, writes it into the cache memory 130, and reports/writes
it to the common memory. When the channel control section 110
detects that data to be read out is written in the cache memory
130, it transmits the data to the information processing apparatus
200.
[0049] Thus, between the channel control section 110 and the disk
control section 140, data is transmitted and received via the cache
memory 130. In the cache memory 130, those data read/written by the
channel control section 110 and the disk control section 140 are
stored among the data stored in the physical disk drive 330.
[0050] It should be noted that besides the configuration that data
write and read instructions from the channel control section 110 to
the disk control section 140 is performed indirectly via the common
memory 120, it is also possible to provide a configuration that,
for example, data write/read instructions from the channel control
section 110 to the disk control section 140 may be performed
directly without using the common memory 120.
[0051] Moreover, the channel control section 110 can have the
function of the disk control section 140 as a data I/O control
section.
[0052] The disk control section 140 is communicatively connected to
a plurality of physical disk drives 330 for storing data and
controls the storage drive 300. For example, as has been described
above, according to the data I/O request received from the
information processing apparatus 200, the channel control section
110 reads/write data from/to the physical disk drive 330.
[0053] Each disk control section 140 is connected together with the
management terminal by the internal LAN 151 and can communication
with one another. Thus, it is possible to transmit and install a
microprogram to be executed by the disk control section 140 from
the management terminal 160. Configuration of the disk control
section 140 will be detailed later.
[0054] In this embodiment, explanation has been given of a case
that the common memory 120 and the cache memory 130 are arranged
independently of the channel control section 110 and the disk
control section 140. However, the present embodiment is not limited
to this. It is also preferable that the common memory 120 or the
cache memory 130 be arranged by being distributed to each of the
channel control section 110 and the disk control section 140. In
this case, the connection section 150 connects the channel control
section 110 and the disk control section 140 having the distributed
common memory 120 or the cache memory 130 to each other.
[0055] Moreover, it is also possible to constitute at least one of
the channel control section 110, the disk control section 140, the
connection section 150, the common memory 120, and the cache memory
130 as a unitary block.
[Management Terminal]
[0056] The management terminal is a computer for performing
maintenance and management of the storage system 600. By operating
the management terminal, an operator can set configuration of the
physical disk drive 330 in the storage drive 300, set a path as a
communication path between the information processing apparatus 200
and the channel control section 110, set a logical volume, and
install a microprogram executed in the channel control section and
the disk control section 140. Here, the setting of configuration of
the physical disk drive 330 in the storage drive 300 includes, for
example, increase or decrease of the number of physical disk drives
330 and modification of the RAID configuration (such as
modification from RAID L to RAID5). Furthermore, the management
terminal 160 can check the operation state of the storage system
600, identifies a failed part, and install an operating system
executed in the channel control section 110. These settings and
control can be performed by an operator from the user interface of
the management terminal 160 or the user interface of the
information processing apparatuses 6 to 8 (200) displaying Web
pages provided by the Web server operating on the management
terminal 160. The operator can operates the management terminal 160
to set an object and a content to be monitored and set a failure
notification destination.
[0057] The management terminal may be built in the storage control
apparatus 100 or may be externally attached to the storage control
apparatus 100. Moreover, the management terminal 160 may be a
computer dedicated to maintenance and management of the storage
control apparatus 100 and the storage drive 300 or may be a
general-purpose computer having the maintenance and management
functions.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing configuration of the
management terminal 160.
[0059] The management terminal 160 includes a CPU 161, a memory
162, a port 163, a recording medium read device 164, an input
device 165, and output device 166, and a storage device 168.
[0060] The CPU 161 controls the entire management terminal 160 and
executes a storage management program 162C composed of codes for
performing various operations stored in the memory 162, thereby
providing the maintenance and management function of the storage
system 600. Similarly, by executing the storage management program
162C, it is possible to realize the function as the aforementioned
Web server. The memory 162 contains a physical disk drive
management table 162A, an LU management table 162B, the storage
management program 162C, a user management table 162D, a user-SLPR
relation table 162E which represents a relationship between user
and SLPR, an SLPR management table 162F, a CLPR management table
162G, and a port management table 162H.
[0061] The physical disk drive management table 162A is a table for
managing the physical disk drive 330 arranged in the storage drive
300. FIG. 5 shows the physical disk drive management table 162A.
FIG. 5 shows the disk numbers #001 to #006 among the plenty of
physical disk drives 330 in the storage drive 300. For each of the
physical disk drives 330, capacity, RAID configuration, the use
state, and the ECC group number are shown.
[0062] The LU management table 162B is a table for managing the
logical volume logically set on the physical disk drive 330. FIG. 6
shows the LU management table 162B. FIG. 6 shows LU number #1 to #3
among the plenty of logical volumes set on the storage drive 300.
For each of the logical volumes, the physical disk drive number,
capacity, RAID configuration, and CLPR to which it belongs are
shown. The CLPR will be detailed later.
[0063] Moreover, the other tables stored in the memory 162 of the
management terminal 160, i.e., the user management table 162D, the
user-SLPR relation table 162E, the SLPR management table 162F, the
CLPR management table, and the port management table 162H will be
detailed later. It should be noted that the LU management table
162B, the SLPR management table 162F, the CLPR management table
162G, and the port management table 162H are management information
on the storage resources allocated for each of the users using the
information processing apparatus 200 such as a communication port,
the physical disk drive 330, and the storage capacity of the cache
memory. As shown in FIG. 18, these information are stored in the
common memory 120. Their duplicates are stored in the memory 162 of
the management terminal 160.
[0064] The recording medium read apparatus 164 is an apparatus for
reading a program and data stored in the recording medium 167. The
program and data read are stored in the memory 162 and the storage
apparatus 168. Accordingly, for example, it is possible to read the
storage management program 162C stored in the recording medium 167
from the recording medium 167 by using recording medium read
apparatus 164 and store it in the memory 162 and the storage
apparatus 168. The recording medium 167 may be a flexible disk, a
CD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory. The recording medium read device
164 may be built in the management terminal 160 or externally
attached to it. The storage device 168 is, for example, a hard disk
or a semiconductor storage device. The input device 165 is a user
interface used for data input to the management terminal 160 by an
operator. The input device may be, for example, a keyboard and a
mouse. The output device 166 is a user interface for outputting
information outside. The output device 166 may be, for example, a
display and a printer. The port 163 is connected to the internal
LAN 151. Thus, the management terminal 160 can communicate with the
channel control section 110 and the disk control section 140.
Moreover, the port 163 is also connected to the connection section
150. Thus, the management terminal 160 can write and read data
to/from the common memory 120 and the cache memory 130. Moreover,
the port 163 is also connected to the LAN 400. Thus, the management
terminal 160 can communicate with the information processing
apparatuses 6 to 8 (200).
[External View]
[0065] Next, FIG. 2 shows an external configuration of the storage
system 600 according to the present embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 3
shows an external configuration of the storage control apparatus
100.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage system 600 according to the
present embodiment includes the storage control apparatus 100 and
the storage drive 300, each contained in a case. In the example
shown in FIG. 2, the case of the storage control apparatus 100 is
sandwiched between the cases of the storage drives 300.
[0067] The storage control apparatus 100 has the management
terminal 160 at the front center. The management terminal 160 is
covered with a cover. As shown in FIG. 3, the management terminal
160 can be used by opening the cover. It should be noted that the
management terminal 160 shown in FIG. 3 is a laptop but it can be
in any form.
[0068] Below the management terminal 160, there are provided slots
for mounting the channel control section 110, the disk control
section 140, the cache memory 130, the common memory 120, and the
connection section 150. The channel control section 110, the disk
control section 140, the cache memory 130, the common memory 120,
and the connection section 150 are configured as boards having
circuit substrates, which are mounted in the respective slots. Each
slot has a guide rail for mounting these boards. The channel
control section 110, the disk control section 140, the cache memory
130, the common memory 120, and the connection section 150 can be
mounted on the storage control apparatus 100 by inserting the
respective boards along the guide rails into the slots. At the
front of each slot in the depth direction, there is provided a
connector for electrically connecting the respective boards to the
storage control apparatus 100.
[0069] Moreover, the storage control apparatus 100 is provided with
a fan 170 for discharging heat generated from the channel control
section 110. The fan 170 is also provided above the slots in
addition to above the storage control apparatus 100.
[Channel Control Section]
[0070] FIG. 7 shows a configuration of the channel control section
110. The channel control section 110 is a unit board having a
circuit substrate 118. The channel control section 110 has one or
more circuit substrates 118. On the circuit substrate 118, there
are formed a processor 1 (119), a protocol chip 115, a DMA (Direct
Memory Access) (114), a memory 1 (117), a memory controller (111),
and a connector 116.
[0071] The protocol chip 115 provides a communication interface
function for communicating with the information processing
apparatus 200. For example, the protocol chip 115 controls
reception of a data I/O request transmitted from the information
processing apparatus 200 according to the fibre channel protocol
and data transmission/reception. The connector 116 connected to the
protocol chip 115 constitutes a communication port communicatively
connected to some of the plurality of the information processing
apparatuses 200.
[0072] The processor 1 (119), the memory 1 (117), the DMA 114, and
the memory controller 1 (111) receive a data I/O request for the
data stored in the physical disk drive 330 from the information
processing apparatus 200 via the communication port and transmit
and receive data and commands to/from the disk control section 140,
the cache memory 130, the common memory 120, and the management
terminal 160.
[0073] According to the instruction from the processor 1 (119), the
DMA 114 transfers the data transmitted from the information
processing apparatus 200 to the cache memory 130 and transmits the
data stored in the cache memory 130 to the information processing
apparatus 200.
[0074] When the connector 116 connected to the DMA 114 is engaged
with the connector of the side of the storage control apparatus
100, the channel control section 110 is electrically connected to
the connection section 150 of the storage control apparatus 100 and
the management terminal 160.
[Disk Control Section]
[0075] Next, FIG. 8 shows a configuration of the disk control
section 140.
[0076] The disk control section 140 includes an interface section
141, a memory 143, a CPU 142, an NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access
memory) 144, and a connector 145, which are formed as a unitary
block.
[0077] The interface section 141 includes a communication interface
for communicating with the channel control section 110 via the
connection section and a communication interface for communicating
with the storage drive 300.
[0078] The CPU 142 controls the entire disk control section 140 and
communicates with the channel control section 110, the storage
drive 300, and the management terminal 160. The CPU executes
various programs stored in the memory 143 and the NVRAM 144,
thereby realizing the function of the disk control section 140
according to the present embodiment.
[0079] The NVRAM 144 is a non-volatile memory containing a program
for controlling the CPU 142. The contents of the program stored in
the NVRAM 144 may be written or rewritten by the instruction from
the management terminal 160.
[0080] Moreover, the disk control section 140 has a connector 145.
When the connector 145 is engaged with the connector of the side of
the storage control apparatus 100, the disk control section 140 is
electrically connected with the connection section 150 of the
storage control apparatus 100, the storage drive 300, and the
management terminal 160.
[Information Processing Apparatus]
[0081] Next, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of
the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present
embodiment. The information processing apparatus 200 includes a CPU
210, a memory 220, a port 230, a recording medium read apparatus
240, an input device 250, an output device 260, and a storage
device 280.
[0082] The CPU 210 controls the entire information processing
apparatus 200 and executes an application program 220A and a
management program 220B including codes for performing various
operations stored in the memory 220, thereby realizing various
functions according to the present embodiment. For example, an
information processing service such as the aforementioned automatic
teller machine service of a bank is executed by the CPU 210 which
executes the application program 220A. Moreover, the CPU 210
executes the management program 220B so that it is possible to
display a Web page provided by a Web server operating on the
aforementioned management terminal 160, modify the configuration of
the physical disk drive 330, set a path as a communication path
between the information processing apparatus 200 and the channel
control section 110, set the logical volume 310, and the like. The
recording medium read apparatus 240 is an apparatus for reading a
program and data recorded on the recording medium 270. The program
and data which have been read are stored in the memory 220 and the
storage device 280.
[0083] Accordingly, for example, it is possible to read the
application program 220A and the management program 220B recorded
on the recording medium 270 from the recording medium 270 by using
the recording medium read apparatus 240 and store them in the
memory 220 and the storage device 280. The recording medium 270 may
be a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like.
The recording medium read apparatus 240 may be built in the
information processing apparatus 200 or externally attached to it.
The storage device 280 may be, for example, a hard disk apparatus
or a semiconductor storage apparatus. Moreover, the storage device
280 may be built in the information processing apparatus 200 or
externally attached to it. When externally attached, it is possible
to use the storage device 280 of another information processing
apparatus 200 connected via a communication network. Moreover, it
is possible to use the storage system 600 connected via the SAN
500.
[0084] The input device 250 is a user interface used for data input
to the information processing apparatus 200 by an operator
operating the information processing apparatus 200. The input
device 250 may be, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The output
device 260 is a user interface for outputting information outside.
The output device 260 may be, for example, a display and a printer.
The port 230 may be a device for communicating with the storage
control apparatus 100 via the SAN 500. In this case, the port 230
may be, for example, composed of an HBA (Host Bus Adapter).
Moreover, the port 230 may be an apparatus for communicating with
another information processing apparatus 200 via a communication
network such as the LAN 400. In this case, it is possible to
receive, for example, the application program 220A and the
management program 220B via the port 230 from the other information
processing apparatus 200 and store them in the memory 220 and the
storage device 280.
[0085] It should be noted that FIG. 9 shows an example that the
application program 220A and the management program 220B are both
stored in the memory 220 but it is also possible that only one of
them is stored in the memory 220. For example, in the information
processing apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) in FIG. 1, only the application
program 220A is stored in the memory 220 while in the information
processing apparatuses 6 to 8 (200), only the management program
220B is stored in the memory 220.
[Partition of Storage System]
[0086] As has been described above, the storage system 600
according to the present embodiment is shared by a plurality of
users. That is, storage resources including the communication port,
the physical disk drive 330, the storage capacity of the cache
memory 130 provided by the storage system 600 are partitioned to
for each user, who uses the storage resources within the range
allocated for him/her. FIG. 10 shows how the storage system 600
according to the present embodiment is partitioned to be provided
to a plurality of users. In FIG. 10, the communication port, the
cache memory 130, and the physical disk drive 330 of the storage
system 600 are partitioned into three, which are allocated to
company A, company B, and company C. In each of the company A,
company B, and company C, a system administrator (partitioned
storage administrator) is present and they performs setting for
using the storage system 600 within the range of the storage
resources allocated for their companies. For example, each
administrator sets the logical volume for the physical disk drive
330 allocated for his/her company and sets a path as a
communication path for accessing the logical volume from the
information processing apparatus 200 of his/her company.
[0087] On the other hand, there is a system administrator (storage
administrator) who allocates the storage resources of the storage
system 600 for the respective companies who use the storage
resources. The storage administrator may be a staff of a storage
service provider who provides the storage resources of the storage
system 600.
[0088] FIG. 11 shows an outline of partition of storage resources
in the storage system 600 according to the present embodiment.
[0089] That is, in the storage system 600 according to the present
embodiment, storage resources area allocated for each user by the
group SLPR. For example, as shown in the user-SLPR relation table
162E in FIG. 17, it is possible to allocate SLPR0 for user_A (for
example, company A in FIG. 10), SLPR1 for user_B (for example,
company B in FIG. 10), and SLPR2 for user_C (for example, company C
in FIG. 10). It should be noted that all the SLPR are allocated for
the storage administrator.
[0090] The communication port and the CLPR (first correlation) are
correlated to each SLPR (second correlation). In the example of
FIG. 11, PORT 0 (communication port 0) and CLPR0 are allocated for
SLPR0; PORT1 (communication port 1), CLPR1, and CLPR2 are allocated
for SLPR1; and PORT2 (communication port 2), PORT3 (communication
port 3), and CLPR3 are allocated for SLPR2.
[0091] In each CLPR (first correlation), ECC group 320 is
correlated to a data amount which can be stored in the cache memory
130 (storage capacity of the cache memory) among the data stored in
the ECC group 320. In the example of FIG. 11, for CLPR0, ECC group
0 and the storage capacity of the cache memory 130 of 100 GB (giga
bytes) are allocated; for CLPR1, ECC group 1 and the storage
capacity of the cache memory 130 of 100 GB are allocated; for
CLPR2, ECC group 2 and the storage capacity of the cache memory 130
of 100 GB are allocated; and for CLPR3, ECC group 3 and the storage
capacity of the cache memory 130 of 100 GB are allocated.
[0092] By the aforementioned allocation, company A can use PORT0 to
use the physical disk drive 330 of ECC group 0 and the cache memory
130 of 100 GB, company B can use PORT1 to use the physical disk
drive 330 of ECC group 1, the physical disk drive 330 of ECC group
2, and the cache memory 130 of 100 GB for each of the physical disk
drives 330, and company C can use PORT2 and PORT3 to use the
physical disk drive 330 of ECC group 3 and the cache memory 130 of
100 GB.
[0093] A CLPR management table 162G shown in FIG. 12 contains and
correlates the ECC group 320 and the storage capacity of the cache
memory 130 allocated for each CLPR.
[0094] The CLPR management table 162G has an "identifier" column, a
"cache capacity" column, an "ECC Group" column, and a "belonging
SLPR identifier" column. In the "identifier" column, identifiers of
the CLPR groups are described. In the "cache capacity" column, the
storage capacity of the cache memory 130 allocated for each CLPR is
described. In the "ECC Group" column, the identifier of the ECC
group 320 allocated for each CLPR is described. In the "belonging
SLPR identifier" column, the identifier of SLPR for which the CLPR
is allocated is described.
[0095] Moreover, the physical disk drive management table 162A
shown in FIG. 5 has the "ECC group" column. For this, by
referencing the physical disk drive management table 162A and the
CLPR management table 162G, it is possible to identify to which
CLPR group each physical disk drive 330 belongs and furthermore to
which SLPR group it belongs.
[0096] Moreover, the LU management table 162B shown in FIG. 6 has
the "belonging CLPR" column. By this, it is possible to correlate
each CLPR group to the logical volume logically set in the ECC
group 320 allocated for the CLPR group. It should be noted that as
has been described above, setting of a logical volume may be
performed by the partitioned storage administrator who manages the
storage resources of the storage system 600 allocated for
him/her,
[0097] By the way, in the storage system 600 according to the
present embodiment, a storage capacity of the cache memory 130 is
allocated for each CLPR. By allocating a storage capacity of the
cache memory 130 to each CLPR, each user sharing the storage system
600 can use the cache memory 130 allocated for him/her without
being affected by use of the storage system 600 by other users.
That is, in the storage system 600 according to the present
embodiment, it is possible to partition and provide the cache
memory 130 for each user. Accordingly, in the storage system 600
according to the present embodiment, even when a plurality of users
share the storage system 600, the cache hit ratio of each user is
not affected by the use of the storage system 600 by other users.
Thus, it is possible to realize a storage consolidation capable of
providing storage resources independently without depending on the
other users.
[0098] Since a storage capacity of the cache memory 130 is
allocated for each CLPR, as shown in FIG. 13, the cache memory 130
according to the present embodiment has a control region and a data
region. The data region is a region for storing data. Like the
ordinary cache memory, the data region has an address for each
predetermined block data length. On the other hand, the control
region stores the data block number in use for each CLPR. The
number of data blocks allocated for each CLPR is increased or
decreased according to the storage capacity of the cache memory 130
allocated for each CLPR. In this embodiment, since the storage
capacity of 100 GB is allocated for each of CLPR0 to CLPR3, in the
example of FIG. 13, the same number of data blocks is allocated for
each of them. The number of data blocks allocated for each CLPR may
be modified, for example, by the instruction from the management
terminal 160.
[0099] Next, FIG. 14 shows an SLPR management table 162F showing
allocation of each SLPR group.
[0100] The SLPR management table 162F has a "usable CU number"
column and a "usable SSID" column. The "usable CU number" column
describes the number of CU (Control Unit) allocated for each SLPR.
The CU is a logical storage system 600 set in the storage system
600. Each CU is controlled as if it were an independent storage
system 600 with respect to the information processing apparatus
200. The "usable SSID" column describes the number of SSID (Storage
Subsystem Identification) allocated for each SLPR. The SSID is an
identifier set for a predetermined number of sections of the number
of LDEV (Logical DEVice) logically set in each ECC group 320. It
should be noted that in the SLPR management table 162F, one of the
"usable CU number" column and the "usable SSID" column can be
omitted. For example, when the information processing apparatuses 1
to 5 (200) are main frame based computers, only the "usable SSID"
column may be present. Moreover, when the information processing
apparatuses 1 to 5 (200) are open-based computers, only the "usable
CU number" column may be present.
[0101] The port management table 162H shown in FIG. 15 shows
allocation of the communication port of each SLPR. The port
management table 162H has a "PORT number" column and a "belonging
SLPR identifier" column. The "PORT number" column describes the
identifier of the communication port. The "belonging SLPR
identifier" column describes the identifier of SLPR where the
communication port is allocated.
[0102] By using the aforementioned tables, the storage resources of
the storage system 600 according to the present embodiment can be
partitioned and allocated to each user.
[0103] Next, explanation will be given of the allocation of the
storage resources to each user with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG.
21. FIG. 19, like FIG. 1, shows a system configuration including
the storage system 600 according to the present embodiment. In FIG.
19, the information processing apparatus (hereinafter, also
referred to as an information processing apparatus for storage
apparatus management) 200 described as an information processing
apparatus (for storage apparatus management) is the information
processing apparatus 200 used by the aforementioned storage
administrator. For example, it can be the information processing
apparatus 8 (200) in FIG. 1. Moreover, in FIG. 19, the information
processing apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as an
information processing apparatus for user management) 200 described
as the information processing apparatus (for user management) is
the information processing apparatus 200 used by the aforementioned
partitioned storage administrator. For example, it can be the
information processing apparatuses 6 and 7 (200) in FIG. 1.
[0104] Explanation will be given on the processing flow for
allocating storage resources to each user with reference to a
flowchart of FIG. 20. It should be noted that the processing
described below is realized by the CPU 210 of the information
processing apparatus 200 and the CPU 161 of the management terminal
160 which execute the management program 220B composed of codes for
performing various operations stored in the memory 220 and the
storage management program 162C composed of codes for performing
various operations stored in the memory 162, respectively.
[0105] Firstly, the information processing apparatus 200 for
storage apparatus management receives a user ID and a password
input from the user interface by the storage administrator (S1000).
Then, the information processing apparatus 200 for storage
apparatus management transmits the user ID and the password via the
LAN 400 to the management terminal 160 (S1001). The management
terminal refers to the user management table 162D stored in the
memory 162 and performs user authentication (S1002). FIG. 16 shows
a user management table 162D.
[0106] The user management table 162D has a "user ID" column, a
"user name" column, a "password" column, and a "remark" column. The
"user ID" column describes the identifier of the partitioned
storage administrator or the storage administrator. The "user name"
column describes the partitioned storage administrator name or the
storage administrator name. The "password" column describes the
password of the partitioned storage administrator or the storage
administrator. The "remark" column describes remarks when
required.
[0107] The management terminal 160 refers to the user management
table 162D to check the user ID and the password transmitted from
the information processing apparatus 200 for storage apparatus
management and to perform authentication of the storage
administrator. Thus, by performing authentication of the storage
administrator, it is possible to prevent modification of the
configuration of the storage system 600 by an unauthorized third
person pretending to be the storage administrator.
[0108] The management terminal 160 transmits the authentication
result to the information processing apparatus 200 for storage
apparatus management (S1003). When the information processing
apparatus 200 for storage apparatus management is authorized as the
storage administrator from the management terminal 160, control is
passed to "Yes" and a partition definition screen is displayed on
the user interface (S1005). The display of the partition definition
screen can also be performed by displaying a Web page transmitted
from the management terminal 160.
[0109] FIG. 21 shows an example of the partition definition screen.
As has been described above, all the SLPR are allocated to the
storage administrator. For this, as shown in FIG. 21, the storage
administrator can refer to and update allocation information on all
the storage resources of the storage system 600. The storage
administrator sets and inputs the aforementioned SLPR and CLPR
through the partition definition screen. When the "OK" column is
clicked by superimposing the cursor of the mouse in the partition
definition screen, the content input by the storage administrator
is accepted by the information processing apparatus 200 for storage
apparatus management (S1006). Then, the information processing
apparatus 200 for storage apparatus management transmits the
content to the management terminal 160 (S1007).
[0110] The management terminal 160 updates the contents of the LU
management table 162B, the SLPR management table 162F, the CLPR
management table 162G, and the port management table 162H of the
common memory 120 (S1008). Then, the LU management table 162B, the
SLPR management table 162F, the CLPR management table 162G, and the
port management table 162H are read from the common memory 120 and
the contents of these tables stored in the memory 162 of the
management terminal 160 are updated (S1009). After this, the
management terminal 160 transmits a setting end notification to the
information processing apparatus 200 for storage apparatus
management (S1010). By the aforementioned processing, the storage
administrator can partition and allocate the storage resources of
the storage system 600. It should be noted that here has been given
an example of setting the SLPR and the CLPR by using the
information processing apparatus 200 for storage apparatus
management but it is also possible to perform these settings from
the management terminal 160 without using the information
processing apparatus 200 for storage apparatus management.
[0111] Next, explanation will be given on a process-ing flow when
the storage administrator (partition storage administrator) of each
user performs setting of the storage system 600 within the range of
the storage resources of the storage system 600 thus allocated to
each user, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 22. It should be
noted that the processing described below is realized by the CPU
210 of the information processing apparatus 200 and the CPU 161 of
the management terminal 160 which execute the management program
220B composed of codes for performing various operations stored in
the memory 220 and the storage management program 162C composed of
codes for performing various operations stored in the memory 162,
respectively.
[0112] Firstly, the information processing apparatus 200 for user
management receives the user ID and the password from the user
interface (S2000). Then, the information processing apparatus 200
for user management transmits the user ID and the password via the
LAN 400 to the management terminal 160 (S2001). The management
terminal 160 refers to the user management table 162D stored in the
memory 162 and performs user authentication (S1002).
[0113] The management terminal 160 refers to the user management
table 162D to check the user ID and the password transmitted from
the information processing apparatus 200 for user management,
thereby performing authentication of the partitioned storage
administrator. Thus, by performing authentication of the
partitioned storage administrator, it is possible to prevent
modification of configuration of the storage system 600 by an
unauthorized third person who pretends to be the partitioned
storage administrator.
[0114] The management terminal 160 transmits the authentication
result to the information processing apparatus 200 for user
management (S2003). When the information processing apparatus 200
for user management is authorized as the partitioned storage
administrator from the management terminal 160, control is passed
to "Yes" in S2004 and a configuration information acquisition
request (request for transmitting storage resource management
information) is transmitted to the management terminal 160 (S2005).
The configuration information acquisition request is a command for
acquiring information on management of the storage resources
allocated to each user. Upon reception of the configuration
information acquisition request, the management terminal 160 refers
to the user-SLPR relation table 162E, LU management table 162B, the
SLPR management table 162F, the CLPR management table 162G, and the
port management table 162H stored in the memory 162, extracts
storage resource allocation information including the identifier of
the communication port allocated for the user, the identifier of
the physical disk drive 330, and the storage capacity of the cache
memory 130 (S2006), and transmits the information to the
information processing apparatus 200 for user management
(S2007).
[0115] Next, the information processing apparatus 200 for user
management displays a configuration information screen on the user
interface (S2008). The display of the configuration information
screen may also be performed by displaying the Web page transmitted
from the management terminal, for example.
[0116] FIG. 23 shows an example of the configuration information
screen. FIG. 23 shows a case that information on allocation of the
storage resource of the SLPR0 allocated for user_A is displayed. As
shown in FIG. 23, the partitioned storage administrator can refer
to and update the information on the allocation of the storage
resource allocated for him/her among the storage resources of the
storage system 600. On the configuration information screen,
information on the allocation of the storage resources not
allocated to him/her is not displayed. According to the storage
resource allocation information displayed on the configuration
information screen, the partitioned storage administrator can set
the SLPR and the CLPR allocated to his/her company. Moreover, these
information items are acquired by the management program 220B and
the partitioned storage administrator can perform various settings
such as setting of the logical volume 310 for the physical disk
drive 330, setting of a logical volume which can be accessed from
the information processing apparatus 200 of his/her company, and
setting of the path which is the communication path from the
information processing apparatus 200 of his/her company to the
storage control apparatus 100 within the range of storage resources
allocated for his/her company. When the "OK" column in the
configuration information screen is clicked by superimposing the
cursor of a mouse, the content input by the partitioned storage
administrator is accepted by the information processing apparatus
200 for the user management (S2009). The information processing
apparatus 200 for user management transmits the content to the
management terminal 160 (S2010).
[0117] Then, the management terminal 160 updates the contents of
the LU management table 162B, the SLPR management table 162F, the
CLPR management table 162G, and the port management table 162H
(S2011). The management terminal 160 reads out the LU management
table 162B, the SLPR management table 162F, the CLPR management
table 162G, and the port management table 162H from the common
memory 120 and updates the contents of the memory 162 of the
management terminal 160 (S2012). After this, the management
terminal 160 transmits the setting end notification to the
information processing apparatus 200 for user management (S2013).
The information processing apparatus 200 for user management
displays the setting contents on the user interface (S2014). By the
aforementioned processing, the partitioned storage administrator
can set the storage resources within the storage resources of the
storage system 600 allocated for him/her. It should be noted that
here explanation has been given of a case that setting is performed
by using the information processing apparatus 200 for user
management, but it is also possible to perform the setting from the
management terminal without using the information processing
apparatus 200 for user management.
[0118] As has been explained above, in the storage system including
the storage control apparatus 100 according to the present
embodiment, only the information on management of the storage
resource allocated to each user can be transmitted to each user.
Thus, each user can perform various settings with respect to the
storage resource allocated to him/her independently of the storage
resources allocated to the other users. Accordingly, for example,
it is possible to prevent affect to storage resources of the other
users even if erroneous setting is performed with respect to the
storage resource of each user. Moreover, for example, between the
companies using the storage system 600, it is possible to prevent
leak of secrets of a company to the other companies.
[0119] Moreover, each user sharing the storage system 600 can use
the cache memory 130 allocated to him/her without being affected by
the use of the storage system 600 by the other users. Accordingly,
in the storage system 600 according to the present embodiment, even
when the storage system 600 is shared by a plurality of users, the
cache hit ratio of each user is not affected by the use of the
storage system 600 by the other users. Consequently, it is possible
to realize storage consolidation capable of providing storage
resources independently without dependency between users. That is,
even when operating the storage system 600 in the form of storage
consolidation, each information processing apparatus 200 can
perform data I/O processing without being affected by performance
deterioration due to data I/O processing performed by the other
information processing apparatus 200.
[0120] Thus, in the storage system 600 including the storage
control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the
respective users of the information processing apparatuses 200 can
perform data I/O processing as if they were using the dedicated
storage system 600 in spite of that they are using the common
storage system 600.
[0121] Furthermore, it is possible to simplify the system
management when performing the storage consolidation and reduce the
system management cost.
[0122] The best mode for carrying out the invention has been
explained. The aforementioned embodiment is for facilitating
understanding of the present invention and not for limiting the
interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can
be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the
invention and includes equivalence of the invention.
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