JP3904386B2 - Subsystem management method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a subsystem management technology, and more particularly to a technology effective when applied to a subsystem configuration definition technology such as an array disk device including a plurality of redundantly configured magnetic disk devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When restricting access from multiple hosts to a large-capacity array disk device that has a large number of volumes defined in logical units, the external connection port (logical path) in the array disk device and a specific host It is conceivable that access restriction for each host can be realized by defining them in association with each other.
[0003]
In particular, in a network environment such as Storage Area Network (hereinafter referred to as SAN), a unique identification of each connection device (host) on a fiber channel connection interface used as an example of a host connection interface is very many WWNs (World Wide Name). Information) is defined in association with a plurality of connection ports, and registered and set for each array disk device as a part of the system configuration information.
[0004]
In general, an array disk device is connected to a plurality of array disk devices via an information network in addition to a management terminal such as a service processor (SVP) provided at the installation location of each array disk device, and remotely It is also managed by a remote console (RMC) placed on the ground.
[0005]
Conventionally, when changing or newly setting system configuration information for each array disk device from an RMC located at a remote location, all the functions that can be changed or set by RMC are first displayed on the screen, and then the RMC's The operator has to perform an operation of sequentially selecting and setting which function is to be used according to the system specification, application, etc. of the array disk device from among the displayed many functions.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described prior art, an RMC operator needs to set system configuration information such as access restriction information while being aware of the specifications and applications of each array disk device to be set. As described above, as the number of logical paths and alternative paths increases as the capacity of the array disk device increases, and the number of connected hosts increases in a network environment such as a SAN, the complexity of setting work continues to increase. However, there is a technical problem that there are concerns about the labor and time required for setting.
[0007]
Furthermore, since the setting items and judgment items of the RMC operator are enormous and diverse, there is also a technical problem that there is a concern that the probability of setting errors and the like will increase.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to realize simplification and labor saving of setting and changing work of system configuration information in a subsystem managed by a remote console.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the quantity of setting items, judgment items and the like by an operator of a remote console that manages the subsystem and prevent occurrence of setting mistakes and the like.
[0010]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a logical path including an alternative path in response to an increase in the number of logical paths and alternative paths accompanying an increase in the capacity of an array disk device, and an increase in the number of connected hosts in a network environment such as a SAN. The configuration information of the array disk device including the setting of the access restriction information between the connected hosts is set easily and flexibly.
[0011]
Another object of the present invention is that the remote console determines and displays on the screen without allowing the operator to determine what and what order to set for the array disk device. Is to reduce the labor of setting work and prevent setting mistakes.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A subsystem management method according to the present invention includes a plurality of subsystems shared by a plurality of host devices via a first information network, a remote console for remotely managing the subsystems via a second information network, In a system environment including the above, it is possible to select whether or not to permit sharing of at least a part of the configuration information related to the subsystem by other remote consoles connected on the same second information network. It is.
[0013]
More specifically, for example, in a subsystem such as an array disk device, when the number of connection ports of the array disk device is k and the maximum number of hosts that can be connected to this is m, 16 is set to set access restriction information. The function of setting access restriction information to the logical path set in the array disk device by inputting the WWN of the 16-digit host in the maximum number of k × m is realized as one of the functions of SVP and RMC.
[0014]
In the present invention, the access restriction information of each of the plurality of array disk devices connected to the RMC is stored in the RMC, and the access restriction information needs to be set or changed in another array disk device. The access restriction information for a specific array disk device is selected from the access restriction information stored in the RMC according to the device configuration and specifications of the array disk device to be set, and another array to be set is set. It is possible to set the disk device. At this time, the selected access restriction information can be edited as necessary. Not only the access restriction information but also the configuration information of the array disk device is stored on the RMC, the configuration information can be shared with other RMCs on the communication line, and this configuration can be set and edited. .
[0015]
In general, the RMC displays all the functions of the RMC on the screen regardless of which array disk device is connected, and the user can select the necessary functions to realize the editing operation of the configuration.
[0016]
In the present invention, the configuration of a plurality of array disk devices and the function patterns used by each are stored in the RMC, and when connecting to a new array disk device, a similar configuration is selected from these patterns. Functions used in the array disk device are preferentially displayed on the screen, and functions required by the user can be easily searched. This pattern also allows sharing with other RMCs on the communication line.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of an embodiment of a subsystem management method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration of an information processing system in which the subsystem management method of the present embodiment is implemented. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, as an example of a subsystem, a case where the present invention is applied to an array disk device equipped with a Fiber channel interface as a host connection interface will be described as an example.
[0020]
A hardware configuration example of the array disk device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The array disk device 200 according to the present embodiment connects a plurality of host computers 210 to a plurality of host I / F control units 202 via an interface cable such as a Fiber channel interface 201, and sends commands from the host to the host I / F. Analysis is performed by the control unit 202, and a plurality of disk devices 207 are accessed via the common bus 203 and the disk_I / F control unit 204.
[0021]
The plurality of host I / F control units 202 and the Disk_I / F control unit 204 perform coordinated operations by accessing the shared memory 206 via the common bus 203.
[0022]
The plurality of disk devices 207 have a redundant configuration such as RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks), for example, and a plurality of logical volumes are set.
[0023]
Each of the plurality of host computers 210 is assigned with each logical volume, and access to other than the assigned logical volume is restricted. For example, each of the plurality of host I / F control units 202 (logical paths) is assigned to each of the plurality of host computers 210, and each logical volume is assigned to a specific host I / F control unit 202. This can be realized by assigning to (logical path).
[0024]
The correspondence relationship between the plurality of host computers 210 and the host I / F control unit 202 (logical path) is, for example, on the Fiber channel interface 201 to which the host I / F control unit 202 (logical path) is connected. This can be realized by registering the WWN uniquely assigned to the host and the host I / F control unit 202 (logical path) in association with each other. The allocation state is held as part of the system configuration information of the array disk device 200 as access restriction information, for example, in the shared memory 206 or the like.
[0025]
That is, when an access request to the logical volume from the host computer 210 is generated via a certain host I / F control unit 202 (logical path), the WWN of the host computer 210 is connected to the host I / F control unit 202. By determining whether or not access restriction information has been defined for (logical path), it is possible to determine whether or not access should be permitted.
[0026]
Setting / changing access restriction information in each array disk device 200 is performed by a service processor (SVP) 205 connected to the common bus 203 and a remote console (RMC) connected to the SVP 205 via an information network such as a LAN described later. ) 300 by an operator such as a system administrator. Configuration information such as access restriction information set in the SVP 205 and RMC 300 is stored in the shared memory 206 as described above.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the RMC 300 in the present embodiment. The RMC 300 according to the present embodiment includes a storage medium 307 (medium drive device) such as a portable medium, a keyboard 308 for inputting data, a mouse 309, a display 310, a processor 311, a storage device 312, and a communication interface 313. , Etc.
[0028]
The processor 311 uses the access restriction information 304, the logical path 305, and the volume definition information 306 stored in the storage device 312 so as to be readable using, for example, the serial numbers of the respective array disk devices 200 under its control. Software for performing an access restriction information setting / changing process as described later is executed by processing such as selection 302 and access restriction information setting 303.
[0029]
Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the present embodiment will be described taking as an example the case where access restriction information is set / changed as an example of configuration information of an array disk device.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4, RMC 401 is connected to a plurality of array disk devices (A) 404, (B) 405, and (C) 406 via a communication network (in this case, for example, a local area network (LAN) 403). In the system configuration, the access restriction information of each array disk device is stored in the RMC 401 for each serial number upon connection with each array disk device.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 5, when an array disk device (D) 502 is newly installed on the same LAN 403, when setting the same access restriction as that of the array disk device (A) 404, it is necessary to refer to the information on the setting screen of FIG. Check “Refer other device” in the denial check 1201, select “array disk device (A)” from the device list 1202, and send the access restriction information 501 of the array disk device (A) 404 as it is. Access restriction information of the disk device (D) 502 can be set. That is, the user's setting operation for the array disk device (D) 502 can be simplified.
[0032]
In addition, when “Non-reference” is checked in the information reference necessity check 1201, the user can freely enter the necessary information in the input area of the access restriction setting area 1203, using a conventional manual configuration definition method. Can be set. In addition, when the device configuration information such as the access restriction information is on the same LAN 403 as in the RMC 401 and RMC 407 in FIG. 4, it can be permitted to share each other.
[0033]
Further, when it is desired to set the access restriction information 601 obtained by changing the access restriction information of the array disk device (A) for the array disk device (D) as shown in FIG. 6, the array is set in the access restriction setting area 1203 of FIG. The setting operation can be simplified by displaying the access restriction information of the disk device (A) and then sending the information to which the user has made only the necessary changes.
[0034]
In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the logical volume 903 and logical volume 904 and the logical volume 905 and logical volume 906 defined as a pair between the array disk device (A) 911 and the array disk device (D) 912 Remote copy functions 909 and 910 for holding multiple data, and the same host (A) 901 and host (B) 908 are connected to any of the array disk devices via the LAN switch 902 and the LAN switch 907. In this case, the setting operation of the array disk device (D) 912 is simplified by setting the access restriction information of one array disk device (A) 911 as it is in the other array disk device (D) 912 as described above. Can be
[0035]
Even in the case where the remote copy function is used as in FIG. 9, the host connected to the two array disk devices is different as shown in FIG. 10 (host (B) 908 is connected to the array disk device (via the LAN switch 907)). A) When connected to only 911 and another host (C) 1003 is connected to only the array disk device (A) 912 via the LAN switch 1002), one array disk device (A) as described above In the access restriction information 911, only the access restriction information related to the connection host (B) 908 is changed as the access restriction information of the connection host (C) 1003, and the configuration information 1001 is changed to the other array disk device (D). 912 can be set.
[0036]
FIG. 11 is an example of a table summarizing the number of times each function is used in each array disk device and whether configuration information can be shared. This is a pattern list. Since the number in the list represents the number of times of use, for example, in the array disk device (A), the function (A) has the highest use frequency and the function (F) has not been used at all in the past.
[0037]
In FIG. 7, the number of times of use of each of the array disk devices (A) 404, (B) 405, and (C) 406 to which the RMC 401 is connected is stored. When the number of connected array disk devices increases, the table in FIG. 11 is stored in the RMC 401 in an expanded form. Whether the configuration information can be shared between RMCs on the same LAN 403 is also added to the pattern list. Whether or not sharing is possible is determined by inputting on the setting screen of RMC. Further, “all devices” in the pattern list is the sum of the number of times each function of the array disk devices (A) 404, (B) 405, and (C) 406 connected to the RMC is used. The column “sharing with other RMC” is a logical sum of the availability of all devices.
[0038]
In particular, in FIG. 8, when setting the configuration information in the array disk device (D) 502 so that the remote copy functions 909 and 910 for sharing data between the array disk devices can be used as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, “reference other device” is selected in the information reference necessity check 1301, and “array disk device (A)” is selected from the pattern list 1302. At this time, the RMC 401 refers to the array disk device (A) in the pattern list and displays a setting screen preferentially from a function that requires setting. This priority is defined as the number of times the function is used described in the pattern list, and the function (A), function (B), function (D), function (C), and function as shown in the setting screen 1303 of each function in FIG. Arrange screens in the order of (E). When the same setting is performed between the array disk devices (B) 405 and (D) 502, when “array disk device (B)” is selected from the pattern list 1302, the setting screen 1303 for each function displays the function (F), The screens are arranged in the order of function (D) and function (E). Further, the configuration information of the selected array disk device can be displayed and changed on the setting screen 1303 for each function. Functions whose pattern list usage count is 0 are not displayed on the setting screen 1303 of each function, but are additionally displayed by selecting other function buttons 1304. If no configuration of the array disk device is referenced, the setting screen for all functions is displayed by selecting “do not reference” in the information reference necessity check 1301, so that the user can freely select setting items. .
[0039]
Further, the functions used by the host computer 210 are limited in a system environment such as only an open system or only a mainframe. Therefore, by selecting “all devices” from the information reference necessity check 1301 in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 14, the system environment as in the “all devices” entry in the pattern list in FIG. The function setting screen 1303 is displayed in order from the most frequently used function in the order (function (F), function (A), function (D), function (B), function (E), function (C)). Will be aligned. The configuration information to be referred to is also displayed on the setting screen by selecting from the pattern list 1302. A high usage frequency means that there is a high necessity for setting. Therefore, the user can set the configuration of the array disk device with only a slight determination of necessity of setting.
[0040]
The above operation example is summarized as shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when configuration definition is started in the case of newly installing an array disk device or the like (step 101), first, the operator selects whether or not to refer to the configuration information of another existing device (step 102) and refers to it. In this case, the pattern list of FIG. 11 corresponding to the existing apparatus selected by the operator from the apparatus list 1202 is automatically accessed (step 103), and the functions in the list are sorted in descending order of use frequency. The setting screen 1303 is output and presented to the operator (step 104).
[0041]
Thereafter, the operator is instructed whether or not display of other functions other than the displayed function is necessary (step 105). If necessary, the remaining other functions are displayed as necessary (step 106). .
[0042]
The operator determines whether or not the displayed function setting content needs to be changed (data editing) (step 107), and if necessary, corrects the changed item (step 108).
[0043]
By sending the configuration information determined as described above to the SVP 205 of the new device, the setting of the configuration information in the new array disk device 200 is completed (step 109).
[0044]
If the configuration information of the existing apparatus is not referred to in step 102 described above, all functions are displayed in the access restriction setting area 1203 on the screen of the RMC display 310 (step 110), which is necessary for the operator. By selecting and setting a function or the like (step 111), configuration information such as access restriction information is created, and the created configuration information is sent to the SVP 205 of the newly installed device. Setting is completed (step 109).
[0045]
The subsystem management method of the present embodiment as described above is one of programs executed on the remote console 300, and is a storage medium 307 such as an FD (floppy disk) or a CD-ROM in FIG. Can be loaded (implemented) from the remote console 300 to the remote console 300.
[0046]
As described above, according to the subsystem management method of the present embodiment, whether configuration information such as access restriction information of an existing array disk device is used as it is in a form corresponding to the use environment of the array disk device. Or, edit in order from the most frequently used functions, and use it as configuration information for another newly installed array disk device, etc., so that a huge amount of information can be set flexibly and easily without having to set it manually. It becomes possible.
[0047]
That is, it is possible to simplify and save labor for setting and changing system configuration information in the array disk device 200 managed by the RMC 300. Further, it is possible to reduce the quantity of setting items and determination items by the operator of the RMC 300 that manages the array disk device 200, thereby preventing setting errors and the like.
[0048]
Furthermore, in response to an increase in the number of logical paths and alternative paths accompanying an increase in the capacity of the array disk device 200 and an increase in the number of connected hosts in a network environment such as a SAN, access between the logical paths including the alternative paths and the connected hosts The configuration information of the array disk device 200 including the setting of restriction information can be set easily and flexibly. Further, the RMC 300 determines and displays on the screen without making the operator determine what and what order to set for the array disk device 200, thereby reducing the number of setting items and determination items for the operator and setting work. It is possible to reduce labor and prevent setting mistakes.
[0049]
The present invention described in the claims of the present application is expressed in different ways as follows.
[0050]
<1> A remote console capable of collecting and editing the configuration of a main controller connected to a host computer and an array disk device operating with an integrated configuration of a plurality of magnetic disk devices by performing remote communication In the system environment that connects
A service processor that performs logical unit volumes (logical volumes) defined in multiple magnetic disk device groups as access targets and makes device configuration settings and device maintenance tasks according to the environment in which the device is used and the user's intention And the access restriction information set by using identification information such as the World Wide Name (WWN) of the connected host in the access path (logical path) between the host and the logical volume connected by the device user. Configuration information is saved on the remote console for each serial number of the array disk unit connected to the remote console, and the remote console existing on the same communication line is permitted to share all or part of this configuration information. And a configuration definition method characterized by being able to select non-permission.
[0051]
<2> In the configuration definition method according to item <1>,
By specifying the array disk device serial number in the device configuration information saved on the remote console, the device configuration information for one array disk device is displayed, and the configuration of another array disk device connected to the remote console A configuration definition method characterized by being set as information.
[0052]
<3> In the configuration definition method according to item <1>,
In the device configuration information saved on the remote console, the device configuration information for one array disk device is edited on the remote console by specifying the serial number of the array disk device, and the remote console is connected. A configuration definition method characterized in that it is set as configuration information of the array disk device.
[0053]
<4> The configuration information of the array disk device connected to the remote console and the combination of the functions used by this are classified into several patterns and stored on the remote console. The remote console existing on the same communication line is this A configuration definition method characterized by being able to select permission or non-permission of sharing of all or part of a pattern.
[0054]
<5> When connecting a remote console to a new array disk device, in the configuration definition method according to item <4>,
Search for array disk devices with similar configurations from the patterns saved on the remote console, display the setting screen of the functions used by this on the remote console with priority, and allow the user to set the functions that need to be set. A configuration definition method characterized by guiding easy setting operations by using only the functions displayed without being conscious.
[0055]
Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.
[0056]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the array disk device has been described as an example of the subsystem, but may be applied to a subsystem such as a magnetic tape library or an optical disk device.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
According to the subsystem management method of the present invention, it is possible to achieve simplification and labor saving of setting and changing work of system configuration information in the subsystem managed by the remote console.
[0058]
According to the subsystem management method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the quantity of setting items and judgment items by the operator of the remote console that manages the subsystem, and to prevent occurrence of setting mistakes and the like. Is obtained.
[0059]
According to the subsystem management method of the present invention, an increase in the number of logical paths and alternative paths accompanying an increase in the capacity of a subsystem such as an array disk device, and an increase in the number of connected hosts in a network environment such as a SAN. As a result, it is possible to easily and flexibly set the configuration information of the array disk device including the setting of the access restriction information between the logical path including the alternative path and the connected host.
[0060]
According to the subsystem management method of the present invention, the remote console determines and displays on the screen without allowing the operator to determine what order to set for the subsystem such as the array disk device, It is possible to reduce the number of setting items and judgment items for the operator, thereby reducing the labor of setting work and preventing setting errors.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of an embodiment of a subsystem management method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system in which a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a configuration of a remote console that implements a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an operation of a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an operation of a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of information used in a subsystem management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on a remote console that implements the subsystem management method according to the embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on a remote console that implements the subsystem management method according to the embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen on a remote console that implements the subsystem management method according to the embodiment of this invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 ... Array disk apparatus, 201 ... Fiber channel interface (first information network), 202 ... Host I / F control unit, 203 ... Common bus, 204 ... Disk_I / F control unit, 205 ... Service processor (SVP), 206 ... shared memory, 207 ... disk device, 210 ... host computer, 300 ... remote console (RMC), 301 ... common bus, 302 ... user selection, 303 ... access restriction information setting, 304 ... access restriction information, 305 ... logical path, 306 ... Volume definition information, 307 ... Storage medium, 308 ... Keyboard, 309 ... Mouse, 310 ... Display, 311 ... Processor, 312 ... Storage device, 313 ... Communication interface, 401, 407 ... Remote console (RMC), 402 ... Access System Information list, 403 ... LAN (second information network), 404 to 406 ... Array disk devices (A) to (C), 501 ... Access restriction information, 502 ... Array disk device (D), 601 ... Access restriction information, 1201 ... Information reference necessity check, 1202 ... Device list, 1203 ... Access restriction setting area, 1301 ... Information reference necessity check, 1302 ... Pattern list, 1303 ... Setting screen, 1304 ... Other function buttons.

Claims (4)

In a system environment including a plurality of subsystems shared by a plurality of host devices via a first information network, and a plurality of remote consoles for remotely managing the subsystems via a second information network,
Configuration information related to the subsystem can be set for the subsystem via the second information network based on the operation of the operator from the remote console.
At least a part of configuration information regarding at least one subsystem set from the first remote console is shared by at least one other remote console connected to the same second information network Whether to allow or not to be allowed to be selected on the first remote console ,
The configuration information in the plurality of subsystems connected to the first remote console, and a pattern list in which combinations of functions of the individual subsystems used by the configuration information are classified into several patterns , Save to the first remote console,
Whether to allow the first remote console to share at least part of the pattern list with at least one other remote console connected on the same second information network. , Selectable on the first remote console,
Search for the subsystem having a configuration similar to the subsystem to be set from the pattern list stored on the remote console, and set the configuration information including the function used by the searched subsystem. A screen is preferentially displayed on the user interface of the first remote console, and the operator of the first remote console is aware of the function that requires settings for the subsystem to be set. And the configuration information including the function displayed on the setting screen is used to enable the setting operation of the configuration information to the setting target subsystem. Management method. 2. The subsystem management method according to claim 1, wherein the remote console stores the configuration information of the subsystem in association with product number information unique to each of the subsystems.
The remote console that is allowed to share calls the configuration information related to the specific first subsystem using the product number information and uses it for setting the configuration information of another second subsystem. Subsystem management method characterized by the above.   3. The subsystem management method according to claim 2, wherein the remote console that is allowed to share calls the configuration information relating to a specific first subsystem by using the product number information, and the configuration information A subsystem management method, which is used for setting the configuration information of another second subsystem after an editing operation by an operator. In the subsystem management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The subsystem consists of an array disk device including a plurality of redundant magnetic disk devices,
The configuration information includes, on the first information network, at least the access of each higher-level device to each of the plurality of logical volumes defined in the plurality of magnetic disk devices in each array disk device. A subsystem management method comprising access restriction information for restriction based on identification information assigned to each of the host devices.

Images