Maximizing storage controller bandwidth utilization in heterogeneous storage area networks

摘要

A storage area network controlled, part, by performing the following steps: (i) for each host link of a plurality of host links in a storage area network (SAN), determining a maximum possible data transfer rate; (ii) for each host link of a plurality of host links in a storage area network, determining a maximum permitted data transfer rate based on the maximum possible data transfer rate; (iii) making a plurality of data transfers, through SAN fabric of the SAN and between a storage controller module of the SAN and various host links of the plurality of host links; and (iv) for each data transfer, controlling the data transfer so that a data transfer rate for the data transfer does not exceed the maximum permitted data transfer rate.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
for each host link of a plurality of host links in a storage area network (SAN), determining a maximum possible data transfer rate; for each host link of a plurality of host links in a storage area network, determining a maximum permitted data transfer rate based on the maximum possible data transfer rate; making a plurality of data transfers, through SAN fabric of the SAN and between a storage controller module of the SAN and various host links of the plurality of host links; for each data transfer, controlling, by a storage controller, the data transfer so that a data transfer rate for the data transfer does not exceed the maximum permitted data transfer rate; and maintaining a point to point congestion control mechanism, located in a data communication path between a switch and the storage controller in an unactivated status so that the storage controller employs a proactive strategy to avoid triggering congestion on the link between the storage controller and the switch.