Centralized storage of storage system resource data using a directory server

摘要

A method for centralized storage and management of resource data associated with storage servers includes operating multiple storage servers, each configured to provide a set of clients with access to data stored in a set of mass storage devices, and using a directory server, which is coupled to the storage servers via a network. The directory server stores and provides access to configuration information for configuring the plurality of storage servers.

主权项

1. A method for operating a storage server, the method comprising:
querying, by the storage server, a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory server located in a centralized location for server setup data during a boot-up time as the storage server is booting up, the server setup data stored at the directory server under a branch of a directory tree comprising directory entries arranged in a tree-like structure, and the server setup data comprising a directory entry indicative of whether a Network File System (NFS) is enabled at the storage server; automatically configuring the storage server itself with the server setup data during the boot-up time; receiving a notification to check for updates made to configuration data of the storage server, the configuration data stored at the directory server under the branch of the directory tree and comprising a directory entry indicative of a memory space quota of the storage server; based on information in the notification, determining a priority for accessing the directory server to receive the updates; and informing other storage servers to retrieve the updates from the directory server.