System and method for configuring a storage area network

Abstract

In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a system and method are described for configuring a storage area network. In one aspect, the system includes a multiple SAN elements that a user may select as well as a design module in which the selected SAN elements may be graphically configured. The system also includes a validation engine which dynamically validates the configuration of the selected SAN elements. More particularly, the system may include a report engine operable to provide a configuration report of the selected SAN configuration. The report engine may produce a SAN topology report, a SAN inventory report, including a listing of existing SAN elements and a SAN cable configuration report.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer system for configuring a storage area network comprising: 
 a plurality of selectable SAN elements;    a design module operable to graphically configure selected SAN elements; and    a validation engine operable to dynamically validate the configuration of the selected SAN elements.    
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1  further comprising the validation engine operable to provide dynamic validation of the selected SAN design.  
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 2  wherein the validation engine further operable to: 
 validate selected SAN elements and  
 validate configured selected SAN elements.  
 
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 1  further comprising a report engine operable to provide a configuration report of the selected SAN.  
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 3  wherein the configuration report further comprises: 
 a SAN topology report;  
 a SAN inventory report; and  
 a SAN cable configuration report.  
 
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the selectable SAN elements further comprise: 
 at least one server element;  
 at least one switch element; and  
 at least one storage element.  
 
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the selectable SAN elements further comprise at least one preconfigured SAN design.  
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 1  further comprising a profile engine for profiling the characteristics of each selected SAN element.  
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the configuration report further comprises installation documentation for the selected SAN elements.  
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the selectable SAN elements further comprise a plurality of selectable connector elements.  
     
     
         11 . The computer system of  claim 1  further comprising the design module operable to respond to drag-and-drop type user input.  
     
     
         12 . A SAN configuration tool comprising: 
 a plurality of selectable SAN elements;    a design module operable to graphically configure selected SAN elements; and    a validation engine operable to dynamically validate the configuration of the selected SAN elements.    
     
     
         13 . The SAN configuration tool of  claim 12  further comprising a graphic user interface operable to respond to user input.  
     
     
         14 . The SAN configuration tool of  claim 12  wherein the selectable SAN elements further comprise: 
 at least one server element;  
 at least one switch element; and  
 at least one storage element.  
 
     
     
         15 . The SAN configuration tool of  claim 12  wherein the selectable SAN elements further comprise at lease one existing SAN element.  
     
     
         16 . The SAN configuration tool of  claim 12  wherein the validation engine further operable to: 
 validate selected SAN elements and  
 validate configured selected SAN elements.  
 
     
     
         17 . The SAN configuration tool of  claim 12  further comprising a report engine operable to provide a configuration report for each selected SAN element.  
     
     
         18 . A method for designing a Storage Area Network comprising: 
 selecting a plurality of SAN elements    arranging the selected SAN elements in a design module; and    validating the arrangement of selected SAN elements.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising producing a configuration report of the selected arrangement of SAN elements.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising communicating the validated arrangement of SAN elements across a network.