Method and apparatus for dynamically managing bandwidth for clients in a storage area network

Abstract

A method for managing bandwidth allocation in a storage area network includes receiving a plurality of Input/Output (I/O) requests from a plurality of client devices, determining a priority of each of the client devices relative to other client devices, and dynamically allocating bandwidth resources to each client device based on the priority assigned to that client device.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A storage area network comprising:
 a plurality of client devices; and   a data storage system communicating with said plurality of client devices, wherein said data storage system receives Input/Output (I/O) requests from the plurality of client devices to both read from and write data to said data storage system;   wherein said data storage system dynamically allocates bandwidth resources for said (I/O) requests to said plurality of client devices based on a priority assigned to each said client device;   wherein said data storage system automatically assigns a priority to a new client device based on performance requirements reported electronically by that client.   
     
     
         41 . A storage area network according to  claim 40 , further comprising a resource manager of said data storage system for allocating said bandwidth resources among said client device, wherein said resource manager:
 sets an upper limit on an amount of bandwidth allocated to each of said client devices; and   sets a lower threshold on an amount of bandwidth allocated to each of said client devices;   wherein if said bandwidth resources used by one or more client devices are lower than a corresponding lower threshold, upper limits for one or more other client devices are released.   
     
     
         42 . A storage area network according to  claim 41 , wherein said upper limit is substantially equal to said lower threshold value. 
     
     
         43 . A storage area network according to  claim 40 , wherein said data storage system comprises a disk array. 
     
     
         44 . A storage area network according to  claim 40 , further comprising a fibre channel loop connected between said plurality of client devices and said data storage system. 
     
     
         45 . A storage area network according to  claim 40 , wherein said plurality of client devices comprise a network server. 
     
     
         46 . A storage area network according to  claim 40 , wherein said plurality of client devices are divided into groups according to said priority, wherein a group of client devices all receive a same bandwidth allocation setting. 
     
     
         47 . A storage area network according to  claim 46 , further comprising a plurality of ports of said data storage system, wherein all client devices of one of said groups are connected to said data storage system through a single one of said ports. 
     
     
         48 . A storage area network according to  claim 46 , wherein said priority levels each require a different fee corresponding to said bandwidth allocation. 
     
     
         49 . A storage area network according to  claim 41 , wherein said upper limit and lower threshold are measured in Megabytes per second. 
     
     
         50 . A storage area network according to  claim 41 , wherein said upper limit and lower threshold are measured in input and output operations per second. 
     
     
         51 . A storage area network according to  claim 41 , wherein either or both of said upper limit and lower threshold vary with time. 
     
     
         52 . A storage area network according to  claim 40 , wherein a client reports its performance requirements using a command line interface or script Application Programming Interface of a storage management software application.