Method and apparatus for a storage server to automatically discover and join a network storage cluster

Abstract

A method and system for automatic configuration and installation of network storage server to a network storage cluster is described. When the first storage server is installed, the automatic configuration process extracts from the user information necessary for configuration of the cluster. Upon entering all the configuration information, the storage server is rebooted and the new cluster is created. For a network storage server attempting to join an existing cluster, broadcast packets are sent by the joining storage server on its cluster port requesting a response from all available clusters. If a single response is received the joining storage server initiates the configuration process and joins the cluster. If multiple responses are received the joining storage server let the operator choose the cluster to join. If no responses are received the joining storage server retries the broadcast request repeatedly until a response is received.

1 . A method comprising:
 broadcasting a discovery request to a network storage cluster from a first network storage server;   waiting to receive a response from the network storage cluster; and   joining the first network storage server to the network storage cluster without any user input being required to accomplish the joining, based on the response to the discovery request.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising inputting a range of network addresses for a management application of the first network storage server. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising processing the discovery request by dynamically assigning attributes to the first network storage server, wherein the attributes are used by the first network storage server to join the network storage cluster. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the attributes are saved persistently in the first network storage server. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising generating the attributes by a management application of the first network storage server without user input. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein one of the attributes generated without user input is a name of the first network storage server. 
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the discovery request is sent in UDP broadcast packets. 
     
     
         8 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 inputting a range of network addresses for a management application of a first storage server to be configured and installed to a network storage cluster;   inputting a range of network addresses to be used for a network storage cluster interface;   verifying configuration information entered;   creating the network storage cluster and joining the first storage server to the network storage cluster; and   configuring and joining a second storage server to the network storage cluster without user input.   
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 broadcasting a discovery request to join a cluster in a network storage system using UDP broadcast packets by a third storage server;   waiting for a response from the network storage cluster;   joining the third storage server to the network storage cluster if there is only one response to the discovery request; and   prompting a user to choose a network storage cluster and joining the third storage server to the network storage cluster chosen if there are multiple responses to the discovery request; and   resending the response request if there is no response to the discovery request.   
     
     
         15 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 prior to said broadcasting,
 inputting a range of network addresses for a management application of a second storage server to be configured and installed to a network storage cluster; 
 inputting a range of network addresses to be used for a network storage cluster interface; 
 verifying configuration information entered; and 
 creating the network storage cluster and joining the second storage server to the network storage cluster. 
   
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 prior to said broadcasting,
 inputting a valid network storage cluster license key; and 
 running a DNS resolver to specify name servers that are used to route traffic from the network storage cluster and a client network. 
   
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 inputting a valid network storage cluster license key; and   running a DNS resolver to specify name servers that are used to route traffic from the network storage cluster and a client network.   
     
     
         24 . A method comprising:
 creating a network storage cluster including a first storage server;   configuring a second storage server; and   joining the second storage server to the network storage cluster without requiring any user input.