Virtual file server

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method and a system for migrating a virtual file server. In an example of a method, a virtual file server is migrated from a first storage to a second storage, wherein the virtual file server comprises a server layer and a data layer. Identity information is retrieved from the server layer from the server layer for the second storage. The identity information is updated so instantiation of the virtual file server on the second storage appears the same as on the first storage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for transparently migrating a virtual file server, comprising:
 migrating a virtual file server between a first storage and a second storage, wherein the virtual file server comprises a server layer and a data layer;   retrieving identity information from the server layer for the second storage; and   updating the identity information so instantiation of the virtual file server on the second storage appears the same as on the first storage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein migrating the virtual file server is performed by:
 detaching a physical file system that comprises the virtual file server from the first storage; and   attaching the physical file system to the second storage.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein migrating the file server is performed by replicating blocks of the virtual file server from the first storage to the second storage. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein migrating the file server is performed transparently to a client of a plurality of clients on a network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising retrieving metadata and authentication information from the virtual file server. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising binding file sharing to a drive level. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein migrating the file server comprises configuring for load balancing between storage arrays. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising creating block snapshots. 
     
     
         9 . A detachable data store, comprising a storage region, comprising:
 a virtual file server, wherein the virtual file server is comprised of a server layer and a data store layer;   wherein the server layer comprises server identity information;   wherein the data store layer comprises a data level of the storage region; and   wherein the virtual file server comprised code that automatically instantiates the virtual file server when the detachable data store is coupled to a storage system.   
     
     
         10 . The detached data store of  claim 9 , wherein the detachable data store is configured to be detached from a first storage array and attached to a second storage array, and wherein the detachable data store is configured to automatically instantiate on the second storage array. 
     
     
         11 . The detachable data store of  claim 9 , wherein the server identity information from the server layer comprises metadata and authentication information. 
     
     
         12 . The detachable data store of  claim 11 , wherein the metadata comprises the information about the location of files and access information, and wherein the access information includes a type of drive, a list of drives, a list of users with access, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The detachable data store of  claim 9 , wherein a configuration for file sharing is bound to the drive level of the storage region. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory, machine-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to:
 activate a virtual file server that has been disconnected from a first storage array and connected to a second storage array;   retrieve identity information from a server layer in the virtual file server; and   update the identity information to make instantiation of the virtual file server on the second storage array appears the same as on the first storage array.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , further comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to migrate the virtual file server by replicating blocks associated with the virtual file server from the first storage array to the second storage array.