Lightweight management and high availability controller

1. A network storage system, comprising:

a first network storage appliance, comprising:

a first main computing unit for managing network access to network storage when coupled thereto; and

a first embedded microcomputer coupled to the first main computing unit for monitoring startup and operation of the first main computing unit, wherein the first embedded microcomputer is adapted to perform at least one of restarting the first main computing unit if one or more first predetermined conditions exist, powering down the first main computing unit if one or more second predetermined conditions exist, and powering up the first main computing unit if one or more third predetermined conditions exist;

a second network storage appliance, comprising:

a second main computing unit for managing network access to network storage when coupled thereto; and

a second embedded microcomputer coupled to the second main computing unit for monitoring startup and operation of the main computing unit, wherein the second embedded microcomputer is adapted to perform at least one of restarting the second main computing unit if one or more fourth predetermined conditions exist, powering down the second main computing unit if one or more fifth predetermined conditions exist, and powering up the second main computing unit if one or more sixth predetermined conditions exist;

wherein the first embedded microcomputer and the second embedded microcomputer are coupled for communication therebetween and further adapted to negotiate one of a restart, power down and power up of one of the first main computing unit and the second main computing unit if one or more other predetermined conditions exist.

2. The network storage system of claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third predetermined conditions match the fourth, fifth and sixth predetermined conditions, respectively.

3. The network storage system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more other predetermined conditions matches one of the one or more first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth predetermined conditions.

4. The network storage system of claim 1 , wherein the first main computing unit and the second main computing unit are coupled for communications therebetween, and wherein the one or more other predetermined conditions comprises failure of communications between the first main computing unit and the second main computing unit.

5. The network storage system of claim 1 , further comprising:

first nonvolatile local storage coupled to the first main computing unit for storing firmware for the first main computing unit and a configuration for the first network storage appliance; and

an integrated circuit for electronically decoupling the first nonvolatile local storage from the first main computing unit.

6. The network storage system of claim 5 , wherein the first nonvolatile local storage is coupled to the first main computing unit through the first embedded microcomputer, and wherein the integrated circuit is coupled to and controlled by the first embedded microcomputer.

7. A method of resolving contention between redundant network storage appliances, the method comprising:

providing a first network storage appliance and a second network storage appliance, each network storage appliance comprising:

a main computing unit for managing storage when coupled thereto; and

an embedded microcomputer coupled to the main computing unit for monitoring startup and operation of the main computing unit;

coupling the main computing units for communications therebetween;

coupling the embedded microcomputers for communications therebetween, wherein communication between the embedded microcomputers is independent of a state of either main computing unit; and

negotiating one of a restart, power down and power up of one of the main computing units between the embedded microcomputers if one or more predetermined conditions exist.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprises a communications failure between the main computing units.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein each of the microcomputers is also coupled to its corresponding main computing unit for communications therebetween, and wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprises a communications failure between one of the microcomputers and its corresponding main computing unit.

10. At least one program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method of resolving contention between redundant network storage appliances, the method comprising:

providing a first network storage appliance and a second network storage appliance, each network storage appliance comprising:

a main computing unit for managing storage when coupled thereto; and

an embedded microcomputer coupled to the main computing unit for monitoring startup and operation of the main computing unit;

coupling the main computing units for communications therebetween;

coupling the embedded microcomputers for communications therebetween, wherein communication between the embedded microcomputers is independent of a state of either main computing unit; and

negotiating one of a restart, power down and power up of one of the main computing units between the embedded microcomputers if one or more predetermined conditions exist.

11. The at least one program storage device of claim 10 , wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprises a communications failure between the main computing units.

12. The at least one program storage device of claim 10 , wherein each of the microcomputers is also coupled to its corresponding main computing unit for communications therebetween, and wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprises a communications failure between one of the microcomputers and its corresponding main computing unit.

13. A method of reducing possible corruption of firmware and configuration for a network storage appliance, the method comprising:

providing a network storage appliance, the network storage appliance comprising:

a main computing unit for managing network access to network storage when coupled thereto;

an embedded microcomputer coupled to the main computing unit for monitoring communications from the main computing unit and startup and operation of the main computing unit;

nonvolatile local storage coupled to the main computing unit for storing firmware for the main computing unit and a configuration for the network storage appliance; and

protecting the firmware and the configuration stored on the nonvolatile local storage from corruption or undesired access by electronically decoupling the nonvolatile local storage from the main computing unit after loading of the firmware.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the nonvolatile local storage is coupled to the main computing unit through the embedded microcomputer, and wherein the electronically decoupling is controlled by the embedded microcomputer.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising restarting the main computing unit if the embedded microcomputer detects a failure of communications from the main computing unit.

16. At least one program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method of reducing possible corruption of firmware and configuration for a network storage appliance, the method comprising:

providing a network storage appliance, the network storage appliance comprising:

a main computing unit for managing network access to network storage when coupled thereto;

an embedded microcomputer coupled to the main computing unit for monitoring communications from the main computing unit and startup and operation of the main computing unit;

nonvolatile local storage coupled to the main computing unit for storing firmware for the main computing unit and a configuration for the network storage appliance; and

protecting the firmware and the configuration stored on the nonvolatile local storage from corruption or undesired access by electronically decoupling the nonvolatile local storage from the main computing unit after loading of the firmware.

17. The at least one program storage device of claim 16 , wherein the nonvolatile local storage is coupled to the main computing unit through the embedded microcomputer, and wherein the electronically decoupling is controlled by the embedded microcomputer.

18. The at least one program storage device of claim 16 , the method further comprising restarting the main computing unit if the embedded microcomputer detects a failure of communications from the main computing unit.

19. A network storage system, comprising:

a first network storage appliance, comprising:

a first main computing unit for managing network access to network storage when coupled thereto; and

a first embedded microcomputer coupled to the first main computing unit for monitoring communications from the first main computing unit independent of a state of the first main computing unit and startup and operation of the first main computing unit, wherein the first embedded microcomputer is adapted to perform restarting of the first main computing unit if the first embedded microcomputer detects a failure of communications from the first main computing unit.

20. The network storage system of claim 19 , wherein the first main computing unit and the first embedded microcomputer are coupled for communications therebetween, and wherein the failure of communications comprises a failure to receive by the first embedded microcomputer a response to a message sent to the first main computing unit.

21. The network storage system of claim 19 , further comprising:

a second network storage appliance, comprising:

a second main computing unit for managing network access to network storage when coupled thereto; and

a second embedded microcomputer coupled to the second main computing unit for monitoring communications from the first main computing unit independent of a state of the first main computing unit and startup and operation of the main computing unit, wherein the second embedded microcomputer is adapted to perform restarting of the second main computing unit if the first embedded microcomputer detects a failure of communications from the first main computing unit;

wherein the first embedded microcomputer and the second embedded microcomputer are coupled for communication therebetween independent of a state of either main computing unit, and wherein the first embedded microcomputer and the second embedded microcomputer are further adapted to negotiate restart of one of the first main computing unit and the second main computing unit.

22. The network storage system of claim 21 , wherein the first main computing unit and the second main computing unit are coupled for communications therebetween, and wherein the failure of communications comprises failure of communications between the first main computing unit and the second main computing unit.

23. The network storage system of claim 19 , further comprising:

first nonvolatile local storage coupled to the first main computing unit for storing firmware for the first main computing unit and a configuration for the first network storage appliance; and

an integrated circuit for electronically decoupling the first nonvolatile local storage from the first main computing unit.

24. The network storage system of claim 23 , wherein the first nonvolatile local storage is coupled to the first main computing unit through the first embedded microcomputer, and wherein the integrated circuit is coupled to and controlled by the first embedded microcomputer.