Dynamic configuration archival and retrieval
The present invention is a method and system for retrieving and retaining data relating to the configuration of a storage system. Data relating to the configuration of a storage system may be retrieved and stored in an accessible file, stored locally or remotely. When a loss of configuration data event occurs, such as a catastrophic failure of a storage system, a configuration file in accordance with the present invention may be retrieved and loaded into the computing system of the storage system in order to rebuild the storage system with the set of configuration settings stored on the configuration file of the present invention. A detection module of the present invention may also detect a change of configuration data such that the configuration file may reflect the most current configuration for a storage system.
1. A storage system, comprising:
a computing system, the computing system including a processor, a bus, a memory, a network interface, and a data storage device;
a first remote computing system, the first remote computing system being operably connected via a network to the computing system and in a first distinct location from the computing system;
a second remote computing system, the second remote computing system being operably connected via the network to the computing system and the first remote computing system, the second remote computing system located in a second distinct location from the computing system,
wherein the computing system:
retrieves a set of configuration settings of the storage system, the configuration settings including data describing a configuration of the storage system;
stores the set of configuration settings at the first remote computing system;
stores a copy of the set of configuration settings at the second remote computing system;
detects a change of the configuration of the storage system, the change of the configuration being automatically reflected in a changed set of configuration settings, wherein the changed set of configuration settings is stored at the first remote computing system and a copy of the changed set of configuration settings is stored at the second remote computing system;
restores the configuration of the storage system by loading at least one of the set of configuration settings or the changed set of configuration settings at the first remote computing system and applying the set of configuration settings to the first remote computing system, wherein at least one of set of configuration settings or changed set of configuration settings is loaded from the second remote computing system utilizing direct addressing; and
reboots the first remote computing system.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the set of configuration settings includes hardware settings and software settings.
3. A storage system, comprising:
a computing system, the computing system including a processor, a bus, a memory, a network interface, and a data storage device;
an administrative terminal, the administrative terminal operably connected to the computing system via a network;
a first remote computing system, the first remote computing system being operably connected via the network to the computing system and in a first distinct location from the computing system;
a second remote computing system, the second remote computing system being operably connected via a network to the computing system and the first remote computing system, the second remote computing system located in a second distinct location from the computing system,
wherein the computing system:
retrieves a set of configuration settings of the storage system, the configuration settings including data describing a configuration of the storage system;
stores the set of configuration settings in a first file at the first remote computing system;
stores a copy of the first file containing the set of configuration settings at the second remote computing system;
detects a change of the configuration of the storage system;
queries the administrative terminal to create a second file upon the detection of the change of the configuration of the storage system;
receives a command to create the second file from the administrative terminal;
creates the second file, wherein the second file reflects the change of the configuration;
stores the second file which reflects the change of the configuration at the first remote computing system and stores a copy of the second file which reflects the change of the configuration at the second remote computing system; and
restores the configuration of the storage system by loading the second file at the first remote computing system and the second remote computing system and applying the set of configuration settings to the first remote computing system and the second remote computing system; and
reboots the first remote computing system and the second remote computing system.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the set of configuration settings includes hardware settings and software settings.
5. The system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the first file and the second file include a timestamp which refers to production date of the first file and the second file.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the timestamp reflects a date of the change to the set of configuration settings.
7. The system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the retrieval of the set of configuration settings includes removal of the set of configuration settings from a system configuration file of a computing system of the storage system.
8. A storage system, comprising:
a computing system, the computing system including a processor, a bus, a memory, a network interface, and a data storage device;
a first remote computing system, the first remote computing system being operably connected via a network to the computing system and in a first distinct location from the computing system;
a second remote computing system, the second remote computing system being operably connected via the network to the computing system and the first remote computing system, the second remote computing system located in a second distinct location from the computing system,
wherein the computing system is configured for:
retrieves a first set of configuration settings of the storage system, the configuration settings including data describing a configuration of the storage system;
stores the first set of configuration settings in a first file at the first remote computing system;
stores a copy of the first file containing the set of configuration settings at the second remote computing system;
tests the first set of configuration settings;
determines a first performance of the first set of configuration settings;
retrieves a second set of configuration settings of the storage system, the configuration settings including data describing a second configuration of the storage system;
stores the second set of configuration settings in a second file at the first remote computing system;
stores a copy of the second file containing the second set of configuration settings at the second remote computing system;
tests the second set of configuration settings;
determines a second performance of the second set of configuration settings;
compares the first performance and the second performance to determine which one of the first configuration settings and the second configuration setting provides optimal performance; and
restores at least one of the first configuration setting or the second configuration setting of the storage system based upon the which one of the first configuration setting and the second configuration setting provided optimal performance by loading at least one of the first file or the second file at the first remote computing system and the second remote computing system and applying the at least one of the first configuration setting or the second configuration setting to the first remote computing system and the second remote computing system; and
reboots the first remote computing system and the second remote computing system.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the first set of configuration settings and the second set of configuration settings include hardware settings and software settings.
10. The system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the first file and the second file include a timestamp which refers to production date of the first file and the second file.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the timestamp reflects a date of the change to at least one of the first set of configuration settings or the second set of configuration settings.
12. The system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the retrieval of at least one of the first set of configuration settings or the second set of configuration settings includes removal of at least one of the first set of configuration settings or the second set of configuration settings from a system configuration file of a computing system of the storage system.