MONITORING STORAGE CLUSTER ELEMENTS

Monitoring health of associated, but separated storage clusters can be done at both a node scope and a cluster scope. Monitoring the storage clusters at the cluster scope includes monitoring the network elements that support the storage clusters and connect the storage clusters. Initially, a fabric monitor in each cluster discovers cluster topology. This cluster topology is communicated and maintained throughout the managing storage elements of the storage clusters. After the storage cluster topologies have been discovered, the fabric monitors of each cluster can periodically determine status of network elements of the storage clusters. This allows the storage clusters to maintain awareness of interconnect status, and react to changes in status. In addition, each managing storage element monitors its own health. This information is aggregated to determine when to trigger corrective actions, alerts, and/or storage features in accordance with rules defined at the managing storage elements.