Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

James S Lin

Edwin Dale Barnes

A data storage device may comprise data storage comprising a first logical unit configured to store user data and a second logical unit configured to store an operating system. A first interface may be configured to couple to a host and a second interface may be configured to couple to a network. In a first mode, the data storage device may be configured to expose the first logical unit to the host and render the second logical unit inaccessible and, in a second mode, the data storage device may be configured to allow access to both the first and the second logical units. The first mode may comprise a direct attached storage (DAS) mode and the second mode may comprise a network attached storage (NAS) mode.

Methods and devices for booting a network attached storage with two logical units

The present invention relates to a method of optimizing the provisioning of a bootable image onto a storage device. In some embodiments, a host device executes a provisioning application to image a storage drive as a bootable drive. During the provisioning process, the storage device is configured to disguise its use of write caching during the provisioning process. In one embodiment, the storage device is configured to suppress forced unit access commands and cache flush commands for the provisioning application. In another embodiment, the storage device is configured to reject forced unit access commands. The storage device may disguise its use of write caching based on various criteria, such as a length of time, a counter, and the like.

Methods and systems for provisioning a bootable image on to an external drive

A data storage device may comprise a controller, first and second host-addressable logical units and a communication interface. The first logical unit may comprise a first data storage, first endpoints associated with the first data storage and a first bus interface coupled between the first data storage and the first endpoints. The second logical unit may comprise a second data storage and second endpoints. The second endpoints may be associated with the second data storage and may be separate and distinct from the first endpoints. A second bus interface may be coupled between the second data storage and the second endpoints. The communication interface may be coupled to the first and second host-addressable logical units and may be configured according to communicate with the host according to a predetermined communication protocol.

Performance improvement for attached multi-storage devices

An embodiment enables an operating system to load multiple device drivers for a single device without interfering in the operations of the device. Multiple device drivers may be needed in order to communicate with the device. In one embodiment, a device, such as disk drive, is configured to present its identification information in multiple forms that are functionally analogous. The disk drive is configured to provide its serial number in different forms that convert to a same identification. For example, the disk drive may provide its serial number using different cases, such as uppercase or lowercase text. The difference in is transparent to software applications, and thus, does not affect the operations of the device. However, the different forms of the serial number are reported to the operating system as different numbers, and thus, enable the operating system to load different device drivers for the same device.

Loading different device drivers for one device

A storage device comprises a non-volatile storage media and a processor that is operative to receive, via an interface with one or more host devices, a first entered password needed for accessing data stored in the non-volatile storage media, generate a first number, combine the first entered password and the first number, generate a cryptographic key based on the combination of the first entered password and the first number, encrypt the received first entered password using the cryptographic key, and store the encrypted first entered password and the first number in the non-volatile media. The processor may be further operative to receive a request for authentication; provide a reply comprising the first number; receive a second number calculated based on a cryptographic combination of the first number and a second entered password, and authenticate the host device if the second number successfully decrypts the encrypted first entered password.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

James S Lin