Western Digital Ventures, Inc.

Other

Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

Rateze Remote Mgmt LLC

Western Digital Corporation

Zetera Corporation

Vaultstor Corporation

Thomas D Hanan

Thomas Earl Ludwig

Charles William Frank

William Babbitt

Charles W Frank, Jr

Wally Szeremeta

Raffi Codilian

Anil Sareen

Marc B Goldstone

Robert W Warren, Jr

Anthony E B Goodfellow

Kathleen Elizabeth MacNeil

David Lee Hanan

William Babbit

Communication protocols, systems, and methods that facilitate communication between disaggregated elements, and also to devices adapted to function as such disaggregated elements, particularly across peer-to-peer (masterless) and include one or more unique features such as packet atomicity, blind ACKs, NAT bridging, locking, multicast spanning and mirroring, and authentication.

Low level storage protocols, systems and methods

Apparatuses, methods, and systems related to IP-addressable partitions are disclosed. In some embodiments an IP address is used to uniquely identify a selected subset of partitions. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Data storage devices having IP capable partitions

A storage device () has partitions (A,B,C,A,B,C,) that are separately addressed by distinct IP addresses (IP, IP, IP, IP, IP, IP, IP). This allows direct access of the partitions (A,B,C,A,B,C,), on a peer-to-peer basis, by any other device that can communicate using IP. Preferred storage devices support spanning between or among partitions of the same device, as well as between or among different storage devices. Both multicast and proxy spanning are contemplated. Combinations of the inventive storage devices with each other, and with prior art storage devices are contemplated, in all manner of mirroring and other arrangements. In still other aspects of the invention, a given storage device can comprise one or more types of media, including any combination of rotating and non-rotating media, magnetic and optical, and so forth.

A storage device has partitions that are separately addressed by distinct IP addresses. This allows direct access of the partitions, on a peer-to-peer basis, by any other device that can communicate using IP. Preferred storage devices support spanning between or among partitions of the same device, as well as between or among different storage devices. Both multicast and proxy spanning are contemplated. Combinations of the inventive storage devices with each other, and with prior art storage devices are contemplated, in all manner of mirroring and other arrangements. In still other aspects of the invention, a given storage device can include one or more types of media, including any combination of rotating and non-rotating media, magnetic and optical, and so forth.

Providing redundancy for a device within a network

A storage device has partitions that are separately addressed by distinct IP addresses. This allows direct access of the partitions, on a peer-to-peer basis, by any other device that can communicate using IP. Preferred storage devices support spanning between or among partitions of the same device, as well as between or among different storage devices. Both multicast and proxy spanning are contemplated. Combinations of the inventive storage devices with each other, and with prior art storage devices are contemplated, in all manner of mirroring and other arrangements. In still other aspects of the invention, a given storage device can comprise one or more types of media, including any combination of rotating and non-rotating media, magnetic and optical, and so forth.

Disk drive partitioning methods and apparatus

Cameras, radios, televisions, set top boxes, telephones, kitchen appliances, and other electrical devices have their own IP address, and communicate using an internetworking protocol. Of particular interest are those devices that utilize some form of mass storage. Communication of the packets between or among elements can occur using any suitable package switched network (or combination of networks), including the Internet. The preferred protocol for communicating packets is IP, and communication of the packets between elements can advantageously occur by virtualizing a native bus using IP. It is especially contemplated that the inventive elements can be disaggregated outside the housing of a device, at distances of several meters or more. Communication can be hard wired, or can include wireless aspects. Adapters are also contemplated that permit traditional elements to be addressed by their own IP addresses.

Protocol adapter for electromagnetic device elements

Adapted disk drives executing instructions for I/O command processing

Methods of conveying information using fixed sized packets

Methods of transferring data to a target device are presented. A protocol supports sending packets to individual disaggregated elements of the target device. Each packet can be individually addressed to an element using a distinct network address. Data is sent to the target device by sending one or more packets encapsulating protocol commands that provide instructions to the elements.

Communication protocols, systems and methods

Methods of transferring data to a target device having disaggregated elements are presented. Packets having network addresses assigned to the elements and location addresses within the elements are received. The packets are routed to the elements using the network addresses.

Transferring data to a target device

Multiplexing storage element interface

A method is disclosed for installing a mailbox file associated with a disk storage medium of a disk drive. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a computer system includes a host computer, a disk drive host interface and a disk drive having a disk storage medium with a first range of disk drive host interface addressable locations. A disk drive access key is obtained from an access key server, the access key being generated by the access key server as a function of an identifying characteristic of the disk drive. A mailbox file is created in the first range of addressable locations using the access key obtained from the access key server. The disk drive is notified of a location of the mailbox file in the first range of addressable locations such that the disk drive can perform a function characterized by contents of the mailbox file.

Method for installing a mailbox file associated with a disk storage medium

A disk drive and method are disclosed for using a mailbox file associated with a disk storage medium for performing a function characterized by contents of the mailbox file. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a disk drive comprises a disk storage medium having a first range of disk drive host interface addressable locations accessible by a host computer operating system, at least one of the addressable locations being used to designate a mailbox file. The disk drive comprises a disk controller for responding to a command from the host computer operating system that references the mailbox file to perform a function characterized by contents of the mailbox file.

Disk drive and method for using a mailbox file associated with a disk storage medium for performing a function characterized by contents of the mailbox file

Methods and apparatus for providing environmental protection to electronic systems, particularly data storage systems, in order to permit such systems to survive severe envionmental changes such as those that occur during a fire.

Growing community of inventors

Mission Viejo, CA, United States of America

Thomas D Hanan