Remote execution of diagnostic firmware in a block data storage device
First Claim
1. A method for diagnosing a remote block data storage device having a data storage medium, a host interface port, a serial communication (COM) port and a programmable controller with associated platform firmware and associated diagnostic firmware, the method comprising:
- connecting a client computer and a server computer through a computer network;
directly connecting the data storage device to the server computer via the host interface port;
using the server computer to transmit a first command to the data storage device through the host interface port to cause the controller to execute the platform firmware; and
using the client computer to transmit a second command to the COM port of the data storage device to cause the controller to concurrently execute the diagnostic firmware.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for accessing a block data storage device through a computer network to carry out remote diagnostic operations. The data storage device includes a data storage medium, a host interface port, a serial communication (COM) port and a programmable controller with associated platform firmware and associated diagnostic firmware. A client computer and a server computer are connected to a computer network, and the data storage device is connected to the server computer via the host interface port. The server computer is used to transmit a first command to cause the controller to execute the platform firmware, while the client computer is used to transmit a second command to the COM port of the data storage device to cause the controller to concurrently execute the diagnostic firmware to monitor operation of the platform firmware.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method for diagnosing a remote block data storage device having a data storage medium, a host interface port, a serial communication (COM) port and a programmable controller with associated platform firmware and associated diagnostic firmware, the method comprising:
-
connecting a client computer and a server computer through a computer network;
directly connecting the data storage device to the server computer via the host interface port;
using the server computer to transmit a first command to the data storage device through the host interface port to cause the controller to execute the platform firmware; and
using the client computer to transmit a second command to the COM port of the data storage device to cause the controller to concurrently execute the diagnostic firmware. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for diagnosing a remote block data storage device having a data storage medium, a host interface port, a serial communication (COM) port and a programmable controller with platform firmware and diagnostic firmware, the method comprising:
-
connecting a client computer and a server computer to a computer network;
directly connecting the data storage device to the server computer via a host interface cable in communication with the host interface port;
loading command translation and reporting software onto the server computer;
using the server computer to transmit a first command via the host interface cable to cause the controller to execute the platform firmware;
using the client computer to transmit a request via the computer network to the server computer;
executing said command translation and reporting software on the server computer to generate a second command in response to the request from the client computer; and
transmitting the second command to the COM port of the data storage device to cause the controller to concurrently execute the diagnostic firmware. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
17. A method for diagnosing a remote block data storage device having a data storage medium, a host interface port, a serial communication (COM) port and a programmable controller with platform firmware used to control transfer of data to and/or from the data storage disc, the method comprising:
-
providing the data storage device with diagnostic firmware executable by the controller, said diagnostic firmware comprising a file system identifying at least one hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) web page;
connecting a client computer and a server computer to a computer network;
directly connecting the data storage device to the server computer via a host interface cable in communication with the host interface port;
using the server computer to transmit a first command via the host interface cable to cause the controller to execute the platform firmware; and
using the client computer to transmit a second command over the computer network to the COM port of the data storage device to cause the controller to concurrently execute the diagnostic firmware and return the at least one HTTP web page to the client computer.
-
-
22. A block data storage device configured to operate as a network server device, comprising:
-
a data storage medium;
communication channel circuitry configured to transfer data to and/or from the data storage medium;
interface circuitry coupled to the communication channel circuitry and comprising a host interface port and a serial communication (COM) port; and
a programmable controller coupled to the interface circuitry and having associated memory in which platform firmware and diagnostic firmware are stored, wherein said platform firmware comprises operational programming steps used by the controller to control the transfer of data to and/or from the data storage medium, wherein said diagnostic firmware comprises a file system which identifies a plurality of network files with at least one of said network files comprising a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) web page, and wherein the disc drive data storage device transmits the HTTP web page to a remote computer in response to a request provided to the COM port. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
-
Specification