Network-attached storage device having a connection to a local user device

• US 20070022218A1
• Filed: 07/25/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: McCullough, Mike, Szolyga, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,873,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A network-attached storage apparatus is configured to be in communication with a local device. The apparatus includes storage devices for storing data, one interface for establishing communication with the network and another interface for establishing communication with the local device. A processor enables the interfaces to alternatively establish communication with the local device or the network.

Claims

1. A network-attached storage apparatus configured to be in communication with a local device, comprising:

a plurality of storage devices for storing data;

a first interface for establishing communication with the network;

a second interface for establishing communication with the local device; and

,

a processor for enabling said second interface to establish communication with the local device.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second interface comprises:

a third interface configured to establish a direct connection between said second interface and the local device;

a fourth interface configured to establish communication between said second interface and said processor; and

,

a controller for enabling said third interface to establish a connection between said second interface and the local device, and said fourth interface to establish communication between said second interface and said processor.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said connection between said second interface and the local device is through a high-speed bus.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said connection between said second interface and the local device is through one of a USB 2.0 bus or an IEEE 1394 bus.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said processor enables said first interface to establish communication with the network when there is no communication between the second interface and the local device.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a switch for instructing said processor to enable said second interface to establish communication with the local device, and enabling said first interface to establish communication with the network.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a storage device interface for accessing data stored in said plurality of storage devices.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a peripheral device interface for transferring data between the network or the local device and a peripheral device connected to the network-attached storage apparatus.

9. A method for transferring data between a local device and a network-attached storage device, comprising:

providing a second interface in the network-attached storage device for enabling communication between the local device and the network-attached storage device, said second interface being separate from a first interface for establishing communication between the network and the network-attached storage device;

establishing a connection between the local device and the second interface; and

,

transferring data between the local device and the network-attached storage apparatus via the connection.

10. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising terminating communication between the network and the network-attached storage device when said connection between the local device and the second interface is established.

11. The method as defined in claim 10, further comprising reestablishing communication between the network and the network-attached storage device when said connection between the local device and the second interface is terminated.

12. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising providing a switch for terminating communication between the network and the network-attached storage device and establishing said connection between the local device and the second interface, and for terminating said connection between the local device and the second interface and reestablishing communication between the network and the network-attached storage device.

13. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein said communication between the local device and the network-attached storage device is through a direct connection.

14. A method for increasing a data transfer rate to and from a network-attached storage device, comprising:

providing a second interface in the network-attached storage device for enabling a direct communication between a local device and the network-attached storage device, said second interface being separate from a first interface for establishing communication between the network and the network-attached storage device;

establishing a connection between the local device and the second interface; and

,

transferring data directly between the local device and the network-attached storage device via the connection.

15. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said connection between said second interface and the local device is through a high-speed bus interface.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said connection between said second interface and the local device is through one of a USB 2.0 bus or an IEEE 1394 bus.

17. The method as defined in claim 14, further comprising automatically terminating communication between the network and the network-attached storage device when said connection between the local device and the second interface is established.

18. A network-attached storage apparatus configured to be in communication with a local device, comprising:

means for storing data;

first means for establishing communication with the network;

second means for establishing communication with the local device; and

,

third means for enabling said second communication establishing means to establish communication with the local device.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said second communication establishing means comprises:

fourth means for establishing a direct connection between said second communication establishing means and the local device;

fifth means for establishing communication between said second communication establishing means and said third enabling means; and

,

sixth means for enabling said fourth direct connection establishing means to establish a connection between said second communication establishing means and the local device, and said fifth communication establishing means to establish communication between said second communication establishing means and said third enabling means.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further comprising switch means for instructing said third enabling means to enable said second communication establishing means to establish communication with the local device, and enabling said first communication establishing means to establish communication with the network.