Data storage device with deterministic caching and retention capabilities to effect file level data transfers over a network
First Claim
1. A method for transferring data between a data storage device and a host device, the data storage device storing data blocks on a data storage medium, the method comprising:
- receiving a file level request from the host device, the file level request associated with a host level file corresponding to a selected number of the data blocks on the storage medium;
using the data storage device to identify at least one characteristic of the file level request relating to a content of said data blocks; and
performing a deterministic caching operation by converting the file level request into a number of block oriented access commands to access the selected number of data blocks, assigning a sort priority to each said block oriented access command in relation to the at least one identified characteristic, and executing the number of block oriented access commands in an order determined by the assigned sort priorities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data storage device with deterministic caching and retention capabilities to effect file level data transfers with a host device. The data storage device includes a data recording medium on which user data are stored and a data transducing head which accesses the stored data, an operating system kernel module having a virtual file system, and a deterministic caching module. A file level request issued by the host device is processed by the virtual file system and passed to the deterministic caching module which converts the file level request into a number of block oriented access commands to access a selected number of data sectors on the medium associated with the file level request. A sort priority is assigned to each access command in relation to at least one identified characteristic of the file level request. The access commands are executed in relation to the assigned sort priorities.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for transferring data between a data storage device and a host device, the data storage device storing data blocks on a data storage medium, the method comprising:
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receiving a file level request from the host device, the file level request associated with a host level file corresponding to a selected number of the data blocks on the storage medium; using the data storage device to identify at least one characteristic of the file level request relating to a content of said data blocks; and performing a deterministic caching operation by converting the file level request into a number of block oriented access commands to access the selected number of data blocks, assigning a sort priority to each said block oriented access command in relation to the at least one identified characteristic, and executing the number of block oriented access commands in an order determined by the assigned sort priorities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A data storage device which services data transfer requests from a host device, comprising:
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a data recording medium on which user data are stored in a number of data sectors having data sector addresses; a data transducing head which accesses the data sectors; an operating system kernel module having a virtual file system; and a deterministic caching module coupled to the medium, the head and the operating system kernel module, wherein a file level request issued by the host device is processed by the virtual file system and passed to the deterministic caching module which converts the file level request into a number of block oriented access commands to access a selected number of the sectors on the medium associated with the file level request, and which assigns a sort priority to each said block oriented access command in relation to at least one identified characteristic of the file level request. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A data storage device which services data transfer requests from a host device, comprising:
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a data recording medium on which user data are stored in a number of data sectors having data sector addresses; a data transducing head which accesses the data sectors; and first means for receiving and servicing a file level request from the host device by converting the file level request into a number of block oriented access commands to access a selected number of the data sectors associated with the file level request, assigning a priority to each said block oriented access command in relation to at least one identified characteristic of the file level request, and executing the number of block oriented access commands in an order determined in relation to the assigned priorities. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A data storage device adapted for communication with a host over a network in a distributed storage system, the device comprising:
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an operating system module; and a deterministic caching module coupled to the operating system module for detecting a content identifier of file level commands from the host and converting the file level commands from the host into a prioritized sequence of block oriented access commands based upon said detected content identifier of the file level commands.
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Specification