Instruction cards for storage devices
First Claim
1. A method of causing storage devices that are capable of storing computer-readable information to perform at least one action while communicationally disconnected from a computing device, the method comprising the steps of:
- communicationally coupling, to a first storage device, a card that comprises card instructions and that is physically distinct from, and separable from, the first storage device, the first storage device being part of an array o storage devices;
communicationally disconnecting the first storage device from the array of storage devices;
communicationally disconnecting the card from the first storage device;
communicationally connecting a second storage device that is different from and independent of the first storage device to the array of storage devices; and
communicationally coupling the card to the second storage device, thereby causing the card instructions to invoke firmware instructions to be processed by at least one processing unit of the second storage device, the processing of the firmware instructions by the at least one processing unit causing the second storage device to reacquire computer-readable information previously stored on the first storage device from other storage devices of the array of storage device, wherein the second storage device comprises firmware comprising the firmware instructions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A card can be communicationally coupled to a storage device. The card can then cause the storage device to perform stand-alone tasks without a computing device. The card can invoke instructions already present in the firmware of the storage device or the card can first copy instructions to the firmware and then invoke them. The card can cause the storage device to perform actions, such as a secure erase, and the storage device can remain inaccessible until such actions are performed, even if power is interrupted. The card can also receive information from the storage devices and then use that information with a new storage device to, for example, enable the new storage device to take the place of, and reconstruct the data of, the old storage device in a storage array directly from other storage devices in the array and without burdening a computing device or array controller.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of causing storage devices that are capable of storing computer-readable information to perform at least one action while communicationally disconnected from a computing device, the method comprising the steps of:
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communicationally coupling, to a first storage device, a card that comprises card instructions and that is physically distinct from, and separable from, the first storage device, the first storage device being part of an array o storage devices; communicationally disconnecting the first storage device from the array of storage devices; communicationally disconnecting the card from the first storage device; communicationally connecting a second storage device that is different from and independent of the first storage device to the array of storage devices; and communicationally coupling the card to the second storage device, thereby causing the card instructions to invoke firmware instructions to be processed by at least one processing unit of the second storage device, the processing of the firmware instructions by the at least one processing unit causing the second storage device to reacquire computer-readable information previously stored on the first storage device from other storage devices of the array of storage device, wherein the second storage device comprises firmware comprising the firmware instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 13, 14)
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5. A storage device for storing computer-readable information, the storage device comprising:
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one or more computer-readable storage media having data stored thereon;
one or more processing units;storage device memory comprising firmware instructions that are executable by the one or more processing units, the execution of which causes the storage device to perform at least one action, while communicationally disconnected from a computing device; and a card interface for communicationally coupling the storage device to a card that is physically distinct from, and separable from, the storage device, the card comprising card instructions for invoking the firmware instructions, such that they are executed by the one or more processing units, when the card is communicationally coupled to the storage device; wherein the at least one action comprises reconstructing, on the one or more computer-readable, media, data, from storage devices of a storage array, that was previously stored on another storage dev to which the card was previously communicationally connected, wherein the storage device replaces the other storage device in the storage array. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 18, 19)
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10. A card that is physically distinct from, and separable from, a storage device, the card comprising:
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at least one communicational interface; card instructions that invoke firmware instructions to be processed by at least one processing unit of the storage device, while the storage device is communicationally disconnected from a computing device, the processing of the firmware instructions by the at least one processing unit causing the storage device to reacquire computer-readable information previously stored on a prior storage device from other storage devices of an array of storage devices of which the storage device is a part; and storage array information about the array of storage devices, the storage array information having been stored on the card by the prior storage device; wherein the storage device comprises firmware comprising the firmware instructions; and wherein further the card comprises a physical connecting structure or shape. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 17)
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Specification