Local area network distributed storage

• US 9,626,376 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2014
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Western Digital Technologies Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Chew, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perveen, Rehana
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, THUY T
• Application Number:
  US14/244,672
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 707617
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2007 using redundant communication media
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2012 and using different communication protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/178 Techniques for file synchronisation in file systems

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for managing distributed data storage. A data storage device is configured to operate in at least two modes of operation, including a first mode, in which the data storage device may sync a file directory with a corresponding file directory of a separate data storage device when the data storage devices are connected over a broadcast connection in a first local area network (LAN). In a second mode of operation, the data storage device may connect to a host device over a dedicated point-to-point connection over a second LAN when the data storage device is not connected to the first LAN.

Claims

1. A data storage system comprising:

a first data storage device configured to store data in one or more file directories, the first data storage device comprising a controller having a processor; and

a wireless transceiver device comprising a first cable portion, a second cable portion, and a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver device being communicatively coupled to the first data storage device via the first cable portion and connected to a power source via the second cable portion;

wherein the controller is configured to use the processor to;

in a first mode of operation;

synchronize at least one of the one or more file directories with a corresponding file directory of a second data storage device using the wireless transceiver device when the first data storage device and the second data storage device are connected over a broadcast connection in a first local area network (LAN); and

in a second mode of operation;

connect the first data storage device to one or more host devices over a dedicated point-to-point connection in a second LAN using the wireless transceiver device when the first data storage device is not connected to the first LAN.

2. The data storage system of claim 1, wherein the dedicated point-to-point connection is a Wi-Fi connection.

3. The data storage system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to use the processor to, in the first mode of operation, provide access to the first data storage device by one or more host devices over the first LAN.

4. The data storage system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configurable by a host device over the first LAN or the second LAN using a software application.

5. The data storage system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to use the processor to synchronize the at least one of the one or more file directories without an Ethernet connection.

6. A data storage system comprising:

a plurality of data storage devices configured to be interconnected over a first Wi-Fi network using a plurality of wireless transceiver devices, each of the plurality of wireless transceiver devices being physically coupled to one of the plurality of data storage devices via a first cable portion of the respective wireless transceiver device, and connected to a respective power source via a second cable portion of the respective wireless transceiver device;

wherein each of the plurality of data storage devices is configured to use a respective processor to, in a first mode of operation, synchronize with other data storage devices of the plurality of data storage devices over the first Wi-Fi network; and

wherein each of the plurality of data storage devices is configured to be removed from the first Wi-Fi network and, while not connected to the first Wi-Fi network, communicate with one or more host devices over a dedicated point-to-point Wi-Fi network connection using a physically-coupled wireless transceiver device of the plurality of wireless transceiver devices in a second mode of operation.

7. The data storage system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of data storage devices is further configured to use the respective processor to synchronize with the other data storage devices by uploading data to the other data storage devices and/or downloading data from one or more of the other data storage devices.

8. The data storage system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of data storage devices are each further configured to use the respective processor to synchronize with the other data storage devices of the plurality of data storage devices without communicating with the other data storage devices over the Internet.

9. A method of managing data in a data storage device, the method comprising:

wirelessly connecting a first data storage device to a local area network (LAN) using a wireless transceiver device communicatively coupled to the first data storage device, the first data storage device being configured to store data in one or more file directories;

first synchronizing a first file directory of the one or more file directories with a corresponding file directory of a second data storage device over the LAN using the wireless transceiver device;

after said synchronizing the first file directory, removing the first data storage device from the LAN;

after said removing the first data storage device from the LAN, connecting the first data storage device to a host device over a point-to-point connection while the first data storage device is not connected to the LAN;

modifying the first file directory using the point-to-point connection;

after said modifying the first file directory, reconnecting the first data storage device to the LAN using the wireless transceiver device; and

second synchronizing the modified first file directory with the corresponding file directory of the second data storage device over the LAN;

wherein the wireless transceiver device comprises;

first and second cable portions;

a first connector configured to connect the wireless transceiver device to the first data storage device; and

a second connector configured to connect the wireless transceiver device to a power source.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing access to the first data storage device by one or more host devices over the LAN.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising configuring the first data storage device using a software application of a host device connected to the first data storage device over the LAN.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said synchronizing the first file directory is performed without using an Ethernet connection.