Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods for managing user data in a plurality of storage appliances coupled to a wide area network. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods that allow users to view and manipulate files in a shared virtual container. In other embodiments, the present invention also relates to systems and methods that allow users to access virtual containers located on storage appliances that are owned by other users.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of operating a server to manage user data in a plurality of storage appliances. The method involves establishing in a database system, via the server, information for each registered user; establishing and storing in the database system a set of relationships, based on designations by the users, among registered storage appliances and container designations; and using a central service running on the server to deliver storage appliance-container relationship data to the storage appliances so as to enable the appliances to substantiate the containers therein, and to replicate user data with other storage appliances that have substantiated corresponding containers, in a manner consistent with the stored relationships, and wherein the central service operates without interaction with user data stored in the containers.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of operating a server to manage user data in a plurality of storage appliances. The method involves establishing in a database system, via the server, information for each registered user; establishing and storing in the database system a set of relationships, based on designations by the users, among registered storage appliances and container designations; and using a central service running on the server to deliver storage appliance-container relationship data to the storage appliances so as to enable the appliances to substantiate the containers therein, and to replicate user data with other storage appliances that have substantiated corresponding containers, in a manner consistent with the stored relationships, and wherein the central service operates without interaction with user data stored in the containers.

Abstract: A carrier for a disk drive includes a back member configured to abut a face of the disk drive; a pair of side members coupled to the back member, configured to abut opposing sides of the disk drive; and a pair of flexible tangs, each tang coupled to one of the side members and configured to removably mount the carrier in a base. The back member is, or the side members are, or the back member and side members are, configured with a set of attachment mechanisms in locations that correspond to locations, in the disk drive, of screw holes used for mounting so that the disk drive is removably mountable in the carrier using the attachment mechanisms and an assembly of the carrier with the disk drive is removably mountable in the base.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods for managing user data in a plurality of storage appliances coupled to a wide area network. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods that allow users to view and manipulate files in a shared virtual container. In other embodiments, the present invention also relates to systems and methods that allow users to access virtual containers located on storage appliances that are owned by other users.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of operating a server to manage user data in a plurality of storage appliances. The method involves establishing in a database system, via the server, information for each registered user; establishing and storing in the database system a set of relationships, based on designations by the users, among registered storage appliances and container designations; and using a central service running on the server to deliver storage appliance-container relationship data to the storage appliances so as to enable the appliances to substantiate the containers therein, and to replicate user data with other storage appliances that have substantiated corresponding containers, in a manner consistent with the stored relationships, and wherein the central service operates without interaction with user data stored in the containers.