Abstract: A method to protect stored data is provided, comprising performing one or more times, by a processor, the following actions: receiving from a device verification information generated using common information known to the device and to the processor, verifying the validity of the verification information using the common information, determining an authorization status of the device based on (1) the validity of the verification information and (2) the time the verification information is received by the processor, and receiving a request from the device to access the stored data. The device is allowed to access the stored data based on the authorization status at the time the request is received.

Abstract: A system and method that improves security of a computer storage system by requiring an initiating computer to periodically reaffirm its identity by transmitting a message to a servicing computer. The message contains a previously established authentication message and a sequence value, established by and known only to the original participants. A message must be received by the servicing computer within a predetermined time interval in order to maintain data communications between the original participants.

Abstract: In a system for appliance back-up, a primary appliance is coupled to a network, whereby the primary appliance receives requests or commands and sends a status message over the network to a standby appliance, which indicates that the primary appliance is operational. If the standby appliance does not receive the status message or the status message is invalid, the standby appliance writes a shutdown message to a storage device. The primary appliance then reads the shutdown message stored in the storage device and disables itself from processing requests or commands. When the primary appliance completes these tasks, it disables communication connections and writes a shutdown completion message to the storage device. The standby appliance reads the shutdown completion message from the storage device and initiates a start-up procedure.

Abstract: A system and method that improves security of a computer storage system by requiring an initiating computer to periodically reaffirm its identity by transmitting a message to a servicing computer. The message contains a previously established authentication message and a sequence value, established by and known only to the original participants. A message must be received by the servicing computer within a predetermined time interval in order to maintain data communications between the original participants.

Abstract: In a system for appliance back-up, a primary appliance is coupled to a network, whereby the primary appliance receives requests or commands and sends a status message over the network to a standby appliance, which indicates that the primary appliance is operational. If the standby appliance does not receive the status message or the status message is invalid, the standby appliance writes a shutdown message to a storage device. The primary appliance then reads the shutdown message stored in the storage device and disables itself from processing requests or commands. When the primary appliance completes these tasks, it disables communication connections and writes a shutdown completion message to the storage device. The standby appliance reads the shutdown completion message from the storage device and initiates a start-up procedure.

Abstract: In a system for appliance back-up, a primary appliance is coupled to a network, whereby the primary appliance receives requests or commands and sends a status message over the network to a standby appliance, which indicates that the primary appliance is operational. If the standby appliance does not receive the status message or the status message is invalid, the standby appliance writes a shutdown message to a storage device. The primary appliance then reads the shutdown message stored in the storage device and disables itself from processing requests or commands. When the primary appliance completes these tasks, it disables communication connections and writes a shutdown completion message to the storage device. The standby appliance reads the shutdown completion message from the storage device and initiates a start-up procedure.