Abstract: Systems and methods for peer data storage device messaging over a peer channel, such as a control bus, for vulnerability management are disclosed. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a peer interface to establish peer communication independent of host availability. The storage devices may determine security issues (for themselves or for peer storage devices) and send a threat notification through the peer interface, enabling peer storage devices to respond to peer security threats without relying on their host connections.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomic troubleshooting in a system of devices including at least a first device and a second device communicating with each other via a system management bus. The first and second device also communicates with a host device via a separate main bus. The method includes the first device sending a first query, via the system management bus, to the second device. The first device determines if the second device in an error state based on: receiving a response from the second device indicating an error; or absence of a response from the second device. Based on the error state, the first device sends a control command to the second device via the system management bus. In some examples the first device or second device is a data storage device.

Abstract: An access control system, data storage device, and method to enable an authorized host computing system to access replay protected memory blocks (RPMB) in a data storage device (DSD). This includes an access control system determining the host computing system to be authorized to access the DSD, and securely programming the host computing system and DSD with at least one RPMB key. The DSD is configured to authenticate, using the RPMB key, requests from the host computing device to access the protected memory blocks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for peer data storage device messaging over a control bus for power management are disclosed. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a control bus interface to connect to a control bus. Peer data storage devices may establish peer communication through the control bus interface, determine a power state, receive a power change indicator from a peer data storage device, and initiate a change in their power state. The peer data storage devices may manage their collective power as a power pool and increase or decrease power use without host intervention.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomic troubleshooting in a system of devices including at least a first device and a second device communicating with each other via a system management bus. The first and second device also communicates with a host device via a separate main bus. The method includes the first device sending a first query, via the system management bus, to the second device. The first device determines if the second device in an error state based on: receiving a response from the second device indicating an error; or absence of a response from the second device. Based on the error state, the first device sends a control command to the second device via the system management bus. In some examples the first device or second device is a data storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for peer data storage device messaging over a peer channel, such as a control bus, for vulnerability management are disclosed. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a peer interface to establish peer communication independent of host availability. The storage devices may determine security issues (for themselves or for peer storage devices) and send a threat notification through the peer interface, enabling peer storage devices to respond to peer security threats without relying on their host connections.

Abstract: Data storage devices function by communication between a controller and a memory device over a data bus. The memory device can, at times, be busy. Attempting to communicate with the memory device while the memory device is busy causes delays. Holding back communications when the memory device is not busy causes avoidable delays. Correctly predicting the timing of when the memory device is available will reduce delays. An adaptive prediction timer is used that increases the time between communications if a status check of the memory device returns a busy indication, and decreases the time between communications if the status check returns a not busy indication.

Abstract: Data storage devices function by communication between a controller and a memory device over a data bus. The memory device can, at times, be busy. Attempting to communicate with the memory device while the memory device is busy causes delays. Holding back communications when the memory device is not busy causes avoidable delays. Correctly predicting the timing of when the memory device is available will reduce delays. An adaptive prediction timer is used that increases the time between communications if a status check of the memory device returns a busy indication, and decreases the time between communications if the status check returns a not busy indication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for peer data storage device messaging over a control bus for power management are disclosed. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a control bus interface to connect to a control bus. Peer data storage devices may establish peer communication through the control bus interface, determine a power state, receive a power change indicator from a peer data storage device, and initiate a change in their power state. The peer data storage devices may manage their collective power as a power pool and increase or decrease power use without host intervention.

Abstract: Systems and methods for peer storage devices to share host control data are described. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a control bus interface to connect to a control bus. Peer storage devices may establish peer communication through the control bus interface to share host control data, such as access parameters for host resources allocated to peer storage devices. A storage device may access host resources using access parameters allocated to that device, receive peer access parameters from a peer storage device, and access host resources allocated to the peer storage device using the peer access parameters. For example, a storage device may use a peer host memory buffer to store buffer data prior to releasing the host memory buffer allocated to it.

Abstract: Systems and methods for peer storage device messaging over a control bus to offload and back up internal operation data are disclosed. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a control bus interface to connect to a control bus. Peer storage devices may establish peer communication through the control bus interface, select internal operation data, and send the internal operation data to other peer storage devices through the control bus. Responsive to a recovery event, peer storage devices may receive the offloaded internal operation data from another peer storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for peer storage device messaging over a control bus to offload and back up internal operation data are disclosed. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a control bus interface to connect to a control bus. Peer storage devices may establish peer communication through the control bus interface, select internal operation data, and send the internal operation data to other peer storage devices through the control bus. Responsive to a recovery event, peer storage devices may receive the offloaded internal operation data from another peer storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for peer storage devices to share host control data are described. Storage devices may include a host interface configured to connect to a host system and a control bus interface to connect to a control bus. Peer storage devices may establish peer communication through the control bus interface to share host control data, such as access parameters for host resources allocated to peer storage devices. A storage device may access host resources using access parameters allocated to that device, receive peer access parameters from a peer storage device, and access host resources allocated to the peer storage device using the peer access parameters. For example, a storage device may use a peer host memory buffer to store buffer data prior to releasing the host memory buffer allocated to it.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a translucid access method and apparatus to a host allowing access to data contained within the host.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and systems for a storage device that includes one or more memory devices, where the memory devices store a second challenge question and a first response key. The system also includes an interface and a storage controller coupled to the interface and coupled to the memory devices. The storage controller generates an enable signal for enabling access to the memory devices. The system also includes a security module coupled to the storage controller and configured to send and receive challenge requests and challenge responses, where the security module includes a first challenge question and a second response key corresponding to each of the memory devices.

Abstract: Methods and equipment for determining whether a ransomware attack is suspected include a data storage device including a controller; non-volatile memory; a data path between the controller and the non-volatile memory; and an anti-ransomware module configured to monitor the data path. Methods and equipment also include monitoring a data path between a controller and a non-volatile memory on a data storage device; calculating an entropy of a data set to be written to the non-volatile memory; analyzing the calculated entropy; and determining whether a malware attack is suspected. Methods and equipment also include monitoring a data path between a controller and a non-volatile memory on a data storage device; identifying activity indicative of ransomware; once activity indicative of ransomware has been identified, calculating an entropy of a data set to be written to the non-volatile memory; analyzing the calculation; and determining whether a ransomware attack is suspected.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a translucid access method and apparatus to a host allowing access to data contained within the host.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and systems for a storage device that includes one or more memory devices, where the memory devices store a second challenge question and a first response key. The system also includes an interface and a storage controller coupled to the interface and coupled to the memory devices. The storage controller generates an enable signal for enabling access to the memory devices. The system also includes a security module coupled to the storage controller and configured to send and receive challenge requests and challenge responses, where the security module includes a first challenge question and a second response key corresponding to each of the memory devices.

Abstract: Methods and equipment for determining whether a ransomware attack is suspected include a data storage device including a controller; non-volatile memory; a data path between the controller and the non-volatile memory; and an anti-ransomware module configured to monitor the data path. Methods and equipment also include monitoring a data path between a controller and a non-volatile memory on a data storage device; calculating an entropy of a data set to be written to the non-volatile memory; analyzing the calculated entropy; and determining whether a malware attack is suspected. Methods and equipment also include monitoring a data path between a controller and a non-volatile memory on a data storage device; identifying activity indicative of ransomware; once activity indicative of ransomware has been identified, calculating an entropy of a data set to be written to the non-volatile memory; analyzing the calculation; and determining whether a ransomware attack is suspected.

Abstract: A storage system and method for providing gray levels of read security are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is provided comprising a memory and a controller in communication with the memory. The controller is configured to perform a test of a security feature of the storage system; and in response to failure of the test of the security feature of the storage system, degrade a subsequent read of a set of locations in the memory. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.