Abstract: A system is provided, the system having a first storage device and a second storage device. A symbiotic relationship is established between the first and second storage devices to selectively store backup digital content for each other.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical data storage medium comprising a longitudinal portion at a resting location and a counterweight attached to the optical data storage medium. Unless the longitudinal portion is locked in place, the counterweight causes the longitudinal portion to move from the resting location when the optical data storage medium is rotated thereby rendering at least some data on the optical data storage medium unusable.

Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of storage drives coupled to logic. The logic implements a noise-reducing feature selected from a group consisting of a first feature that limits system performance based on a level of ambient noise, a second feature that staggers access transactions among said storage drives, a third feature that staggers spin up among the storage drives, a fourth feature that at least partially cancels noise generated by the system, a fifth feature that limits fan speed, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method of a storage expansion unit for a network attached storage device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are storage expander systems comprising an enclosure, a communications port (the communication port configured to configured to operate under a communications protocol suitable for operatively accessing long term storage devices), and a port expander circuit within the enclosure and coupled to the communications port (the port expander circuit configured to have a plurality of secondary ports that operate under the communications protocol). The storage expansion system is configured to couple to a network attached storage device over the communications port, and wherein the storage expansion system is configured to facilitate external long-term storage for the network attached storage device.

Abstract: A NAS device comprises a user control and storage in which at least one of an operating system and system firmware is stored. Logic is also provided that is coupled to the user control and the storage. The logic causes a recovery to be performed of the operating system or system firmware upon user activation of the user control. The NAS device does not comprise any of a keyboard, mouse, trackball, and computer monitor.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for an optical storage medium comprises a first portion that is installed on the optical storage medium and a second portion that is lockable to the first portion. When the first and second portions are locked together, the optical storage medium is unusable to access data stored thereon.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system comprises a network attached storage (NAS) server not having a general-purpose user input device. The NAS server comprises local data storage and a plurality of automated media portals each operable for receiving a direct communicative coupling of a portable storage media and reading data from the received portable storage media for storage to the local data storage. According to another embodiment, a method comprises receiving a direct communicative coupling of a portable storage media to any of a plurality of different automated media portals of a NAS server, wherein the NAS server comprises local data storage and wherein the NAS server does not include a general-purpose user input device. The NAS server reads data from the received portable storage media, and the NAS server stores the data to the local data storage.

Abstract: A system comprises a first network device and a second network device coupled via a network to the first network device. The first network device initiates a recovery across the network of an operating system of the second network device.

Abstract: A drive carrier for computer systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are drive carriers comprising a first suspension member that defines a first side of the drive carrier, a second suspension member that defines a second side of the drive carrier (the second suspension member configured to be manually flexed resiliently away from the drive carrier during installation of a disk drive), a handle having a hinge point coupled to the suspension members (the hinge point defining an axis of rotation for the handle, and the axis of rotation lies substantially parallel to a plane in which both suspension members reside), a first pin configured to couple to a mounting hole of the disk drive (and the first pin coupled to the first suspension member), and a second pin configured to couple to a mounting hole of the disk drive (and the second pin coupled to the second suspension member, wherein the first and second pins suspend the disk drive within the drive carrier between the suspension members).

Abstract: A privacy filter comprises a first light transmissive film having a first plurality of rounded, optically opaque regions extending into a surface thereof. The first plurality of rounded, optically opaque regions are positioned to allow a viewer to view an image through the privacy filter within a range of viewing angles and to block viewing of the image through the privacy filter outside the range of viewing angles.

Abstract: A storage device protection system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a processor, a storage device electrically coupled to the processor, and a protection system. The protection system comprises an enclosure within which the storage device is positioned, and a foam system coupled to the enclosure. The foam system selectively releases foam that substantially encases the storage device, where the foam released in the presence of a predetermined temperature or contact of the computer system with water. Other embodiments are directed to systems having a mounting system that repositions the storage device away from walls of the enclosure in the presence of a predetermined temperature or contact of the computer system with water.

Abstract: A system comprises a first network device and a second network device coupled via a network to the first network device. The first network device initiates a recovery across the network of an operating system of the second network device.

Abstract: A system and method of a storage expansion unit for a network attached storage device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are storage expander systems comprising an enclosure, a communications port (the communication port configured to configured to operate under a communications protocol suitable for operatively accessing long term storage devices), and a port expander circuit within the enclosure and coupled to the communications port (the port expander circuit configured to have a plurality of secondary ports that operate under the communications protocol). The storage expansion system is configured to couple to a network attached storage device over the communications port, and wherein the storage expansion system is configured to facilitate external long-term storage for the network attached storage device.

Abstract: A NAS device comprises a user control and storage in which at least one of an operating system and system firmware is stored. Logic is also provided that is coupled to the user control and the storage. The logic causes a recovery to be performed of the operating system or system firmware upon user activation of the user control. The NAS device does not comprise any of a keyboard, mouse, trackball, and computer monitor.

Abstract: A system is provided, the system having a first storage device and a second storage device. A symbiotic relationship is established between the first and second storage devices to selectively store backup digital content for each other.

Abstract: A drive carrier for computer systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are drive carriers comprising a first suspension member that defines a first side of the drive carrier, a second suspension member that defines a second side of the drive carrier (the second suspension member configured to be manually flexed resiliently away from the drive carrier during installation of a disk drive), a handle having a hinge point coupled to the suspension members (the hinge point defining an axis of rotation for the handle, and the axis of rotation lies substantially parallel to a plane in which both suspension members reside), a first pin configured to couple to a mounting hole of the disk drive (and the first pin coupled to the first suspension member), and a second pin configured to couple to a mounting hole of the disk drive (and the second pin coupled to the second suspension member, wherein the first and second pins suspend the disk drive within the drive carrier between the suspension members).

Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of storage drives coupled to logic. The logic implements a noise-reducing feature selected from a group consisting of a first feature that limits system performance based on a level of ambient noise, a second feature that staggers access transactions among said storage drives, a third feature that staggers spin up among the storage drives, a fourth feature that at least partially cancels noise generated by the system, a fifth feature that limits fan speed, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for an optical storage medium comprises a first portion that is installed on the optical storage medium and a second portion that is lockable to the first portion. When the first and second portions are locked together, the optical storage medium is unusable to access data stored thereon.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system comprises a network attached storage (NAS) server not having a general-purpose user input device. The NAS server comprises local data storage and a plurality of automated media portals each operable for receiving a direct communicative coupling of a portable storage media and reading data from the received portable storage media for storage to the local data storage. According to another embodiment, a method comprises receiving a direct communicative coupling of a portable storage media to any of a plurality of different automated media portals of a NAS server, wherein the NAS server comprises local data storage and wherein the NAS server does not include a general-purpose user input device. The NAS server reads data from the received portable storage media, and the NAS server stores the data to the local data storage.

Abstract: A method and system of a peripheral port of a server system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a server system comprising a processor, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the processor, a peripheral port coupled to the processor, and an indicator coupled to the processor (and the indicator associated with the peripheral port). The server system does not support a directly coupled display device, the processor determines whether a device coupled to the peripheral port is supported by the server system, and the processor drives the indicator to indicate whether the device is supported.