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: A method and a system for storing and/or retrieving data which can be implemented using a storage area network. The system includes a client computer having data to store or desiring data to retrieve, a storage server in communication with the client computer and able to read storage-related requests from the client computer, a high-speed network running at least one data communication protocol for communicating between the client computer and the storage server, a storage device, which has data to retrieve and is used to store data, in communication with the storage server, and a storage manager for allocating and authorizing the storage device. Preferably, the data communication protocol includes at least one of the Internet protocols, including Internet Protocol (“IP”), Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”), and User Datagram Protocol (“UDP”). Preferably, the system also includes a high-speed switch for communicating between the client computer and the storage server.

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.