Abstract: A method and system whereby new devices may be introduced for use with a particular device driver without necessitating a change to the device driver binary is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an option ROM is provided within the hardware device. Program code contained in the option ROM executes during the system boot process and reads the vendor ID, device ID, subsystem vendor ID, and subsystem device ID from the device. This option ROM code then determines, based on the vendor ID, device ID, subsystem vendor ID, and subsystem device ID, whether to write a signature to a scratch pad register of the device. When the operating system is booted, the driver reads the signature written by the option ROM code. If the signature matches the signature programmed into the driver, the driver claims the device as its own and continues to load.

Abstract: A method for responding to a particular drive being removed from a drive array, comprising the steps of (A) determining a maximum drive response time of the particular drive being removed from the drive array; (B) determining a duration of each of one or more commands needing completion; (C) if a particular one of the commands takes longer than the maximum drive response time, aborting the particular command and checking if the drive is physically present; and (D) if the command takes less than the maximum drive response time, completing the command.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a disk array and a controller. The disk array may be configured to send and receive data from the controller. The disk array generally comprises a plurality of disk drives each configured to store a drive signature. The controller may be configured to (i) receive a data signal and one or more address signals and (ii) present data to the disk array.