Abstract: The present invention is a system for implementing a meta-disk aggregation model for storage controllers. The system includes a storage controller configured for communicatively coupling with a server. The system further includes a meta-disk drive group having a plurality of disk drives, the meta-disk drive group configured for being communicatively coupled with the storage controller, each of the plurality of disk drives including a drive interface connector. Additionally, each drive interface connector of the plurality of disk drives of the meta-disk drive group is configured for being communicatively coupled to each of the remaining drive interface connectors of the plurality of disk drives, thereby allowing the plurality of disk drives to communicate as a single device with the storage controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a methodology by which disk level access for storage drives of a storage array may be highly secured based on permission settings applied to the driver interface of the storage drives. Based on specific set of access rules, a security component applies security profiles to permit/deny access to an individual storage drive, sets the storage drive with a first security level, monitors for a triggering event, and sets the storage drive to a second (more restrictive) security access level in response to the triggering event. In addition, the security component generates an alert in response to the triggering event. Thus, disk level access permissions are applied at a driver interface layer and permissions are applied based on administrator-defined policies. The present disclosure provides for complete lock-down of data permissions, management and/or restriction of IO loads, and protection of “read-only” data integrity from overwrites.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for detecting component level changes in a storage area network during power off state is provided. Storage profile changes may be utilized for monitoring components during a power cycle period of a storage array system coupled to a SAN. During the power on state of the storage array system, a storage profile (an on-power-storage profile) is collected and time stamped after predefined set of trigger points. Another storage profile (an off-power-storage profile) of the same storage array system may be collected immediately after a power cycle. The two versions of the storage profiles are compared immediately after the off-power-storage profile is created to determine whether the predetermined condition happened. A delta file may be generated after the comparison of the two versions of storage profiles. Each detected conditions may be logged in a log file of the storage array system.

Abstract: A device may include a card including a card connector and/or a card edge lockshield disposed on at least a card connector first side. Additionally, a computer system may include a motherboard including at least one mating connector and/or at Least one card including a card connector and a card edge lockshield disposed on at least a card connector first side. Further, a method for providing the device and/or computer system is disclosed.

Abstract: Peer-to peer licensing tracking and control is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include individually disabling a controller module when a code to activate the controller module is different from a number embedded in the controller module, and automatically disabling the controller module when the number is associated with another controller module communicatively coupled to the controller module. The method may further include a master controller module periodically querying one or more of controller modules communicatively coupled to the master controller module. The querying may identify the number and the feature associated with each of the controller modules to store in a validation module of the master controller module as a database. When the number of the controller module matches with one or more numbers of the controller modules listed in the database, the controller may be deactivated.

Abstract: A device may include a card including a card connector and/or a card edge lockshield disposed on at least a card connector first side. Additionally, a computer system may include a motherboard including at least one mating connector and/or at Least one card including a card connector and a card edge lockshield disposed on at least a card connector first side. Further, a method for providing the device and/or computer system is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a methodology by which disk level access for storage drives of a storage array may be highly secured based on permission settings applied to the driver interface of the storage drives. Based on specific set of access rules, a security component applies security profiles to permit/deny access to an individual storage drive, sets the storage drive with a first security level, monitors for a triggering event, and sets the storage drive to a second (more restrictive) security access level in response to the triggering event. In addition, the security component generates an alert in response to the triggering event. Thus, disk level access permissions are applied at a driver interface layer and permissions are applied based on administrator-defined policies. The present disclosure provides for complete lock-down of data permissions, management and/or restriction of IO loads, and protection of “read-only” data integrity from overwrites.

Abstract: Circuits, systems and methods for improved monitoring of status of a storage controller in a storage system. A monitoring circuit external to the storage controller is adapted to couple to the internal bus structure within the storage controller. The monitoring circuit is adapted to sense status of the storage controller by monitoring bus transactions within the storage controller that indicate status of the control and/or of the storage system. In one aspect the monitoring circuit saves sensed status in a memory associated with the circuit. In another aspect, the monitoring circuit includes a network interface to transmit sensed/saved status to an external data processing system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for manufacturing an electronic device, such as a data storage device. The method includes generating a register including a desired device configuration. The register may include an identifier and radio signal information associated with the component so that the component may be tracked via a radio frequency identification device (RFID) physically associated with the component. Radio signals are monitored for signals associated with the component such as prior to inclusion into the electronic device to prevent improper assembly. An alert may be provided if a radio signal associated with a component included in the desired configuration is not present. The radio signals determined during monitoring are verified with the radio signals associated with the components included in the register. The components are assembled into the electronic device (or partially assembled device).

Abstract: Circuits, systems and methods for improved monitoring of status of a storage controller in a storage system. A monitoring circuit external to the storage controller is adapted to couple to the internal bus structure within the storage controller. The monitoring circuit is adapted to sense status of the storage controller by monitoring bus transactions within the storage controller that indicate status of the control and/or of the storage system. In one aspect the monitoring circuit saves sensed status in a memory associated with the circuit. In another aspect, the monitoring circuit includes a network interface to transmit sensed/saved status to an external data processing system.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for implementing a meta-disk aggregation model for storage controllers. The system includes a storage controller configured for communicatively coupling with a server. The system further includes a meta-disk drive group having a plurality of disk drives, the meta-disk drive group configured for being communicatively coupled with the storage controller, each of the plurality of disk drives including a drive interface connector. Additionally, each drive interface connector of the plurality of disk drives of the meta-disk drive group is configured for being communicatively coupled to each of the remaining drive interface connectors of the plurality of disk drives, thereby allowing the plurality of disk drives to communicate as a single device with the storage controller.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus to carry a hard drive may include one or more of the following features: (a)at least one carrier component, (b) at least one interlocking portion located on the at least one carrier component, (c) a first connector located at the at least one interlocking portion that can be received by a second connector, (d) a second carrier component, (e) a second interlocking portion, and (f) a third and fourth connector located at the second interlocking portion.

Abstract: Peer-to peer licensing tracking and control is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include individually disabling a controller module when a code to activate the controller module is different from a number embedded in the controller module, and automatically disabling the controller module when the number is associated with another controller module communicatively coupled to the controller module. The method may further include a master controller module periodically querying one or more of controller modules communicatively coupled to the master controller module. The querying may identify the number and the feature associated with each of the controller modules to store in a validation module of the master controller module as a database. When the number of the controller module matches with one or more numbers of the controller modules listed in the database, the controller may be deactivated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for detecting component level changes in a storage area network during power off state is provided. Storage profile changes may monitoring components during a power cycle period of a storage array system coupled to a SAN. During the power on state of the storage array system, a storage profile (an on-power-storage profile) is collected and time stamped after predefined set of trigger points. Another storage profile (an off-power-storage profile) of the same storage array system may be collected immediately after a power cycle. The two versions of the storage profiles are compared immediately after the off-power-storage profile is created to determine whether the predetermined condition happened. A delta file may be generated after the comparison of the two versions of storage profiles. Each detected conditions may be logged in a log file of the storage array system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for manufacturing an electronic device, such as a data storage device. The method includes generating a register including a desired device configuration. The generated register may include a variety of data associated with the components to be included. The register may include an identifier and radio signal information associated with the component so that the component may be tracked via a radio frequency identification device (RFID) physically associated with the component. Radio signals are monitored for signals associated with the component such as prior to inclusion into the electronic device to prevent improper assembly. An alert may be provided if a radio signal associated with a component included in the desired configuration is not present. The radio signals determined during monitoring are verified with the radio signals associated with the components included in the register.

Abstract: A single-chassis clustered network system (10) having internal connectors (14) that eliminate the need for wiring out the back of the chassis. Each main board (11) has a network interface card (12), an internal connector (14), an external connector (13), and an autosense circuit (15). The autosense circuit (15) detects when the internal connectors (14) are being used, and disables the external connectors (13), or vice versa.

Abstract: The back bias voltage on a functional circuit is controlled through a closed loop process. A delay element receives a clock pulse and produces a delay output. The delay element is advantageously constructed of the same materials as the functional circuit so that the aging and degradation of the delay element parallels the degradation of the functional circuit. As the delay element degrades, the transistor switching time increases, increasing the time delay of the delay output. An AND gate compares a clock pulse to an output pulse of the delay element, the AND output forming a control pulse. A duty cycle of the control pulse is determined by the delay time between the clock pulse and the delay element output. The control pulse is received at the input of a charge pump. The charge pump produces a back bias voltage which is then applied to the delay element and to the functional circuit.

Abstract: A Single Event Upset (SEU) resistant latch circuit that uses the Single Event Resistant Topology (SERT) comprises a first circuit module electrically coupled to a second circuit module. In the SERT-1 embodiment, the first circuit module has two output terminals, including four cross-coupled p-channel (PMOS) transistors coupled with two n-channel (NMOS) transistors. The second circuit module has two output terminals, including four cross-coupled p-channel (PMOS) transistors coupled with two n-channel (NMOS) transistors. These four output terminals satisfy a set of state equations that can be used to obtain the SERT-1 State Table. In the SERT-2 embodiment, the first circuit module has two output terminals, including four cross-coupled n-channel (NMOS) transistors coupled with two p-channel (PMOS) transistors. The second circuit module has two output terminals, including four cross-coupled n-channel (NMOS) transistors coupled with two p-channel (PMOS) transistors.

Abstract: An expansion card retention system and method. In one embodiment, the expansion card retention system includes an expansion card retaining unit which has a vertical axis, an extended member, and a vertical-axis extended member pressure application device operably connected to the extended member. In another embodiment, a data processing system includes the expansion card retention system. In yet another embodiment, the method includes securing an expansion card via the application of a wedging force.