Abstract: An apparatus, system, and storage medium are disclosed for utilizing data protection by a storage device to minimize loss of sensitive data on a storage medium. The apparatus includes a monitor module, a verification module, and a process module. The monitor module recognizes a write-type command from a host connected to an electronic data storage device. The verification module determines a presence of a passkey associated with the write-type command. The process module processes the write-type command according to the determination of the presence of the passkey. The apparatus, system, and storage medium provide protection of sensitive data at the device level so that a designated protected area on the electronic data storage device is protected against an inadvertent data overlay.

Abstract: Missing interrupt handler (MIH) software features for supporting a variable MIH timeout for I/O requests issued by an operating system (OS). The MIH timeout is varied to prevent a false indication of a failure in an I/O device operation, which is indicated if the MIH timeout occurs. By extending the MIH timeout, the I/O device is given more time to complete its operation, and the extension is provided when the device control unit (CU), or the OS, determines an I/O operation cannot complete before the shortest available MIH timeout. The length of a primary MIH timeout period is extended to a secondary MIH timeout period in response to the OS detecting that an I/O request has a long command that requires a long operating time in the I/O device, or a signal from the device's CU indicating that the current operation in the I/O device is taking an excessive time without the device being in any error condition.

Abstract: Missing interrupt handler (MIH) internal software features support a variable MIH timeout for I/O requests issued by an operating system (OS), when the same OS is involved with both an executing I/O request and a waiting I/O request. The OS varies its MIH timeout period without a signal from any I/O entity to prevent a false indication of a potential failure in a current I/O device operation. If a current I/O request has not completed when the OS senses the end of a primary MIH timeout period, started when issuing that request, the OS then scans the I/O program of that I/O request for any contained long-running command. (Most I/O requests complete during their primary MIH timeout period.) If a long command is found, the OS extends the MIH timeout period from the primary MIH timeout period to a long MIH timeout period, The latter gives the I/O device more time to complete its operation before the OS indicates it has a potential I/O error condition.

Abstract: I/O control unit (CU) features for supporting multiple host operating systems (OSs) which use missing interrupt handler (MIH) timeout functions for detecting potential failures of requested I/O device operations. These CU features support multiple host OSs by preventing them from falsely indicating I/O device failures, when in fact the device has not failed but is merely processing one or more other requests for other host Oss.