Abstract: Method, system and computer program product for reporting and recovering from uncorrectable data errors in a data processing system using the Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) or the Serial ATA (SATA) protocol. The invention utilizes the data scrubbing functionality of SCSI hard drives to provide a higher level of data integrity in an operating system implemented RAID environment. If an uncorrectable data error is found on a hard drive during a background data scrubbing operation, information concerning the data error is logged in a S.M.A.R.T. (Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) error data structure. When the host operating system identifies the uncorrectable data error during normal operation, a Host Array Manager issues a Write Command to write the data from a redundant drive after the defective Logical Block Address (LBA) has been reassigned.

Abstract: A telephone answering system associated with a telephone receiving terminal, either wired or mobile wireless, including an implementation for predetermining a set of different types of incoming telephone calls; the type of calls may be based on who the caller is and/or based upon the identifier of the incoming call. This is combined with a calendar listing time of day segments of the schedule of the recipient of an incoming telephone call. Storage is provided for a set of different vocal responses, for each time segment, to each of said set of different types of telephone calls. Then, responsive to an incoming call, there is provided the appropriate stored vocal for the type of said incoming call based upon the type or nature of the caller and the recipient's calendar.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for prohibiting unauthorized access of data that is stored on storage drives. Multiple logical partitions are generated. A different unique randomizer seed is associated with each one of the logical partitions. In response to one of the logical partitions needing to access a storage drive, the logical partition transmits a seed to the storage drive. The transmitted seed is associated with the one of the logical partitions. A transmitting one of the logical partitions is unable to transmit a seed that is other than a seed that is associated with the transmitting one of the logical partitions. The storage drive utilizes the transmitted seed to randomize and de-randomize data for the one of the logical partitions. Data randomized for one of the logical partitions cannot be de-randomized for a different one of the logical partitions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for allocating a portion of the OD zone of a hard drive disk to be a non-volatile (NV) caching space, where all writes to the disk are carried out. These write operations can be performed much faster than with conventional techniques, and storage costs may be significantly reduced. The disk drive controller manages the cache, and the host system sees improved throughput, especially for write intensive operations. In one embodiment a method is provided for writing specified data to a disk drive in a computer configuration, the disk drive having a magnetic disk and a volatile cache memory. A specified portion of the OD zone of the disk is reserved for an NV cache space, and the specified data is initially stored in the volatile memory, in response to a write command.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for controlling accesses of drives in a storage subsystem. A first array of a first type of drive is provided. The first type of drive is a server class of drive. A second array of a second type of drive is provided. The second type of drive is a PC class drive. The first and second arrays are bound together to form a single array of drives. The single array of drives is presented to a host that is coupled to the storage subsystem as a single array. The host is unaware that the single array includes two different types of drives. Data is stored in the second array of drives. Data is migrated from the second array of drives to the first array of drives when an access rate of the second array of drives exceeds a threshold access rate for the second type of drive. The data that is chosen to be migrated from the second array to the first array is the data in the second array of drives that is accessed more frequently.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for permitting access to a data storage device while the device is being formatted. A format command is received within the device from the host. A command complete response is then transmitted to the host before the device has completed being formatted. The host waits for the command complete response before the host transmits any read or write command to the device. Read and write commands that are transmitted to the device from the host are executed while the device is still being formatted.

Abstract: A unique identification number is stored in the electronic card that is attached to a disk drive, as well as in a reserved location on the disk itself. This ID number is initialized at head-disk assembly and a match between the two ID numbers is necessary for access to the data on the disk, although not for repairs to the mechanisms themselves. When a disk containing sensitive data is to be removed from a customer site, a technician briefly removes the disk and applies a jumper to specific contacts on the drive, then reinserts the drive and powers it up. This causes the ID on the electronic card to be erased, rendering the data on the drive unreadable. When the drive reaches a repair facility, the erased ID number ensures that the disk will be reformatted before being reused.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for recovering from data errors. In a SCSI hard drive system, when a unrecoverable data error condition is encountered, the logical block address is reassigned using information provided by the data scrubbing functionality of the SCSI hard drive.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program product for reporting and recovering from uncorrectable data errors in a data processing system using the Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) or the Serial ATA (SATA) protocol. The invention utilizes the data scrubbing functionality of SCSI hard drives to provide a higher level of data integrity in an operating system implemented RAID environment. If an uncorrectable data error is found on a hard drive during a background data scrubbing operation, information concerning the data error is logged in a S.M.A.R.T. (Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) error data structure. When the host operating system identifies the uncorrectable data error during normal operation, a Host Array Manager issues a Write Command to write the data from a redundant drive after the defective Logical Block Address (LBA) has been reassigned.

Abstract: A method, system and computer instructions for mitigating and recovering from the inefficient behavior of one or more peripheral devices attached to a shared I/O bus are disclosed. In one implementation, a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) for a drive monitors the time duration that a shared bus is busy, and can cause an interruption of the operation of that drive if a predetermined time threshold is exceeded. The HBA for that drive can cause the bus to be reset, if necessary, and can cause the target device utilizing the bus to be disconnected so that another target device can access the bus. Alternatively, the HBA for a drive can note that the bus is busy and restart any timers needed if relatively lengthy bus operations occur.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for recovering lost data with redundancy in an individual hard drive. A mirroring-type process is used in a single hard drive to maintain a backup copy of all data stored on that hard drive. The hard drive maintains two copies of the stored data on different storage media segments or partitions defined by separate read/write heads. In the event that a hard drive media defect or error occurs with respect to any of the data stored on a segment defined by one head, that data can be restored from the segment defined by the other head(s).

Abstract: A system, method, and product are disclosed for verifying a condition of a storage drive's media. A command is received within the storage drive to verify the condition of the storage drive's media. In response to a receipt of the command, the storage drive attempts to read each one of the logical block addresses included in the storage drive. The condition of the media is verified by the storage drive by determining ones of the logical block addresses that are not in a readable condition.

Abstract: A system and method for managing parallel SCSI device functionality is presented. A user sends a request to a vendor whereby the request corresponds to the user changing the functionality of one of the user's SCSI devices. The vendor generates and sends a key that includes a password and a functionality value to the user. The user extracts the password, extracts the functionality value, and includes them in a command descriptor block. The user includes the command descriptor block in a SCSI command, and sends the SCSI command to the user's SCSI device whereupon the SCSI device validates the password and reconfigures itself based upon the functionality value. The SCSI device returns a message to the user indicating whether the reconfiguring process was successful. In turn, the user forwards the message to the vendor so the vendor may bill the user accordingly.