Abstract: A distributed data storage system can have a plurality of data storage devices connected to a host via a network controller. Receipt of a data access request from the host with the network controller can result in passing the data access request to a predetermined data storage device of the plurality of data storage devices with the network controller without processing the data access request. The data access request may then be satisfied with a device controller of the predetermined data storage device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing software containers in a computer network. A data storage device has a non-volatile memory (NVM) and a controller circuit. A portion of the NVM is allocated for use during deployment of a software container during which an application in the software container is executed by a processor of a virtual machine (VM) hypervisor. A unique session key is generated for the software container, and a token derived from the session key is supplied with each host access command issued to the data storage device during the deployment of the software container. The controller circuit validates each received host access command by determining the session key is valid and that a predetermined time period since deployment has not expired. The controller circuit is further configured to store in a session log a listing of all data blocks accessed in the NVM during the session.

Abstract: A first data storage device and a second data storage device can be connected to a first remote host and a second remote host via a server as part of a distributed data network. The server may assign the first data storage device to administer a first virtualization for a first logical volume of the first remote host. A device controller of the data storage device can execute an operating system and then load at least one operating component in the first remote host as directed by the first device controller. The device controller can subsequently perform a first software application in the first remote host as part of the first virtualization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing software containers in a computer network. A data storage device has a non-volatile memory (NVM) and a controller circuit. A portion of the NVM is allocated for use during deployment of a software container during which an application in the software container is executed by a processor of a virtual machine (VM) hypervisor. A unique session key is generated for the software container, and a token derived from the session key is supplied with each host access command issued to the data storage device during the deployment of the software container. The controller circuit validates each received host access command by determining the session key is valid and that a predetermined time period since deployment has not expired. The controller circuit is further configured to store in a session log a listing of all data blocks accessed in the NVM during the session.

Abstract: A first data storage device and a second data storage device can be connected to a first remote host and a second remote host via a server as part of a distributed data network. The server may assign the first data storage device to administer a first virtualization for a first logical volume of the first remote host. A device controller of the data storage device can execute an operating system and then load at least one operating component in the first remote host as directed by the first device controller. The device controller can subsequently perform a first software application in the first remote host as part of the first virtualization.

Abstract: A distributed data storage system can have a plurality of data storage devices connected to a host via a network controller. Receipt of a data access request from the host with the network controller can result in passing the data access request to a predetermined data storage device of the plurality of data storage devices with the network controller without processing the data access request. The data access request may then be satisfied with a device controller of the predetermined data storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for management of a tiered storage system by a top tier storage device. In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a circuit configured to maintain an address map at a first storage tier, receive a read request for specified data, return the specified data when the data exists on the first storage tier, and when the specified data does not exist on the first storage tier, return an indication to query a second storage tier. The circuit may be further configured to determine infrequently accessed cold data stored to the first tier, provide to a host device a copy of the cold data stored in an area of the first storage tier scheduled for defragmentation, and perform the defragmentation operation, including copying valid data to an available area of the first storage tier, the valid data not including the cold data.

Abstract: A data storage system may generally have a controller connected to multiple separate data storage devices in a distributed network. Each data storage device may be configured with a user invisible diagnostic region where diagnostic information is stored in logical block addresses (LBA) beyond a storage capacity of the respective data storage devices and the diagnostic information can be accessible via read and write requests to LBA beyond the storage capacity of the respective data storage devices.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a memory, such as a flash memory array. In accordance with some embodiments, a test pattern is written to a selected block of solid-state non-volatile memory cells. The test pattern is read from the selected block and a total number of read errors is identified. A data retention time is determined in response to the total number of read errors and an elapsed time interval between the writing of the test pattern and the reading of the test pattern. Data in a second block of the solid-state non-volatile memory cells are thereafter refreshed in relation to the determined data retention time.

Abstract: Method and system for network communication including identifying a first network port to be taken offline. Before taking the first network port offline, processing any pending packet tag for the first network port. The method further includes taking the first network port offline; storing a packet tag destined for the first network port at the second network port, while the first network port is offline; bringing the first network port online; and routing the packet tag stored at the second network port, while the first network port was offline; wherein the packet tag is routed from the second network port to the first network port.

Abstract: A bipod mount for positioning a PDA device for ease of use by a recumbent person comprises a rigid post with slidably adjustable clamping jaws thereon for engaging upper and lower edges of the PDA device. The rigid post is held in a structure including a pair of friction hubs affixed to upper ends of a pair of arms that can be splayed due to the use of the friction hubs. At the second end of the arms are pivotably mounted foot members. The assembly is collapsible to a small size for storage.

Abstract: Method and system for transmitting a multicast message with one or more packets to a plurality of destinations is provided. The system includes an adapter including an entry port to receive the multicast message from a source for transmission to the plurality of destinations; one or more egress ports of the adapter that transmit one or more packets of the multicast message to the plurality of destinations and receives acknowledgement for the one or more packets from the one or more destinations; and a message manager that monitors the delivery status for one or more packets to the plurality of destinations without using a plurality of dedicated individual connections between each of the plurality of destinations and the source.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a memory, such as a flash memory array. In accordance with some embodiments, a test pattern is written to a selected block of solid-state non-volatile memory cells. The test pattern is read from the selected block and a total number of read errors is identified. A data retention time is determined in response to the total number of read errors and an elapsed time interval between the writing of the test pattern and the reading of the test pattern. Data in a second block of the solid-state non-volatile memory cells are thereafter refreshed in relation to the determined data retention time.

Abstract: A data storage system may generally have a controller connected to multiple separate data storage devices in a distributed network. Each data storage device may be configured with a user invisible diagnostic region where diagnostic information is stored in logical block addresses (LBA) beyond a storage capacity of the respective data storage devices and the diagnostic information can be accessible via read and write requests to LBA beyond the storage capacity of the respective data storage devices.

Abstract: A bipod mount for positioning a PDA device for ease of use by a recumbent person comprises a rigid post with slidably adjustable clamping jaws thereon for engaging upper and lower edges of the PDA device. The rigid post is held in a structure including a pair of friction hubs affixed to upper ends of a pair of arms that can be splayed due to the use of the friction hubs. At the second end of the arms are pivotably mounted foot members. The assembly is collapsible to a small size for storage.

Abstract: Method and system for transmitting a multicast message with one or more packets to a plurality of destinations is provided. The system includes an adapter including an entry port to receive the multicast message from a source for transmission to the plurality of destinations; one or more egress ports of the adapter that transmit one or more packets of the multicast message to the plurality of destinations and receives acknowledgement for the one or more packets from the one or more destinations; and a message manager that monitors the delivery status for one or more packets to the plurality of destinations without using a plurality of dedicated individual connections between each of the plurality of destinations and the source.

Abstract: Method and system for transmitting a multicast message with one or more packets to a plurality of destinations is provided. The system includes an adapter including an entry port to receive the multicast message from a source for transmission to the plurality of destinations; one or more egress ports of the adapter that transmit one or more packets of the multicast message to the plurality of destinations and receives acknowledgement for the one or more packets from the one or more destinations; and a message manager that monitors the delivery status for one or more packets to the plurality of destinations without using a plurality of dedicated individual connections between each of the plurality of destinations and the source.

Abstract: Method and system for network communication between a first network port and at least a second network port is provided. The method includes establishing bi-directional communication between the first network port and the second network port using a first set of port setting information. After establishing bi-directional communication, a second set of port setting information is sent from the first network port to the second network port. If a response to the second set of port setting information is not received from the second network port within a given duration or if an unacceptable response is received from the second network port, then the first set of port setting information is used for communication between the first and second network ports.

Abstract: Method and system for routing a network packet received at a port within a network is provided. The method includes (a) generating an index value based on a destination identifier for the network packet; (b) generating one or more physical port numbers based on the index value generated in step (a); wherein each port number identifies a port for sending and receiving network packets; and (c) selecting one of the physical port numbers to route the network packet; wherein the port number is selected based on reaction selector signal that is generated from a partition key table based on a partition key value embedded in the network packet.

Abstract: Method and system for routing network information using a switch element coupled to a network link is provided. The switch element includes a programmable control system to configure the switch element to operate in a default mode, an immediate mode, a threshold mode or an interleave mode; and during the immediate mode, a transmit port inserts at least a fill word with at least a unique character when network information is not available, and transmits network information as soon as it is available. The method includes, determining if an immediate mode is enabled; transmitting at least a fill word with a unique character to a receive port, if network information is unavailable and transmitting network information if the immediate mode is enabled and network information is available.