Distributed Storage Service Systems and Architecture

Abstract

Various methods, devices and systems are described for providing distributed storage services. A data storage device is capable of initiating a communication session with an external entity such as a local host computer (and vice versa) coupled directly to the data storage device, a remote server computer, or directly with remote data storage devices with or without intervention by a local host computer.

1 . A local storage device (LSD), comprising:
 a HD/LSD interface providing a communication path between the LSD and a host device (HD) comprising a host device file system and a LSD driver;   a first storage area managed by the host device file system (HDFS), wherein the HDFS manages the first storage area by generating a block command and passing the block command to the first storage area by way of the HD/LSD interface; and   wherein the application is in communication with the host device and does not utilize any communication paths with either the host device file system or the LSD driver.   
     
     
         2 . The LSD of  claim 1 , wherein the storage operation is selected from a group consisting of: a read operation, a write operation, an erase operation, a LSD property retrieval operation, and a first storage area property modification operation. 
     
     
         3 . The LSD of  claim 2 , wherein the first storage area property modification operation is selected from a group consisting of: modifying remaining capacity and modifying partitioning. 
     
     
         4 . The LSD of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second storage area that is not controlled by the host device file system and is not visible to the HDFS; and   an internal interface configured to facilitate communication between the second storage area and the first storage area without intervention by the host device.   
     
     
         5 . The LSD of  claim 4 , wherein the first storage area includes dummy content. 
     
     
         6 . The LSD of  claim 5 , wherein when the storage operation is the write operation, then the application is configured to cause an updating of the dummy content in the first storage area with updated content without intervention of the host device. 
     
     
         7 . The LSD of  claim 6 , wherein the updated content passes from the second storage area to the first storage area by way of the internal interface. 
     
     
         8 . The LSD of  claim 1 , wherein when the application resides in a device external to the host device and the LSD, a discovery server is configured to facilitate the establishment of a communication path between the HD and the application. 
     
     
         9 . A method performed by a location storage device (LSD) in communication with a host device (HD) having a host file system and a LSD drive, the LSD comprising a HD/LSD interface providing a communication path between the LSD and the HD, a first storage area managed by the host device file system, and a controller in communication with the HD/LSD interface and the first storage area, the method comprising:
 performing, with the controller, at least one storage operation on the first storage area without intervention by the host device file system in response to a command received from an application in communication with the HD, wherein the application does not utilize any communication paths with either the LSD driver or the host device file system.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one storage operation is selected from a group consisting of: a read operation, a write operation, an erase operation, a LSD property retrieval operation, and a first storage area property modification operation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first storage area property modification operation is selected from a group consisting of: modifying remaining capacity, modifying firmware versions, and modifying partitioning. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the LSD performing the method further comprises:
 a second storage area that is not controlled by the host device file system and is not visible to the host device; and   an interface arranged to facilitate communication between the second storage area and the first storage area without intervention by the host device.   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first storage area of the LSD performing the method includes a dummy file that includes dummy content. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein when the storage operation is the write operation, the controller is configured to update at least some of the dummy content in the dummy file with updated content without intervention of the host device file system based on commands from the application. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the updated content passes from the second storage area to the first storage area by way of the interface. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein when the application resides in a device external to the host device and the LSD, a discovery server is used to facilitate the establishment of a communication path between the HD and the application.