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 storage module comprising:
 an interface providing a communication path between the storage module and a host device coupled with the storage module;   a local storage device agent configured to prompt a host device agent of the host device via the interface to establish a communication path with an application on an external device that is external to both the host device and the storage module, where the communication path is configured to allow the storage module to communicate with the application on the external device via the interface coupling the host device and the storage module; and   a non-volatile memory configured to store information received from the application on the external device over the communication path without intervention by the host device.   
     
     
         2 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is in communication with the host device over a network. 
     
     
         3 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the local storage device agent is further configured to:
 receive an indication that the host device has established the communication path with the application on the external device;   communicate information to the application on the external device over the communication path without intervention by the host device, wherein the information that the local storage device agent sends to the application on the external device is invisible to the host device file system; and   receive information from the application on the external device over the communication path without intervention by the host device.   
     
     
         4 . The storage module of  claim 3 , wherein the external device is an external storage module; and
 wherein to communicate information to the application on the external device, the local storage device is configured to communicate a command to the application on the external storage module instructing the application on the external storage module to store the information at the external storage module.   
     
     
         5 . The storage module of  claim 4 , wherein the information that the controller sends to the application on the external device without intervention by the host device comprises at least one of a read command, a write command, and an erase command. 
     
     
         6 . The storage module of  claim 4 , wherein the information received from the application on the external device without intervention by the host device comprises at least one of a read command, a write command, and an erase command. 
     
     
         7 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to prompt the host device to establish the communication path with the application on the external device in response to the external device registering on a network on which the host device is also registered. 
     
     
         8 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the storage module is embedded in the host device. 
     
     
         9 . The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the storage module is a removable memory card. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 in a storage module comprising an interface and a controller in communication with the interface, the interface configured to provide a communication path between the storage module and a host device coupled with the storage module:
 prompting over the interface the host device to establish a communication path with an application on an external device that is external to both the host device and the storage module, where the communication path is configured to allow the storage module to communicate with the application on the external device via the interface coupling the host device and the storage module; 
 receiving an indication that the host device has established the communication path with the application on the external device; 
 communicating information to the application on the external device over the communication path without intervention by the host device, wherein the information that the controller sends to the application on the external device is invisible to the host device file system; and 
 receiving information from the application on the external device over the communication path without intervention by the host device. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the external device is in communication with the host device over a network. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the external device is an external storage module; and
 wherein communicating information to the application on the external device comprises communicating a command to the application on the external storage module instructing the application on the external storage module to store the information at the external storage module.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the information that the controller sends to the application on the external device without intervention by the host device comprises at least one of a read command, a write command, and an erase command. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the information received from the application on the external device without intervention by the host device comprises at least one of a read command, a write command, and an erase command. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the information received from the application on the external device compels the controller to perform a storage operation on the non-volatile memory independent of a host device file system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the controller prompts the host device to establish the communication path with the application on the external device in response to the external device registering on a network on which the host device is also registered. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the storage module is embedded in the host device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the storage module is a memory card. 
     
     
         19 . A storage module comprising:
 means for providing a communication path between the storage module and a host device coupled with the storage module;   means for prompting a host device agent of the host device via the interface to establish a communication path with an application on an external device that is external to both the host device and the storage module, where the communication path is configured to allow the storage module to communicate with the application on the external device via the interface coupling the host device and the storage module; and   a non-volatile memory configured to store information received from the application on the external device over the communication path without intervention by the host device.   
     
     
         20 . The storage module of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 means for communicating information to the application on the external device over the communication path without intervention by the host device, wherein the information that local storage device agent sends to the application on the external device is invisible to the host device file system.