Abstract:
A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arranagement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.
Abstract:
A method and system for sharing data and interrogating data include establishing a level of trust between mutually mistrusting entities so that data may be shared therebetween based on the level of trust. The method and system include interrogating data provided from one of the entities to the other entity without the receiving entity having complete access to the data associated therewith.
Abstract:
A customer making a credit card transaction inserts their smart card into a card reader attached to the merchant's system. The card reader activates the customer's card and passes certain merchant information. The merchant's system then requests a "billing digest" from the customer's card. The billing digest is returned to the merchant's card reader that forwards it (and the transaction information which includes customer information and merchant information) to the corresponding credit card issuer, which maintains the customer's credit card account. In one embodiment, the customer information and the merchant information are encrypted. Upon receiving the billing digest, transaction information is decrypted if necessary and the credit card issuer looks up the customer's master key using the customer's account number. The credit card issuer then uses the transaction information to re-compute the billing digest (an authentication billing digest) and compares this new value with the billing digest submitted by the merchant. If authentic, the billing digest and authentication billing digest values are equivalent, then funds are transferred and an acceptance notification is returned to the merchant. If not authentic, a denial notification is returned to the merchant. Security is further enhanced by utilizing a unique reference for each transaction in the unique customer information used for creating the billing digest.
Abstract:
A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arranagement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for transferring data. A plurality of packets is received, wherein several of the plurality of packets includes a command and data. Packets within the plurality of packets having identical commands are identified to form a set of selected packets. A buffer is allocated to process the set of selected packets. A selectable subset of the packets not having identical commands to those in the set of selected packets are allocated to other buffers for processing.
Abstract:
A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arranagement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.
Abstract:
A communication system (20) permitting temporary connections for specific, predictable data transfer performance is presented. The communication system includes a requesting computer system (24), a responding computer system (26) and communications paths (50) for establishing connections between the requesting computer system and the responding computer system. The requesting computer system can establish a temporary initial control connection with the responding computer system through a first communication path (56). A temporary negotiating connection is established with the responding computer system. Data transfer characteristics are negotiated with the responding computer using the temporary negotiating connection. A temporary data connection is established through a set including at least one communication path based on the negotiated data transfer characteristics, the set not including the first communication path.