Patent ID: 9729534
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: G06F,H04L

Claim:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: detecting an error condition associated with a selected data storage device in a multi-device user environment comprising a plurality of data storage devices coupled to form a combined memory space; replicating, in a memory of an available replacement data storage device in the multi-device user environment, a data content stored in a memory of the selected data storage device; establishing a first level of user authentication by providing a first challenge value generated by the selected data storage device to a remote device over a network associated with the selected data storage device; executing a first diagnostic tool stored on the selected data storage device responsive to receipt of the first level of user authentication; establishing a second level of user authentication using an output from the first diagnostic tool and a second challenge value generated by the selected data storage device; and executing a second diagnostic tool stored on the selected data storage device responsive to the second level of user authentication, the establishment of the first and second levels of user authentication and the execution of the first and second diagnostic tools carried out while the selected data storage device remains operably and physically connected in the multi-device user environment.