Patent ID: 6792519
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A virtual data storage system for providing a plurality of virtual data storage devices for use in a device having a processing unit, wherein said device having the processing unit has an initialization operation and a normal operation, the virtual data storage system comprising:a memory system for storing information; a virtual data storage controller in communication with said memory system and with said processing unit, said controller being capable of partitioning physical memory address space of said memory system into the plurality of virtual data storage devices, each said virtual data storage device comprising a separate portion of said physical memory address space determined in accordance with a memory mapping of said physical memory address space into said virtual data storage devices, said memory mapping having an offset corresponding to each said virtual data storage device and causing fewer than said plurality of virtual data storage devices to be presented to said processing unit during said normal operation, said controller also being capable of utilizing said memory mapping and said offsets to restrict communication by said processing unit during said normal operation to communicate with fewer than said plurality of virtual data storage devices, in order to selectively isolate at least one said virtual data storage device and its corresponding physical memory address space from communication with said processing unit, wherein at no time during said normal operation can said processing unit communicate with said at least one said virtual data storage device and its corresponding physical memory address space; and said plurality of virtual data storage devices comprising a first virtual data storage device storing a first program and a second virtual data storage device storing a second program.