Patent ID: 6324627
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A virtual data storage system for providing a plurality of virtual data storage devices for use in a computer system having a central processing unit, wherein said computer system has an initialization operation and a normal operation, the virtual data storage system comprising:a memory system for storing information; anda virtual data storage controller in communication with said memory system and with said central processing unit of said computer system, said controller being capable of partitioning physical memory address space of said memory system into a 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 computer system during said normal operation, said controller also being capable of utilizing said memory mapping and said offsets to restrict communication by said computer system during said normal operation to communication 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 computer system, wherein at no time during said normal operation can said computer system communicate with said at least one said virtual data storage device and its corresponding physical memory address space, thereby preventing corruption of information stored in said at least one virtual data storage device.