Session based storage device locking mechanism

A method for restricting host access to data on a storage device, wherein the storage device comprises a controller to execute the method comprising:

• determining that a session protection feature is enabled on the storage device;
• initiating a session on the storage device and setting a timer to an initial time;
• obtaining a session timeout value;
• calculating a session time;
• comparing the session time to the session timeout value;
• and
• locking the storage device when the session time exceeds the session timeout value,
• wherein the controller stores the session timeout value in a session timeout parameter included in a data structure, wherein a size of the session timeout parameter is one of increased and decreased depending on requirements of the storage device.

A method for restricting host access to data on a storage device, wherein the storage device comprises a controller to execute the method comprising:

• determining that a session protection feature is enabled on the storage device;
• initiating a session on the storage device and setting a timer to an initial time;
• obtaining a session timeout value;
• calculating a session time and storing the session time in a master index page;
• determining when a power reset has occurred and that the storage device is unlocked, initializing the timer with a session time value stored in a master index page prior to the power reset, and continuing to calculate the session time;
• comparing the session time to the session timeout value;
• and
• locking the storage device when the session time exceeds the session timeout value.