System and method for selectively transferring block data over a network

An appliance for sharing block level data among a plurality of computers with each said computer being equipped for initiating discovery commands, transferring data with removable block devices and transferring data with non-removable block devices, said appliance comprising:

• a non-removable device for storing the block level data;
• means coupled with said non-removable device for receiving a discovery command from a said computer and generating a response thereto, said response identifying said non-removable device as a removable device;
• and
• means coupled with said non-removable device for receiving read/write commands from each said computer and controlling access to said non-removable device among said plurality of computers to allow sequential processing of said received read/write commands by said non-removable device.

An apparatus for sharing block data over a network, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a non-removable device for storing the block data;
• means for receiving a discovery command initiated by one or more of a plurality of computers, said plurality comprising at least one application server and at least one backup server;
• means for generating a response to the discovery command, said response identifying said non-removable device as a removable device;
• means for transferring block data stored on said at least one application server to said apparatus, wherein said at least one application server acts as owner of said non-removable media device during said transfer;
• means for transferring said block data stored on said apparatus to said at least one backup server, wherein said at least one backup server acts as owner of said non-removable media device during said transfer.

A method for sharing block data over a network, wherein the method comprises:

• receiving a discovery command initiated by one or more of a plurality of computers, said plurality comprising at least one application server and at least one backup server;
• generating a response to the discovery command, said response identifying a non-removable media device as a removable media device;
• allowing said at least one application server to act as owner of said non-removable media device during a transfer of block data stored on at least one application server for storage on said non-removable media device;
• and
• allowing said at least one backup server to act as owner of said non-removable media device during a transfer of said block data stored on said non-removable media device to said at least one backup server.