Storage device presenting to hosts only files compatible with a defined host capability

Abstract

A method includes defining a host capability; creating for a storage device a second directory tree from a first directory tree of the storage device that is included in a file system within the storage device; and, for a data file that is stored in the storage device and is selectable for consumption by a host through the first directory tree that is included in the storage device's file system, determining whether the data file requires for consumption a host having the defined host capability. If the data file requires a host having the defined host capability, an entry is created in the second directory tree in which the data file is not selectable for consumption by the host. Otherwise, an entry is created in the second directory tree in which the data file is selectable for consumption by the host. Subsequent to connecting the storage device to a host if the host has the defined capability the first directory tree of the storage device is used to present a view of the file system of the storage device to the host, and if the host does not have the defined capability the second directory tree is used to present a modified view of the file system to the host in which a data file not requiring the defined capability would be selectable for consumption by the host and in which a data file requiring the defined capability would not be selectable for consumption by the host.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.