Remote access to a data storage device

A data storage device comprising:

• a memory storing a host application;
• a host interface;
• and
• a controller coupled to the memory and to the host interface, the controller including a processor and configured to:
• respond to an access request originating from a second device and received via the host interface while the data storage device is operatively coupled to a host device accessible to the second device via a network, and
• provide the host device with the host application to enable registration of the host device at a server accessible over the network, the registration including sending information via the network to the server, wherein the information includes a file sharing identifier associated with the data storage device, wherein the host device is designated as a recipient of requests for access to the data storage device via the network, wherein the server comprises a relay server coupled to the network and accessible to the second device, and wherein the access request is a forwarded request that is received from the server and that includes a credential from the second device to enable a determination that the second device is authorized to access the data storage device.

A method comprising:

• in a host device operatively coupled to a network and accessible to a second device via the network, performing:
• detecting that a data storage device is coupled to the host device;
• in response to the detecting, registering by a host application, at a server accessible via the network, the host device as a recipient of requests for access to the data storage device to enable data transfer between the second device and the data storage device via the network and via the host device, wherein the registering of the host device includes sending via the network to the server a file sharing identifier associated with the data storage device, wherein the server comprises a relay server coupled to the network;
• and
• in response to an access request, sending access information to the second device via the network, wherein the access request is a forwarded request received from the server, and wherein the forwarded request includes a credential from the second device to enable a determination that the second device is authorized to access the data storage device.

A method comprising:

• in a relay server that stores account information and that is operatively coupled to a network, performing:
• updating an account based on registration information received, via the network, from a host device coupled to a data storage device, wherein the registration information includes a file sharing identifier associated with the data storage device;
• receiving, via the network, an access request originating from a second device, the access request including a credential to enable a determination that the second device is authorized to access the data storage device;
• searching the account information based on the credential;
• locating the account based on the credential, the account including an address of the host device attached to the network;
• and
• forwarding the access request to the address of the host device via the network, wherein forwarding the access request to the address of the host device enables the second device to access the data storage device.

A method comprising:

• in an electronic device having access to a network, performing:
• receiving a file transfer command corresponding to one or more files in a data storage device, the data storage device coupled to a host device having access to the network and registered at a relay server;
• sending an access request to the relay server coupled to the network to cause initiation of a communication session between the host device and the electronic device via the network and forwarding of the access request to the host device;
• and
• transferring the one or more files via the communication session,
• wherein sending the access request to the relay server includes sending a file sharing identifier associated with the data storage device enabling the electronic device to access the data storage device based on the access request sent to the relay server, and wherein the access request includes a credential to enable a determination that the electronic device is authorized to access the data storage device.