Patent attributes
A data storage device comprises virtual storage devices that are each assigned to a subset of data sectors in a non-volatile memory of the data storage device. The data storage device receives configuration metadata for configuring each of the virtual storage devices from a host operating system. The configuration metadata is received in a standard format that is file system independent. The configuration metadata comprises a range of logical block addresses and a virtual storage device number assigned to each of the virtual storage devices. Each of the virtual storage device numbers is a unique identifier used by the data storage device to differentiate between the virtual storage devices. The data storage device uses the virtual storage device numbers and logical block addresses to identify data sectors in the virtual storage devices that are accessible by virtual machine operating systems.
