Device and method for data storage

1. A data storage device for shared use in a power integrated Ethernet network, the data storage device comprising:

a network interface coupled with the power integrated Ethernet network, the network interface operable to receive both power and data from the power integrated Ethernet network;

a SCSI memory configured to store data;

a SCSI Encapsulation Protocol control module coupled to the memory and the network interface, the control module being operable to control transmission of data from the memory to any one of a plurality of clients via the power integrated network, and further to control storage of data received from any one of the plurality of clients via the power integrated network in the memory; and

a power module coupled to the memory, the network interface and the control module, the power module receiving power from the network interface to energize the memory and the control module, wherein the power module includes a power converter for converting the power received from the power integrated network from a first voltage level of the power integrated Ethernet network to a different, second voltage level to energize the memory and the control module.

2. A data storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the control module packages data for transmission over the power integrated network.

3. A data storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level.

4. A method for providing shared data storage in a power integrated Ethernet network, the method comprising:

with a SCSI data storage device coupled to a SCSI Encapsulation Protocol control module coupled to a network interface, the SCSI data storage device configured to communicate with any of a plurality of clients via the power integrated Ethernet network via the SCSI Encapsulation Protocol control module and the interface, receiving data and power at the interface data storage device from the power integrated network;

with the network interface, providing data from the power integrated network to the SCSI Encapsulation Protocol control module, and providing power from the power integrated network to a power module;

with the power module, converting the power received from the network interface from a first voltage level to a second, different voltage level; and

using the converted power to energize the data storage device.

5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level.

6. A system for providing shared data storage in a communication network, the system comprising;

a first power integrated network that provides data and power;

a specified non-power integrated network coupled to the first power integrated network so that data may be transmitted from and received by the first power integrated network across the specified network;

a second power integrated network that provides data and power coupled to the specified network so that data may be transmitted from and received by the second power integrated network across the specified network;

a first data storage device coupled to the first power integrated network, the first data storage device configured to communicate with the first power integrated network and to receive power from the first power integrated network, wherein the first data storage device comprises:

a memory configured to store data;

a control module coupled to the memory, the control module for controlling the transmission of data from the memory to any of a plurality of clients via the first power integrated network and the storage of data received from any of a plurality of clients via the first power integrated network in the memory; and

a power module coupled to the memory area and the control module, the power module receiving power from the first power integrated network, wherein the power module includes a power converter for converting the power received from the power integrated network from a first voltage level to a second voltage level to energize the data storage device, and wherein the power module provides only power to the data storage device; and

a second data storage device coupled to the second power integrated network, the second data storage device configured to communicate with the second power integrated network and to receive power from the second power integrated network.

7. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the first storage device and the second storage device are in a RAID configuration.

8. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the first power integrated network is a Power Ethernet network.

9. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the second power integrated network is a Power Ethernet network.

10. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the specified network is the Internet.

11. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the first data storage device further includes a network interface coupled to the control module, the network interface configured to communicate with the first power integrated network.

12. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the control module packages data for transmission over the first power integrated network.

13. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the memory area is a device including a SCSI interface.

14. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level.

15. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the second data storage device comprises:

a memory configured to store data;

a control module coupled to the memory for controlling the transmission of data from the memory to the second power integrated network and the storage of data received from the second power integrated network in the memory; and

a power module coupled to the memory area and the control module the power module receiving power from the second power integrated network.

16. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the second data storage device further includes a network interface coupled to the control module the network interface configured to communicate with the second power integrated network.

17. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the control module packages data for transmission over the second power integrated network.

18. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the memory area is a device including a SCSI interface.

19. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the power module includes a power converter for converting the power received from the power integrated network from a first voltage level to a second voltage level.

20. A system according to claim 6 , wherein the first voltage level is lower than the second voltage level.