초록

Methods and systems for managing access to a host bus adapter (“HBA”). One embodiment includes licensable features stored in a feature module of the HBA. A user can access the licensable features after gaining permission.

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1. A method for managing access to a host bus adapter (“HBA”), comprising: maintaining a plurality of default features in the HBA, the default features being accessible based on a base price of the HBA;maintaining a plurality of licensable features in a feature module stored in the HBA, the licensab

1. A method for managing access to a host bus adapter (“HBA”), comprising: maintaining a plurality of default features in the HBA, the default features being accessible based on a base price of the HBA;maintaining a plurality of licensable features in a feature module stored in the HBA, the licensable features enabling upgrade of the default features, the licensable features including at least additional security levels for encrypting data packets via an encrypted license key, access to additional ports, and higher transfer rates than default transfer rates;receiving a request for access to one of the licensable features;granting permission to access the requested licensable feature; andenabling access to the requested licensable feature after granting access. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a computing system grants access via a license key for the requested licensable feature. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein a HBA provider or any other entity maintains the computing system that grants the license key. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature module comprises a listing of the licensable features and is stored in non-volatile memory accessible to a processor. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a fee in connection with the request for access to one of the licensable features, and only granting permission to access the requested licensable feature after the fee is received. 6. A host bus adapter (“HBA”), comprising: a memory for storing executable instructions;a processor for executing firmware code for controlling access to a plurality of licensable features;a plurality of default features stored in the HBA, the default features being accessible based on a base price of the HBA; anda feature module stored in the HBA, the feature module including the plurality of licensable features that can be accessed to upgrade the default features after obtaining permission, the licensable features including at least additional security levels for encrypting data packets via an encrypted license key, access to additional ports, and higher transfer rates than default transfer rates. 7. The HBA of claim 6, wherein permission is received from a computing system via a license key. 8. The HBA of claim 7, wherein the computing system can operate as a server maintained by a HBA provider or any other entity. 9. The HBA of claim 6, wherein the feature module is stored in non-volatile memory. 10. The HBA of claim 6, wherein the licensable features can only be accessed after paying a fee. 11. A network system, comprising: a host computing system;a host bus adapter (HBA) having a processor, the HBA coupling the host computing system to a plurality of devices;a plurality of default features stored in the HBA, the default features being accessible based on a base price of the HBA, wherein the processor enables access to the HBA default features by executing firmware code; anda feature module stored in the HBA, the feature module including a plurality of licensable features that can be accessed to upgrade the default features after obtaining permission, the licensable features including at least additional security levels for encrypting data packets via an encrypted license key, access to additional ports, and higher transfer rates than default transfer rates. 12. The network system of claim 11, wherein a computing system grants permission for the licensable features via a license key. 13. The network system of claim 12, wherein the computing system can operate as a server maintained by a HBA provider or any other entity. 14. The network system of claim 11, wherein the feature module is stored in non-volatile memory. 15. The network system of claim 11, wherein the licensable features can only be accessed after paying a fee. 16. An adapter comprising: a memory for storing executable instructions;a processor for executing firmware code for controlling access to licensable features;a plurality of default features stored in the adapter, the default features being accessible based on a base price of the adapter; anda feature module stored in the adapter, the feature module including a plurality of licensable features that can be accessed to upgrade the default features after obtaining permission, the licensable features including at least additional security levels for encrypting data packets via an encrypted license key, access to additional ports, and higher transfer rates than default transfer rates. 17. The adapter of claim 16, wherein permission is received from a computing system via a license key. 18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the computing system can operate as a server maintained by an adapter provider or any other entity. 19. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the feature module is stored in non-volatile memory. 20. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the licensable features can only be accessed after paying a fee. 21. A network device comprising: a memory for storing executable instructions;a processor for executing firmware code for controlling access to licensable features;a plurality of default features stored in the network device, the default features being accessible based on a base price of the network device; anda feature module stored in the network device, the feature module including a plurality of licensable features that can be accessed to upgrade the default features after obtaining permission, the licensable features including access to additional ports, higher transfer rates than default transfer rates, and additional security levels for encrypting data packets via an encrypted license key. 22. The network device of claim 21, wherein permission is received from a computing system via a license key. 23. The network device of claim 22, wherein the computing system can operate as a server maintained by an adapter provider or any other entity. 24. The network device of claim 21, wherein the feature module is stored in non-volatile memory. 25. The network device of claim 21, wherein the licensable features can only be accessed after paying a fee.