A cloud implementation of a persisted storage device, such as a disk, is provided. The implementation supports a variety of features and protocols, in full analogy with a physical storage device such as a disk drive. The present disclosure provides for implementing standard eDrive protocols in the cloud by designing internal disk storage, referred to as a system area, in a virtual disk instance that the virtual disk can potentially utilize for a multitude of disk features. This internal storage can be used to implement eDrive protocols, which use the system area to maintain the necessary internal virtual disk state.

The present invention enables execution of predetermined content usage control processing without depending on a framework of a content playback program (application). Upon content playback processing, a flag which sets information of determination as to whether or not it is necessary to refer to a management information file such as a token or a usage control information file associated with content is recorded in a content file including encrypted content to be stored in a recording medium. Upon the content playback processing, a playback apparatus acquires the content file including the encrypted content stored in the recording medium, refers to a flag recorded in the content file and determines whether or not it is necessary to refer to the management information file based on a setting of the flag. When the setting of the flag indicates that it is necessary to refer to the management information file, it is possible to select a correct management information file based on a content file identifier as a search key.

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for a data storage library comprising a first and second drive, a first and second mobile medium, a first and second partition wherein the first partition comprises the first drive and the first mobile medium and the second partition comprises the second drive and the second mobile medium, and a combination bridge controller device. The combination bridge controller device is configurable to control first communication traffic between at least a first client and the first partition wherein the first communication traffic can comprise a first data package. The combination bridge controller device is further configurable to optionally encrypt the first data package for storage on the first mobile medium when the first mobile medium is in cooperation with the first drive.

A cloud implementation of a persisted storage device, such as a disk, is provided. The implementation supports a variety of features and protocols, in full analogy with a physical storage device such as a disk drive. The present disclosure provides for implementing standard eDrive protocols in the cloud by designing internal disk storage, referred to as a system area, in a virtual disk instance that the virtual disk can potentially utilize for a multitude of disk features. This internal storage can be used to implement eDrive protocols, which use the system area to maintain the necessary internal virtual disk state.