International Business Machines Corporation

Kai A G Asher

Howard Newton Martin

Yu Meng Li

Jason D Hagar

A method for restoring multiple objects from tape (1) generates a list of objects to be restored from tape; (2) identifies a starting location of a first object on the tape; and reads, into a buffer from the tape, an entire buffer of data from the starting location. The method then (4) determines a length of the first object; (5) restores the first object; and (6) finds a start of a next object in the buffer using a length of the previous object. The method (7) determines a length of the next object by analyzing metadata of the next object and (8) restores the next object if the next object is in the list. The method (9) repeats steps (6), (7), and (8) until the end of the buffer is reached or all objects in the list have been restored. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Optimized reading of multiple objects from tape

Virtual tape libraries (VTLs) and methods for concurrently accessing a VTL are provided. One VTL includes memory partitioned into multiple volumes, multiple virtual drives, and a processor. The processor is configured to enable multiple applications to concurrently access a virtual storage volume in a first or second access mode. One method includes receiving a first request for a first application to access a virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume and granting the first request. The method further includes receiving a second request for a second application to concurrently access the virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume, determining if the first and second requests are compatible, and accepting or denying the second request based on the determination. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including computer code for performing the above method.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Kai A G Asher