International Business Machines Corporation

Masanori Kamiya

Naoki Imai

Tohru Hasegawa

Takamasa Hirata

Yutaka Oishi

Norie Iwasaki

Seiji Tsujikado

A library manager to determine a relay-point library string when a particular cartridge (specific cartridge) is moved to an empty drive (target drive) for mounting. A method for determining a relay-point library string includes: receiving a command to mount a cartridge in a library string located on one side of the relay-point library string; searching for the target drive among library strings, and finding the target drive in a library string on the other side of an interposed relay-point library string relative to the library string in which the specific cartridge is located; selecting a relay-point library string based on predetermined conditions to move the specific cartridge using shuttle connections to the found target drive; and searching to determine whether or there is a newly available drive in a relay-point library string other than the selected relay-point library string before the selected cartridge reaches the selected relay-point library string.

Moving cartridge between library strings

A mechanism is provided for generating enumerated information in which a plurality of files is enumerated except entirely-invalidated files on a sequential medium. Management information for managing locations where the plurality of files on the sequential medium are recorded is acquired from the sequential medium. The enumerated information in which the plurality of files are enumerated is generated in an order according to the locations where the plurality of files are recorded on the basis of the acquired management information.

Generating enumerated information in which a plurality of files are enumerated in a sequential medium

A method of detecting whether data in a tape drive used in a file system is tampered is described according to one embodiment. The method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a first tape cartridge including a tape on which multiple files and archival records of index information are stored in a WORM partition, and index information is stored in the R/W partition; (b) reading and comparing the index information of the R/W partition and the last index information of the WORM partition; and (c) when these two pieces of index information do not match, determining that the index information of the R/W partition is tampered in case these two pieces of index information do not match.

Method of detecting tampering of data in tape drive, and file system

A method and system for file relocation is provided. A file relocation system is connected to multiple storage devices. The system obtains a number of times that each of a number of files stored on the multiple storage devices is requested simultaneously with a concerned file. The relocation system then classifies multiple files into multiple groups, such that groups of files simultaneously are put together into one group. Multiple files classified in to the same group are then relocated to a single storage device. The relocation system then switches a storage device not accessed for a certain period of time into a power-saving mode.

Method and system for file relocation

A location of a first drive in a storage medium library is determined. In response to a determination of the location of the first drive, it is determined whether a first storage medium is located within a first distance from the first drive. In response to a determination that the first storage medium is not located within the first distance from the first drive, it is determined whether the first storage medium is located within a second distance from the first drive. In response to a determination that the first storage medium is located within the first distance or the second distance from the first drive, the first storage medium is made available to be read by or written to by the first drive.

Efficient distribution and selection of storage media in a storage medium library

A method of detecting whether data in a tape drive used in a file system is tampered is described according to one embodiment. The method includes: (a) preparing a first tape cartridge including a tape on which multiple files and archival records of index information are stored in a WORM partition, and index information is stored in the R/W partition; (b) reading and comparing the index information of the R/W partition and the last index information of the WORM partition; and (c) when these two pieces of index information do not match, determining that the index information of the R/W partition is tampered when these two pieces of index information do not match.

First characteristic information indicating a characteristic of input data is extracted from the input data that is input as data to be stored in any of the storages. Second characteristic information elements are read from a memory unit storing the second characteristic information elements indicating respective characteristics of stored data elements stored in the storages. A specific storage in which the input data is to be stored is determined, out of the storages, by determining a degree of match between the extracted first characteristic information and the second characteristic information elements read. The input data to the determined specific storage is read. The second characteristic information element indicating the characteristic of the stored data element stored in the specific storage is updated, out of the second characteristic information elements retained in the memory unit, on the basis of the extracted first characteristic information.

Controlling storing of data

A method includes receiving a request for the use of a first storage medium located in a first library unit in a storage medium library. It is determined that the first storage medium is to be moved by a transportation component. In response to determining that the first storage medium is to be moved by the transportation component, it is determined that the transportation component is located at a second library unit. In response to determining that the transportation component is located at the second library unit, it is determined that a second storage medium, which is in the second library unit, can be transported to the first library unit. In response to a determination that the second storage medium can be transported to the first library unit, the second storage medium is transported to the first library unit.

Efficient movement of storage media in a storage media library

An apparatus includes a network interface, a processor and a computer readable storage medium. The processor is coupled with the computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine the state of a storage medium library and determine distribution for a plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library based, at least in part, on the state of the storage medium library. The computer readable program code also causes the processor to, responsive to a determination of the distribution for the plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library, issue commands distributing the plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution.

An apparatus comprises a network interface, a processor and a computer readable storage medium coupled with the processor. The computer readable storage medium includes computer usable program code. The computer usable program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a request for a first storage medium located in a first library unit in a storage medium library. The processor is caused to determine that the first storage medium is to be moved by a transportation component. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that the transportation component is located in a second library unit. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that a second storage medium located in the second library unit can be transported to the first library unit. Responsive to said determination, the processor is caused to transport the second storage medium to the first library unit.

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Sagamihara, Japan

Masanori Kamiya