Method and system for managing movement of large multi-media data files

Abstract

A method and system for managing the movement of large video data files from an archival tape storage to an active hard-disk storage within a video server computer system are disclosed. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, a storage list, a lookahead list, and a candidate list are produced. Each item on the storage list represents a multimedia data file stored within an active storage medium. Each item on the lookahead list represents a multimedia data file that will be played at a date and time according to a play schedule. Each item on the candidate list represents a candidate multimedia data file for removal from the active storage medium because it has already been played. After a simulation of a multiple of events utilizing the storage list, the lookahead list, and the candidate list, an output schedule file based on the results from the simulation is developed. This output schedule file includes a date and time for the future execution of each of the multiple of events such that each staging begins at the earliest possible time and ends before the next staging begins.