Automated file error classification and correction in a hierarchical

Abstract

Disclosed is a system to diagnose and handle errors in an automated hierarchical storage management system. A host system requests an access operation on a first file, such as a logical volume, in a first storage device, such as a magnetic hard disk drive. A server processes the host request to determine whether the first file is resident in the first storage device. The server initiates a recall of a second file, such as a physical volume, in a second storage device, such as tape cartridges, optical disks, etc., corresponding to the first file upon determining that the first file is not resident in the first storage device. The second file is then copied from the second storage device to the first file in the first storage device upon determining that the second file is accessible. The server further determines whether the recall of the second file has failed. Upon determining that the recall has failed, the server checks a table in a memory within the server to determine whether there is error information listed for the second file involved in the failed recall. The server then takes appropriate action based on the error information in the table.