Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100014189 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR READING OUT DATA RECORDED ON TAPE - An apparatus and method for reading out data recoded on a tape with a read head is provided. A command processing unit receives a request for reading out old data behind EOD of new data. A channel input/output unit receives, data read out with a read head and a buffer managing unit receives this data. A header information determining unit determines whether this data includes header information of the old data. If it is determined that this data includes the header information of the old data, a data set determining unit determines whether a data set is extractable from this data. If it is determined that data set is not extractable, a move signal output unit outputs a signal for moving the read head in a direction of the new data. | 01-21-2010 |
20100033869 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WRITING DATA ON A TAPE MEDIUM - An apparatus and method are disclosed for writing data accumulated in a buffer on a tape medium in such a way that overwriting is prevented. The apparatus comprises a write unit configured for writing first data in a first position extending over a first track and an area adjacent to the first track, writing second data in a second position extending over a second track and an area adjacent to the second track, and writing the first data and the second data in a third position extending over a third track and an area adjacent to the third track. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a processing unit configured for preventing the first data written in the first position from being overwritten with the second data written in the second position or with the first data written in the third position. | 02-11-2010 |
20100053801 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING DATA RECORDED ON A TAPE MEDIUM - A device and method are disclosed for processing data recorded on a tape medium. The device comprises a first control part controls a read head to read specific data recorded in a first area among data recorded in a first format on the tape medium. The device further comprises a second control part that controls a write head to write the specific data in a second area different from the first area of the tape medium and to write the specific data in a second format in a third area different from the second area of the tape medium. Moreover, the device may comprise a recording part for recording specific information that specifies a read position of other data among data recorded in the first format on the tape medium. | 03-04-2010 |
20100095029 | TAPE DRIVE, TAPE DRIVE RECORDING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SELECTING IMPROVED TAPE SPEED IN RESPONSE TO INTERMITTENT READ REQUESTS - A tape drive, tape drive recording system, and method are provided for improving tape speed selection during data transfer. The tape drive comprises a buffer, a tape for recording the data to be temporarily stored in the buffer, and a read head. The tape drive further comprises a reading controller that initially sets a tape speed such that a drive transfer rate matches a host transfer rate as closely as possible and that drives the tape at the tape speed. To address backhitching caused by one or more host transfer halts, the reading controller subsequently adjusts the tape speed such that the drive transfer rate is lower than the host transfer rate by recalculating the host transfer rate in consideration of the host transfer and the host transfer halt and setting the tape speed such that the drive transfer rate matches the recalculated host transfer rate as closely as possible. | 04-15-2010 |
20110179222 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETERMINING THE DATA RECALL ORDER - To provide a technique for optimizing the processing order of recall requests in which the average latency time of a host apparatus is minimized. A storage manager accepts a request of the host apparatus for the recalling data from a tape library, and stores the request in a queue table. In response to storage of the request, the storage manager calculates the latency time for each request in all the conceivable execution orders for all the requests stored in the queue table. The storage manager determines the execution order which minimizes the total calculated latency time for all the requests including the active request, and rearranges the requests in the queue table. | 07-21-2011 |
20120106309 | ELIMINATION OF DUPLICATE WRITTEN RECORDS - A storage device includes first and second buffers. A request to write a new record from a host is received. A hash value (new S) of the new record is calculated. The hash value (new S) of the new record is checked to determine if the hash value exists in a second buffer. If the new S exists in the second buffer, the new record is compared with a record stored in the second buffer corresponding to the new S to check if the new record and the stored record in the second buffer match each other. If the new record and the stored record match each other, a pointer (a record number) is written as write data of the new record to the recording medium. The pointer points to the record already stored in any one of a recording medium and the second buffer. | 05-03-2012 |
20120162807 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A TAPE DRIVE - Methods, computer systems, and computer program products are provided for operating a tape drive comprising a tape medium with a plurality of record groups stored thereon. Access sequence for the plurality of record groups is provided. The tape medium is positioned for reading a record group in the access sequence before a seek command for the record group in the access sequence is received. | 06-28-2012 |
20120290784 | TAPE DRIVE, TAPE DRIVE RECORDING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SELECTING IMPROVED TAPE SPEED IN RESPONSE TO INTERMITTENT READ REQUESTS - A tape drive, tape drive recording system, and method are provided for improving tape speed selection during data transfer. The tape drive includes a buffer, a tape for recording the data to be temporarily stored in the buffer, and a read head. The tape drive further includes a reading controller that initially sets a tape speed such that a drive transfer rate matches a host transfer rate as closely as possible and that drives the tape at the tape speed. To address backhitching caused by one or more host transfer halts, the reading controller subsequently adjusts the tape speed such that the drive transfer rate is lower than the host transfer rate by recalculating the host transfer rate in consideration of the host transfer and the host transfer halt and setting the tape speed such that the drive transfer rate matches the recalculated host transfer rate as closely as possible. | 11-15-2012 |
20120293887 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DATA WRITING TO A TAPE MEDIUM - Data of a target capacity calculated by a nominal capacity of a tape medium minus a data capacity lost due to execution of backhitchless writing is written to the tape medium. In a tape drive, a command processing unit | 11-22-2012 |
20130031427 | Performing Process for Removal Medium - In a controller of a tape drive, when an error recovery section cannot recover an error detected by an error detecting section, an error-report generation section generates an error report, an error-information acquisition section acquires error information of the tape drive and a cartridge loaded in the tape drive, an error-information exchange section acquires pieces of error information of other tape drives and cartridges loaded in these other tape drives, an error-factor judging section judges whether the error is attributable to the tape drive or the cartridge based on these pieces of error information, an error-report update section updates the error report in accordance with the result of this judgment, and an error-report output section outputs the error report thus updated to a host. | 01-31-2013 |
20150155004 | Performing Process for Removal Medium - In a controller of a tape drive, when an error recovery section cannot recover an error detected by an error detecting section, an error-report generation section generates an error report, an error-information acquisition section acquires error information of the tape drive and a cartridge loaded in the tape drive, an error-information exchange section acquires pieces of error information of other tape drives and cartridges loaded in these other tape drives, an error-factor judging section judges whether the error is attributable to the tape drive or the cartridge based on these pieces of error information, an error-report update section updates the error report in accordance with the result of this judgment, and an error-report output section outputs the error report thus updated to a host. | 06-04-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090177947 | METHOD FOR APPENDING DATA TO TAPE MEDIUM, AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - An information recording apparatus includes a writing system for writing the datasets to the recording medium, so that each of the datasets can be identified from a certain number indicating an order that each of the datasets was sequentially written to the recording medium, and from the number of writing operations (WP) carried out for a dataset of the certain number, the writing system writing a first dataset; the writing system being configured for substantially appending a second dataset onto the first dataset, the second dataset having the same certain number as the first dataset, and for setting a value obtained by incrementing the WP of the first dataset as the WP of the second dataset. A writing control system controls, in the case where an error occurs at the time of the appending, the appending on the first dataset, in a position shifted forward by a predetermined distance from the position of the first dataset on the recording medium, by setting the value obtained by incrementing the WP of the first dataset as the WP for the second dataset, wherein the predetermined distance is a distance with which error correction of the first dataset is avoided by appending the second dataset onto the first dataset so that the second dataset overwrites a part of the first dataset. | 07-09-2009 |
20090271544 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WRITING DATA TO RECORDING MEDIUM - A distance calculating unit calculates a distance from a current position on a tape to the end of the tape. A command processing unit receives a write command. If the distance is small, a determining unit sets a usable capacity of a buffer to be equal to a maximum capacity of the buffer. If the distance is large, the determining unit sets the usable capacity of the buffer according to the distance. If a capacity for data indicated by the write command is less than or equal to a difference between the usable capacity and current usage of the buffer, a buffer managing unit stores the data in the buffer. When the command processing unit receives a write FM command, the buffer managing unit reads the data from the buffer, updates the current usage, and a channel input/output unit writes the data to the tape. | 10-29-2009 |
20110145494 | VIRTUAL TAPE SERVER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TAPE MOUNTING OF THE SAME - A method of a virtual tape server (VTS) for processing a mount request from a host system, the method comprising the steps of receiving a logical-volume (LVOL) mount request from the host system using a virtual-tape drive (VTD) of the virtual tape server; determining whether the logical volume is present in a virtual storage region (cache) using a controller in the virtual tape server; determining using the controller, if it is determined that the logical volume is not present in the virtual storage region, whether the mount request is a write request; and notifying, if it is determined that the mount request is a write request, the host system of completion of the mounting without reading the requested logical volume from a physical tape library that is externally connected to the virtual tape server into the virtual storage region. | 06-16-2011 |
20120229931 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TRANSPORTATION OF TAPE MEDIUM - High performance is obtained without preventing achievement of a target read data rate. | 09-13-2012 |
20120284456 | METHOD FOR APPENDING DATA TO TAPE MEDIUM, AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - An information recording apparatus and method. The method includes sequentially writing datasets to a recording medium so that each of the datasets can be identified from a certain number indicating an order that the dataset was written, and from the number of writing operations (WP) carried out for the dataset of the certain number to identify a newest dataset among datasets having the same certain number; appending a new dataset onto the old dataset; and controlling execution, in the case where an error occurs at the time of the appending, of the appending step on the old dataset, in a position shifted forward on the recording medium such that the new dataset overwrites a part of the old dataset. | 11-08-2012 |
20120290801 | CONTROLLING STORING OF DATA - 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. | 11-15-2012 |
20140215146 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETERMINING THE DATA RECALL ORDER - To provide a technique for optimizing the processing order of recall requests in which the average latency time of a host apparatus is minimized. A storage manager accepts a request of the host apparatus for the recalling data from a tape library, and stores the request in a queue table. In response to storage of the request, the storage manager calculates the latency time for each request in all the conceivable execution orders for all the requests stored in the queue table. The storage manager determines the execution order which minimizes the total calculated latency time for all the requests including the active request, and rearranges the requests in the queue table. | 07-31-2014 |
20150116858 | WRITING AND READING DATA HAVING MULTIPLE ACCESS PATTERNS ON TAPE MEDIA - Data is recorded such that the positions of data will be aligned in a traveling direction and a width direction of the storage medium. The medium travels in the traveling direction from a first to a second position as a certain wrap of a group of plural files in a first physical range between the first and the second positions. A head shifts from the certain wrap to another wrap in the width direction of the medium. The medium travels in the traveling direction from a third to a fourth position as the other wrap of a group of plural files in a second physical range between the third and the fourth positions. The plural files in groups on the certain wrap and the other wrap may be written in reverse order to each other after being once stored in a buffer. | 04-30-2015 |
20150116859 | WRITING AND READING DATA HAVING MULTIPLE ACCESS PATTERNS ON TAPE MEDIA - Data is recorded such that the positions of data will be aligned in a traveling direction and a width direction of the storage medium. The medium travels in the traveling direction from a first to a second position as a certain wrap of a group of plural files in a first physical range between the first and the second positions. A head shifts from the certain wrap to another wrap in the width direction of the medium. The medium travels in the traveling direction from a third to a fourth position as the other wrap of a group of plural files in a second physical range between the third and the fourth positions. The plural files in groups on the certain wrap and the other wrap may be written in reverse order to each other after being once stored in a buffer. | 04-30-2015 |
20150120740 | FILE SYSTEM IMPLEMENTING WRITE ONCE READ MANY (WORM) - The embodiments deal with files that are already present in a storage when mounting the storage in a file system and files created after the mounting as different groups. (Metadata of) the files is classified. The files are each divided into metadata (index) and a file main body and are recorded on different storage areas, that is, an index partition (IP) and a data partition (DP), associated with each other. This file system is effective in a storage format in which a new file is merely written and an already written file is not updated or deleted (for example, a tape medium used in the LTFS). The embodiments implement a WORM file system by rejecting a request to update or delete a file that is present at mounting as a WORM file and permitting update or deletion of a file that is created after mounting until the storage is unmounted. | 04-30-2015 |
20150120741 | FILE SYSTEM IMPLEMENTING WRITE ONCE READ MANY (WORM) - The embodiments deal with files that are already present in a storage when mounting the storage in a file system and files created after the mounting as different groups. (Metadata of) the files is classified. The files are each divided into metadata (index) and a file main body and are recorded on different storage areas, that is, an index partition (IP) and a data partition (DP), associated with each other. This file system is effective in a storage format in which a new file is merely written and an already written file is not updated or deleted (for example, a tape medium used in the LTFS). The embodiments implement a WORM file system by rejecting a request to update or delete a file that is present at mounting as a WORM file and permitting update or deletion of a file that is created after mounting until the storage is unmounted. | 04-30-2015 |
20150124349 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TRANSPORTATION OF TAPE MEDIUM - An apparatus, computer readable medium device, and method for controlling transportation of a tape medium. A determination is made whether to execute a backhitch operation in response to writing a data set to tape from the buffer. If not, a determination is made whether a transaction size at which data is transferred from the buffer to the tape is less than a buffer size. If so, then a determination is made of a a new speed and whether a current speed is different from the determined new speed. If so, then a backhitch is initiated. | 05-07-2015 |
20150149415 | Rollback Mechanism for Linear Tape File Systems - A mechanism is provided for restoring a file recorded on a storage medium to a previous version of the file. At least two different versions of a file recorded on the storage medium are presented to a user via a graphical user interface, where the at least two different versions of the file are identified from at least two different indexes recorded on the storage medium. Responsive to a selection of the previous version of the file from the at least two different versions of the file, the file is restored to the previous version of the file by recording a new index on the storage medium for the file that matches an index of the file associated with the previous version of the file. | 05-28-2015 |
20150277777 | WRITE PROCEDURE USING ESTIMATED BEST SETTING IN FIRST RUN - In one general embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a write operation to be performed in a tape drive; determining a capacity margin ratio of the tape drive; determining an optimum a write procedure based at least in part on the capacity margin ratio; and invoking the optimum write procedure in response to determining the optimum write procedure. The optimum write procedure is selected from the group consisting of: a backhitch write procedure, a same wrap backhitchless flush (SWBF) write procedure, and a recursively accumulating backhitchless flush (RABF) write procedure. Systems and computer program products configured to perform similar techniques are also disclosed. | 10-01-2015 |
20150340056 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TRANSPORTATION OF TAPE MEDIUM - An apparatus, computer readable medium device, and method for controlling transportation of a tape medium. A determination is made whether to execute a backhitch operation in response to writing a data set to tape from the buffer. If not, a determination is made whether a transaction size at which data is transferred from the buffer to the tape is less than a buffer size. If so, then a determination is made of a a new speed and whether a current speed is different from the determined new speed. If so, then a backhitch is initiated. | 11-26-2015 |
20150348573 | CONTROLLING DATA WRITING OF TAPE RECORDING APPARATUS - A tape recording apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head and a controller coupled to the magnetic head. The tape recording apparatus is configured to: write data on a tape medium in a direction from a first end toward a second end of the tape medium using the magnetic head; and wrap-turn a running direction of the tape medium before reaching the second end and write a first portion of data remaining to be written when the data remaining to be written is smaller than a volume of the data to be written in one running of the tape medium so that an end of the data is written at a position close to the first end, and write a second portion of data remaining to be written toward the first end. | 12-03-2015 |
20150371674 | ERASING RECORDED DATA BY UTILIZING READ HEAD AND WRITE HEAD - Techniques for reducing the time required for erasing specific data recorded on a tape medium. A specific group of records is erased without preliminarily locating the erasure end position. This is carried out by simultaneously utilizing three heads, that is, two read heads and one write head, to detect the erasure end position during data erasure. Various embodiments are applicable to tape media as well as other storage media. Various embodiments are not only applicable as a file system cooperating as a combination of hardware (H/W) and software (S/W), but also applicable in systems, such as databases, that directly use storage without an intermediary file system. | 12-24-2015 |
20160080391 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING ACCESS TO NETWORK WITHIN SECURED SITE - A controller is provided which monitors/manages information terminals' access to a network within a secured site. A controller of the present invention includes: a storage device for storing security information about at least one or more information terminals received from the information terminals before accessing a network; and a processor for determining whether to permit access of an information terminal to the network based on the security information read from the storage device and access permission criteria on the security information, and generating a control signal for permitting or blocking the access of the information terminal to the network according to the determination result. | 03-17-2016 |
20160104506 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TRANSPORTATION OF TAPE MEDIUM - An apparatus, computer readable medium device, and method for controlling transportation of a tape medium. A determination is made whether to execute a backhitch operation in response to writing a data set to tape from the buffer. If not, a determination is made whether a transaction size at which data is transferred from the buffer to the tape is less than a buffer size. If so, then a determination is made of a a new speed and whether a current speed is different from the determined new speed. If so, then a backhitch is initiated. | 04-14-2016 |
20160124973 | DELETING FILES WRITTEN ON TAPE - A method for writing a file from an application of a host onto a tape includes sequentially receiving records forming the file from the application, adding a predetermined number of segments of dummy data (dummy records) subsequently to the plurality of records forming the file such that the records of the file and records of a subsequent file are not included in the same data set, interposing the dummy records between a final record of the file and a head record of the subsequent (next) file, to thereby construct at least one data set that is adjacent to one data set and does not include the records of the file, and writing a data set including the records of the file, a data set (dummy data set) including the final record of the file and the dummy records, and a data set including the subsequent file, onto the tape. | 05-05-2016 |
20160140118 | INFORMATION MANAGEMENT - Managing metadata added to a file, a directory, or a symbolic link is provided. One or more pieces of metadata of a movement target are obtained. The movement target is at least one of a file, a directory, and a symbolic link. The movement target is to be moved from one file system to another file system within a plurality of file systems. Whether the one or more pieces of metadata are migratable to the other file system is determined based, at least in part, on metadata stored in the other file system. The one or more pieces of metadata are processed by (i) migrating a first piece of metadata that is determined to be migratable to the other file system and (ii) leaving a second piece of metadata in the one file system, wherein the second piece of metadata is determined to be non-migratable. | 05-19-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080266699 | WRITE RETRY METHOD AND MAGNETIC TAPE APPARATUS - The present invention provides: a write retry method which reduces the number of permanent errors; and a magnetic tape apparatus in which the method is implemented. In a write control method of the present invention, at least one dataset is written into a space of a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of a tape medium. A write ERP of the present invention can reduce occurrence of permanent errors before time-out, thereby having an advantageous effect of reducing the number of unnecessary requests for exchange of tape cartridges. | 10-30-2008 |
20090103205 | Apparatus, Method and Program for Controlling Writing of Data by Tape Recording Apparatus - A technique for improving the performance of head alignment during reading of data from and writing data to a tape medium. An apparatus controls writing of data by a tape drive that drives a tape medium in both forward and reverse directions to record data. The apparatus includes a position obtaining unit that obtains the current position of the head of the tape drive with respect to the tape medium, a determining unit that determines whether the current position of the head is within a predetermined range on the tape medium, a generating unit that generates dummy data in response to determination that the current position of the head is not within the predetermined range, and a write control unit that writes dummy data on the tape medium until the current position of the head is within the predetermined range on the tape medium. | 04-23-2009 |
20110122522 | Tape Recorder And Tape Recording That Increases Empty Tape Area Without Loss of Necessary Data - Provided is a tape recorder that has a tape including at least one partition and that controls access to the tape. The tape recorder includes: means for identifying a position of data on the tape; means for sequentially reading necessary data areas in the data; means for sequentially copying the necessary data areas to the beginning of an empty area on the tape; means for creating a continuous front empty area formed of unnecessary data areas and copy source areas of the necessary data areas on the tape; and means for moving a beginning of the partition (BOP) to a position immediately after the front empty area and for updating the position information on the beginning of the partition. | 05-26-2011 |
20110128645 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WRITING DATA TO TAPE MEDIUM - In a controller of a tape drive, a command processing unit receives a request to write new data, an offset determination unit determines whether old data is not partially overwritten with new data, and if old data is not partially overwritten with new data, a head position management unit makes a write head offset toward the unoverwritten portion. Then, a channel input/output unit reads pattern data that disables old data from a pattern storage unit and outputs the data to the write head to thereby overwrite the old data with the pattern data. After that, a tape transport management unit rewinds a tape and the head position management unit returns the write head to the original position to overwrite the old data with the new data as usual. | 06-02-2011 |
20120163150 | Migrating Data from One Recording Medium to Another - Provided is a storage mechanism that readably migrates a content of data from one recording medium to another over generations in a readable manner and provides the contents of the records from a current recording medium. A read/write controller comprises a mechanism for preparing an archive recording medium of a first generation having a plurality of records recorded therein and a mechanism for migrating the records from the recording medium of the first generation to a recording medium of the next generation (the third generation subsequent to the first generation) and further to recording media of following generations one by one. The migration mechanism generates migration information including a mapping table between record numbers of the first generation and a current generation and holds the migration information as data in the recording medium of the current generation. | 06-28-2012 |
20120257301 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WRITING DATA TO TAPE MEDIUM - In a controller of a tape drive, a command processing unit receives a request to write new data, an offset determination unit determines whether old data is not partially overwritten with new data, and if old data is not partially overwritten with new data, a head position management unit makes a write head offset toward the unoverwritten portion. Then, a channel input/output unit reads pattern data that disables old data from a pattern storage unit and outputs the data to the write head to thereby overwrite the old data with the pattern data. After that, a tape transport management unit rewinds a tape and the head position management unit returns the write head to the original position to overwrite the old data with the new data as usual. | 10-11-2012 |
20130117239 | Generating Information with Plurality of Files Enumerated Therein - 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. | 05-09-2013 |
20130258516 | ERROR RECOVERY PROCEDURE (ERP) USING ESTIMATED BEST SETTING IN FIRST RUN - In one embodiment, a tape drive system includes a read channel, a write channel, logic adapted for accessing data sets using the read channel and/or the write channel, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the read channel that used error recovery procedure (ERP), logic adapted for counting each data set access using the read channel that did not use ERP, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the write channel that used ERP, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the write channel that did not use ERP, and logic adapted for accessing subsequent data sets using the read channel and/or the write channel, wherein any subsequent data set access that uses ERP is accessed using an initial ERP step characterized by a first tape speed, wherein the first tape speed is selected at least partially based on the counts. | 10-03-2013 |
20130275666 | WRITE PROCEDURE USING ESTIMATED BEST SETTING IN FIRST RUN - In one general embodiment, a tape drive system includes: a read channel; a write channel; logic configured to receiving a request for a write operation to be performed in a tape drive; logic configured to determine an optimum a write procedure in response to receiving the request, the determining being based on expected writing times of each of a plurality of write procedures and an expected transaction size of a next write operation; and logic configured to invoke the determined optimum write procedure in response to determining the optimum write procedure. | 10-17-2013 |
20130275667 | WRITE PROCEDURE USING ESTIMATED BEST SETTING IN FIRST RUN - In one general embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a write operation to be performed in a tape drive, determining an expected transaction size of a next write operation, comparing the expected transaction size of the next write operation to each of a first transaction size threshold and a second transaction size threshold in response to receiving the request, determining an optimum a write procedure based at least in part on the comparison, and invoking the optimum write procedure in response to determining the optimum write procedure, wherein the first transaction size threshold is greater than the second transaction size threshold, and wherein the optimum write procedure is selected from the group consisting of: a backhitch write procedure, a same wrap backhitchless flush (SWBF) write procedure, and a recursively accumulating backhitchless flush (RABF) write procedure. | 10-17-2013 |
20140126079 | ERROR RECOVERY PROCEDURE (ERP) USING ESTIMATED BEST SETTING IN FIRST RUN - In one embodiment, an apparatus includes logic configured to count each data set read and/or write access that used error recovery procedure (ERP) and each data set read and/or write access that did not use ERP, and logic configured to access subsequent data sets to read from and/or write to a data storage medium, wherein any subsequent data set read and/or write access that uses ERP is accessed using an initial ERP step characterized by a first speed of the data storage medium, and wherein the first speed is selected at least partially based on the count. Other systems and methods for ERP data access are described according to more embodiments. | 05-08-2014 |
20150138665 | Writing and Reading Data in Tape Media - A mechanism is provided for determining storage device speed based on a ratio of data compression. A bandwidth (B) is identified between a storage device accessing storage medium and a host application requesting access to data on the storage medium. A host side transfer rate is identified, where the host side transfer rate (HSTR) is a rate of data transfer between the host application and the storage device. For each data set in a set of data sets of a record, a ratio of data compression (R) is identified for the data set; a compression considered host side transfer rate (CCHSTR) is determined; and the storage device speed is set to the compression considered host side transfer rate (CCHSTR) for transmitting the data set to the host application. | 05-21-2015 |
20150161161 | Index Writing in a Linear Tape File System - Mechanisms are provided for performing a synchronization operation for synchronizing data to a tape medium. The mechanisms receive a request to perform the synchronization operation on the tape medium and obtain file information from a storage device in response to the request. The mechanisms determine if the file information is associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium. In response to the file information being determined to be associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium, the mechanisms add index information corresponding to the file information to a partial index. The partial index comprises index information for files less than a total number of files recorded on the tape medium. The mechanisms write the partial index to the tape medium. | 06-11-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110116185 | TRANSPORT SPEED ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, TRANSPORT SPEED ADJUSTMENT METHOD AND TRANSPORT SPEED ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM FOR ADJUSTING TRANSPORT SPEED OF TAPE MEDIUM - A tape drive capable of switching the transport speed of a tape medium among multilevel speeds calculates a data transfer rate from/to a host device, and selects an adjustment mode of the transport speed of the tape medium from a constant speed mode and a speed switch mode according to the calculated data transfer rate. The tape drive in the speed switch mode, pauses a data write or read operation to switch the transport speed of the tape medium while data is written at a first transport speed and when an available capacity of a buffer memory reaches a data volume to be received from the host device during switching of the transport speed and is read out at the first transport speed and when a data volume of a buffer memory reaches a data volume to be transmitted to the host device during switching of the transport speed. | 05-19-2011 |
20120002317 | WRITING DATA TO TAPE MEDIUM - In a controller of a tape drive, a CM input-output unit recognizes a tape format; a tape variable acquisition unit acquires tape variables; a setting variable acquisition unit acquires setting variables; and a minimum number calculator calculates a minimum number m of sub datasets, which are to be written to a tape to secure resistance to burst error, by using the tape variables and setting variables. When a command processor receives a synchronization command, the buffer manager generates n sub datasets for storing data in the buffer. If n is smaller than m, m sub datasets are padded out and set as write data. If n is m or more, the n sub datasets are set as write data. Then, the channel input-output unit writes the write data to the tape. | 01-05-2012 |
20120154946 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING ACCESS SEQUENCE OF DATA STORED ON A TAPE MEDIUM - Methods, computer systems, and computer program products are provided for determining an access sequence of a plurality of data groups stored on a tape medium. A first data group in the access sequence is selected based on which data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to a current position of the tape medium. A second data group in the access sequence is selected based on which remaining data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to an end of the first data group in the access sequence. | 06-21-2012 |
20120206831 | TRANSPORT SPEED ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, TRANSPORT SPEED ADJUSTMENT METHOD AND TRANSPORT SPEED ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM FOR ADJUSTING TRANSPORT SPEED OF TAPE MEDIUM - A tape drive capable of switching the transport speed of a tape medium among multilevel speeds calculates a data transfer rate from/to a host device, and selects an adjustment mode of the transport speed of the tape medium from a constant speed mode and a speed switch mode according to the calculated data transfer rate. The tape drive in the speed switch mode, pauses a data write or read operation to switch the transport speed of the tape medium while data is written at a first transport speed and when an available capacity of a buffer memory reaches a data volume to be received from the host device during switching of the transport speed and is read out at the first transport speed and when a data volume of a buffer memory reaches a data volume to be transmitted to the host device during switching of the transport speed. | 08-16-2012 |
20120250176 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING ACCESS SEQUENCE OF DATA STORED ON A TAPE MEDIUM - For determining an access sequence of a plurality of data groups stored on a tape medium, a first data group in the access sequence is selected based on which data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to a current position of the tape medium. A second data group in the access sequence is selected based on which remaining data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to an end of the first data group in the access sequence. | 10-04-2012 |
20130094105 | HIERARCHICAL CONTROL OF TIERED ERROR RECOVERY FOR STORAGE DEVICES - In one embodiment, a tape drive system includes a read channel configured for performing a portion of a data transfer operation, logic adapted for monitoring the data transfer operation for detecting one or more temps within a sliding window spanning a last group of datasets processed, logic adapted for measuring interference between first tier and second tier recovery methods based on the monitoring, logic adapted for setting a backhitch delay based on conditions relating to the interference of first tier and second tier recovery methods as it relates to a determined error burst, and logic adapted for performing a backhitch and altering at least one condition of the data transfer operation after the backhitch delay. | 04-18-2013 |
20140043710 | REDUCING TOTAL SEEK TIME FOR DETERMINING AN ACCESS SEQUENCE OF DATA STORED ON A TAPE MEDIUM - A first data group in an access sequence is selected based on which data group in the data groups has a beginning closest to a current position of the tape medium. Those data groups located in specified regions of the tape medium are separated from other data groups located in alternative specified regions of the tape medium. The distance from the current position of the tape medium is set to be a logical distance value, determined by a calculation function, that is substituted for the physical distance value for the data groups that are located in the specified regions as compared with other data groups located in the alternative specified regions. A second data group in the access sequence is selected based on which remaining data group in the data groups has a beginning closest to an end of the first data group in the access sequence. | 02-13-2014 |
20140140803 | EFFICIENT MOVEMENT OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIA LIBRARY - 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. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142741 | EFFICIENT MOVEMENT OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIA LIBRARY - 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. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142742 | EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION AND SELECTION OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIUM 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. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142743 | EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION AND SELECTION OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIUM LIBRARY - A method includes determining a distribution for a plurality of distributable components within a storage medium library. It is determined that the plurality of distributable components are not currently distributed across the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution. In response to determining the distribution for the plurality of distributable components and to determining that the plurality of distributable components are not currently distributed across the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution, a set of one or more commands to move one or more of the plurality of distributable components to different locations of the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution are issued. | 05-22-2014 |
20140198401 | HIERARCHICAL CONTROL OF TIERED ERROR RECOVERY FOR STORAGE DEVICES - A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code being executable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to perform the following process. A data transfer operation is monitored for detecting one or more temps. A backhitch delay is set based at least in part on a post-recovery condition of a tape drive performing a portion of the data transfer operation. A backhitch is caused to be performed. At least one condition of the data transfer operation is altered after the backhitch delay. | 07-17-2014 |
20150032251 | EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION AND SELECTION OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIUM LIBRARY - 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. | 01-29-2015 |
20150055240 | RECOVERY OF DATA WRITTEN BEFORE INITIALIZATION OF FORMAT IN TAPE MEDIA - A tape medium uses a format to store data in which the tape medium is partitioned into an index partition (IP) and a data partition (DP). The latest metadata related to additional data newly added and written to the DP in accordance with the format is updated and stored in the IP. The same metadata is repeatedly written after the updated metadata (e.g. Index #1) in the IP. Alternatively, additional data newly added and written to the DP is stored in memory, and is called from memory and then added and written after metadata (e.g. Index #0) during the formatting. In either manner, data written prior to formatting may be recovered. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055442 | REDUCING TOTAL SEEK TIME FOR DETERMINING AN ACCESS SEQUENCE OF DATA STORED ON A TAPE MEDIUM - A first data group in an access sequence is selected. Those data groups located in specified regions of the tape medium are separated from other data groups located in alternative specified regions of the tape medium. The distance from the current position of the tape medium is set to be a logical distance value, determined by a calculation function, that is substituted for the physical distance value for the data groups that are located in the specified regions as compared with other data groups located in the alternative specified regions. A second data group in the access sequence is selected. The logical distance value is then determined by multiplying a coefficient based on a physical positioning of each of the data groups in the tape medium, and a percentage of those of the plurality of data groups that have already been selected as the first data group and the second data group. | 02-26-2015 |
20150082247 | ICON DISPLAY OF FILE HISTORY RECORDED IN STORAGE AS ADDITIONAL DATA - An icon corresponds to a history of files related to a plurality of indexes. Each of the indexes and each of the files are additionally and synchronously recorded in storage as additional data. The icon displayed represents the status of data in the files in the storage. The displayed icon is manipulated to indicate whether no data exists in an associated file or to indicate that existing data in an associated file was updated. | 03-19-2015 |
20150293935 | REDUCTION IN TIME REQUIRED TO WRITE FILE TO TAPE - Reducing time required to write a file to tape is provided. Synchronous processing is performed in a file system implementing a Linear Tape File System (LTFS) file format, wherein the synchronous processing includes writing, to a tape medium of a tape cartridge, index information and one or more files. A type of the synchronous processing is determined, wherein the type is either an index-MAM sync type or an index-only sync type. Updated information is stored to a media auxiliary memory of the tape cartridge in response to determining that the synchronous processing is of the index-MAM sync type. | 10-15-2015 |
20160117259 | STORAGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, STORAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - A storage management method and the like for managing a hierarchical storage are provided. A storage management method is provided for managing a hierarchical storage including a lower storage tier, and a higher storage tier having higher speed than the lower storage tier, on a computer system including at least one computer. This storage management method includes a step of causing the computer system to copy a target data item from the higher storage tier to the lower storage tier, and a step of causing the system to determine whether or not to delete the entity of the data item on the higher storage tier having been subjected to the copying based on a time required for reading the copy of the data item. | 04-28-2016 |
20160124678 | METHOD OF MOVING FILES IN HIERARCHICAL STORAGE SYSTEM - A method for moving files in a hierarchical storage system having a primary storage and a secondary storage including a sequential storage device from the primary storage to the secondary storage includes obtaining a predetermined file size to be written to the secondary storage, extracting, from a plurality of files in the primary storage, a file not stored in the secondary storage and having the oldest last access time, estimating a file size of the file having the oldest last access time on the secondary storage if the file having the oldest last access time is written to the secondary storage, and selecting the file having the oldest last access time as a file to be moved to the secondary storage as long as the estimated file size does not exceed the predetermined file size to be written to the secondary storage. | 05-05-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130067158 | Tape Storage Device and Writing Method Therefor - A mechanism is provided for tape writing of small transactions. A first file is written as a plurality of fixed-length data sets (DS), the DS number of the final DS in the plurality of DS is stored in memory as #N(DS#N) and the WP number as #M(WP#M), and the final first file and the second file in the DS following the final DS(DS#N, WP#M) containing the first file are packed and written in sequential DS units, and are stored as DS#N, DS#N+ | 03-14-2013 |
20130111080 | USING HOST TRANSFER RATES TO SELECT A RECORDING MEDIUM TRANSFER RATE FOR TRANSFERRING DATA TO A RECORDING MEDIUM | 05-02-2013 |
20130159643 | DETECTING TAMPERING OF DATA DURING MEDIA MIGRATION, AND STORAGE DEVICE - A method for detecting at a migration destination medium a change in data during media migration between write once read many (WORM) media according to one embodiment includes writing data for WORM from a migration source medium to the migration destination medium; holding an identifier (ID) of the source medium in a non-user storage area in the destination medium; and holding information indicating a feature of the data in the non-user storage area. | 06-20-2013 |
20130246701 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR WRITING MULTIPLE FILES SIMULTANEOUSLY TO A TAPE MEDIA - In one embodiment, a method includes storing data received from at least two data sources in a buffer, writing the data from the at least two data sources to regions in a first wrap of a tape on a data-source basis in a first predetermined order, the regions in the first wrap being previously allocated to the at least two data sources, moving a head to a second wrap of the tape when an end of the first wrap of the tape is reached, and writing the data from the at least two data sources to regions in the second wrap in a second predetermined order, the second predetermined order being a reverse order relative to the first predetermined order, the regions in the second wrap being previously allocated to the at least two data sources. The first and second wraps have first and second predetermined lengths, respectively. | 09-19-2013 |
20140022665 | CONTROLLING A TAPE SPEED TO MANAGE A TAPE DRIVE BUFFER - Provided are a storage device, method, and program for controlling a tape speed to manage a tape drive buffer. A tape speed is increased from a current tape speed to a target tape speed on a predetermined speed-change timing to control the reading or writing of data between the buffer and the tape medium. | 01-23-2014 |
20140085746 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING DATA WRITING OF TAPE RECORDING APPARATUS - In one embodiment, a write controlling method is provided that adjusts the timing to wrap-turn the tape running direction depending on the data amount in order to reduce the time required for positioning in reading any data by performing back-and-forth data writing by positioning a magnetic head of a tape recording apparatus at a predetermined position close to a first end of the tape medium, writing data on the tape medium starting from the predetermined position toward a second end of the tape medium, wrap-turning a running direction of the tape medium when the magnetic head reaches the second end of the tape medium, and writing the data on the tape medium from the second end toward the first end. | 03-27-2014 |
20140313609 | DATA WRITING METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR TAPE DRIVE - One embodiment includes a method for writing data to a tape in a tape drive while data successively accumulated in the buffer of a file system is transferred to the tape drive. The method includes detecting a wrap turn when data is being written to the tape; allocating buffer space including a storage capacity exceeding the amount of data to be stored in the buffer during the wrap turn; successively accumulating write data in the buffer space instead of the buffer during the wrap turn; resuming the accumulation of write data in the buffer after the wrap turn has been completed; and releasing the buffer space after the write data accumulated in the buffer space has been transferred to the tape drive. | 10-23-2014 |
20150036237 | CONTROLLING A TAPE SPEED TO MANAGE A TAPE DRIVE BUFFER - Provided are a storage device, method, and program for controlling a tape speed to manage a tape drive buffer. A tape speed is increased from a current tape speed to a target tape speed on a predetermined speed-change timing to control the reading or writing of data between the buffer and the tape medium. | 02-05-2015 |
20150046645 | Method, Storage System, and Program for Spanning Single File Across Plurality of Tape Media - Mechanisms for splitting and spanning a single file across a plurality of tape media in a tape drive file system are provided. The mechanisms format the tape media so as to store an index of the file and data on the file in the tape media in a predetermined format; splitting the single file into separate portions and managing at least one of IDs identifying the plurality of tape media that sequentially store the portions of the file in association with the file; and storing a generation number indicating the number of storing and updating each of the file portions as the index in each of the tape media. Upon receiving a request to read the stored split file, the system obtains an index on a tape medium storing a file portion whose generation number is the highest and reads a time stamp related to the size and update of the single file. | 02-12-2015 |
20150077878 | DATA WRITING METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR TAPE DRIVE - One embodiment includes a method. The method includes sending data from a buffer to a tape drive, and allocating buffer space when a wrap turn is anticipated. The write data is accumulated in the buffer space during the wrap turn. The buffer space is released after the write data accumulated in the buffer space has been transferred to the tape drive. | 03-19-2015 |
20150095566 | Reading Speed of Updated File by Tape Drive File System - The mechanism provides for updating a file written on a medium in a system including a tape drive connected to a host. The mechanism receives, from the host, a change data part that is changed in the file as an update target. The mechanism writes the change data part to a data end position on the medium including a non-change data part that is not changed in the file sequentially stored on the medium. The mechanism calculates seek time required for positioning of a head of the tape drive from a medium position of the non-change data to a medium position of the change data part. The mechanism copies the change data part to an external storage device when the seek time is more than or equal to a predetermined value. | 04-02-2015 |
20150100724 | Tape Storage Device and Writing Method Therefor - A mechanism is provided for tape writing of small transactions. A first file is written as a plurality of fixed-length data sets (DS), the DS number of the final DS in the plurality of DS is stored in memory as #IN(DS#N) and the WP number as #M(WP#M), and the final first file and the second file in the DS following the final DS(DS#N, WP#M) containing the first file are packed and written in sequential DS units, and are stored as DS#N, DS#N+1, etc. and WP#M+1 in sequential order in DS containing the second file. The remaining first, second, or third file is packed and DS#N with WP#M is overwritten as DS#N with WP#M+2, and the remaining #N in the DS numbers of the second file and the third file in the subsequent DS are written as DS#N+1, N+2, etc. with WP#M+2, and the DS#N, #N+2, etc. with WP#M+2 are stored. | 04-09-2015 |
20150146321 | CONTROLLING DATA WRITING OF TAPE RECORDING APPARATUS - A method according to another embodiment includes writing data on a tape medium in a direction from a first end toward a second end of the tape medium using a tape recording apparatus. The tape recording apparatus includes a magnetic head and is configured to record data on tape media. The method further includes wrap-turning the running direction of the tape medium before reaching the second end and writing a first portion of data remaining to be written when the data remaining to be written is smaller than a volume of the data to be written in one running of the tape medium so that an end of the data is written at a position close to the first end, and writing a second portion of data remaining to be written toward the first end. | 05-28-2015 |
20150199132 | WRITING MULTIPLE FILES SIMULTANEOUSLY TO A TAPE MEDIA - In one embodiment, a method includes storing data received from at least two data sources in a buffer, writing the data from the at least two data sources to regions in a first wrap of a tape on a data-source basis in a first predetermined order, and writing the data from the at least two data sources to regions in the second wrap in a second predetermined order, the second predetermined order being a reverse order relative to the first predetermined order. | 07-16-2015 |
20150205536 | USING HOST TRANSFER RATES TO SELECT A RECORDING MEDIUM TRANSFER RATE FOR TRANSFERRING DATA TO A RECORDING MEDIUM - Provided are a storage device, controller, and method for using host transfer rates to select a recording medium transfer rate for transferring data to a recording medium. A host transfer rate of data with respect to a buffer is measured. Provided are a plurality of recording medium transfer rates at which data is transferred between the buffer and the recording medium. A determination is made of an amount of decrease in the host transfer rate. The recording medium transfer rate is selected based on the amount of decrease in the host transfer rate. A transfer rate at which the storage device transfers data is set to the selected recording medium transfer rate | 07-23-2015 |
20150331636 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WRITING DATA TO RECORDING MEDIUM - A method for writing data in a buffer to a magnetic recording tape includes identifying a size of an unused area of the magnetic recording tape based on a current writing position on the magnetic recording tape. An upper limit of a capacity for data that can be stored in the buffer is determined based on the size of the unused area. The predetermined data is stored, according to a command for storing predetermined data in the buffer, in the buffer on condition that the capacity for data in the buffer does not exceed the upper limit. | 11-19-2015 |
20150339061 | WRITING MULTIPLE FILES SIMULTANEOUSLY TO A TAPE MEDIA - In one embodiment, a method includes storing data received from at least two data sources in a buffer, writing the data from the at least two data sources to regions in a first wrap of a tape on a data-source basis in a first predetermined order, and writing the data from the at least two data sources to regions in the second wrap in a second predetermined order, the second predetermined order being a reverse order relative to the first predetermined order. | 11-26-2015 |
20160042760 | METHOD OF DETECTING TAMPERING OF DATA IN TAPE DRIVE, AND FILE SYSTEM - 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. | 02-11-2016 |
20160077766 | Tape Storage Device and Writing Method Therefor - A mechanism is provided for tape writing of small transactions. A first file is written as a plurality of fixed-length data sets (DS), the DS number of the final DS in the plurality of DS is stored in memory as #N(DS#N) and the WP number as #M(WP#M), and the final first file and the second file in the DS following the final DS(DS#N, WP#M) containing the first file are packed and written in sequential DS units, and are stored as DS#N, DS#N+ | 03-17-2016 |