Optimized tape unmount operation

A computer-implemented method for unmounting a tape from a tape drive, comprising:

• receiving a request to unmount the tape from the tape drive;
• determining that at least one update has been made to the tape since the tape has been mounted to the tape drive;
• and
• responsive to the determination:
• identifying a tape head position with respect to the tape, wherein the tape includes a data partition and an index partition;
• identifying a first position and a second position on the tape;
• determining a first distance, wherein the first distance is a length of tape between the first position and the tape head position;
• determining a second distance, wherein the second distance is a length of tape between the first position and the second position;
• determining the first distance is greater than the second distance;
• and
• responsive to determining that the first distance is less than the second distance:
• repositioning the tape to the second position of the data partition;
• writing a data index beginning at the second partition of the data partition;
• repositioning the tape to the primary section of the index partition;
• and
• writing a metadata index in the index partition.

A computer system for unmounting a tape from a tape drive, the computer system comprising:

• one or more computer processors;
• one or more computer readable storage media;
• computer program instructions;
• the computer program instructions being stored on the one or more computer readable storage media for execution by the one or more computer processors;
• and
• the computer program instructions including instructions to:
• receive a request to unmount the tape from the tape drive;
• determine that at least one update has been made to the tape since the tape has been mounted to the tape drive;
• and
• responsive to the determination:
• identify a tape head position with respect to the tape, wherein the tape includes a data partition and an index partition;
• identify a first position and a second position on the tape;
• determine a first distance, wherein the first distance is a length of tape between the first position and the tape head position;
• determine a second distance, wherein the second distance is a length of tape between the first position and the second position;
• determine the first distance is less than the second distance;
• and
• responsive to determining that the first distance is less than the second distance:
• reposition the tape to a primary section of the index partition;
• write a metadata index in the index partition;
• reposition the tape to the second position of the data partition;
• and
• write a data index beginning at the second position of the data partition.