Method and apparatus for tape drive data logging
AssigneeQuantum Corporation
InventorRoderick B. WIDEMAN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for logging of data within a data storage system, such as a tape drive library. The tape drive library includes a central storage (memory) providing storage space assigned to each tape drive in the tape drive library and allowing each tape drive to directly store data there, that is to log data files. The logging of the data files is at the instigation of each tape drive and not via polling, so as to perform logging synchronous with tape drive events. In one version, the tape drives are coupled to the central storage via an Ethernet network and the log files conform to a standard file protocol, such as a network file system.
Claims19
A method of transferring activity data from one of a plurality of tape drives to a controller coupled to the tape drives by a network, comprising the acts of:
- assigning each tape drive a pathname in a network file system;
- providing each tape drive with a network file system client and a port to the network;
- transmitting activity data for a tape drive via its network file system client and port to the controller via the network;
- and
- storing the transmitted activity data at the controller at the pathname assigned to the tape drive.
A storage system comprising:
- a plurality of tape drives each having a network file system client and a port connectable to a network;
- a controller coupled to the network and including a network file system host with a pathname for each tape drive;
- and
- storage coupled to the controller;
- wherein each tape drive transmits activity data to the controller via its network file system client and port to store the activity activity in the storage at its pathname.
A controller for a data storage system having a plurality of tape drives couplable to the controller by a network, the controller comprising:
- a processor couplable to the network and having an associated network file system host having a pathname for each of the tape drives;
- and
- storage coupled to the processor;
- wherein the processor receives, via the network, activity data for each tape drive and stores the activity data in the storage at the pathname for the tape drive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.