System and method for efficiently performing a restore operation in a data storage environment

A computer system comprising:

• a data storage system including a plurality of storage devices;
• a computer system in communication with the data storage system;
• a data engine in communication with the data storage system;
• a media library in communication with the data engine;
• and
• computer-executable logic in communication with the data storage system and the data engine that enables the method steps of:
• the computer system requesting to perform an I/O operation on at least one track of data;
• the logic responding to the request to perform an I/O operation by determining whether a restore operation of data from the media library to the data storage system or computer system is in progress;
• in response to determining that such a restore is in progress, the logic determining whether the at least one track of data is indicated as having a protected status from the I/O operation being carried out on the at least one track;
• and
• in accordance with the determination of whether the at least one track is protected, the logic selectively either carrying out the I/O operation or accounting for the I/O operation separate from the at least one track of data.

A program product for use with a data storage system having a plurality of storage devices and which is in communication with a computer system, a data engine, and a media library unit, the program product being for carrying out a restore operation and being comprised of:

• computer-executable logic that is configured for causing the following computer-executed steps to occur:
• receiving a request to perform an I/O operation on at least one track of data;
• in response to receiving the request to perform an I/O operation determining whether a restore is in progress;
• in response to determining that such a restore is in progress determining whether the at least one track of data is indicated as having a protected status from the I/O operation being carried out on the at least one track;
• and
• in accordance with the determination of whether the at least one track is protected, selectively either carrying out the I/O operation or accounting for the I/O operation separate from the at least one track of data.

An apparatus for performing a restore operation for data stored in a data storage environment, the apparatus comprising:

• a data storage system including a plurality of storage devices;
• a computer system in communication with the data storage system;
• a data engine in communication with the data storage system;
• a media library in communication with the data engine;
• and wherein the apparatus includes
• means responsive to a request from the computer system to perform an I/O operation on at least one track of data by determining whether a restore operation of data from the media library to the data storage system or computer system is in progress;
• means responsive to determining that such a restore is in progress by determining whether the at least one track of data is indicated as having a protected status from the I/O operation being carried out on the at least one track;
• and
• means for selectively either carrying out the I/O operation or accounting for the I/O operation separate from the at least one track of data in accordance with the determination of whether the at least one track is protected.