US 7,743,205 B2Granted

Apparatus and method for virtualizing data storage media, such as for use in a data storage library providing resource virtualization

AssigneeQuantum Corporation

InventorsBarry Massey, Don Doerner, Stephen Moore, John Rockenfeller, Jeff Leuschner, Doug Burling, Roderick B. Wideman

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system and method for use in an automated data storage cartridge library defines cartridges for use with an external host computer (“open” cartridges), and cartridges for use only internal to the library (“closed” cartridges). Cartridges may be “virtualized” by storing data from them on disk or closed cartridges, and then “realized” by writing data to physical cartridges. Virtual cartridges may be logically exported from one library to another. When new cartridges are introduced to the library, they may be designated with one of multiple designations or uses.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A data storage system for storing data for at least one host computer, the data storage system comprising:

a set of multiple read/write drives;
a set of multiple data storage media slots wherein each data storage media slot receives a removable tape cartridge or removable disk cartridge;
at least one robot that moves a tape or disk cartridge between one of the data storage media slots and one of the read/write drives;
at least one library controller coupled to the robot and the data storage drives;
non-removable data storage, wherein the non-removable data storage includes hard disk data storage, semiconductor memory data storage, or both, and wherein the non-removable data storage has a current memory capacity;
at least one library management unit coupled among the at least one host computer, the non-removable data storage, and the library controller, wherein the library management unit:
assigns a first set of virtual tape or disk cartridges whose associated data is stored on the non-removable data storage;
assigns a second set of open tape or disk cartridges as being for indirect use by the host computer wherein data read from or written to a tape or disk cartridge in the second set is determined by the host computer;
assigns a third set of closed tape or disk cartridges for use not by the host computer, but by the library management unit, wherein the third set of tape or disk cartridges supplement the current memory capacity of the non-removable data storage;
and
receives at least first, second and third tape or disk cartridges newly imported to the data storage system and:
designates the first new cartridge as blank for use by the host computer or by the library management unit to write data to the first new cartridge,
designates the second new cartridge for direct access by the host computer to permit the host computer to read and write data from the second new cartridge, and
designates the third new cartridge as a cartridge having data to be stored on the non-removable data storage as a virtual cartridge, wherein the host computer accesses data on the third new cartridge from the non-removable data storage, but wherein the library management unit provides signals to the host computer to fool the host computer into responding as if the host computer were communicating directly with the third new cartridge, wherein said virtual cartridge is assigned a time-dependent residence priority defined by:
a first duration of time said virtual cartridge remains inactive before being copied to removable data storage;
a second duration of time said virtual cartridge is stored in said non-removable data storage, wherein said second duration of time is restarted on each access of said virtual cartridge;
and
a rate at which a priority for said non-removable data storage residence decays following said second duration of time.

15 more elements

A method for using a data storage library, wherein the data storage library includes multiple data storage cartridges and non-removable data storage, and wherein the data storage library exchanges data with an external host computer, the method comprising:

receiving a data storage cartridge newly imported to the data storage library;
and
designating a use for the new data storage cartridge, wherein the use is selected from the following:
designate the new data storage cartridge as a data storage cartridge to be stored on the non-removable data storage as a virtual cartridge, wherein the host computer accesses data on the non-removable data storage, but wherein the data storage library provides signals to the host computer to fool the host computer into responding as if the host computer were communicating directly with a data storage cartridge, wherein said virtual cartridge is assigned a time-dependent residence priority defined by:
a first duration of time said virtual cartridge remains inactive before being copied to removable data storage;
a second duration of time said virtual cartridge is stored in said non-removable data storage, wherein said second duration of time is restarted on each access of said virtual cartridge;
and
a rate at which a priority for said non-removable data storage residence decays following said second duration of time.

5 more elements

A data storage apparatus for use with removable data storage media, wherein the data storage apparatus exchanges data with at least one external computer, the data storage apparatus comprising:

multiple read/write drives;
a robot that moves removable data storage media within the data storage apparatus, including to and from the multiple read/write drives;
non-removable data storage that stores data from at least some of the removable data storage media, wherein the non-removable data storage has a current memory capacity and has multiple performances or characteristics that differ from multiple performances or characteristics of the removable data storage media;
a storage processor that controls access to the removable data storage media in the data storage apparatus, including controlling at least an aspect of movement of removable data storage media to and from the read/write drives, wherein the storage processor further:
dedicates a first set of the data storage media for native data and for use by the at least one external computer, wherein the first set of data storage media is removable data storage media;
dedicates a second set of data storage media for managed data and for use not by at least one external computer, but for use by the storage processor, wherein the second set of data storage media supplement the current memory capacity of the non-removable data storage, but provides multiple performances or characteristics that differ from multiple performances or characteristics of the first set of data storage media wherein the storage processor provides signals to fool the external computer into responding as if the external computer were communicating directly with a data storage cartridge when communicating with the non-removable data storage;
and
assigns a time-dependent residence priority to a virtual cartridge, wherein said time-dependent residence priority is defined by:
a first duration of time said virtual cartridge remains inactive before being copied to at least one of said sets of data storage media;
a second duration of time said virtual cartridge is stored in said non-removable data storage, wherein said second duration of time is restarted on each access of said virtual cartridge;
and
a rate at which a priority for said non-removable data storage residence decays following said second duration of time.

9 more elements

A data storage method for use with removable data storage media and at least one external computer, the method comprising:

providing non-removable library data storage that stores data from at least some of the removable data storage media, wherein the library data storage has a current memory capacity and has multiple performances or characteristics that differ from multiple performances or characteristics of the removable data storage media;
providing a first set of data storage media for use by the at least one external computer, wherein the first set of data storage media includes removable, physical data storage media;
providing a second set of data storage media for use, at least in part, by the at least one external computer, wherein the second set of data storage media is logical data storage media that logically represents, at least in part, the removable, physical data storage media of the first set;
providing a third set of data storage media for use not by the at least one external computer, but for internal use to supplement the current memory capacity of the library data storage, and wherein the data storage media of the third set provides multiple performances or characteristics that differ from multiple performances or characteristics of the data storage media of the first set wherein the data storage library provides signals to fool the external computer into responding as if the external computer were communicating directly with a data storage cartridge when communicating with the third set of data storage media;
and
assigning a time-dependent residence priority to a virtual cartridge, wherein said time-dependent residence priority is defined by:
a first duration of time said virtual cartridge remains inactive before being copied to at least one of said sets of data storage media;
a second duration of time said virtual cartridge is stored in said non-removable library data storage, wherein said second duration of time is restarted on each access of said virtual cartridge;
and
a rate at which a priority for said non-removable data storage residence decays following said second duration of time.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/947,857Filed 22 Sep 2004 · continuation in part
Priority: 17 Dec 2002
Published: US 2005/0080992 A114 Apr 2005
Granted: 22 Jun 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G06F 3/0664
Virtualisation aspects: at device level, e.g. emulation of a storage device or system
G06F 3/0605
Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. storage management: by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
G06F 3/0607
Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. storage management: by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for…
G06F 3/0608
Specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect: saving storage space on storage systems

Family

Application60/434,268Us provisional application · filed 17 Dec 2002
Application60/505,307Us provisional application · filed 22 Sep 2003
Application60/505,308Us provisional application · filed 22 Sep 2003
Application10/738,194Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 17 Dec 2003
US 2005/0080992 A1Pre-grant publication · published 14 Apr 2005
US 7,263,596 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Aug 2007
US 7,743,205 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.