摘要:
An apparatus and system are provided for communicating control messages between a first device and a second device. The apparatus and system include a communication module that directs control messages between a first device and a second device through an intermediate device. The intermediate device is coupled to the first device by a control path and to the second device by a data path. The apparatus and system also include a translation module and a transmission module that cooperate to translate control messages received over the control path at the intermediate device to transport data messages and transport data messages received over the data path at the second device to control messages. Transport data messages are sent over the data path to the second device and control messages from the second device are sent over the control path to the first device.
摘要:
An apparatus and system are provided for communicating control messages between a first device and a second device. The apparatus and system include a communication module that directs control messages between a first device and a second device through an intermediate device. The intermediate device is coupled to the first device by a control path and to the second device by a data path. The apparatus and system also include a translation module and a transmission module that cooperate to translate control messages received over the control path at the intermediate device to transport data messages and transport data messages received over the data path at the second device to control messages. Transport data messages are sent over the data path to the second device and control messages from the second device are sent over the control path to the first device.
摘要:
Various data storage formats help to efficiently locate, read, and write user data stored on magnetic tape media. A tape is formatted by writing multiple segment-headers, free from any interleaved access of user data. Adjacent segment-headers are spaced by a predetermined interval to define multiple data storage segments. Segment-headers all contain a unique key, which is copied into a key index to identify valid segments. After formatting, normal tape accesses can be performed. Without erasing any old headers or data, a new formatting scheme can be established by writing new segment-headers on the tape. The new segment-headers include a new unique key, replacing the previous key in the key index. Previous segment-headers stored on the tape are ignored, since they lack the updated key. Segments may be selectively grouped to provide independently addressable partitions. Mapping between segments and partitions can use a fixed relationship (e.g. one-to-one), or each partition may be variably sized according to the amount of data to be stored therein. Variable-sized partitions may be automatically padded with a selected number of empty segments. Another feature is flexible-capacity scaling, which distributes an ordered set of device blocks on a multi-track magnetic tape medium. The device blocks are bi-directionally stored in a continuous configuration of multiple adjacent stacked serpentine patterns occupying some or all of the tape. This configuration permits sequential access of all device blocks without advancing the tape medium to skip over regions between adjacent device blocks.
摘要:
Various data storage formats help to efficiently locate, read, and write user data stored on magnetic tape media. A tape is formatted by writing multiple segment-headers, free from any interleaved access of user data Adjacent segment-headers are spaced by a predetermined interval to define multiple data storage segments. Segment-headers all contain a unique key, which is copied into a key index to identify valid segments. After formatting, normal tape accesses can be performed. Without erasing any old headers or data, a new formatting scheme can be established by writing new segment-headers on the tape. The new segment-headers include a new unique key, replacing the previous key in the key index. Previous segment-headers stored on the tape are ignored, since they lack the updated key. Segments may be selectively grouped to provide independently addressable partitions. Mapping between segments and partitions can use a fixed relationship (e.g. one-to-one), or each partition may be variably sized according to the amount of data to be stored therein. Variable-sized partitions may be automatically padded with a selected number of empty segments. Another feature is flexible-capacity scaling, which distributes an ordered set of device blocks on a multi-track magnetic tape medium. The device blocks are bi-directionally stored in a continuous configuration of multiple adjacent stacked serpentine patterns occupying some or all of the tape. This configuration permits sequential access of all device blocks without advancing the tape medium to skip over regions between adjacent device blocks.
摘要:
Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider, upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool.
摘要:
Drive image providers of a virtualization system for an automated data storage library provide an image of a fixed plurality of virtual data storage drives with fixed identifications to a host application. A drive resource provider, at any one time, assigns any number “m” of a pool of “n” drives to the drive image providers, and “n”−“m” of the pool are freed and available for assignment. The drive resource provider responds to a triggering event requesting a drive, and dedicates one of the “n”−“m” drives of the pool to the virtual drive. The drive image provider characterizes and directs communication between the host and the dedicated drive as a fixed virtual drive; and prior to the dedication of a drive, characterizes the virtual drive to the requesting host application as “not ready”.
摘要:
A method for discovering hosts on a multi-blade server chassis is provided. A switch, operational in the multi-blade server, is queried for first world-wide name (WWN) information of the hosts. The first WWN information is known to the switch. The first WWN information is saved on a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) subsystem of the multi-blade server chassis. A system location for each of the hosts is mapped to the RAID subsystem.
摘要:
A test system for a heterogeneous multipath network. A tester system evaluates a plurality of status indicators from a plurality of types of test components in a network. Based on the status indicators of at least one of the test components, the tester system selects a first test to be performed. After executing the first test, the tester system selects a second test to be performed based on the status indicators of at least one of the test components and a result of the first test.
摘要:
A data storage drive arranged as a plurality of logical accessors accesses data on a removable random access medium. Upon a write access for a data segment by a logical accessor, a control locks a context comprising at least one data segment of a partition to the logical accessor. The control concurrently allows read access to the data of the removable random access medium, except the locked context, and allows write access, except to the locked partition, by other logical accessors.
摘要:
Storage shelves of a mass data storage library are organized into a plurality of subsets for the purpose of conducting an inventory of media stored in the shelves. In response to an inventory command, the inventory is conducted in a predetermined order by subset. Upon completion of the inventory of each subset, the completion is posted in a list. A command input detects newly issued commands (subsequent to the inventory command), and places them in a queue. After completion of the inventory of a subset, and upon detecting a command for a non-inventory process (such as a media move), the inventory is interrupted and stopped. The move is conducted, and, upon completion of the move, the inventory is resumed. If a newly issued command is an inventory command, the inventory command is incorporated into the inventory process.