Abstract: A system for associating application or system information with data files according to data file attributes. The system employs an Automatic Classification Selection (ACS) filter having an ordered sequence of rule-based declarations, each of which specifies a range of values for selected data file attributes. Each rule-based declaration includes specifications for data file attributes, any of which can be specified using wild-cards. Each data file is tested against the ordered declarations and the first declaration that matches the data file attributes is enabled to assign a classification to that data file. Because the ACS filter is declarative, it may be easily modified without programming expertise. Because any data file can be quickly sieved through the ACS filter, the data file class linkages need not be stored and thus are always dynamically updated in response to changes in data file attributes over time.

Abstract: A first file system to assist in the storage management of a second file system not able to store its own management classes and management attributes. A repository file space in the first file system is used to accomplish the storage of some or all of the management classes or attributes for the files of the second file system. For each file in the second file system an empty file is created in the repository file space of the first file system. The creation of an empty file in the repository file space causes a management class to be selected for the file and stored in the catalog of the first file system as would be done for any file in the first file system. A naming convention is used to link each file in the repository file space with its associated file in the second file system. The additional files in the first file system are left empty as no other information need be stored for storage management purposes.

Abstract: A data storage hierarchy includes a media library characterized by a travelling elevator which moves in front of an open-faced wall of storage cells or compartments and ingress-egress slots to a plurality of data recording devices. Optical disks are selectively moved by the travelling elevator between the storage cells and the data recording devices. The carrier can carry a plurality of the optical disks at a given time. Each time the travelling elevator accesses a storage cell or a recording device, the record disk currently held by such cell or device is moved onto the travelling elevator and then the optical disk carried to such cell or device is inserted into the cell or device. Programs are provided for controlling the movements of the travelling elevator for maximizing swap operations of the disk at cells and devices. The optical disks have no home cell in the library.