Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program product for dynamic volume mounting includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a processing circuit to cause the circuitry to perform a method including receiving, from a host, a command directed to a volume. The command includes a parameter. A policy associated with the host is evaluated. Based on the evaluation, a value of the parameter included in the command is determined. In response to the parameter including a first value, two copies of the volume are opened. The parameter is set to include the first value when the one of the two copies of the volume is already open, and the two copies of the volume are opened in response thereto. In response to the parameter including a second value, only one of the two copies of the volume are opened.

Abstract: An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes detecting an error while writing data to a tape volume on a tape and repositioning the tape in response to detecting the error. A determination whether a rewrite of data associated with the error to the tape volume is allowed is made based on a current position of the tape after the repositioning. The data is rewritten to the tape volume in response to determining that the rewrite of data associated with the error to the tape volume is allowed. A computer program product for protecting overwrite of a tape volume according to another embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller to cause the controller to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes detecting an error while writing data to a tape volume, and repositioning the tape in response to detecting the error. Further, the method includes determining, after the repositioning, a current position of the tape, and determining, based on the current position, whether a rewrite of data associated with the error to the tape volume is allowed. A system according to one embodiment includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the foregoing method to occur. A computer program product according to one embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller to cause the controller to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program product for dynamic volume mounting includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a processing circuit to cause the circuitry to perform a method including receiving, from a host, a command directed to a volume. The command includes a parameter. A policy associated with the host is evaluated. Based on the evaluation, a value of the parameter included in the command is determined. In response to the parameter including a first value, two copies of the volume are opened. The parameter is set to include the first value when the one of the two copies of the volume is already open, and the two copies of the volume are opened in response thereto. In response to the parameter including a second value, only one of the two copies of the volume are opened.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a product includes a magnetic medium having written thereon data in a data track. The data includes encrypted data written over unencrypted data. An indicator of a physical position on the magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of the encrypted data is stored on the product. A product according to another embodiment includes a magnetic medium having written thereon data in a data track. The data includes encrypted data written over unencrypted data. A portion of the unencrypted data is located before the encrypted data on the medium. An indicator of a physical position on the magnetic medium that corresponds to a beginning of the encrypted data is stored on the product.

Abstract: An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes detecting an error while writing data to a tape volume on a tape and repositioning the tape in response to detecting the error. A determination whether a rewrite of data associated with the error to the tape volume is allowed is made based on a current position of the tape after the repositioning. The data is rewritten to the tape volume in response to determining that the rewrite of data associated with the error to the tape volume is allowed. A computer program product for protecting overwrite of a tape volume according to another embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller to cause the controller to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the processor to receive, from a host, a command directed to a volume, the command including a parameter. The logic is further configured to cause the processor to evaluate a policy associated with the host, and, based on the evaluation of the policy associated with the host, determine a value of the parameter included in the command. Still yet, the logic is configured to cause the processor to open two copies of the volume in response to the parameter including a first value, and open only one of the two copies of the volume in response to the parameter including a second value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a product includes a magnetic medium having written thereon data in a data track. The data includes encrypted data written over unencrypted data. An indicator of a physical position on the magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of the encrypted data is stored on the product. A product according to another embodiment includes a magnetic medium having written thereon data in a data track. The data includes encrypted data written over unencrypted data. A portion of the unencrypted data is located before the encrypted data on the medium. An indicator of a physical position on the magnetic medium that corresponds to a beginning of the encrypted data is stored on the product.

Abstract: An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes detecting an error while writing data to a tape volume, and repositioning the tape in response to detecting the error. Further, the method includes determining, after the repositioning, a current position of the tape, and determining, based on the current position, whether a rewrite of data associated with the error to the tape volume is allowed. A system according to one embodiment includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the foregoing method to occur. A computer program product according to one embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller to cause the controller to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the processor to receive, from a host, a command directed to a volume, the command including a parameter. The logic is further configured to cause the processor to evaluate a policy associated with the host, and, based on the evaluation of the policy associated with the host, determine a value of the parameter included in the command. Still yet, the logic is configured to cause the processor to open two copies of the volume in response to the parameter including a first value, and open only one of the two copies of the volume in response to the parameter including a second value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for accessing data stored in a virtual tape storage (VTS) system, according to one embodiment, include receiving a mount request to access at least one host data record in a VTS system, issuing a locate command to position the sequential access storage medium having the logical volume stored therein to about a position where the physical block having at least a portion of the requested at least one host data record therein is located; creating a partial virtual volume in a tape volume cache; and copying the physical block having the at least a portion of the requested at least one host data record therein from the sequential access storage medium to the partial virtual volume in the tape volume cache. An amount of data copied from the logical volume to the partial virtual volume is less than the amount of data in the logical volume.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to: determine a physical position on a magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of an encrypted data set; store an indicator of the physical position on the magnetic medium and/or a memory coupled thereto; and cause obscuring of an unencrypted data set positioned after the physical position without overwriting the encrypted data set. In another embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium and program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by the processor to cause the processor to: read an indicator of a physical position on a magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of an encrypted data set; and cause obscuring of an unencrypted data set positioned after the physical position without overwriting the encrypted data set.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an error while writing data to a tape volume. The method further includes repositioning the tape volume for recovering from the error, and receiving, after the repositioning, at least a portion of the data for rewriting the at least a portion of the data to the tape volume. Further, the method includes determining, after the repositioning, a current position of the tape volume. Additionally, the method includes determining, based on the current position of the tape volume, whether the rewrite to the tape volume is allowed.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes outputting a first alert when a cache free space size is less than a first threshold and entering into a warning state, and outputting a second alert when the cache free space size is less than a second threshold and entering into a critical state. At least one scratch volume is deleted when in the critical state, the scratch volume chosen based on at least one of: a length of time the scratch volume has been designated scratch, a priority level of the information stored on the scratch volume, and a scratch delay value associated with the scratch volume.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a VTS system includes a tape volume cache, a storage drive for interacting with sequential access storage media; logic for receiving a mount request to access host data record(s) stored on a storage medium, the mount request including a virtual volume identifier of a logical volume and a logical block identifier of the first requested host data record therein; logic for issuing a locate command to position the sequential access storage medium to about a physical block in the logical volume having at least a portion of the requested host data record(s) therein based on the virtual volume identifier and the logical block identifier; logic for creating and supporting a partial virtual volume in the tape volume cache; and logic for copying at least the physical block to the partial virtual volume. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are also described, according to other embodiments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for accessing data stored in a virtual tape storage (VTS) system, according to one embodiment, include receiving a mount request to access at least one host data record in a VTS system, issuing a locate command to position the sequential access storage medium having the logical volume stored therein to about a position where the physical block having at least a portion of the requested at least one host data record therein is located; creating a partial virtual volume in a tape volume cache; and copying the physical block having the at least a portion of the requested at least one host data record therein from the sequential access storage medium to the partial virtual volume in the tape volume cache. An amount of data copied from the logical volume to the partial virtual volume is less than the amount of data in the logical volume.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for synchronous mode replication to multiple clusters receiving a write to a volume from a host. A received write is cached in a memory. A determination is made of a replication rule indicating one of a plurality of replication modes for a first cluster and a second cluster used for replication for the write, wherein one of the replication modes comprises a synchronous mode. A determination is made that the replication rule indicates a synchronous mode for the first and the second clusters. The write is transmitted from the memory to the first cluster to store in a first non-volatile storage of the first cluster and to the second cluster to store in a second non-volatile storage in response to determining that the replication rule indicates the synchronous mode.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes selecting, by a processor, one of a WORM logical data object and a read-write logical data object for reuse as a new WORM logical data object, said processor maintaining data attributes bound to said selected logical data object until it is determined that said selected logical data object is available for reuse. At least one temporary data attribute is assigned to said selected logical data object while maintaining said data attributes bound to said selected logical data object The selected logical data object is mounted and a write command to beginning of logical data object is received to bind at least one data attribute to said selected logical data object to replace data attributes and data associated with said selected logical data object to reuse said selected logical data object as said new WORM logical data object.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes outputting a first alert when a cache free space size is less than a first threshold and entering into a warning state, and outputting a second alert when the cache free space size is less than a second threshold and entering into a critical state. At least one scratch volume is deleted when in the critical state, the scratch volume chosen based on at least one of: a length of time the scratch volume has been designated scratch, a priority level of the information stored on the scratch volume, and a scratch delay value associated with the scratch volume.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to: determine a physical position on a magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of an encrypted data set; store an indicator of the physical position on the magnetic medium and/or a memory coupled thereto; and cause obscuring of an unencrypted data set positioned after the physical position without overwriting the encrypted data set. In another embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium and program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by the processor to cause the processor to: read an indicator of a physical position on a magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of an encrypted data set; and cause obscuring of an unencrypted data set positioned after the physical position without overwriting the encrypted data set.