Abstract: An information processing apparatus, backup method, and program product that enable efficient differential backup. In one embodiment, an information processing apparatus for files stored in a storage device includes: a metadata management unit for managing metadata of files stored in the storage device; a map generation unit for generating a map which indicates whether metadata associated with an identification value uniquely identifying a file in the storage device is present or absent; and a backup management unit for scanning the metadata to detect files that have been created, modified, or deleted since the last backup, and storing at least a data block and the metadata for a detected file in a backup storage device as backup information in association with the identification value.

Abstract: A backup method is provided for a file system for managing hierarchical storage including one or more storage media on a computer system including one or more computers. Each of the one or more storage media includes a data part which is separated from an index and on which updated information is appended and kept. Each of a plurality of pieces of data within the file system is managed to be migrated to at least any of the one or more storage media. The backup method includes backing up metadata of the plurality of pieces of data migrated within the file system; and backing up the index of each of the one or more storage media to which the plurality of pieces of data have been migrated, substantially at the same time point as the metadata.

Abstract: Rolling back data on tape in a file system is provided. A management tape is prepared. The management tape has only index files recorded thereon. The index files contain information about start positions and lengths of corresponding data files recorded on normal tapes. The index files further contain identification information for the normal tapes. A first index file of the management tape is read. The first index file is related to a data file to be rolled back. The first index file is read out from the management tape mounted on a first tape drive. The data file to be rolled back is read out of a first normal tape. The first normal tape is identified based on information in the first index file. The first normal tape is mounted on a second tape drive.

Abstract: Managing a file on a tape. In response to a request to write a first file to a tape, whether a second file including data identical to the first file already exists on the tape is detected. If the second file exists, a first index of the second file is updated. After completing the write of the first file, metadata, including data starting position and size of the first file, is added to the first index. In response to a request to read the first or second files, the metadata of the first and second indexes are read. Based on the metadata, which of the first or second files can be accessed faster from a current head position is determined. The first file or the second file that can be accessed faster is then read from the tape.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, backup method, and program product that enable efficient differential backup. In one embodiment, an information processing apparatus for files stored in a storage device includes: a metadata management unit for managing metadata of files stored in the storage device; a map generation unit for generating a map which indicates whether metadata associated with an identification value uniquely identifying a file in the storage device is present or absent; and a backup management unit for scanning the metadata to detect files that have been created, modified, or deleted since the last backup, and storing at least a data block and the metadata for a detected file in a backup storage device as backup information in association with the identification value.

Abstract: A multivolume management method, executed by a computer, includes storing a dataset over a plurality of media storage devices, wherein the plurality of media storage devices has a corresponding plurality of physical identifiers, generating a conversion table that assigns the plurality of physical identifiers to a corresponding plurality of sequentially ordered virtual identifiers, wherein each physical identifier is uniquely assigned to one virtual identifier, receiving a request for the dataset, wherein the request references the plurality of sequentially ordered virtual identifiers, in response to receiving the request, generating a response comprising an ordered list of physical identifiers using the conversion table, and responding to the request with the response. A computer system and computer program product corresponding to the above method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a storage system configured for reading a file written to a plurality of tape media includes at least two tape drives and a read/write control. The read/write control is configured to load a tape medium into a tape drive, and read metadata from the loaded tape medium and determine from the metadata whether the tape medium is a parent tape medium or a child tape medium for the file. The read/write control is also configured to retrieve ID information on the parent tape medium from the metadata saved in the child tape medium in response to a determination that the loaded tape medium is a child tape medium, and load the parent tape medium identified by the retrieved ID information into another tape drive. Moreover, the read/write control is configured to read a written first file part based on metadata saved in the loaded parent tape medium.

Abstract: A capability to store meta-information related to file access histories on tape recording systems is provided. Base meta-information is stored on a tape. The base meta-information is meta-information that is associated with one or more files that are stored on the tape and is based, at least in part, on a tape access operation history. A first quantity of differentiated meta-information is stored on the tape at a predetermined time interval after storing the base meta-information, wherein the first quantity of differentiated meta-information is based, at least in part, on the tape access operation history and reflects a history of at least one file of the one or more files that are associated with the base meta-information.

Abstract: Managing a file on a tape. In response to a request to write a first file to a tape, whether a second file including data identical to the first file already exists on the tape is detected. If the second file exists, a first index of the second file is updated. After completing the write of the first file, metadata, including data starting position and size of the first file, is added to the first index. In response to a request to read the first or second files, the metadata of the first and second indexes are read. Based on the metadata, which of the first or second files can be accessed faster from a current head position is determined. The first file or the second file that can be accessed faster is then read from the tape.

Abstract: In an approach for writing data on a tape using a file system, a processor receives a first write request of a first file. A processor obtains data of the first file. A processor writes the data of the first file on a tape. A processor receives a second write request of a second file prior to completion of writing the data of the first file on the tape. A processor adds information about the second file to a first list, wherein the first list includes files waiting to write. Subsequent to writing the data of the first file on the tape, a processor obtains data of the second file based on the first list. A processor writes the data of the second file after the first file on the tape.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, backup method, and program product that enable efficient differential backup. In one embodiment, an information processing apparatus for files stored in a storage device includes: a metadata management unit for managing metadata of files stored in the storage device; a map generation unit for generating a map which indicates whether metadata associated with an identification value uniquely identifying a file in the storage device is present or absent; and a backup management unit for scanning the metadata to detect files that have been created, modified, or deleted since the last backup, and storing at least a data block and the metadata for a detected file in a backup storage device as backup information in association with the identification value.

Abstract: Restoring a data processing system. Files on one or more storage devices of a data processing system are backed up to magnetic tape recording media. Metadata associated with the backed up files is recorded, including magnetic tape identification and tape location for each backed up file. Files on the one or more storage devices are identified that meet a selection policy for files required for rapid restoration of the data processing system. An index list is generated of the identified files and their associated magnetic tape metadata. The index list is sorted by magnetic tape identification and magnetic tape location. In response to a request to restore the data processing system, the identified files on the sorted index list are restored in magnetic tape identification and magnetic tape location sort order. Operation of the restored data processing system is then begun in accordance with the restored files.

Abstract: The embodiments deal with files that are already present in a storage when mounting the storage in a file system and files created after the mounting as different groups. (Metadata of) the files is classified. The files are each divided into metadata (index) and a file main body and are recorded on different storage areas, that is, an index partition (IP) and a data partition (DP), associated with each other. This file system is effective in a storage format in which a new file is merely written and an already written file is not updated or deleted (for example, a tape medium used in the LTFS). The embodiments implement a WORM file system by rejecting a request to update or delete a file that is present at mounting as a WORM file and permitting update or deletion of a file that is created after mounting until the storage is unmounted.

Abstract: The embodiments deal with files that are already present in a storage when mounting the storage in a file system and files created after the mounting as different groups. (Metadata of) the files is classified. The files are each divided into metadata (index) and a file main body and are recorded on different storage areas, that is, an index partition (IP) and a data partition (DP), associated with each other. This file system is effective in a storage format in which a new file is merely written and an already written file is not updated or deleted (for example, a tape medium used in the LTFS). The embodiments implement a WORM file system by rejecting a request to update or delete a file that is present at mounting as a WORM file and permitting update or deletion of a file that is created after mounting until the storage is unmounted.

Abstract: Rolling back data on tape in a file system is provided. A management tape is prepared. The management tape has only index files recorded thereon. The index files contain information about start positions and lengths of corresponding data files recorded on normal tapes. The index files further contain identification information for the normal tapes. A first index file of the management tape is read. The first index file is related to a data file to be rolled back. The first index file is read out from the management tape mounted on a first tape drive. The data file to be rolled back is read out of a first normal tape. The first normal tape is identified based on information in the first index file. The first normal tape is mounted on a second tape drive.

Abstract: In an approach for writing data on a tape using a file system, a processor receives a first write request of a first file. A processor obtains data of the first file. A processor writes the data of the first file on a tape. A processor receives a second write request of a second file prior to completion of writing the data of the first file on the tape. A processor adds information about the second file to a first list, wherein the first list includes files waiting to write. Subsequent to writing the data of the first file on the tape, a processor obtains data of the second file based on the first list. A processor writes the data of the second file after the first file on the tape.

Abstract: In an approach for writing data on a tape using a file system, a processor receives a first write request of a first file. A processor obtains data of the first file. A processor writes the data of the first file on a tape. A processor receives a second write request of a second file prior to completion of writing the data of the first file on the tape. A processor adds information about the second file to a first list, wherein the first list includes files waiting to write. Subsequent to writing the data of the first file on the tape, a processor obtains data of the second file based on the first list. A processor writes the data of the second file after the first file on the tape.

Abstract: In an approach for writing data on a tape using a file system, a processor receives a first write request of a first file. A processor obtains data of the first file. A processor writes the data of the first file on a tape. A processor receives a second write request of a second file prior to completion of writing the data of the first file on the tape. A processor adds information about the second file to a first list, wherein the first list includes files waiting to write. Subsequent to writing the data of the first file on the tape, a processor obtains data of the second file based on the first list. A processor writes the data of the second file after the first file on the tape.

Abstract: Managing a file on a tape. In response to a request to write a first file to a tape, whether a second file including data identical to the first file already exists on the tape is detected. If the second file exists, a first index of the second file is updated. After completing the write of the first file, metadata, including data starting position and size of the first file, is added to the first index. In response to a request to read the first or second files, the metadata of the first and second indexes are read. Based on the metadata, which of the first or second files can be accessed faster from a current head position is determined. The first file or the second file that can be accessed faster is then read from the tape.

Abstract: In an approach for writing data on a tape using a file system, a processor receives a first write request of a first file. A processor obtains data of the first file. A processor writes the data of the first file on a tape. A processor receives a second write request of a second file prior to completion of writing the data of the first file on the tape. A processor adds information about the second file to a first list, wherein the first list includes files waiting to write. Subsequent to writing the data of the first file on the tape, a processor obtains data of the second file based on the first list. A processor writes the data of the second file after the first file on the tape.