Abstract: Provided are a storage device, controller, and method for using host transfer rates to select a recording medium transfer rate for transferring data to a recording medium. A host transfer rate of data with respect to a buffer is measured. Provided are a plurality of recording medium transfer rates at which data is transferred between the buffer and the recording medium. A determination is made of an amount of decrease in the host transfer rate. The recording medium transfer rate is selected based on the amount of decrease in the host transfer rate.

Abstract: A tape medium uses a format to store data in which the tape medium is partitioned into an index partition (IP) and a data partition (DP). The latest metadata related to additional data newly added and written to the DP in accordance with the format is updated and stored in the IP. The same metadata is repeatedly written after the updated metadata (e.g. Index #1) in the IP. Alternatively, additional data newly added and written to the DP is stored in memory, and is called from memory and then added and written after metadata (e.g. Index #0) during the formatting. In either manner, data written prior to formatting may be recovered.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for performing a synchronization operation for synchronizing data to a tape medium. The mechanisms receive a request to perform the synchronization operation on the tape medium and obtain file information from a storage device in response to the request. The mechanisms determine if the file information is associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium. In response to the file information being determined to be associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium, the mechanisms add index information corresponding to the file information to a partial index. The partial index comprises index information for files less than a total number of files recorded on the tape medium. The mechanisms write the partial index to the tape medium.

Abstract: Mechanisms for writing a file on a tape medium in a manner that enables high-speed reading are provided. A predetermined format is applied to the medium that divides the medium into a first region of a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction from a region of the medium, and a second region that extends from an end of the first region to a terminal region of the medium in a longitudinal direction and that has a predetermined width with respect to a width of the medium in a transverse direction. Writing a top data portion of a predetermined data amount of the data of the file in the first region and writing data of the file in the second region are performed.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically reclaiming areas with unneeded data in a tape cartridge (medium) storing files updated by appended writing. In this reclamation method, the appended writing entails the sequential compression of data needed by the updated file (needed data) and data not needed by the file (unneeded data) and storage of the compressed data on the medium, and the medium is divided into at least three data partitions for the storage of data.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for restoring a file recorded on a storage medium to a previous version of the file. At least two different versions of a file recorded on the storage medium are presented to a user via a graphical user interface, where the at least two different versions of the file are identified from at least two different indexes recorded on the storage medium. Responsive to a selection of the previous version of the file from the at least two different versions of the file, the file is restored to the previous version of the file by recording a new index on the storage medium for the file that matches an index of the file associated with the previous version of the file.

Abstract: Provided are a storage device, controller, and method for using host transfer rates to select a recording medium transfer rate for transferring data to a recording medium. A host transfer rate of data with respect to a buffer is measured. Provided are a plurality of recording medium transfer rates at which data is transferred between the buffer and the recording medium. A determination is made of an amount of decrease in the host transfer rate. The recording medium transfer rate is selected based on the amount of decrease in the host transfer rate. A transfer rate at which the storage device transfers data is set to the selected recording medium transfer rate.

Abstract: An icon corresponds to a history of files related to a plurality of indexes. Each of the indexes and each of the files are additionally and synchronously recorded in storage as additional data. The icon displayed represents the status of data in the files in the storage. The displayed icon is manipulated to indicate whether no data exists in an associated file or to indicate that existing data in an associated file was updated.

Abstract: A tape medium uses a format to store data in which the tape medium is partitioned into an index partition (IP) and a data partition (DP). The latest metadata related to additional data newly added and written to the DP in accordance with the format is updated and stored in the IP. The same metadata is repeatedly written after the updated metadata (e.g. Index #1) in the IP. Alternatively, additional data newly added and written to the DP is stored in memory, and is called from memory and then added and written after metadata (e.g. Index #0) during the formatting. In either manner, data written prior to formatting may be recovered.

Abstract: Mechanisms for writing a file on a tape medium in a manner that enables high-speed reading are provided. A predetermined format is applied to the medium that divides the medium into a first region of a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction from a region of the medium, and a second region that extends from an end of the first region to a terminal region of the medium in a longitudinal direction and that has a predetermined width with respect to a width of the medium in a transverse direction. Writing a top data portion of a predetermined data amount of the data of the file in the first region and writing data of the file in the second region are performed.

Abstract: Mechanisms for splitting and spanning a single file across a plurality of tape media in a tape drive file system are provided. The mechanisms format the tape media so as to store an index of the file and data on the file in the tape media in a predetermined format; splitting the single file into separate portions and managing at least one of IDs identifying the plurality of tape media that sequentially store the portions of the file in association with the file; and storing a generation number indicating the number of storing and updating each of the file portions as the index in each of the tape media. Upon receiving a request to read the stored split file, the system obtains an index on a tape medium storing a file portion whose generation number is the highest and reads a time stamp related to the size and update of the single file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving from the host a video special mode for reading video data, and sequentially reading the records included in data sets from the tape medium into segments of a buffer. When there is a C2 error during reading of the data sets, a predetermined error recovery process is skipped in accordance with the video special mode. When management information (DSIT) for the data set having the C2 error is available for reading, sending of the record(s) included in the data set having the C2 error to the host is skipped. For the data set having the C2 error, the number of records to be skipped included in the data set having the C2 error based on and from the DSIT is obtained and indicated to the host.

Abstract: A copy-source tape storage medium is prepared and includes a index partition for storing updated file metadata and associated metadata indexes and a data partition (DP) for storing valid data and associated valid data indexes and for storing invalid data that has changed or has been deleted or has been invalidated by the update and for storing associated invalid data indexes. Metadata indexes are retrieved and analyzed and a valid record number list indicating a range of record numbers of valid data is created. Records are read from the DP and data in records corresponding to record numbers not included on the valid record number list is replaced with meaningless data which is written to a copy-destination tape storage medium. Records corresponding to record numbers included on the valid record number list are copied to the copy-destination tape storage medium without alteration.

Abstract: Novel hexapeptides corresponding to internal fragments of thymosin .alpha..sub.1 are active as agents which restore and stimulate immune function.