Abstract: Due to the threat of virus attacks and ransom ware, an apparatus and methods for protecting backup storage devices from malicious software virus attacks is explored. An independent backup storage system is connected to a primary storage server over an undiscoverable communications line. The backup storage system is a read-only backup storage system most of the time buffering the backup storage system from a virus or attack on the primary storage server. The backup storage system changes from a read-only backup storage system to a read/write backup storage system only during a backup window of time where data is backed up to the backup storage system. A snapshot of the backup data is maintained in the backup storage system and can be made available at numerous points of time in the past if the data primary storage server becomes corrupted.

Abstract: Due to the threat of virus attacks and ransom ware, an apparatus and methods for protecting backup storage devices from malicious software virus attacks is explored. An independent backup storage system is connected to a primary storage server over an undiscoverable communications line. The backup storage system is a read-only backup storage system most of the time buffering the backup storage system from a virus or attack on the primary storage server. The backup storage system changes from a read-only backup storage system to a read/write backup storage system only during a backup window of time where data is backed up to the backup storage system. A snapshot of the backup data is maintained in the backup storage system and can be made available at numerous points of time in the past if the data primary storage server becomes corrupted.

Abstract: Due to the threat of virus attacks and ransom ware, an apparatus and methods for protecting backup storage devices from malicious software virus attacks is explored. An independent backup storage system is connected to a primary storage server over an undiscoverable communications line. The backup storage system is a read-only backup storage system most of the time buffering the backup storage system from a virus or attack on the primary storage server. The backup storage system changes from a read-only backup storage system to a read/write backup storage system only during a backup window of time where data is backed up to the backup storage system. A snapshot of the backup data is maintained in the backup storage system and can be made available at numerous points of time in the past if the data primary storage server becomes corrupted.

Abstract: Due to the threat of virus attacks and ransom ware, an apparatus and methods for protecting backup storage devices from malicious software virus attacks is explored. An independent backup storage system is connected to a primary storage server over an undiscoverable communications line. The backup storage system is a read-only backup storage system most of the time buffering the backup storage system from a virus or attack on the primary storage server. The backup storage system changes from a read-only backup storage system to a read/write backup storage system only during a backup window of time where data is backed up to the backup storage system. A snapshot of the backup data is maintained in the backup storage system and can be made available at numerous points of time in the past if the data primary storage server becomes corrupted.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library in connection with a disk drive-based archive storage system is described that essentially generates parity data for tape formatted data streams (stored to tape cartridges) that do not align by way of data blocks or file marks. Data streams intended for tape storage sent to tape cartridges are also sent to a disk drive storage system via an encoder where parity of the data streams can be generated. More specifically, the encoder digitally formats tape blocks and tape marks (as well as other tape formatted structure) in a digital stream of data that can be added to other encoded digital streams of data to generate parity. To reconstruct a specific tape cartridge from a tape set, the encoded data from each of the tapes in the tape set are subtracted from the parity data and the remaining encoded data is decoded and sent to a designated tape cartridge.

Abstract: A centralized server, such as in a cloud environment, is provided generally connected to a plurality of clients that independently maintain data that is also maintained in the centralized server. The centralized server possessing an authoritative Bloom filter series comprising at least a plurality of Bloom filters each with successive Bloom filter entries that periodically provide and update a copy of the authoritative Bloom filter series at each of the clients. Each client checks to see if a data file is present locally by searching for a corresponding Bloom filter entry in the copy of the Bloom filter series before seeking the data file in the centralized server.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library in connection with a disk drive-based archive storage system is described that essentially generates parity data for tape formatted data streams (stored to tape cartridges) that do not align by way of data blocks or file marks. Data streams intended for tape storage sent to tape cartridges are also sent to a disk drive storage system via an encoder where parity of the data streams can be generated. More specifically, the encoder digitally formats tape blocks and tape marks (as well as other tape formatted structure) in a digital stream of data that can be added to other encoded digital streams of data to generate parity. To reconstruct a specific tape cartridge from a tape set, the encoded data from each of the tapes in the tape set are subtracted from the parity data and the remaining encoded data is decoded and sent to a designated tape cartridge.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library in connection with a disk drive-based archive storage system is described that essentially generates parity data for tape formatted data streams (stored to tape cartridges) that do not align by way of data blocks or file marks. Data streams intended for tape storage sent to tape cartridges are also sent to a disk drive storage system via an encoder where parity of the data streams can be generated. More specifically, the encoder digitally formats tape blocks and tape marks (as well as other tape formatted structure) in a digital stream of data that can be added to other encoded digital streams of data to generate parity. To reconstruct a specific tape cartridge from a tape set, the encoded data from each of the tapes in the tape set are subtracted from the parity data and the remaining encoded data is decoded and sent to a designated tape cartridge.

Abstract: A centralized server, such as in a cloud environment, is provided generally connected to a plurality of clients that independently maintain data that is also maintained in the centralized server. The centralized server possessing an authoritative Bloom filter series comprising at least a plurality of Bloom filters each with successive Bloom filter entries that periodically provide and update a copy of the authoritative Bloom filter series at each of the clients. Each client checks to see if a data file is present locally by searching for a corresponding Bloom filter entry in the copy of the Bloom filter series before seeking the data file in the centralized server.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method contemplating sending a bulk request to a first archive storage controller to transfer application data from a server at a target transfer rate, the first archive storage controller residing within a complex of archive storage controllers; identifying two or more archive storage controllers in the complex collectively forming a speed matching buffer set capable of parallel streaming the application data at a data transfer rate that is at least the target transfer rate; and as a result of the identifying step, apportioning the application data to the speed matching buffer set.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library is described that essentially provides a first tape cartridge adapted to retain first data and first metadata, a second tape cartridge adapted to retain second data and second metadata, a random access storage memory, such as a hard disk drive, whereon parity of the first data and the second data along with the first metadata and second metadata is retained. It is not required that the first data and the second data be written in parallel. The parity data on the random access storage memory is transferred to a parity tape, which can be used to reconstruct any data lost from either the first tape cartridge or the second tape cartridge.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library in connection with a disk drive-based archive storage system is described that essentially generates parity data for tape formatted data streams (stored to tape cartridges) that do not align by way of data blocks or file marks. Data streams intended for tape storage sent to tape cartridges are also sent to a disk drive storage system via an encoder where parity of the data streams can be generated. More specifically, the encoder digitally formats tape blocks and tape marks (as well as other tape formatted structure) in a digital stream of data that can be added to other encoded digital streams of data to generate parity. To reconstruct a specific tape cartridge from a tape set, the encoded data from each of the tapes in the tape set are subtracted from the parity data and the remaining encoded data is decoded and sent to a designated tape cartridge.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing removable data storage elements as a cloud based storage system. More specifically, the method achieves this for at least one embodiment by receiving at least one generally random stream of data objects, each data object having at least one identifiable element. The method directs the selection of at least a first identifiable element. The method then orders the stream of data objects against the first identifiable element and disposes the data objects upon at least one of the removable data storage elements in accordance with the ordered stream of data objects. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method contemplating sending a bulk request to a first archive storage controller to transfer application data from a server at a target transfer rate, the first archive storage controller residing within a complex of archive storage controllers; identifying two or more archive storage controllers in the complex collectively forming a speed matching buffer set capable of parallel streaming the application data at a data transfer rate that is at least the target transfer rate; and as a result of the identifying step, apportioning the application data to the speed matching buffer set.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library is described that essentially provides a first tape cartridge adapted to retain first data and first metadata, a second tape cartridge adapted to retain second data and second metadata, a random access storage memory, such as a hard disk drive, whereon parity of the first data and the second data along with the first metadata and second metadata is retained. It is not required that the first data and the second data be written in parallel. The parity data on the random access storage memory is transferred to a parity tape, which can be used to reconstruct any data lost from either the first tape cartridge or the second tape cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology for a data storage system having a data storage space operably transferring user data via input/output (I/O) commands between the data storage system and another device. The data storage space includes a first memory device operably storing location information for a selected user data set corresponding to one of the I/O commands. The first memory also operably stores a first amount of the selected user data set. The data storage space also includes a second memory device different than the first memory device and operably storing a different second amount of the selected user data set. The data storage system has a controller that interleaves an entirety of the selected user data set from the first and second memory devices during execution of another of the I/O commands.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing a data storage system including a memory having a first addressable storage space and a second differently addressable storage space. A controller selectively accesses stored instructions that when executed store a first amount of a user data set to the first addressable storage space and store a different second amount of the user data set to the second addressable storage space. The controller subsequently calculates an address increment between the stored first and second amounts, and then shifts one of the stored first and second amounts by the address increment.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a data storage system having a memory that includes a first addressable storage space and a second differently addressable storage space. A controller selectively accesses stored instructions that when executed transfer some user data sets with the first addressable storage space in accordance with a dense allocation of the first addressable storage space, and transfer other user data sets with the second addressable storage space in accordance with a sparse allocation of the second addressable storage space that allocates a predefined reserved storage capacity between adjacent stored non-sequential user data sets.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing removable data storage elements as a cloud based storage system. More specifically, the method achieves this for at least one embodiment by receiving at least one generally random stream of data objects, each data object having at least one identifiable element. The method directs the selection of at least a first identifiable element. The method then orders the stream of data objects against the first identifiable element and disposes the data objects upon at least one of the removable data storage elements in accordance with the ordered stream of data objects. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for a robotic storage system. The system includes at least a first and second portable data element and at least a first and second data read/write device, structured and arranged to read portable data storage elements. A repository is structured and arranged to store the first and second portable data storage elements. At least one robot is structured and arranged to move a selected data storage element between the repository and a selected data read/write device. The system includes a history of prior commands, each prior command executed by a prior path selected from a group of optional paths. A receiver is structured and arranged to receive a current command for the robotic storage system, and a director is structured and arranged to direct the robotic storage system based on the current command and the history. An associated method is also provided.