Abstract: A method to export and then import a logical volume with assigned storage attributes, from a first information storage medium to a second information storage medium. The method maintains a logical volume in a first information storage medium. The method assigns one or more first storage attributes to that logical volume. The method further includes forming an import list logical volume. The method further includes defining a plurality second storage attributes. The method further includes importing the logical volume, and the assigned first storage attributes, into a second information storage medium. The method then determines if the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes. If the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes, then the method assigns to the logical volume those one or more second storage attributes.

Abstract: A method to maintain information in a virtual tape system comprising a library inventory using a plurality of storage attributes. The method includes forming a dataset comprising information, and assigning one or more storage construct names to that dataset. The method provides the dataset and the one or more storage construct names to the virtual tape system. The method assigns a plurality of storage attributes to the logical volume using the one or more storage construct names. The method then selects storage management actions for the logical volume based upon those assigned storage attributes.

Abstract: A method to import a logical volume and first storage attributes assigned to that logical volume into a second virtual tape system from a first virtual tape system. The method assigns one or more first storage attributes to that logical volume, assigns an identifier, and writes an export physical volume comprising the logical volume, the first storage attributes, and the identifier. The method then imports the logical volume, the logical volume identifier, and the first storage attributes, into the second virtual tape system, and associates one or more construct overridden flags with the logical volume if the second virtual tape system specifies use of one or more of second storage attributes.

Abstract: A method to import a logical volume and first storage attributes assigned to that logical volume into a second virtual tape system from first virtual tape system, where the first virtual tape system is capable of communicating with one or more first host computers, and where the second virtual tape system is capable of communicating with one or more second host computers. The method maintains a logical volume in a first direct access storage device file buffer disposed in the first virtual tape system, assigns one or more first storage attributes to that logical volume, assigns an identifier to the logical volume, and writes an export physical volume that includes the logical volume, the one or more assigned first storage attributes, and the logical volume identifier. The method defines in the second virtual tape system a plurality of second storage attributes.

Abstract: A method to export and then import a logical volume with assigned storage attributes, from a first information storage medium to a second information storage medium. The method maintains a logical volume in a first information storage medium. The method assigns one or more first storage attributes to that logical volume. The method further includes forming an import list logical volume. The method further includes defining a plurality second storage attributes. The method further includes importing the logical volume, and the assigned first storage attributes, into a second information storage medium. The method then determines if the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes. If the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes, then the method assigns to the logical volume those one or more second storage attributes.

Abstract: A method to maintain information in a virtual tape system comprising a library inventory using a plurality of storage attributes. The method includes forming a dataset comprising information, and assigning one or more storage construct names to that dataset. The method provides the dataset and the one or more storage construct names to the virtual tape system. The method assigns a plurality of storage attributes to the logical volume using the one or more storage construct names. The method then selects storage management actions for the logical volume based upon those assigned storage attributes.