Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one approach, includes: receiving a request to read a plurality of files from a magnetic tape, and obtaining a tape directory which identifies regions on the magnetic tape in which the files are stored. The tape directory is used to map each of the files to one of the regions on the magnetic tape in which the respective file is stored. A first subset of the files stored in a same first region on the magnetic tape is also sorted into a first order. The computer-implemented method further includes simultaneously: sorting a second subset of the files stored in a same second region on the magnetic tape into a second order, and instructing a tape drive to read each of the files in the first subset according to the first order.

Abstract: The method, computer program product, and computer system may include a computing device which may generate a list of data to be copied from a plurality of source media to a target medium. The computing device may identify a first type of data in the generated list of data with the first type of data being pre-migrated data. The computing device may reclaim the first type of data from a primary storage tier to the target medium with the target medium being associated with the first drive. The computing device may identify a second type of data in the generated list of data, the second type of data being migrated data, and reclaim the second type of data from at least one secondary source medium to the target medium using the first drive and a second drive. The secondary source medium may be associated with the second drive.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for timing index write to a tape medium of a tape system. Index write timing data that specifies index write timing based on file metadata attributes is stored. Metadata attributes of a first file are analyzed to determine whether a first index should be written at a first time based on the index write timing data. In response to determining that an index should be written, the first index is written to the tape medium at the first time.

Abstract: A method for allocating non-conflicting inode numbers between files generated at a first location and files generated at another location is provided. The method includes providing an inode number allocation rule table indicating availability for assignment a plurality of inode number allocation rules associated with the first location and the another location, generating a fileset at the first location by assigning an available inode number allocation rule to the fileset, registering, in the inode number allocation rule table, information associated with the fileset, and generating a file at the first location by determining the fileset within which to generate the file; and allocating an inode number for the file based on the available inode number allocation rule assigned to the fileset.

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: Embodiments provide a method, a system, and a computer program product for performing copy operations of one or more data units in a hierarchical storage management (HSM) system. The HSM system includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The upper layer includes multiple storage nodes having a grid configuration. The method comprises scheduling a copy operations of multiple data units each of which is stored in at least one of the multiple storage nodes such that loads on the copy operations are distributed among the multiple storage nodes in which the multiple data units are stored and copying the multiple data units to the lower layer in accordance with the scheduling.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: sending one or more instructions to calculate a combined size of fragments included in the fragmented files, sending one or more instructions to designate a portion of cache which corresponds to at least the combined size of the fragments, sending one or more instructions to send a copy of each non-fragmented file from a first drive directly to a second drive in which the second sequential storage medium is loaded, sending one or more instructions to use the designated portion of the cache to accumulate the fragments included in the fragmented files, and sending one or more instructions to send a copy of each of the fragments corresponding to a given fragmented file from the cache to the second drive in response to determining that all of the fragments corresponding to the given fragmented file have been accumulated in the cache.

Abstract: The time required for recalling the file is reduced when the file is written in a mounted plurality of tapes in comparison to recalling the file when written in a non-mounted plurality of tapes. In the non-mounted state, criteria does not typically exist in order to recall the written file within the plurality of tapes. Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for recalling files based on criteria which considers: the mounted state of a tape; the type of tape; the type of available tape drive; the number of files included in a tape; and the location of the written file in a tape.

Abstract: A method includes setting a maximum total size of data saved in a snapshot area, creating a snapshot of a file system, including reference to a plurality of logical volumes, saving at least a part of the plurality of logical volumes in the snapshot area on condition that it does not exceed the maximum total size of data saved in the snapshot area, and executing copy-on-write processing in response to a writing request for data in the file system, the data not being saved in the snapshot area.

Abstract: A method to identify data elements conforming to a policy includes receiving a request to identify data elements in an input set of data elements that conform to one or more requested policies. According to the method, policy output information describing data elements that conform to a requested policy are saved in association with the requested policy. In response to receiving a subsequent request to identify data elements in a subsequent set of data elements that conform to the requested policy, the method includes outputting the saved policy output information based on the policy output information having been saved in association with the requested policy. A computer program product and a system, configured with processors and a memory that can store saved policy information, can implement the method.

Abstract: The direction of a WRAP and the logical points on which a file are written influence the efficiency of a recall of the file. Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems which can be applied to an upper storage layer and a lower storage layer in a hierarchical storage system. In turn, the migration and recall of a plurality of files, which contain data, are more rapid and efficient by preferring one logical point over another logical point.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing access to plural virtual sequential access volumes by using random access media, includes: accepting an operation for writing first data to a specific virtual sequential access volume of the plural virtual sequential access volumes; and storing a first file including the first data in the random access media, the first file being separate from a second file including second data stored in the random access media in response to an operation for writing the second data to the specific virtual sequential access volume.

Abstract: According to one embodiment there is provided a method for managing a location of an object in a storage system having hierarchical storage with a plurality of storage layers. The method includes transmitting a get-list request for viewing contents of a designated directory on the hierarchical storage. The method also includes receiving a response to the get-list request, the response including a list of objects in the designated directory and listing each storage layer corresponding to the objects. The list is output, and a select request to select a different storage layer for one of the objects is received. The select request is transmitted to the storage system for invoking migration of the selected object to the different storage layer. A second response is received from the storage system indicating the selected object is stored in the different storage layer, and an updated list is output.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a first storage library and a second storage library, according to one embodiment, includes associating a first physical tape and a second physical tape with a logical tape. The associating includes writing a first identifier to an index of the logical tape. The first identifier represents the first physical tape and the first storage library. The associating further includes writing a second identifier to the index of the logical tape. The second identifier represents the second physical tape and the second storage library. The computer-implemented method further includes storing the index of the logical tape in memory, and displaying the logical tape by reading the index from memory as a file system.

Abstract: A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are readable and/or executable by a processor to cause the processor to: determine, by the processor, a first error location on a magnetic tape where a first error occurred. One or more areas on the magnetic tape to be examined are also determined, by the processor, based on the first error location. Independent of a read and/or write operation, relative motion between a tape head and the magnetic tape is induced by the processor, such that the tape head is positioned adjacent to each of the one or more areas in turn. Moreover, each of the one or more areas having a respective number of measured servo errors which exceeds a threshold value are identified, by the processor, as a damaged area of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: receiving, from a tape drive, a first error location on a magnetic tape where a first error occurred, in addition to determining one or more areas on the magnetic tape to be examined based on the first error location. Independent of a read and/or write operation, the tape drive is instructed to induce relative motion between a tape head and the magnetic tape such that the tape head is positioned adjacent to each of the respective one or more areas in turn. Moreover, each of the one or more areas having a respective number of measured servo errors which exceeds a threshold value is identified as a damaged area of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: estimating, by the computer system, a waiting time for copy target data to be transferred from the source medium. The waiting time includes an estimated time for locating and reading the copy target data from the source medium. The method also includes selecting, by the computer system, migration target data on the source medium based on whether migration of data to the target medium is expected to be finished within the waiting time. The selecting is based at least in part on comparing a size of the data and an allowable size calculated based on the waiting time and an estimated write transfer rate to the target medium. The method further includes migrating, by the computer system, the migration target data from the source medium to the target medium.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing a storage reclaim on a storage device includes generating a second tape image on a first storage device. The computer-implemented method further includes copying metadata associated with a first data extent of a valid file from a first index partition of a first tape image to a second index partition of the second tape image. The computer-implemented method further includes copying file data associated with the first data extent from a first data partition of the first tape image to a second data partition of the second tape image. The computer-implemented method further includes adjusting metadata associated with the file data of the first data extent copied to the second data partition of the second tape image. The computer-implemented method further includes releasing a storage area corresponding to the first data extent of the valid file included in the first tape image.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system embodiments of the present disclosure may include a computing device which may set a predetermined flag on data to be copied from a primary storage tier and a secondary storage tier. The computing device may identify a first portion of the flagged data as being in a pre-migrated state stored on the primary storage tier and migrate the flagged pre-migrated data from the primary storage tier to a target medium. The computing device may identify a second portion of the flagged data as being in a migrated state stored on the secondary storage tier. The computing device may recall the flagged migrated data from the secondary storage tier to the primary storage tier and migrate the recalled migrated data from the primary storage tier to the target medium.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for copying data from a source medium to a target medium in a storage system by a computer system, the storage system including a storage device, a first drive configured to access the source medium, and a second drive configured to access the target medium, the method comprising: estimating a waiting time for copy target data to be transferred from the source medium, selecting migration target data of the storage device based on whether migration of data to the target medium is expected to be finished within the waiting time or not, migrating the migration target data from the storage device to the target medium by the second drive while locating and/or reading the copy target data on the source medium by the first drive, and writing the copy target data to the target medium by the second drive.