Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for creating a view for a plurality of data units is provided. A portion of the plurality of data units are stored in one or more storage drives that are in a lower power mode of operation in the storage system. The method includes determining a subset of data units stored in a storage system based on one or more filter criteria. Metadata is determined that represents the subset of data units in the storage system. A view is then created from the metadata. For example, a dynamic or static view may be created. The view is then stored such that it is always accessible on an always on storage drive. The metadata may be used to provide information about the data units in the storage drives that are in a lower power mode of operation without having to power on the storage drives.

Abstract: A secondary storage system for maintaining data units transferred from a primary storage system is provided. The secondary storage system includes secondary storage media. Not all of the secondary storage media are powered on at the same time. The secondary storage media includes at least one storage medium that is always in the powered-on mode. Metadata is stored in one or more of at least the one storage medium in the powered-on mode. The metadata includes at least one attribute of a data unit stored in a secondary storage medium that is in the lower power mode of operation than at least the one storage medium that is always in the powered-on mode.

Abstract: A user interface for a secondary storage system, where the secondary “backup” data resides in a power-managed disk array, is provided. The user interface enables a user of the secondary storage system to create and schedule archiving and retrieving tasks for files or directories. The user can manage the users of the secondary storage system. The user can also view details of currently executing tasks. Further, the user interface enables users to search for files and directories in the secondary storage system.

Abstract: A method for managing power consumption among a plurality of storage devices is disclosed. A system and a computer program product for managing power consumption among a plurality of storage devices are also disclosed. All the storage devices from among the plurality of storage devices are not powered-on at the same time. A request is received for powering on a storage device. A priority level for the request is determined, and a future power consumption (FPC) of the plurality of storage devices is predicted. The FPC is compared with a threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, a signal is sent to power off a powered-on device. The signal is sent only when the powered-on device is being used for a request with a lower priority than the determined priority. Once, the powered-on device is powered off, the requested storage device is powered on.

Abstract: A method of accessing a plurality of storage devices is disclosed. A system and a computer program product for emulating tape libraries are also disclosed. First and second virtual storage devices with first and second address spaces, respectively, are defined. The first and second address spaces are mapped to portions on each of a plurality of storage devices. The storage devices can be part of a power managed RAID system where all the storage devices are not powered on at one time. A stream of contiguous address values are received and a storage device is selected. Finally, data is stored on the portion of the selected storage device so that multiple data streams can be written at all times, even though all the storage devices are not powered on. Similarly, stored data may be retrieved from the selected storage device by traversing the scattered streams.