System and method for exporting a virtual tape
First Claim
1. A method of exporting a virtual tape from a virtual tape library that presents a user with a user interface styled for manipulating a virtual tape library in a manner similar to that used to manipulate a physical tape library, the virtual tape library performing the data storage and retrieval functions so that the physical tape library can be enhanced by the virtual tape library functioning as a cache for the physical tape library or can be eliminated for primary backup operations, the method comprising:
- providing the user interface having a plurality of user selectable fields styled like a physical tape library, the user interface sending signals to export virtual media in response to manipulation of one of the plurality of user selectable fields;
providing a control mechanism that can trigger the export of virtual media in response to signals from an external backup application;
providing a controller in communication with the user interface, the controller receiving the signals from the user interface;
providing a data storage medium in communication with the controller, the data storage medium having at least one virtual library defined thereon, each virtual library being capable of having a plurality of virtual tapes defined therein, the data storage medium being capable of storing a plurality of data in the at least one virtual library in response to signals received by the controller;
establishing communication between the data storage medium and a physical data storage device; and
copying at least a portion of the plurality of data from at least one virtual tape to the physical data storage device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for exporting a virtual tape from a virtual tape library. The system preferably presents a user with a user interface styled for manipulating a physical tape library. The virtual tape library performs the data storage and retrieval functions. The system includes the user interface having a plurality of user selectable fields styled to interface with the physical tape library. A data storage medium has at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape defined thereon. The data storage medium is capable of storing a plurality of data in the at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape. A physical data storage device is detachably able to be put in communication with the at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape to receive at least a portion of the plurality of data therefrom.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of exporting a virtual tape from a virtual tape library that presents a user with a user interface styled for manipulating a virtual tape library in a manner similar to that used to manipulate a physical tape library, the virtual tape library performing the data storage and retrieval functions so that the physical tape library can be enhanced by the virtual tape library functioning as a cache for the physical tape library or can be eliminated for primary backup operations, the method comprising:
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providing the user interface having a plurality of user selectable fields styled like a physical tape library, the user interface sending signals to export virtual media in response to manipulation of one of the plurality of user selectable fields;
providing a control mechanism that can trigger the export of virtual media in response to signals from an external backup application;
providing a controller in communication with the user interface, the controller receiving the signals from the user interface;
providing a data storage medium in communication with the controller, the data storage medium having at least one virtual library defined thereon, each virtual library being capable of having a plurality of virtual tapes defined therein, the data storage medium being capable of storing a plurality of data in the at least one virtual library in response to signals received by the controller;
establishing communication between the data storage medium and a physical data storage device; and
copying at least a portion of the plurality of data from at least one virtual tape to the physical data storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for exporting a virtual tape from a virtual tape library that presents a user with a user interface styled for manipulating a virtual tape library in a manner similar to that used to manipulate a physical tape library, the virtual tape library performing the data storage and retrieval functions requested by the user via the user interface so that the physical tape library can be eliminated for primary backup operations, the system comprising:
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the user interface having a plurality of user selectable fields styled to interface with the physical tape library, the user interface being capable of sending signals in response to manipulation of one of the plurality of user selectable fields;
a controller in communication with the user interface, the controller receiving the signals from the user interface;
a data storage medium in communication with the controller, the data storage medium having at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape defined thereon, the data storage medium being capable of storing a plurality of data in the at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape in response to signals received by the controller; and
a physical data storage device that is detachably able to be put in communication with the at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape to receive at least a portion of the plurality of data therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of exporting a virtual tape from a virtual tape library that presents a user with a virtual library user interface having the appearance of an interface for a physical tape library, the virtual tape library performing the data storage and retrieval functions so that the physical tape library can be eliminated for primary backup operations, the method comprising:
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providing the virtual library user interface having a plurality of user selectable fields styled like a physical tape library, the virtual library user interface sending signals to export virtual media in response to manipulation of one of the plurality of user selectable fields;
providing a controller in communication with the virtual library user interface and/or a pre-existing data protection application, the controller being capable of receiving the signals from the virtual library user interface and being capable of receiving and interpreting commands from the pre-existing data protection application;
copying at least a portion of the plurality of data from at least one virtual tape to a physical data storage device.
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21. A system for exporting a virtual tape from a virtual tape library that presents a user with a virtual tape library user interface having the appearance of a physical tape library interface, the virtual tape library user interface manipulating a virtual tape library in a manner similar to that used to manipulate a physical tape library, the virtual tape library performing the data storage and retrieval functions requested by the user via the virtual tape library user interface so that the physical tape library can be eliminated for primary backup operations, the system comprising:
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the virtual tape library user interface having a plurality of user selectable fields configured to have the appearance of a physical tape library user interface, the virtual tape library user interface being capable of sending signals in response to manipulation of one of the plurality of user selectable fields;
a controller in communication with the virtual tape library user interface, the controller receiving the signals from the virtual tape library user interface and/or a preexisting data protection application; and
a data storage medium in communication with the controller, the data storage medium having at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape defined thereon, the data storage medium being capable of storing a plurality of data in the at least one virtual library and/or virtual tape in response to signals received by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method of exporting a virtual tape from a virtual tape library that presents a user with a user interface styled for manipulating a virtual tape library in a manner similar to that used to manipulate a physical tape library, the method comprising:
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triggering a signal representing a command to export data;
providing a controller that receives the signal;
providing a data storage medium in communication with the controller, the data storage medium having at least one virtual library defined thereon, each virtual library being capable of having a plurality of virtual tapes defined therein, the data storage medium being capable of storing a plurality of data in the at least one virtual library in response to signals received by the controller;
establishing communication between the data storage medium and a physical data storage device; and
copying at least a portion of the plurality of data from at least one virtual tape to the physical data storage device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification