Library partitioning module operable to modify a request to move the medium
First Claim
1. A library partitioning module, for connecting plural hosts to a library, the module comprising:
- at least first and second host input/outputs, each being suitable for connection to a respective host;
a library input/output, being suitable for connection to a library;
an allocator, being arranged to allocate at least a first storage element as a virtual import/export element to the first host, and to allocate at least a second storage element as a virtual import/export element to the second host; and
a modifier arranged to receive at one of said first and second host input/outputs a request, the request being to move a medium between an element and an import/export element, the modifier being arranged to modify the request such that it constitutes a request to move the medium from one of a) said element, and b) another element to said first or second virtual import/export element, dependent on whether the request is received at the first or the second host input/output respectively, the modifier being further arranged to provide the modified request at the library input/output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A library partitioning module (LPM) is configured to connect multiple hosts to a tape library. The LPM comprises at least two host input/outputs, each for connection to a respective host; and a library input/output for connection to the library. The LPM is an interface between hosts and a tape library such that it allow several hosts to access the library as if they have sole use of the library'"'"'s resources. The modification of requests includes intercepting SCSI messages between robot and host and translating/transforming them. At least one tape slot for each host is allocated as a virtual import/export location. When a host sends a command to move a tape between a driver or a tape slot and an import/export location, the request is modified by the LPM so that movement occurs instead between a virtual import/export slot allocated to that host. This avoids conflicts involving the import/export location resources of the library. A handler forming part of the LPM arranges for tapes to be moved between the virtual import/export locations and the actual import/export locations. A library including partitioning and request modifying software is also disclosed.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A library partitioning module, for connecting plural hosts to a library, the module comprising:
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at least first and second host input/outputs, each being suitable for connection to a respective host;
a library input/output, being suitable for connection to a library;
an allocator, being arranged to allocate at least a first storage element as a virtual import/export element to the first host, and to allocate at least a second storage element as a virtual import/export element to the second host; and
a modifier arranged to receive at one of said first and second host input/outputs a request, the request being to move a medium between an element and an import/export element, the modifier being arranged to modify the request such that it constitutes a request to move the medium from one of a) said element, and b) another element to said first or second virtual import/export element, dependent on whether the request is received at the first or the second host input/output respectively, the modifier being further arranged to provide the modified request at the library input/output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A library comprising:
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at least one data transfer element;
a plurality of storage elements;
at least one physical import/export element;
one or more host input/outputs, each being suitable for connection to a respective host;
an allocator for allocating at least one storage element to each host as a virtual import/export element; and
a modifier connected to receive requests at a host input/output to move a medium between one of the elements and an import/export element, and to modify each request to constitute a request to move the medium between the one of the elements or another element and an appropriate virtual import/export element. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a library partitioning module, the library partitioning module comprising a medium, an element, an import/export element, a storage element allocated as a virtual import/export element;
- and a library input/output,
the method comprising;
receiving a request to move a medium between the element and the import/export element;
modifying the request to constitute a request to move the medium between one of a) the element and b) another element and the storage element; and
providing the modified request at the library input/output. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 15)
- and a library input/output,
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13. A method of operating a library comprising at least one data transfer element;
- a plurality of storage elements;
at least one physical import/export element; and
one or more host input/outputs, each for connection to a respective host, the method comprising;
allocating at least one storage element to each host as a virtual import/export element; and
modifying a received request to move a medium between one of the elements and an import/export element to constitute a request to move the medium between the one of the elements or another element and an appropriate virtual import/export element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 16)
- a plurality of storage elements;
Specification