Index Writing in a Linear Tape File System
First Claim
1. A method, in a data processing system comprising a tape storage device that reads and writes data to a tape medium, for performing a synchronization operation for synchronizing data to the tape medium, the method comprising:
- receiving a request to perform the synchronization operation on the tape medium;
obtaining file information from a storage device of the data processing system in response to receiving the request;
determining if the file information is associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium;
in response to the file information being determined to be associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium, adding index information corresponding to the file information to a partial index, wherein the partial index comprises index information for files less than a total number of files recorded on the tape medium; and
writing the partial index to the tape medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Mechanisms are provided for performing a synchronization operation for synchronizing data to a tape medium. The mechanisms receive a request to perform the synchronization operation on the tape medium and obtain file information from a storage device in response to the request. The mechanisms determine if the file information is associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium. In response to the file information being determined to be associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium, the mechanisms add index information corresponding to the file information to a partial index. The partial index comprises index information for files less than a total number of files recorded on the tape medium. The mechanisms write the partial index to the tape medium.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, in a data processing system comprising a tape storage device that reads and writes data to a tape medium, for performing a synchronization operation for synchronizing data to the tape medium, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to perform the synchronization operation on the tape medium; obtaining file information from a storage device of the data processing system in response to receiving the request; determining if the file information is associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium; in response to the file information being determined to be associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium, adding index information corresponding to the file information to a partial index, wherein the partial index comprises index information for files less than a total number of files recorded on the tape medium; and writing the partial index to the tape medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer readable program stored therein, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to:
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receive a request to perform a synchronization operation on a tape medium; obtain file information from a storage device of the computing device in response to receiving the request; determine if the file information is associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium; in response to the file information being determined to be associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium, add index information corresponding to the file information to a partial index, wherein the partial index comprises index information for files less than a total number of files recorded on the tape medium; and write the partial index to the tape medium. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus, comprising:
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a storage device; and a tape storage device coupled to the storage device, wherein the apparatus comprises logic configured to; receive a request to perform a synchronization operation on a tape medium of the tape storage device; obtain file information from the storage device in response to receiving the request; determine if the file information is associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium; in response to the file information being determined to be associated with a file that has been changed since a last index was written to the tape medium, add index information corresponding to the file information to a partial index, wherein the partial index comprises index information for files less than a total number of files recorded on the tape medium; and write the partial index to the tape medium.
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20. A method, in a data processing system comprising a tape storage device that reads and writes data to a tape medium, for mounting the tape medium, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to mount the tape medium in the tape storage device, wherein the tape medium comprises at least one full index stored on the tape medium and at least one partial index stored on the tape medium; identifying a most recent generation index that is a full index stored on the tape medium; reading first index information from the full index; iteratively reading second index information from each partial index stored on the tape medium having a generation identifier that is more recent than the most recent generation index that is a full index; building an index of all files stored on the tape medium from the first index information and second index information; and mounting the tape medium using the index of all files stored on the tape medium.
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Specification