Direct copying between disk blocks in memory onto a network as sequential access files

• US 6,185,621 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gvbb Holdings SARL (Vislink Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Romine, Jeff E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): CALDWELL, ANDREW T
• Application Number:
  US09/002,560
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 709/231, 709/219, 348/7, 711/161-162, 711/165
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2182 involving memory arrays, e.g. RAID disk arrays RAID arrays per se G06F3/0689; use of parity to protect data in RAID systems G06F11/1008
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23116 involving data replication, e.g. over plural servers synchronization of replicated data G06F11/1658; error detection or correction by means of data replication G06F11/2053; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/10; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/27; replication or mirroring of data in data networks H04L67/1095
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2312 Data placement on disk arrays data placement in general G06F3/0604
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2315 using interleaving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand

Abstract

In the multimedia network, in order to archive or play multimedia data for a production, a multitude of disk file blocks are retrieved from a multitude of files striped across a multitude of disk storage systems through a commutator to the input of an input/output unit. The disk file blocks are copied from the input into disk file blocks in a buffer of the memory of the unit. Then the unit creates a address-size list of data portions in the buffer for archiving the disk files of the production or for playing a multimedia data stream for the production. Then the unit executes a copy command given the address of the list which uses indirection for copying the specified portions of the buffer onto an output of the unit to store the data into an archival tape storage system or to play the production in a multimedia data stream. Also, using the above method, a production may be simultaneously archived and played by the same unit. In a related process, in order to restore the archived production or to record a multimedia data stream, the unit creates an address-size list for copying data from an input of the unit into portions of disk file blocks in a buffer in the memory of the unit. Then the unit executes a copy command given the address of the list which uses indirection for copying the data from the input of the unit into the specified portions of the buffer. Then the unit copies the disk file blocks onto an output through the commutator into disk files striped across a multitude of disk storage systems. Also, these two processes may be utilized in the same unit to simultaneously both restore a production from archival tape storage and to play the production as a multimedia data stream.

Claims

1. A computer system for archiving data, comprising:

an electronic memory;

means to connect a network input for communicating with the memory;

means to connect a network output for communicating with the memory;

disk retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from files of a random access storage system onto the network input;

disk input means to copy data of disk formatted information blocks from the network input into disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

sequential output means to copy data from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer onto the network output reformatted into sequential formatted information block which is larger than the disk formatted blocks and which contains information from a plurality of the disk formatted blocks; and

sequential storing means to signal a sequential access storage system to store the sequential formatted information blocks from the network output.

2. The computer network of claim 1 in which:

the bandwidth for moving data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the network input is substantially greater than the bandwidth for moving and reformatting the data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the network output;

the sequential output means include means for creating a sequential output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the disk formatted blocks in the buffer onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage;

the sequential output means include means for executing movement of the data from the disk formatted blocks in the buffer onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the sequential output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises sequential retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from the sequential access storage system onto the network input;

the network further comprises sequential input means to copy information of sequential formatted information blocks from the network input reformatted into multiple disk formatted information blocks, for each sequential formatted information block, in the buffer in the memory;

the sequential input means include means for creating a sequential input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the sequential input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the sequential output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises disk output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer, used by the sequential input means, onto the network output as disk formatted information blocks using a single archetected instruction;

the network further comprises disk storing means to signal the random access storage system to store disk formatted information blocks from the network output;

the network further comprises stream output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer, used by the disk input means onto the network output as a multimedia data stream played in real time;

the stream output means include means for creating a stream output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the disk formatted blocks in the buffer onto the network output as a multimedia data stream;

the stream output means include means for executing movement of the data from the disk formatted blocks in the buffer onto the network output as a multimedia output stream, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the stream output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprising stream playing means to signal a destination of a multimedia data stream to synchronize receiving the stream from the network output;

the network further comprising stream recording means to provide a signal to initiate receiving information from a source of a multimedia data stream onto the network input;

the network further comprises stream input means to copy data of the multimedia data stream from the network input into a multitude of disk formatted information blocks in the buffer;

the stream input means include means for creating a stream input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in a multimedia data stream into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the stream input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in a multimedia data stream, into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access in the buffer, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the stream input list of address-size pairs;

a processor provides communication between the network input and the memory and between the memory and the network output;

the disk input means includes a disk input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the network input into disk blocks in the buffer;

the sequential output means includes a sequential output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the buffer into the sequential formatted blocks in the network output;

the network further comprises archiving means for the disk input program module and the sequential output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times;

the disk output means includes a disk output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the buffer into disk blocks in the network output;

the sequential input means includes a sequential input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the network input into the sequential formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises restoring means for the sequential input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to restore data from the sequential access storage system into the random access storage system;

the stream input means includes a stream input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the multimedia data stream in the network input into the disk formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises recording means for the stream input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to record a multimedia data stream from the network input into the random access storage systems;

the stream output means includes a stream output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk formatted blocks in the buffer into a multimedia data stream in the network output;

the network further comprises playing means for the disk input program module and the stream output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times to play a multimedia production from the random access storage system onto the network output;

the multimedia data in random access storage includes multiple files including at least one video file and at least one audio file and at least one auxiliary file containing timing data for generating a multimedia data stream;

the data in random access storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a first size and the data in sequential storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a different larger second size;

during archiving, information from multiple blocks of disk formatted data is copied into one block of sequential access formatted data; and

during restoring data from one block of sequential access formatted data is copied into multiple blocks of disk formatted data;

the fixed size blocks of the second size are at least twice as large as the fixed size blocks of the first size;

the fixed size blocks of the second size contain six fixed size blocks of the first size;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage include one file with data from multiple random access files including at least a video file, an audio file, and an auxiliary file, with the data from the different files interleaved in approximately the temporal order in which the data is required for playing a production;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage includes additional information for restoring the multimedia data into multiple files in random access storage;

the audio files in random access storage include at least 2 files and each audio file includes means for producing an independent audio channel; and

the video files in random access storage includes multiple bit reduced images in JPEG format.

3. A computer network for restoring data, comprising:

an electronic memory;

means to connect a network input for communicating with the memory;

means to connect a network output for communicating with the memory;

sequential retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from a sequential access storage system onto the network input;

sequential input means to copy information of sequential formatted information blocks from the network input reformatted into multiple disk formatted information blocks, for each sequential formatted information block, in a buffer in the memory;

disk output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted blocks in the same buffer onto the network output as disk formatted information blocks; and

disk storing means to signal a random access storage system to store disk formatted information blocks from the network output.

4. The computer network of claim 3 in which:

the network further comprises disk retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from files of a random access storage system onto a network input;

the network further comprises disk input means to copy data of disk formatted information blocks from the network input into disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

the network further comprises sequential output means to copy data from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer onto the network output reformatted into sequential formatted information blocks; and

the sequential output means include means for creating a sequential output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the blocks in the buffer, formatted for random access onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage;

the sequential output means include means for executing movement of the data from the blocks in buffer, formatted for random access onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the sequential output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises sequential storing means to signal a sequential access storage system to store the sequential formatted information blocks from the network output;

the sequential input means include means for creating a sequential input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the sequential input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage, into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage, using a single archetected, instruction and according to the sequential input list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises stream output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer, used by the disk input means, onto the network output as a multimedia data stream played in real time;

the stream output means include means for creating a stream output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the disk formatted blocks in the buffer onto the network output as a multimedia data stream;

the stream output means include means for executing movement of the data from the disk formatted blocks in the buffer onto the network output as a multimedia output stream, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the stream output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprising stream playing means to signal a destination of a multimedia data stream to synchronize receiving the stream from the network output;

the network further comprising stream recording means to provide a signal to initiate receiving information from a source of a multimedia data stream onto the network input;

the network further comprises stream input means to copy data of the multimedia data stream from the network input into a multitude of disk formatted information blocks in the buffer;

the steam input means include means for creating a stream input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in a multimedia data stream into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the stream input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in a multimedia data stream, into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access in the buffer, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the stream input list of address-size pairs;

a processor provides communication between the network input and the memory and between the memory and the network output;

the disk input means includes a disk input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the network input into disk blocks in the buffer;

the sequential output means includes a sequential output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the buffer into the sequential formatted blocks in the network output;

the network further comprises archiving means for the disk input program module and the sequential output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times;

the disk output means includes a disk output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the buffer into disk blocks in the network output;

the sequential input means includes a sequential input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the network input into the sequential formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises restoring means for the sequential input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to restore data from the sequential access storage system into the random access storage systems;

the stream input means includes a stream input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the multimedia data stream in the network input into the disk formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises recording means for the stream input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to record a multimedia data stream from the network input into the random access storage systems;

the stream output means includes a stream output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk formatted blocks in the buffer into a multimedia data stream in the network output;

the network further comprises playing means for the disk input program module and the stream output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times to play a multimedia production from the random access storage system onto the network output;

the bandwidth for moving data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the network is substantially greater than the bandwidth for moving and reformatting the data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the sequential formatted information blocks on the network;

the multimedia data in random access storage includes multiple files including at least one video file and at least one audio file and at least one auxiliary file containing timing data for generating a multimedia data stream;

the data in random access storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a first size and the data in sequential storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a different larger second size;

during archiving information from multiple blocks of disk formatted data is copied into one block of sequential access formatted data; and

during restoring data from one block of sequential access formatted data is copied into multiple blocks of disk formatted data;

the fixed size blocks of the second size are at least twice as large as the fixed size blocks of the first size;

the fixed size blocks of the second size contain six fixed size blocks of the fist size;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage include one file with data from multiple random access files including at least a video file, an audio file, and an auxiliary file, with the data from the different files interleaved in approximately the temporal order in which the data is required for playing a production;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage includes additional information for restoring the multimedia data into multiple files in random access storage;

the audio files in random access storage include at least 2 files and each audio file includes means for producing an independent audio channel; and

the video files in random access storage includes multiple bit reduced images in JPEG format.

5. A computer network for playing a multimedia data stream, comprising:

a memory;

means to connect a network input for communicating with the memory;

means to connect a network output for communicating with the memory;

disk retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from files of a random access storage system onto the network input;

disk input means to copy data of blocks of disk formatted information from the network input into disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

stream output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer onto the network output reformatted as a multimedia data stream played in real time; and

stream playing means to signal a destination of the multimedia data stream to synchronize receiving the stream from the network output.

6. The computer network of claim 5 in which:

the network further comprises sequential output means to copy data from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer onto the network output reformatted into sequential formatted information blocks;

the sequential output means include means for creating a sequential output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the disk formatted blocks in the buffer onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage;

the sequential output means include means for executing movement of the data from the blocks in buffer, formatted for random access onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the sequential output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises sequential storing means to signal a sequential access storage system to store the sequential formatted information blocks from the network output;

the network further comprises sequential retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from the sequential access storage system onto the network input;

the network further comprises sequential input means to copy information of sequential formatted information blocks from the network input reformatted into multiple disk formatted information blocks, for each sequential formatted information block, in the buffer in the memory;

the sequential input means include means for creating a sequential input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the sequential input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage, into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the sequential input list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises disk output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer, used by the sequential input means, onto the network output as disk formatted information blocks using a single archetected instruction;

the network further comprises disk storing means to signal a random access storage system to store disk formatted information blocks from the network output;

the stream output means include means for creating a stream output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the blocks in the buffer, formatted for random access, onto the network output as a multimedia data stream;

the stream output means include means for executing movement of the data from the blocks in the buffer, formatted for random access, onto the network output as a multimedia output stream, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the stream output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprising stream recording means to provide a signal to initiate receiving information from a source at the network input;

the network further comprises stream input means to copy data of a multimedia data stream from the network input into a multitude of disk formatted information blocks in the buffer;

the steam input means include means for creating a stream input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in a multimedia data stream into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the stream input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in a multimedia data stream, into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access in the buffer, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the stream input list of address-size pairs;

a processor provides communication between the network input and the memory and between the memory and the network output;

the disk input means includes a disk input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the network input into disk blocks in the buffer;

the sequential output means includes a sequential output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the buffer into the sequential formatted blocks in the network output;

the network further comprises archiving means for the disk input program module and the sequential output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times;

the disk output means includes a disk output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the buffer into disk blocks in the network output;

the sequential input means includes a sequential input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the network input into the sequential formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises restoring means for the sequential input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to restore data from the sequential access storage system into the random access storage systems;

the stream input means includes a stream input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the multimedia data stream in the network input into the disk formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises recording means for the stream input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to record a multimedia data stream from the network input into the random access storage systems;

the stream output means includes a stream output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk formatted blocks in the buffer into a multimedia data stream in the network output;

the network further comprises playing means for the disk input program module and the stream output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times to play a multimedia production from the random access storage system onto the network output;

the bandwidth for moving data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the network is substantially greater than the bandwidth for moving and reformatting the data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the sequential formatted information blocks on the network;

the multimedia data in random access storage includes multiple files including at least one video file and at least one audio file and at least one auxiliary file containing timing data for generating a multimedia data stream;

the data in random access storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a first size and the data in sequential storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a different larger second size;

during archiving information from multiple blocks of disk formatted data is copied into one block of sequential access formatted data; and

during restoring data from one block of sequential access formatted data is copied into multiple blocks of disk formatted data;

the fixed size blocks of the second size are at least twice as large as the fixed size blocks of the first size;

the fixed size blocks of the second size contain six fixed size blocks of the fist size;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage include one file with data from multiple random access files including at least video file, an audio file, and an auxiliary file, with the data from the different files interleaved in approximately the temporal order in which the data is required for playing a production;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage includes additional information for restoring the multimedia data into multiple files in random access storage;

the audio files in random access storage include at least 2 files and each audio file includes means for producing an independent audio channel; and

the video files in random access storage includes multiple bit reduced images in JPEG format.

7. A computer network for recording a multimedia data stream, comprising:

a memory;

means to connect a network input for communicating with the memory;

means to connect a network output for communicating with the memory;

stream recording means to provide a signal to initiate receiving information from a source of a multimedia data stream onto the network input;

stream input means to copy data of the multimedia data stream from the network input reformatted into a multitude of disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

disk output means to copy data of the blocks of disk formatted information from the same buffer onto the network output in disk formatted information blocks; and

disk storing means to signal a random access storage system to store information from the network output.

8. The computer network of claim 7 in which:

the network further comprises disk retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from files of a random access storage system onto the network input;

the network further comprises disk input means to copy data of disk formatted information blocks from the network input into disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

the network further comprises sequential output means to copy data from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer onto the network output reformatted into a sequential formatted information blocks; and

the sequential output means include means for creating a sequential output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the blocks in the buffer, formatted for random access onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage;

the sequential output means include means for executing movement of the data from the blocks in buffer, formatted for random access onto the network output in blocks formatted for sequential access storage, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the sequential output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises sequential storing means to signal a sequential access storage system to store the sequential formatted information blocks from the network output;

the network further comprises sequential retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from the sequential access storage system onto the network input;

the network further comprises sequential input means to copy information of sequential formatted information blocks from the network input reformatted into multiple disk formatted information blocks, for each sequential formatted information block, in the buffer in the memory;

the sequential input means include means for creating a sequential input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the sequential input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in blocks formatted for sequential access storage, into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the sequential input list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprises stream output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer, used by the disk input means, onto the network output as a multimedia data stream played in real time;

the stream output means include means for creating a stream output list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from disk formatted the blocks in the buffer onto the network output as a multimedia data stream;

the stream output means include means for executing movement of the data from disk formatted the blocks in the buffer onto the network output as a multimedia output stream, using a single archetected instruction, and according to the stream output list of address-size pairs;

the network further comprising stream playing means to signal a designation of a multimedia data stream to synchronize receiving the stream from the network output;

the steam input means include means for creating a stream input list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data from the network input in a multimedia data stream into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access storage;

the stream input means include means for executing movement of the data from the network input in a multimedia data stream, into the buffer in blocks formatted for random access, using a single architected instruction, and according to the stream input list of address-size pairs;

a processor provides communication between the network input and the memory and between the memory and the network output;

the disk input means includes a disk input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the network input into disk blocks in the buffer;

the sequential output means includes a sequential output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the buffer into the sequential formatted blocks in the network output;

the network further comprises archiving means for the disk input program module and the sequential output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times;

the disk output means includes a disk output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk blocks in the buffer into disk blocks in the network output;

the sequential input means includes a sequential input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the disk blocks in the network input into the sequential formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises restoring means for the sequential input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to restore data from the sequential access storage system into the random access storage systems;

the stream input means includes a stream input program module in the memory to control the processor to copy the data in the multimedia data stream in the network input into the disk formatted blocks in the buffer;

the network further comprises recording means for the stream input program module and the disk output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods interleaved in time to record a multimedia data stream from the network input into the random access storage systems;

the stream output means includes a stream output program module in the memory to control the processor to copy data from disk formatted blocks in the buffer into a multimedia data stream in the network output;

the network further comprises playing means for the disk input program module and the stream output program module to both control the same processing unit in short periods at interleaved times to play a multimedia production from the random access storage system onto the network output;

the bandwidth for moving data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the network is substantially greater than the bandwidth for moving and reformatting the data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the sequential formatted information blocks on the network;

the multimedia data in random access storage includes multiple files including at least one video file, one audio file, and one auxiliary file containing timing data for generating a multimedia data stream;

the data in random access storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a first size and the data in sequential storage is formatted into fixed size blocks of a different larger second size;

during archiving information from multiple blocks of disk formatted data is copied into one block of sequential access formatted data; and

during restoring data from one block of sequential access formatted data is copied into multiple blocks of disk formatted data;

the fixed size blocks of the second size are at least twice as large as the fixed size blocks of the first size;

the fixed size blocks of the second size contain six fixed size blocks of the fist size;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage include one file with data from multiple random access files including at least video file, an audio file, and an auxiliary file, with the data from the different files interleaved in approximately the temporal order in which the data is required for playing a production;

the multimedia data in sequential access storage includes additional information for restoring the multimedia data into multiple files in random access storage;

the audio files in random access storage include at least 2 files and each audio file includes means for producing an independent audio channel; and

the video files in random access storage includes multiple bit reduced images in JPEG format.

9. A multimedia data server, comprising:

a memory;

means to connect a first communications network for communicating with the memory;

means to connect a second communications network for communication with the memory;

data transfer means to copy multimedia data between disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory and data in a different format on the first network, including;

means for creating a list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the first network; and

means for executing movement of the data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the first network, according to the list of address-size pairs;

disk transfer means to copy data in the blocks of disk formatted information between the second network and the disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer; and

disk control means to signal a random access storage system to move information between the second network and the random access storage system.

10. Apparatus for programming a multimedia network for archiving data, comprising:

apparatus to provide disk retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from files of a random access storage system onto a network input;

apparatus to provide disk input means to copy data of disk formatted information blocks from the network input into disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

apparatus to provide sequential output means to copy data from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer onto the network output in sequential formatted information blocks; and

apparatus to provide sequential storing means to signal a sequential access storage system to store information from the network output.

11. Apparatus for programming a multimedia network for restoring data, comprising:

apparatus to provide sequential retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from a sequential access storage system onto a network input;

apparatus to provide sequential input means to copy information of sequential formatted information blocks from the network input into multiple disk formatted information blocks, for each sequential formatted information block, in a buffer in the memory;

apparatus to provide disk output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted blocks in the same buffer onto the network output as disk formatted information blocks; and

apparatus to provide disk storing means to signal a random access storage system to store information from the network output.

12. Apparatus for programming a computer network for playing a multimedia data stream, comprising:

apparatus to provide disk retrieval means to provide a signal for retrieving information from files of a random access storage system onto a network input;

apparatus to provide disk input means to copy data of blocks of disk formatted information from the network input into disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

apparatus to provide stream output means to copy data directly from such disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer onto the network output reformatted as a multimedia data stream played in real time; and

apparatus to provide stream playing means to signal a destination of the multimedia data stream to synchronize receiving the stream from the network output.

13. Apparatus for programming a computer network for recording a multimedia data stream, comprising:

apparatus to provide stream recording means to provide a signal to initiate receiving information from a source of a multimedia data stream onto a network input;

apparatus to provide stream input means to copy data of the multimedia data stream from the network input reformatted into a multitude of disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory;

apparatus to provide disk output means to copy data of the blocks of disk formatted information from the same buffer onto the network output in disk formatted information blocks; and

apparatus to provide disk storing means to signal a random access storage system to store information from the network output.

14. Apparatus for programming a multimedia data server, comprising:

apparatus to provide data transfer means to copy multimedia data between disk formatted information blocks in a buffer in the memory and data in a different format on a first network, including;

means for creating a list of address-size pairs in the memory describing a process for moving portions of data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the network; and

means for executing movement of the data between the disk formatted blocks in the buffer and the first network, according to the list of address-size pairs;

apparatus to provide disk transfer means to copy data in the blocks of disk formatted information between the second network and the disk formatted information blocks in the same buffer; and

apparatus to provide disk control means to signal a random access storage system to move information between the second network and the random access storage system.