Systems and methods for concurrently accessing a virtual tape library by multiple computing devices
First Claim
1. A virtual tape library (VTL) in communication with a plurality of applications via one or more hosts, the VTL comprising:
- memory partitioned into a plurality of virtual storage volumes;
a plurality of virtual drives coupled to the memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory and the plurality of virtual drives, the processor configured to;
enable each application to concurrently access a virtual storage volume via one of the plurality of virtual drives in a first access mode or a second access mode,mount the virtual storage volume to a different respective drive each time an application accesses the virtual storage volume in the first access mode and the second access mode such that the virtual storage volume is simultaneously mounted in a plurality of drives, andplace the virtual storage volume in a home slot each time an application accesses the virtual storage volume in the first access mode, the second access mode, or both such that the virtual storage volume simultaneously resides in the home slot and is simultaneously mounted in the plurality of drives.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Virtual tape libraries (VTLs) and methods for concurrently accessing a VTL are provided. One VTL includes memory partitioned into multiple volumes, multiple virtual drives, and a processor. The processor is configured to enable multiple applications to concurrently access a virtual storage volume in a first or second access mode. One method includes receiving a first request for a first application to access a virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume and granting the first request. The method further includes receiving a second request for a second application to concurrently access the virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume, determining if the first and second requests are compatible, and accepting or denying the second request based on the determination. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including computer code for performing the above method.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A virtual tape library (VTL) in communication with a plurality of applications via one or more hosts, the VTL comprising:
-
memory partitioned into a plurality of virtual storage volumes; a plurality of virtual drives coupled to the memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the plurality of virtual drives, the processor configured to; enable each application to concurrently access a virtual storage volume via one of the plurality of virtual drives in a first access mode or a second access mode, mount the virtual storage volume to a different respective drive each time an application accesses the virtual storage volume in the first access mode and the second access mode such that the virtual storage volume is simultaneously mounted in a plurality of drives, and place the virtual storage volume in a home slot each time an application accesses the virtual storage volume in the first access mode, the second access mode, or both such that the virtual storage volume simultaneously resides in the home slot and is simultaneously mounted in the plurality of drives. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for concurrently accessing a virtual tape library (VTL) in communication with a plurality of applications via one or more hosts, wherein the VTL comprises memory partitioned into a plurality of virtual storage volumes, a plurality of virtual drives coupled to the memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and the plurality of virtual drives, the method comprising:
-
receiving, by the processor, a first request for a first application to access a virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume at a time; granting the first request if another application does not hold exclusive access to the virtual storage volume; receiving, by the processor, a second request for a second application to concurrently access the virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume at a subsequent time; determining if the first request and the second request are compatible requests; accepting or denying the second request based on the determination; mounting the virtual storage volume to a first drive if the first request is granted to the first application; and placing the virtual storage volume in a home slot such that the virtual storage volume simultaneously resides in the home slot and is mounted to the first drive. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A physical computer storage medium comprising a computer program product method for concurrently accessing a virtual tape library (VTL) in communication with a plurality of applications via one or more hosts, wherein the VTL comprises memory partitioned into a plurality of virtual storage volumes, a plurality of virtual drives coupled to the memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and the plurality of virtual drives, the physical computer storage medium comprising:
-
computer code for receiving, by the processor, a first request for a first application to access a virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume; computer code for granting the first request if another application does not hold exclusive access to the virtual storage volume; computer code for receiving, by the processor, a second request for a second application to concurrently access the virtual storage volume to write data to or read data from the virtual storage volume; computer code for determining if the first request and the second request are compatible requests; computer code for accepting or denying the second request based on the determination; computer code for mounting the virtual storage volume to a first drive if the first request is granted to the first application; and computer code for placing the virtual storage volume in a home slot such that the virtual storage volume simultaneously resides in the home slot and is mounted to the first drive. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification