A virtual tape library gateway system based on a blue-ray disc library and a management method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a virtual tape library gateway system based on a Blu-ray disc library, which comprises a virtual tape library gateway server and a Blu-ray disc library component; the virtual tape library gateway server comprises an SPC / SSC protocol interface module, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module and an instruction conversion module; the Blu-ray disc library component comprises a Blu-ray disc library controller and a Blu-ray disc library; the instruction conversion module is connected with the SPC / SSC protocol interface module and the SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and is used for converting the data instructions of the virtual tape library and the data instructions of the Blu-ray disc library, so that the upper application software can complete the operation of the Blu-ray disc library through the operation of the virtual tape library. The virtual tape library gateway system of the Blu-ray disc library disclosed by the application is provided with the virtual tape library gateway server, the virtual tape library gateway server comprises the SPC / SSC protocol interface module, the SMC / MMC protocol interface module and the instruction conversion module, the instruction conversion module can convert the data instructions of the SPC / SSC standard and the data instructions of the SMC / MMC standard, and thus the upper application software can complete the operation of the Blu-ray disc library through the operation of the virtual tape library.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of computer data storage technology, and in particular to a virtual tape library gateway system and its management method based on Blu-ray disc libraries. Background Technology

[0002] We are currently in the era of big data, with data generation becoming increasingly diverse and the volume of data growing exponentially. Data storage is the foundation of informatization and intelligentization. In the field of cold data storage, the mainstream storage method currently uses magnetic tape libraries. However, magnetic tape libraries are limited by the operating conditions of the magnetic tape medium, requiring stringent environmental conditions and offering limited resistance to moisture, shock, and strong magnetism. Even for offline storage, the entire tape still needs to be periodically read. The improved version, the Virtual Tape Library (VTL), uses disks as the medium. While this improves the response speed of magnetic tape libraries, reduces environmental requirements, and extends media lifespan, its high energy consumption is too significant. Furthermore, due to the inherent limitations of magnetic media, this type of product has not yet largely replaced traditional magnetic tape libraries. However, in recent years, devices using high-capacity optical discs as the storage medium have gradually emerged in the market. Blu-ray discs are primarily 100GB or 300GB in capacity, with 500GB and even larger capacity Blu-ray discs being continuously released. Due to the storage characteristics of Blu-ray discs, they effectively avoid the shortcomings of magnetic tape media. More importantly, its data storage cost is extremely low, with offline storage maintenance costs approaching zero. Therefore, a virtual tape library product based on optical discs, which combines compatibility with optical disc media, market dependence on tape libraries, and energy-saving and environmentally friendly principles, will have broad application prospects.

[0003] Existing products already include cases that combine disks and optical discs. In these products, the disk's essential function is as a carrier of the VTL (Virtual Tape Library) and a cache for the optical disc library. However, in practice, using the disk as a cache artificially increases the data exchange process between optical disc libraries, complicating simple data transfer. The core issue is avoiding the simulation of directly using the optical disc library as a tape library, thus severing the VTL interface's direct access to the optical disc library. This increased complexity in cache management becomes a factor limiting the reliability of such products. To address these shortcomings, we propose a virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc libraries. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc libraries.

[0005] The technical means employed in this invention are as follows:

[0006] A virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library includes: a virtual tape library gateway server and a Blu-ray disc library component;

[0007] The virtual tape library gateway server includes an SPC / SSC protocol interface module, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and an instruction conversion module.

[0008] The Blu-ray disc library component includes a Blu-ray disc library controller and a Blu-ray disc library;

[0009] The SPC / SSC protocol interface module is connected to the upper-layer application server and is used to obtain the SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions sent by the upper-layer application server and transmit them to the instruction conversion module, or to transmit the virtual tape library data information obtained by the instruction conversion module to the upper-layer application server.

[0010] The SMC / MMC protocol interface module is connected to the Blu-ray disc library controller and is used to transmit the SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions obtained by the instruction conversion module to the Blu-ray disc library controller, or to transmit the Blu-ray disc library data information transmitted by the Blu-ray disc library controller to the instruction conversion module.

[0011] The instruction conversion module is connected to the SPC / SSC protocol interface module and the SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and is used to convert SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions obtained by the SPC / SSC protocol interface module into SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions, or to convert SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data information obtained by the SMC / MMC protocol interface module into SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information.

[0012] The Blu-ray disc library controller is used to acquire Blu-ray disc library data instructions transmitted by the SMC / MMC protocol interface module and control the Blu-ray disc library to perform corresponding operations according to the Blu-ray disc library data instructions, or to acquire Blu-ray disc library data information of the Blu-ray disc library and transmit it to the SMC / MMC protocol interface module.

[0013] Furthermore, the instruction conversion module includes an instruction set, which includes tape library data instructions and Blu-ray disc library data instructions corresponding to the tape library data instructions;

[0014] The instruction conversion module can convert tape library data instructions into corresponding Blu-ray disc library data instructions or convert Blu-ray disc library data instructions into corresponding tape library data instructions.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper-layer application server is equipped with a virtual tape library, which includes a virtual tape initiator, a virtual tape library mechanism, and virtual tapes;

[0016] The Blu-ray disc library includes an optical drive assembly, a disc library mechanism, and a disc cartridge;

[0017] The virtual tape initiator, the virtual tape library mechanism, and the virtual tape correspond sequentially to the optical drive assembly, the optical disc library mechanism, and the optical disc cartridge.

[0018] Furthermore, the tape library data instructions include at least the following: scheduling virtual tape instructions, reading virtual tape instructions, writing virtual tape instructions, loading virtual tape instructions, and unloading virtual tape instructions.

[0019] The Blu-ray disc library data instructions include at least the disc scheduling instruction, disc reading instruction, disc writing instruction, disc loading instruction, and disc unloading instruction;

[0020] The virtual tape scheduling instruction, the virtual tape reading instruction, the virtual tape writing instruction, the virtual tape loading instruction, and the virtual tape unloading instruction correspond sequentially to the optical disc scheduling instruction, the optical disc reading instruction, the optical disc writing instruction, the optical disc loading instruction, and the optical disc unloading instruction.

[0021] Furthermore, the Blu-ray disc library includes multiple disc cartridges, each disc cartridge having an ID;

[0022] The virtual tape library includes multiple virtual tapes, the same number as the number of optical disc cartridges, and each virtual tape has an ID;

[0023] The ID of the optical disc cartridge corresponds to the ID of the virtual magnetic tape.

[0024] Furthermore, the SMC / MMC protocol interface module is an Ethernet network card, an optical fiber card, or a SAS card.

[0025] A management method for a virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc libraries as described in this invention includes the following steps:

[0026] Step 1: The upper-layer application server sends SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions and converts them into SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller controls the Blu-ray disc library to perform corresponding operations according to the Blu-ray disc library data instructions.

[0027] Step 2: The Blu-ray disc library returns Blu-ray disc library data information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller transmits the returned Blu-ray disc library data information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data information into SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module transmits the SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information to the upper-layer application server.

[0028] Furthermore, when the tape library data instruction is a read tape instruction, the following steps are included:

[0029] Step 10: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape read data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape read data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc read command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc read command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc read command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, it obtains the physical address of the optical disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc in the disc cartridge and reads the corresponding data. If not, it controls the optical disc library mechanical device to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly, and then obtains the physical address of the optical disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc and reads the corresponding data.

[0030] Step 11: After reading the corresponding data, the optical drive component returns the read data information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then sends the returned read data information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard read data information into SPC / SSC standard read data information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard read data information to the upper-layer application server.

[0031] Furthermore, when the tape library data instruction is a write tape instruction, the following steps are included:

[0032] Step 20: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape write data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape write data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc write command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc write command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc write command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the optical disc is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, the data information to be written in the optical disc write command is burned into the corresponding disc cartridge. If not, the optical disc library mechanical device is controlled to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly and the data information to be written in the optical disc write command is burned into the corresponding disc cartridge.

[0033] Step 21: After the optical drive component writes the corresponding data information into the corresponding optical disc, it returns write data completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller sends the returned write data completion information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard write data completion information into SPC / SSC standard write data completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module transmits the SPC / SSC standard write data completion information to the upper-layer application server.

[0034] Furthermore, when the tape library data instruction is a load tape instruction, the following steps are included:

[0035] Step 30: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape loading data instruction to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape loading data instruction and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc loading instruction. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc loading instruction to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc loading instruction, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the position information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, the optical drive assembly returns loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. If not, the optical disc library mechanical device is controlled to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly, and then the optical drive assembly returns loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller.

[0036] Step 31: The optical drive component returns the loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then transmits the returned loading completion information to the instruction conversion module via the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard loading completion information into SPC / SSC standard loading completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard loading completion information to the upper-layer application server.

[0037] When the tape library data instruction is an unload tape instruction, the following steps are included:

[0038] Step 40: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard unload tape data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard unload tape data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard unload disc command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard unload disc command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge based on the unload disc command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, it controls the optical drive mechanical device to move the disc cartridge to the corresponding position in the optical drive library. Then, the optical drive assembly returns unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. If not, the optical drive assembly returns unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller.

[0039] Step 41: The optical drive component returns the unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then transmits the returned unloading completion information to the instruction conversion module via the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard unloading completion information into SPC / SSC standard unloading completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard unloading completion information to the upper-layer application server.

[0040] Compared with existing technologies, the virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc libraries disclosed in this invention has the following advantages: The virtual tape library gateway system for Blu-ray disc libraries disclosed in this invention is equipped with a virtual tape library gateway server, which includes an SPC / SSC protocol interface module, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and an instruction conversion module. The instruction conversion module can convert between SPC / SSC standard data instructions and SMC / MMC standard data instructions, thereby enabling upper-layer application software to operate the Blu-ray disc library by operating the virtual tape library. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library disclosed in this invention;

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the virtual tape library gateway system architecture in this invention;

[0043] Figure 3 This is a data flow diagram for reading and writing virtual tape data using the virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library disclosed in this invention;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the functional modules that the upper-layer application software in this application can implement;

[0045] In the diagram: 1. Virtual tape library gateway service; 2. Blu-ray disc library component; 3. Upper-layer application server. Detailed Implementation

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library disclosed in this invention includes: a virtual tape library gateway server 1 and a Blu-ray disc library component 2.

[0047] The virtual tape library gateway server includes an SPC / SSC protocol interface module, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and an instruction conversion module.

[0048] The Blu-ray disc library component includes a Blu-ray disc library controller and a Blu-ray disc library;

[0049] The SPC / SSC protocol interface module is connected to the upper-layer application server 3 and is used to obtain the SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions sent by the upper-layer application server and transmit them to the instruction conversion module, or to transmit the virtual tape library data information obtained by the instruction conversion module to the upper-layer application server.

[0050] The SMC / MMC protocol interface module is connected to the Blu-ray disc library controller and is used to transmit the SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions obtained by the instruction conversion module to the Blu-ray disc library controller, or to transmit the Blu-ray disc library data information transmitted by the Blu-ray disc library controller to the instruction conversion module.

[0051] The instruction conversion module is connected to the SPC / SSC protocol interface module and the SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and is used to convert SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions obtained by the SPC / SSC protocol interface module into SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions, or to convert SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data information obtained by the SMC / MMC protocol interface module into SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information.

[0052] The Blu-ray disc library controller is used to acquire Blu-ray disc library data instructions transmitted by the SMC / MMC protocol interface module and control the Blu-ray disc library to perform corresponding operations according to the Blu-ray disc library data instructions, or to acquire Blu-ray disc library data information of the Blu-ray disc library and transmit it to the SMC / MMC protocol interface module.

[0053] Specifically, the hardware components of the virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library disclosed in this application include a virtual tape library gateway server and a Blu-ray disc library component. The virtual tape library gateway server is connected to an upper-layer application server (network). The upper-layer application server is equipped with upper-layer application software (such as NBU), which includes all backup software or systems that support physical tape libraries and virtual tape libraries (all of which are prior art). The upper-layer application software can perform related operations on the tape library (send instructions to control the tape library to perform various operations). The instruction output interface of the upper-layer application server is an interface that supports the SCSI protocol, specifically an SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The various instructions sent by the upper-layer application software are instructions that conform to the SPC / SSC standard. In this application, the upper-layer application server can send various tape library operation instructions (i.e., tape library data instructions) that conform to the SPC / SSC standard to the virtual tape library gateway server through the upper-layer application software.

[0054] The virtual tape library gateway server includes an SPC / SSC protocol interface module connected to the upper-layer application server, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module connected to the Blu-ray disc library controller, and an instruction conversion module connected to both the SPC / SSC and SMC / MMC protocol interface modules. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module can perform various data transmissions with the upper-layer application server, the SMC / MMC protocol interface module can perform various data transmissions with the Blu-ray disc library controller, and the instruction conversion module can convert between SPC / SSC standard data instructions and SMC / MMC standard data instructions (i.e., it can convert SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions into SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions, or convert SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data information obtained by the SMC / MMC protocol interface module into SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information), thereby realizing data communication between the upper-layer application server and the Blu-ray disc library controller.

[0055] The Blu-ray disc library component includes a Blu-ray disc library controller and a Blu-ray disc library. The Blu-ray disc library controller is equipped with a Blu-ray disc library control system and can control the Blu-ray disc library to perform various operations. In this embodiment, the Blu-ray disc library controller is equipped with an optical disc file operating system. The Blu-ray disc library controller can receive various Blu-ray disc operation commands sent by the virtual tape library gateway server and control the Blu-ray disc library to perform corresponding operations according to the commands. Simultaneously, the system can also realize append writing and cross-operating system reading functions. In this application, the operation of the virtual tape library, that is, the scheduling operation of the corresponding disc cartridge, is completely delegated to the upper-layer software. There is no need to generate image files; instead, it uses a direct append method to burn the discs into the corresponding disc cartridges, without using an additional disk caching mechanism, thereby reducing energy consumption and cost.

[0056] The Blu-ray disc library virtual tape library gateway system disclosed in this invention has a virtual tape library gateway server, which includes an SPC / SSC protocol interface module, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and an instruction conversion module. The instruction conversion module can convert between SPC / SSC standard data instructions and SMC / MMC standard data instructions, thereby enabling upper-layer application software to operate the Blu-ray disc library by operating the virtual tape library.

[0057] Furthermore, the instruction conversion module includes an instruction set, which includes tape library data instructions and Blu-ray disc library data instructions corresponding to the tape library data instructions;

[0058] The instruction conversion module can convert tape library data instructions into corresponding Blu-ray disc library data instructions or convert Blu-ray disc library data instructions into corresponding tape library data instructions.

[0059] Specifically, the instruction conversion module includes an instruction set, which includes tape library data instructions and Blu-ray disc library data instructions corresponding to the tape library data instructions. That is, the instruction set includes tape library data instructions conforming to the SPC / SSC standard and Blu-ray disc library data instructions conforming to the SMC / MMC standard, and the instructions correspond to each other. Thus, the instruction conversion module can convert tape library data instructions into corresponding Blu-ray disc library data instructions or vice versa according to the instruction set. This enables the instruction conversion module to convert between SPC / SSC standard data instructions and SMC / MMC standard data instructions, thereby enabling upper-layer application software to operate on the Blu-ray disc library by operating on the virtual tape library.

[0060] Furthermore, the upper-layer application server is equipped with a virtual tape library, which includes a virtual tape initiator, a virtual tape library mechanism, and virtual tapes;

[0061] The Blu-ray disc library includes an optical drive assembly, a disc library mechanism, and a disc cartridge;

[0062] The virtual tape initiator, the virtual tape library mechanism, and the virtual tape correspond sequentially to the optical drive assembly, the optical disc library mechanism, and the optical disc cartridge.

[0063] Specifically, the upper-layer application server includes a virtual tape library comprising a virtual tape bootloader, a virtual tape library mechanism, and virtual tapes (i.e., the upper-layer application server has an interface and software for operating the tape library, through which commands for operating the tape library can be issued); the Blu-ray disc library includes an optical drive assembly, an optical disc library mechanism, and an optical disc cartridge; the virtual tape bootloader, virtual tape library mechanism, and virtual tapes correspond sequentially to the optical drive assembly, optical disc library mechanism, and optical disc cartridge, respectively. That is, the instruction set in the instruction conversion module includes virtual tape bootloader instructions, virtual tape library mechanism instructions, virtual tape instructions, and optical drive assembly instructions. The instructions for the optical disc library mechanism and the optical disc cartridge are corresponding to the instructions for the optical drive assembly, the optical disc library mechanism, and the optical disc cartridge. This allows the instruction conversion module to convert the corresponding instructions into the corresponding instructions for the optical drive assembly, the optical disc library mechanism, and the optical disc cartridge when the upper-level application software issues corresponding instructions to the tape starter, the virtual tape library mechanism, and the virtual tape. This enables the upper-level application software to operate the Blu-ray disc library by operating the virtual tape library, such as controlling the optical disc library mechanism to move the optical disc between the optical disc cartridge and the optical drive assembly.

[0064] Furthermore, the tape library data instructions include at least the following: scheduling virtual tape instructions, reading virtual tape instructions, writing virtual tape instructions, loading virtual tape instructions, and unloading virtual tape instructions.

[0065] The Blu-ray disc library data instructions include at least the disc scheduling instruction, disc reading instruction, disc writing instruction, disc loading instruction, and disc unloading instruction;

[0066] The virtual tape scheduling instruction, the virtual tape reading instruction, the virtual tape writing instruction, the virtual tape loading instruction, and the virtual tape unloading instruction correspond sequentially to the optical disc scheduling instruction, the optical disc reading instruction, the optical disc writing instruction, the optical disc loading instruction, and the optical disc unloading instruction.

[0067] Specifically, the instruction set of the instruction conversion module includes SPC / SSC standard instructions for scheduling virtual tape, reading virtual tape, writing virtual tape, loading virtual tape, and unloading virtual tape, as well as SMC / MMC standard instructions for scheduling optical discs, reading optical discs, writing optical discs, loading optical discs, and unloading optical discs. These instructions correspond to the SMC / MMC standard instructions for scheduling optical discs, reading optical discs, writing optical discs, loading optical discs, and unloading optical discs. Through this correspondence, the instruction conversion module can convert SPC / SSC standard virtual tape scheduling instructions into corresponding SMC / MMC standard optical disc scheduling instructions. Similarly, it can convert SPC / SSC standard virtual tape reading and writing instructions into corresponding SMC / MMC standard optical disc reading and writing instructions. This enables the instruction conversion module to perform mutual conversion between SPC / SSC and SMC / MMC standard data instructions, allowing upper-layer application software to operate on the Blu-ray disc library through operations on the virtual tape library. In other words, this application achieves a one-to-one mapping between the actions of the virtual tape library and the optical disc library based on the entity characteristics of the optical disc library. The calling method of the upper-layer application software remains unchanged, but the specific implementation is completed by the optical disc library.

[0068] Furthermore, the Blu-ray disc library includes multiple disc cartridges, each disc cartridge having an ID;

[0069] The virtual tape library includes multiple virtual tapes, the same number as the number of optical disc cartridges, and each virtual tape has an ID;

[0070] The ID of the optical disc cartridge corresponds to the ID of the virtual magnetic tape.

[0071] Specifically, the Blu-ray disc library includes multiple disc cartridges, each with a unique ID; the virtual tape library includes multiple virtual tapes, the same number as the disc cartridges, each with a unique ID; the disc cartridge ID corresponds to the virtual tape ID; that is, each virtual tape corresponds to a physical disc cartridge, the capacity of which is equal to the actual capacity of the disc cartridge, and the disc cartridge ID can be used as a unique index for the corresponding virtual tape.

[0072] Correspondingly, the instruction set of the instruction conversion module also includes virtual tape ID instructions conforming to the SPC / SSC standard and optical disc cartridge ID instructions conforming to the SMC / MMC standard. The instruction conversion module can convert the operation of a virtual tape with a certain ID into the operation of the corresponding optical disc cartridge, thereby enabling the upper-layer application software to complete the operation of the corresponding Blu-ray disc in the Blu-ray disc library by operating on a virtual tape in the virtual tape library.

[0073] Furthermore, the SMC / MMC protocol interface module is an Ethernet network card, an optical fiber card, or a SAS card.

[0074] A management method for a virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc libraries as described in this invention includes the following steps:

[0075] Step 1: The upper-layer application server sends SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions and converts them into SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller controls the Blu-ray disc library to perform corresponding operations according to the Blu-ray disc library data instructions.

[0076] Step 2: The Blu-ray disc library returns Blu-ray disc library data information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller transmits the returned Blu-ray disc library data information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data information into SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module transmits the SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information to the upper-layer application server.

[0077] Specifically, the Blu-ray disc library virtual tape library gateway system disclosed in this invention is equipped with a virtual tape library gateway server. The virtual tape library gateway server includes an SPC / SSC protocol interface module, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and an instruction conversion module. The instruction conversion module can convert data instructions of the SPC / SSC standard to data instructions of the SMC / MMC standard, thereby enabling upper-layer application software to complete the operation of the Blu-ray disc library by operating the virtual tape library.

[0078] Furthermore, when the tape library data instruction is a read tape instruction, the following steps are included:

[0079] Step 10: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape read data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape read data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc read command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc read command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc read command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, it obtains the physical address of the optical disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc in the disc cartridge and reads the corresponding data. If not, it controls the optical disc library mechanical device to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly, and then obtains the physical address of the optical disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc and reads the corresponding data.

[0080] Step 11: After reading the corresponding data, the optical drive component returns the read data information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then sends the returned read data information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard read data information into SPC / SSC standard read data information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard read data information to the upper-layer application server.

[0081] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape read data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module, the command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape read data command and parses it to obtain the corresponding command. Then, the command conversion module obtains the CD read command corresponding to the tape read command from the command set, thereby converting the tape read data command into an SMC / MMC standard CD read command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard CD read command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the CD read command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, it obtains the physical address of the disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc in the disc cartridge and reads the corresponding data. If not, it controls the disc library mechanical device to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly, and then obtains the physical address of the disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc and reads the corresponding data.

[0082] After the optical drive component reads the corresponding data, it returns the read data information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then sends the returned read data information to the instruction conversion module via the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard read data information into SPC / SSC standard read data information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard read data information to the upper-layer application server, thereby enabling the upper-layer application software to complete the reading operation of the Blu-ray disc library by operating the virtual tape library.

[0083] Furthermore, when the tape library data instruction is a write tape instruction, the following steps are included:

[0084] Step 20: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape write data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape write data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc write command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc write command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc write command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the optical disc is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, the data information to be written in the optical disc write command is burned into the corresponding disc cartridge. If not, the optical disc library mechanical device is controlled to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly and the data information to be written in the optical disc write command is burned into the corresponding disc cartridge.

[0085] Step 21: After the optical drive component writes the corresponding data information to the corresponding optical disc, it returns write data completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller sends the returned write data completion information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard write data completion information into SPC / SSC standard write data completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module transmits the SPC / SSC standard write data completion information to the upper-layer application server. This specific processing is similar to the tape reading instruction process and will not be described in detail here. That is, the upper-layer application operates what it perceives as the robotic arm / tape of the tape library; after instruction conversion, it actually controls the physical optical disc library's optical drive / disc cartridge. The upper-layer application believes the data is saved to a certain tape, but it is actually saved to the optical disc in the optical disc library. The upper-layer application's data is transmitted to the memory of the virtual tape library gateway through the network interface, and then directly burned to the corresponding optical disc cartridge by the optical drive, completing the saving process. The reading process is the reverse. The virtual optical disc library gateway does not perform any operations on the data itself; read and write operations are initiated by upper-layer applications.

[0086] Further, when the tape library data instruction is a tape loading instruction, the following steps are included: Step 30: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape loading data instruction to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape loading data instruction and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc loading instruction. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc loading instruction to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc loading instruction, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the corresponding disc cartridge location information, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If yes, the optical drive assembly returns loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. If no, the optical disc library mechanical device is controlled to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly, and then the optical drive assembly returns loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller.

[0087] Step 31: The optical drive component returns the loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then transmits the returned loading completion information to the instruction conversion module via the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard loading completion information into SPC / SSC standard loading completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard loading completion information to the upper-layer application server.

[0088] When the tape library data instruction is an unload tape instruction, the following steps are included:

[0089] Step 40: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard unload tape data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard unload tape data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard unload disc command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard unload disc command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge based on the unload disc command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, it controls the optical drive mechanical device to move the disc cartridge to the corresponding position in the optical drive library. Then, the optical drive assembly returns unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. If not, the optical drive assembly returns unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller.

[0090] Step 41: The optical drive assembly returns the unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then transmits this unloading completion information to the instruction conversion module via the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard unloading completion information into SPC / SSC standard unloading completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits this SPC / SSC standard unloading completion information to the upper-layer application server. This specific process is similar to the tape read instruction process and will not be described in detail here.

[0091] In this application, the corresponding operating software is installed in the upper-layer application software server. After the upper-layer application software server is connected to the network, the administrator can access the gateway through the web service and use a browser to configure the virtual tape library and optical disc library. That is, users can access it through a web browser. The content includes monitoring of the operating system, monitoring of the optical disc library, virtualization settings, operation of the optical disc cartridge, etc., and can complete all operations on the gateway and optical disc library, including authentication, power on / off, etc.

[0092] This invention relates to a virtual tape library gateway system based on a Blu-ray disc library. Its hardware consists of only a Blu-ray disc library and a virtual tape library gateway server. The Blu-ray disc library uses Blu-ray disc cartridges as the smallest operational unit, with each cartridge containing a fixed number of Blu-ray discs. The discs in the cartridges support different RAID types to meet security requirements. The Blu-ray disc library also includes one or more optical drives for reading and writing disc data, and one or more mechanical devices for moving / loading / unloading disc cartridges. The virtual tape library gateway server in this application does not refer to a specific type of server, but it needs to include relevant interface modules for communicating with the disc library, such as Ethernet network cards / fiber optic cards / SAS cards, and at least one hard drive to install the operating system, Blu-ray disc library drivers, and virtual tape library gateway system software and related dependencies. The Blu-ray disc library, as a data storage entity, uses optical disc media to store data and features security, large capacity, and low maintenance. The virtual tape library gateway system, relying on the gateway server, can virtualize the optical drives, mechanical devices, and disc cartridges of the disc library into various types of tape booters, tape library mechanical devices, and tapes for identification and use by upper-layer applications.

[0093] Figure 3 This document describes the deployment of a virtual tape library gateway system in a production environment. The Blu-ray disc library, depending on different scenario requirements, can be connected to the network or directly as an auxiliary device to the virtual tape library gateway. The virtual tape library gateway server provides all services within the network. Upper-layer applications discover the virtual devices shared by the HVTL (Virtual Tape Library Gateway Server) via the network. Data is transmitted to the HVTL server as a data stream over the network. At this time, the data is stored in the HVTL server's memory. HVTL directly converts the received SPC and SSC commands into SMC and MMC commands to operate on the disc library. The data stream is directly transmitted to the Blu-ray disc library for burning to discs, without consuming additional hard drive space or performing additional I / O operations. The reading process is similar. Furthermore, the HVTL's interactive module provides a management interface, allowing users to monitor the status of the gateway server and Blu-ray disc library through a browser. Specific operations and maintenance can be performed on the Blu-ray disc library when necessary.

[0094] like Figure 4 As shown, the HVTL (Virtual Tape Library Gateway Server) in this application provides a unified Web UI interface (connecting with upper-layer application software), which users can access through a browser. It can also perform the following functions: Host monitoring: Host monitoring mainly provides the runtime status of the gateway server itself, including monitoring of key indicators such as CPU, memory, hard disk, and network.

[0095] Optical disc library monitoring: Optical disc library monitoring mainly provides the operating status of the physical optical disc library managed by the gateway server, including the usage of optical disc cartridges and alarm information of the optical disc library.

[0096] Optical disc library management: Optical disc library management mainly provides general operations for physical optical disc libraries, including opening optical disc library shelves, retrieving specified optical disc cartridges, checking the optical disc library, and inventorying.

[0097] Maintenance Mode: Maintenance mode mainly provides the functions required for system failures and maintenance, including power on / off, service running status, log download, software upgrade, etc.

[0098] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc libraries, characterized in that, include: Virtual tape library gateway server and Blu-ray disc library components; The virtual tape library gateway server includes an SPC / SSC protocol interface module, an SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and an instruction conversion module. The Blu-ray disc library component includes a Blu-ray disc library controller and a Blu-ray disc library; The SPC / SSC protocol interface module is connected to the upper-layer application server and is used to obtain the SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions sent by the upper-layer application server and transmit them to the instruction conversion module, or to transmit the virtual tape library data information obtained by the instruction conversion module to the upper-layer application server. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module is connected to the Blu-ray disc library controller and is used to transmit the SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions obtained by the instruction conversion module to the Blu-ray disc library controller, or to transmit the Blu-ray disc library data information transmitted by the Blu-ray disc library controller to the instruction conversion module. The instruction conversion module is connected to the SPC / SSC protocol interface module and the SMC / MMC protocol interface module, and is used to convert SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions obtained by the SPC / SSC protocol interface module into SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions, or to convert SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data information obtained by the SMC / MMC protocol interface module into SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information. The Blu-ray disc library controller is used to acquire Blu-ray disc library data instructions transmitted by the SMC / MMC protocol interface module and control the Blu-ray disc library to perform corresponding operations according to the Blu-ray disc library data instructions, or to acquire Blu-ray disc library data information of the Blu-ray disc library and transmit it to the SMC / MMC protocol interface module.

2. The virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library according to claim 1, characterized in that: The instruction conversion module includes an instruction set, which includes tape library data instructions and Blu-ray disc library data instructions corresponding to the tape library data instructions. The instruction conversion module can convert the tape library data instructions into corresponding Blu-ray disc library data instructions or convert the Blu-ray disc library data instructions into corresponding tape library data instructions.

3. The virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper-layer application server is equipped with a virtual tape library, which includes a virtual tape initiator, a virtual tape library mechanical device, and a virtual tape. The Blu-ray disc library includes an optical drive assembly, a disc library mechanism, and a disc cartridge; The virtual tape initiator, the virtual tape library mechanism, and the virtual tape correspond sequentially to the optical drive assembly, the optical disc library mechanism, and the optical disc cartridge.

4. The virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tape library data instructions include at least the following: virtual tape scheduling instructions, virtual tape reading instructions, virtual tape writing instructions, virtual tape loading instructions, and virtual tape unloading instructions. The Blu-ray disc library data instructions include at least the disc scheduling instruction, disc reading instruction, disc writing instruction, disc loading instruction, and disc unloading instruction; The virtual tape scheduling instruction, the virtual tape reading instruction, the virtual tape writing instruction, the virtual tape loading instruction, and the virtual tape unloading instruction correspond sequentially to the optical disc scheduling instruction, the optical disc reading instruction, the optical disc writing instruction, the optical disc loading instruction, and the optical disc unloading instruction.

5. The virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library according to claim 4, characterized in that: The Blu-ray disc library includes multiple disc cartridges, and each disc cartridge has an ID; The virtual tape library includes multiple virtual tapes, the same number as the number of optical disc cartridges, and each virtual tape has an ID; The ID of the optical disc cartridge corresponds to the ID of the virtual magnetic tape.

6. The virtual tape library gateway system based on Blu-ray disc library according to claim 5, characterized in that: The SMC / MMC protocol interface module is an Ethernet network card, fiber optic card, or SAS card.

7. A management method for a virtual tape library gateway system based on a Blu-ray disc library as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: The upper-layer application server sends SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape library data instructions and converts them into SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data instructions to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller controls the Blu-ray disc library to perform corresponding operations according to the Blu-ray disc library data instructions. Step 2: The Blu-ray disc library returns Blu-ray disc library data information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller transmits the returned Blu-ray disc library data information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard Blu-ray disc library data information into SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module transmits the SPC / SSC standard virtual tape library data information to the upper-layer application server.

8. The management method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the tape library data command is a read tape command, the following steps are included: Step 10: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape read data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape read data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc read command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc read command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc read command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, it obtains the physical address of the optical disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc in the disc cartridge and reads the corresponding data. If not, it controls the optical disc library mechanical device to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly, and then obtains the physical address of the optical disc corresponding to the logical address from the metadata area on the disc and reads the corresponding data. Step 11: After reading the corresponding data, the optical drive component returns the read data information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then sends the returned read data information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard read data information into SPC / SSC standard read data information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard read data information to the upper-layer application server.

9. The management method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the tape library data instruction is a write tape instruction, the following steps are included: Step 20: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape write data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape write data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc write command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc write command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc write command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the optical disc is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, the data information to be written in the optical disc write command is burned into the corresponding disc cartridge. If not, the optical disc library mechanical device is controlled to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly and the data information to be written in the optical disc write command is burned into the corresponding disc cartridge. Step 21: After the optical drive component writes the corresponding data information into the corresponding optical disc, it returns write data completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller sends the returned write data completion information to the instruction conversion module through the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard write data completion information into SPC / SSC standard write data completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module transmits the SPC / SSC standard write data completion information to the upper-layer application server.

10. The management method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the tape library data instruction is a load tape instruction, the following steps are included: Step 30: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard tape loading data instruction to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard tape loading data instruction and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard optical disc loading instruction. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard optical disc loading instruction to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge according to the optical disc loading instruction, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the position information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, the optical drive assembly returns loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. If not, the optical disc library mechanical device is controlled to move the disc cartridge to an idle optical drive assembly, and then the optical drive assembly returns loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. Step 31: The optical drive component returns the loading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then transmits the returned loading completion information to the instruction conversion module via the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard loading completion information into SPC / SSC standard loading completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard loading completion information to the upper-layer application server. When the tape library data instruction is an unload tape instruction, the following steps are included: Step 40: The upper-layer application server sends an SPC / SSC standard unload tape data command to the virtual tape library gateway server through the SPC / SSC protocol interface module. The command conversion module receives the SPC / SSC standard unload tape data command and converts it into an SMC / MMC standard unload disc command. The SMC / MMC protocol interface module sends the SMC / MMC standard unload disc command to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller obtains the ID of the corresponding disc cartridge based on the unload disc command, queries the Blu-ray disc library, obtains the location information of the corresponding disc cartridge, and determines whether the disc cartridge is located in the optical drive assembly. If so, it controls the optical drive mechanical device to move the disc cartridge to the corresponding position in the optical drive library. Then, the optical drive assembly returns unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. If not, the optical drive assembly returns unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. Step 41: The optical drive component returns the unloading completion information to the Blu-ray disc library controller. The Blu-ray disc library controller then transmits the returned unloading completion information to the instruction conversion module via the SMC / MMC protocol interface module. The instruction conversion module converts the obtained SMC / MMC standard unloading completion information into SPC / SSC standard unloading completion information. The SPC / SSC protocol interface module then transmits the SPC / SSC standard unloading completion information to the upper-layer application server.

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