Keyword-Based File Migration Ordering for Faster Tape Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accessing files stored on linear tape file systems can be slower than expected, leading to potential timeouts, especially when using applications intended for hard disk drives without modification, necessitating the use of hierarchical storage management systems with high-speed primary storage and secondary tape storage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that involves natural language processing to extract keywords from files, ordering migration based on the number of keywords, and writing files with more keywords closer to the tape reader to optimize access times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If files are migrated to secondary tape storage, then storage capacity is improved, but file access speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidfile access speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating file placement locations on the tape based on access frequency characteristics. Frequently accessed files (identified by keyword density) are positioned at optimal locations closer to the tape reader, while less frequently accessed files are placed in other areas. This creates non-uniform quality distribution across the tape storage medium, optimizing access speed for critical files while maintaining high storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If files are written closer to the tape reader, then file access speed is improved, but storage capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile access speedVSAvoidstorage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tape storage medium into different zones based on proximity to the tape reader. The analysis module divides files into categories based on keyword density, and the ordering module places different segments of the file set into different physical zones on the tape. This segmentation allows the system to optimize access speed for high-priority files in accessible zones while utilizing distant zones for lower-priority files, thereby maintaining overall storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If natural language processing is applied to extract keywords, then file access speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile access speedVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically performing natural language processing and keyword extraction on files during the migration process. The analysis module autonomously analyzes file contents, extracts keywords, determines keyword density, and generates ordering information without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach manages the processing complexity internally while delivering the benefit of optimized file placement for faster access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12411802B2Re-ordering files by keyword for migration
Publication Date: 2025.09.09 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US12411802B2 patent drawing
  • US12411802B2 patent drawing
  • US12411802B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer implemented method includes identifying a set of target files to be migrated from a primary storage to a secondary storage, extracting text data from the set of target files, identifying a set of keywords corresponding to the extracted text data from the set of target files, determining a number of keyword appearances in each file of the set of target files, assigning an order of migration corresponding to the set of target files such that the target files are written to the secondary storage in order of decreasing number of keywords, and migrating the files to the secondary storage according to the assigned order of migration. The method may additionally include writing the files with the greatest number of keywords closest to the default position of the tape reader. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.