Tape Data Write Method with Leading Part Cache
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic tape-based systems for storing large content data face significant delays in playback initiation due to the time required to access and transfer data from tape storage, as compared to magnetic disks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that involves pre-storing a leading part of the data in a separate cache and positioning the remaining data on the tape such that it can be ready for playback before the leading part finishes, utilizing a content server with a disk cache and a tape library to optimize data transfer rates and reduce playback initiation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is recorded onto a magnetic tape for large-scale storage, then storage capacity is improved, but playback initiation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing a leading part of the data in a separate cache location before actual playback is needed. This allows the trailing part to be read from the tape and made ready before the leading part finishes playing back, thereby reducing playback initiation time while maintaining large storage capacity on magnetic tape
2Ease of manufacture
If data is stored sequentially on tape, then storage simplicity is maintained, but data access speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data into a leading part and a trailing part, storing them in different locations (cache and tape respectively). This allows the trailing part to be pre-loaded while the leading part is being played back, improving data access speed without complicating the overall storage system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for writing data to be played back onto a tape is provided. Included is an acquisition unit for acquiring data to be written onto the tape, a writing unit for writing the data to the tape, and a determination unit for determining a data amount of a leading part of the data to be stored in a place separate from a place where the data is stored so that a part following the leading part is made ready to be played back before playback of the leading part ends, to reduce the time taken to read the data from the tape. Also included is an extraction unit for extracting the data and a storage unit for storing the leading part of the data.