Tape Drive Resource Reallocation for Secure Data Erasure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art virtual tape systems face challenges in ensuring timely and secure data erasure, particularly when overloaded, leading to a risk of accessing sensitive data that has expired or is no longer needed, as they prioritize data erase based on a first-in, first-out method rather than urgency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that prioritize secure data erase for physical volumes closest to their deadline by reallocating tape drives from the secure data erase process to other functions when necessary, ensuring that old or expired data is not recoverable within a specified grace period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a first-in, first-out method is used to prioritize secure data erase, then the data erase process is simple to implement, but expired or sensitive data may not be erased timely leading to security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the prioritization parameter from FIFO order to deadline urgency, where physical volumes are prioritized based on how close they are to their secure data erase deadline. This ensures that volumes with the shortest remaining time to deadline are erased first, guaranteeing timely erasure of expired data while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where tape drives are reallocated based on changing conditions. When the system determines that deadline-based prioritization cannot be met with current resources, it dynamically adjusts the number of tape drives dedicated to secure data erase operations, ensuring timely completion while optimizing resource utilization
2Productivity
If additional tape drives are allocated to accelerate secure data erase process, then the erasure speed increases, but the system loses versatility in handling other tape operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic allocation of tape drives to secure data erase operations. The system monitors the queue of physical volumes requiring erasure and adjusts the number of dedicated tape drives based on workload demands. When erasure demand is high, more drives are allocated; when demand is low, drives are released for other functions, thus maintaining both productivity and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains tape drive versatility by allowing drives to serve multiple functions. Tape drives can be dynamically assigned to secure data erase operations when needed, and released back to the general pool for other tape operations when erasure demand is satisfied, ensuring the system remains adaptable to various operational requirements
3Productivity
If tape drives are reallocated from secure data erase process, then resource utilization improves, but the risk of missing data erase deadlines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the queue of physical volumes awaiting secure data erasure and evaluates whether current tape drive allocation is sufficient to meet deadlines. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts resource allocation to ensure deadline compliance while optimizing overall utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts tape drive allocation based on real-time conditions. When the queue indicates potential deadline misses, the system allocates additional drives to erasure operations; when the queue is manageable, drives are released for other uses. This dynamic approach balances resource utilization with deadline compliance
Data Source
AI summary
A method according to one embodiment includes determining whether to reallocate one or more of a plurality of tape drives that are presently allocated for a secure data erase process in response to an evaluation of a quantity of physical volumes to be secure data erased and a minimum queued threshold; and in response to said determination that one or more of said plurality of tape drives is to be reallocated, reallocating the one or more of said plurality of tape drives from the secure data erase process to another function.