Virtual Tape Server Segmented File Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Virtual Tape Server (VTS) systems face challenges in efficiently managing and accessing plural virtual sequential access volumes using random access media, leading to inefficient data storage and management, particularly in scenarios where data is frequently updated or deleted.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a processor and memory-based architecture that accepts operations for writing, reading, and deleting data units, utilizing random access media to store data units as separate files within a virtual tape server, mimicking physical tape volume operations while optimizing storage through segmented virtual tape files and control tables for efficient data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data units are stored as a single virtual tape file in random access media, then the system mimics physical tape volume operations, but data access efficiency deteriorates when data is frequently updated or deleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemimicking physical tape volume operationsVSAvoiddata access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a virtual tape file into multiple segments stored as separate files in the random access media. Each segment can be independently accessed, updated, or deleted without affecting other segments. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining the virtual tape interface (adaptability) while enabling efficient random access to individual data units (productivity).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If all data units in a virtual tape volume are stored in a single file, then storage management is simplified, but storage space optimization deteriorates when data is deleted or migrated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage management complexityVSAvoidstorage space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the virtual tape file into multiple independent files, the system enables selective deletion and migration of individual segments. When data is deleted from a virtual tape volume, only the corresponding segment files are removed or marked as free space, allowing immediate storage space reclamation without affecting other data (reducing loss of substance). The control table tracks segment locations, managing the increased complexity (addressing device complexity).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented file structure enables efficient discarding of deleted data segments and recovery of storage space. When a data unit is deleted, its corresponding segment file can be immediately discarded or marked as available for new data, optimizing storage space utilization. The control table maintains tracking of available space across all segment files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If separate files are used for each data unit in random access media, then data access efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access efficiencyVSAvoidfile management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control table as an intermediary data structure that manages the segmented files. The control table stores metadata about each segment including file names, locations, and status, providing a simplified interface for accessing and managing the segmented data. This intermediary layer maintains the virtual tape volume structure while enabling efficient access to individual segments, resolving the contradiction between access efficiency and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If a single virtual tape file is used to store multiple data units, then the interface to host systems is simplified, but data migration efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehost system interface simplicityVSAvoiddata migration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual tape volume is segmented into multiple independent files, each representing a data unit or group of data units. This segmentation enables efficient data migration by allowing selective migration of individual segments rather than moving entire virtual tape files. The control table maintains the virtual interface to host systems, preserving ease of operation while enabling efficient segmented data migration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented file structure provides dynamic flexibility for data migration. Individual segments can be migrated independently based on storage policies, data access patterns, or resource availability. This dynamic approach to data organization and migration improves productivity while the control table maintains the simplified virtual interface for host systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10585618B2Providing access to virtual sequential access volume

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for providing access to plural virtual sequential access volumes by using random access media, includes: accepting an operation for writing first data to a specific virtual sequential access volume of the plural virtual sequential access volumes; and storing a first file including the first data in the random access media, the first file being separate from a second file including second data stored in the random access media in response to an operation for writing the second data to the specific virtual sequential access volume.