Multi-drive data storage system with analysis and selected demounting of idle data storage media
US6446160B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1456
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a data storage system that employs multiple storage drives to access removable data storage media, idle data storage media are analyzed and than selectively demounted by automated equipment to increase storage drive availability and also minimize unnecessary mount/demount operations. Initially, the system establishes a maximum permitted number of concurrently mounted idle storage media, and also establishes a maximum permitted length of time for leaving idle storage media mounted. Next, storage media mounted to the media drives are analyzed for possible demounting. The system determines how many storage media are presently mounted, and each media's mount time. Then, the system identifies suitable demounting candidates (if any) to comply with the established maximums. Namely, the system identifies the media with the greatest idle times whose demounting is necessary to both (1) reduce the number of concurrent mounts down to the maximum permitted number, and (2) demount any storage media with idle times exceeding the maximum permitted length of time..
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.