Virtualization of data storage drives of an automated data storage library
US6519678B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0686
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Drive image providers of a virtualization system for an automated data storage library provide an image of a fixed plurality of virtual data storage drives with fixed identifications to a host application. A drive resource provider, at any one time, assigns any number “m” of a pool of “n” drives to the drive image providers, and “n”−“m” of the pool are freed and available for assignment. The drive resource provider responds to a triggering event requesting a drive, and dedicates one of the “n”−“m” drives of the pool to the virtual drive. The drive image provider characterizes and directs communication between the host and the dedicated drive as a fixed virtual drive; and prior to the dedication of a drive, characterizes the virtual drive to the requesting host application as “not ready”.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.