Patent ID: 9378769
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: G06F,G11B

Claim Text:
1. A method for storing and retrieving data on a magnetic tape having a tape length and a tape width and a predetermined number of sections arranged sequentially along the tape length from a beginning of tape (BOT) to an end of tape (EOT) accessed by a tape drive having an associated tape drive processor in communication with a host computer having an associated host processor, the method comprising: reading or writing data in at least one partition within a logical volume, the logical volume having an associated number of sections designated by the host computer from the predetermined number of sections associated with the magnetic tape between the BOT and the EOT, wherein each partition extends across one section, the magnetic tape including a predetermined number of partitions sequentially arranged across the tape width within each section; and receiving a mask from the host computer that designates writable partitions on the magnetic tape, wherein writing data includes writing data only to partitions designated by the mask received from the host computer.