Patent ID: 6349356
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G06F,G11B

Abstract:
A method for retrieving one or more blocks of data from a tape media, the method comprising:(a) receiving a request to retrieve multiple groups of at least one block of data, wherein a beginning and end location of at least two of the groups are discontinuous; (b) retrieving a device block map from a tape media indicating positions of the groups of at least one block of data on the tape media; (c) generating, from the device block map, in memory an image of a physical layout of the requested groups of at least one block of data on the tape; (d) determining an optimal order to retrieve the requested groups of data based on the physical layout of the requested groups indicated in the image in a manner that minimizes a distance traveled when retrieving the requested groups of at least one block of data; and (e) retrieving the requested groups of at least one block of data from the tape media using the determined optimal order.