Patent ID: 6886019
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for transferring files stored on multiple separate storage volumes using information from a list in such a way as to minimize mounting and positioning of the storage volumes, the method comprising: receiving a request specifying selection criteria for selecting a first file to be included in a copy set, wherein the request includes a file order; identifying a first matching file meeting the selection criteria; locating the first matching file on one of the storage volumes, wherein locating the first matching file on one of the storage volumes comprises searching entries in a storage reference list, first for a storage pool identifier, then for a bfid, then for a storage volume identifier, and then for a position within the storage volume that has the first matching file; identifying any other matching files on the storage volume that has the first matching file; determining a copying order of the first matching file and the any other matching files on the storage volume that has the first matching file, wherein the file order in the request is ignored when determining the copying order, and wherein the copying order is determined by, volume, then position, and then bfid; and copying the first matching file and the any other matching files identified on the storage volume that has the first matching file, from the storage volume that has the first matching file to a copy set according to the determined copying order, wherein no matching files are duplicated in the copy set; and wherein the copying operation further comprises determining if the first matching file cannot be accessed due to a media defect, and if the first matching file cannot be accessed due to a media defect, then the copying operation does not include copying the first matching file to the copy set, and the method further comprises determining if the first matching file resides on a secondary volume, and if the first matching file resides on a secondary volume, then the method further comprises adding the secondary volume to a deferred processing list.