Patent ID: 7007129
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for tape management in a network system which connects, via a network: a first system which virtually emulates a magnetic tape unit on a disk drive and has a virtual tape unit having a virtual tape storage area, a first virtual tape file, and a first virtual tape transfer processing unit having first virtual tape management information defining a structure of said first virtual tape file; and a second system having a second virtual tape file, a second virtual tape transfer processing unit having second virtual tape management information defining a structure of said second virtual tape file, and a tape using task execution part, said method comprising: a step in which said tape using task execution part gives a virtual tape input request; a step in which said second virtual tape transfer processing unit locks said second virtual tape file to give a virtual tape input request to said first virtual tape transfer processing unit; a step in which according to said input request, said first virtual tape transfer processing unit locks a virtual tape volume and said first virtual tape file to create said first virtual tape file and said first virtual tape management information to said input request; a step in which said first virtual tape file is transferred to said second virtual tape file using a copy function between disk drives so as to be asynchronous to said first system; a step in which said second virtual tape transfer processing unit allows said tape using task execution part to use said second virtual tape file; a step in which said first virtual tape transfer processing unit unlocks said virtual tape volume and said first virtual tape file; and a step in which said second virtual tape transfer processing unit unlocks said second virtual tape file.