Patent ID: 8543760

Claim:
A system, for saving a plurality of log data in a hierarchical storage management (HSM) system using a disk system as a primary cache with a tape library as a secondary cache, comprising: at least one tape drive; and at least one processor device, operable with the at least one tape drive, wherein the at least one processor device is adapted for: storing user data in the primary cache, the user data being written from the primary cache into the secondary cache at a subsequent period of time, preparing a plurality of blank tapes in the secondary cache for storing the user data and the plurality of log data based on a plurality of priorities, the plurality of blank tapes are unused until the user data is written to at least one tape media, selecting at least one of the plurality of blank tapes for copying the plurality of log data and the user data from the primary cache to the secondary cache based upon the plurality of priorities, storing the plurality of log data in the primary cache, wherein the plurality of log data is wrapped in the primary cache and a copy of the plurality of log data being copied into the plurality of blank tapes, the plurality of blank tapes being configured to appear blank to a user for storing the user data, and delaying the selection of at least one of the plurality of blank tapes, completely filled with the plurality of log data, for writing additional amounts of the user data, wherein the plurality of log data in at least one of the plurality of blank tapes completely filled with the plurality of log data is preserved for an extended period.