JP2014067113A - Magnetic tape library device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accelerate index search of backup data in a magnetic tape library device.SOLUTION: A magnetic tape library device that receives backup data from a host server and writes the backup data on a magnetic tape comprises: a host interface part; an internal interface part; a robot control part; and a library control part that controls them. The library control part performs a backup process in which while index information, recording destination medium information, and recording position information for the backup data are stored in a storage device other than the magnetic tape, the backup data is written on the magnetic tape medium; and a restore process in which the backup data is read from the magnetic tape medium based on the index information, recording destination medium information, and recording position information stored in the storage device other than the magnetic tape, and is transferred to the host server.

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic tape library apparatus, and more particularly to a magnetic tape library apparatus equipped with a plurality of magnetic tape drives.

  In a computer system, a magnetic tape drive has been generally used as a device used for backing up hard disk data in a server. In particular, in a large-scale system that requires backup to a large number of magnetic tape media, a magnetic tape library apparatus that can accommodate a plurality of magnetic tape media and that has a plurality of magnetic tape drives is used. It has been. However, in recent years, server processing operations have been diversified and the capacity of hard disk devices built in the server has increased, and the amount of data that needs to be backed up to magnetic tape has increased. It has become necessary to perform backup data stored in a tape across a plurality of magnetic tapes.

  Along with this, when the backup to the first magnetic tape medium is completed, the second tape, the third one, are used to replace the magnetic tape medium in the magnetic tape drive with the second and continue the backup. As the number of magnetic tape media required for backup increases, the backup processing time increases, and there arises a problem that backup cannot be completed by normal server business hours.

In order to solve this problem, the virtual tape device of Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a technique for increasing the speed of data writing and reducing the backup processing time. The virtual tape device of Patent Document 1 is interposed between the server and the magnetic tape library device, and by showing the magnetic disk as a virtual magnetic tape volume, the server is similar to the conventional backup to the magnetic tape library device. Control is performed and the virtual tape device stores the backup data on the internal magnetic disk. The backup data stored on the magnetic disk in the virtual tape device is sequentially transferred to the magnetic tape library device, and the backup to the magnetic tape medium is completed. When backing up from the virtual tape device to the magnetic tape library device, there is no need to control on the server side and no load is applied to the server.
In addition, when performing a search for reading backed up data, the data is stored in the magnetic disk, so that a high-speed search can be performed compared to replacement or reading of a magnetic tape medium in a magnetic tape library. .

JP 2008-77519 A

  However, the magnetic disk in the virtual tape device of Patent Document 1 requires a capacity larger than the data of the server that is the backup source, and is expensive in order to have a magnetic disk that is more expensive than the magnetic tape. Will be necessary. In addition, when searching for a backup that has been transferred from the magnetic disk in the virtual tape device to the magnetic tape medium, reading from the magnetic tape medium is performed, so the search is slow.

  In order to solve the above problems, the magnetic tape library device includes a plurality of magnetic tape drives and a storage device other than the magnetic tape drive, and the storage device does not store all of the backup data, and the backup data index information. Is stored in a storage device other than the magnetic tape, and backup processing to the magnetic tape is performed. Furthermore, a removable storage device that is detachable for storing index information is used, and is taken out of the magnetic tape library device together with the magnetic tape and is portable. Furthermore, while storing the index information in a storage device other than the magnetic tape, the multiple magnetic tapes appear as one large-capacity magnetic tape, and backup data is backed up in parallel to multiple magnetic tapes. And

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a magnetic tape library apparatus that speeds up search of backup data by managing index information of backup data using a small-capacity and inexpensive magnetic disk.

  Furthermore, by using a removable removable magnetic disk or a portable storage device such as a memory, it can be taken out together with the magnetic tape medium, and backup and restoration can be performed by different host systems. In addition, by separating and storing only the removable magnetic disk outside the magnetic tape medium, data security from only the magnetic tape medium can be prevented to improve security. In addition, backup data index information and magnetic tape media information to be written are stored in storage devices other than magnetic tape media, so that data can be distributed to multiple magnetic tape media using multiple magnetic tape drives simultaneously. And can write at high speed.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a magnetic tape library device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the magnetic tape group management table preserve | saved in a library control part. It is an example of the process flowchart which updates a magnetic tape group management table. It is an example of a backup information management table stored in the storage device 9. It is an example of the backup processing flowchart in the magnetic tape library apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the restore process flowchart in the magnetic tape library apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the recording form of the magnetic tape medium written by one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, examples will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a magnetic tape library apparatus of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 is connected to the host server 1 via a host interface using, for example, a fiber channel or a SCSI interface. In the magnetic tape library apparatus 2, the host interface control unit 6a that controls data transmission and response to the host interface, the internal interface control unit 6c that controls data writing / reading to the magnetic tape drive, and the magnetic tape medium are moved. A control unit 6 comprising a robot control unit 6d for controlling the operation of the transport mechanism and a library control unit 6b for controlling them. At least one magnetic tape drive 3, 4, 5 and at least 1 A storage shelf 7 for storing one or more magnetic tape media, a transport mechanism 8 for moving the magnetic tape medium between the storage shelf 7 and the magnetic tape drives 3, 4, and 5, and a storage device 9 other than the magnetic tape. .

  The magnetic tape library apparatus 2 receives a backup request command from the host server 1 at the host interface controller 6a and transmits it to the library controller 6b. The library control unit 6b controls writing / reading of index information for managing backup data to the storage device 9 via the internal interface control unit 6c. The library control unit 6b operates the transport mechanism 8 via the robot control unit 6d, takes out the magnetic tape medium from the storage shelf 7, and moves to the magnetic tape drives 3, 4, and 5. When receiving the magnetic tape medium, the magnetic tape drives 3, 4, and 5 execute a loading process as preparation for writing / reading data. The library controller 6b writes / reads data in the magnetic tape drives 3, 4, and 5 via the internal interface controller 6c.

  When the data writing / reading in the magnetic tape drives 3, 4, 5 is completed, the library controller 6 b operates the transport mechanism 8 via the robot controller 6 d, and the magnetic tape medium of the magnetic tape drives 3, 4, 5 is operated. Is taken out and moved to the storage shelf 7.

  The storage device 9 is not limited to a fixed magnetic disk device in the magnetic tape library device 2, and a removable storage device such as a removable removable magnetic disk or a removable memory may be used.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a magnetic tape group management table stored in the memory in the library control unit 6b. FIG. 3 is an example of a processing flowchart for updating the magnetic tape group management table.

The update flow of the magnetic tape group management table will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the power source of the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 is turned on (step S31), the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 is stored in the storage shelf 7 using a scanner provided in the transport mechanism 8 after self-diagnosis of the internal electronic circuit. The bar code number previously attached to the magnetic tape medium is read (step S32). The library control unit 6b has a magnetic tape group management table 201 in the internal memory, and a number corresponding to the physical slot position of the storage shelf 7 is previously written in the slot number column. At least one slot number is assigned in advance to the tape group number column. For example, by assigning two slots of slot numbers 001 and 002 to tape group number 1 and assigning slot number 003 alone to tape group number 2, one or more slot numbers can be divided into one tape group. it can. This can be easily realized by setting in advance by the user using the input means.

  The bar code number read from the magnetic tape medium is registered in the medium bar code field corresponding to the slot number (step S33). The library control unit 6b reads the tape group number from the magnetic tape group management table 201 and reports it as a medium number to the host server via the host interface control unit 6a (step S34). The host server recognizes the media number reported from the magnetic tape library device as a magnetic tape medium that can be used for backup. One grouped large-capacity magnetic tape volume can be configured.

  Since the host server 1 only specifies the reported medium number as the backup destination at the time of backup, it can be used without changing the conventional interface control. After reporting the tape group number to the host server 1, the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 completes startup (step S35).

  Next, a backup processing flow in the magnetic tape library apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an example of a backup information management table stored in the storage device 9.

  At the start of data backup, the host server 1 requests the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 via the host interface for a medium number designated as a backup recording destination and index information for managing the backup data (step S51). The index information may be an arbitrary character string that can distinguish individual backup data on the host server side, such as backup creation date and time, for example.

  When the host interface controller 6a in the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 receives the medium number and the index information, it is sent to the library controller 6b, and the designated medium number is regarded as the tape group number (step S52), and the magnetic tape group. With reference to the management table 201, at least one medium barcode number to be written belonging to the same tape group is acquired (step S53). The storage device 9 is a small-capacity storage device for storing only the backup information management table 301 of FIG. The library controller 6b writes the acquired index information, tape group number, and medium barcode number in the backup information management table 301 in the storage device 9 (step S54).

Next, the backup information management table 301 is searched to check whether the same tape group number already exists (step S55). If the same tape group number does not exist, it is determined that it is new and 0001 is assigned as a file mark (step S56).
If the same tape group number already exists, the maximum value is checked, and a value obtained by adding 1 to the existing file mark maximum value is assigned (step S57). The file mark to be used is generally used as a mark written on the magnetic tape recording surface as a backup data delimiter, and the recording start position of the backup data on the magnetic tape can be known.

  Next, the allocated file mark is written in the file mark column in the backup information management table 301 (step S58). Thereby, the data write start position on the target magnetic tape medium is determined.

Next, the library control unit 6b refers to the medium barcode belonging to the same tape group number from the backup information management table 301 in the recording device 9, takes out the magnetic tape medium from the slot in the target storage shelf 7, Move to the magnetic tape drive (step S59). Next, all the magnetic tapes moved to the magnetic tape drive are fast-forwarded by the number of file marks assigned in step S58 (step S60). Next, the backup data sent from the host server 1 is written to the magnetic tape medium (step S61).
When the writing of all the backup data is completed, the library controller 6b instructs the magnetic tape drive to write a file mark, and the magnetic tape drive writes the file mark to the magnetic tape medium (step S62). This written file mark becomes a file mark value assigned at the time of the next backup. Next, all the magnetic tape media moved to the magnetic tape drive are ejected, moved to the original slot in the storage shelf 7, and the backup process is terminated (step S63).

  When writing backup data with a magnetic tape drive, the index information and data write destination magnetic tape medium and the write position on the magnetic tape medium are not written to the magnetic tape medium itself, but stored in the external backup information management table 301. Therefore, it is not necessary to continuously write backup data to one magnetic tape medium, and parallel writing can be performed to at least one grouped magnetic tape medium. The parallel writing method can be easily realized by a known technique such as striping.

  Further, the storage device 9 for storing the backup information management table 301 is not limited to a fixed magnetic disk device, and a portable storage device such as a removable removable magnetic disk or a removable memory is used. Thus, it can be taken out together with the magnetic tape medium, and backup and restoration can be performed by different host systems. In addition, by separating and storing only the removable magnetic disk outside the magnetic tape medium, data security from only the magnetic tape medium can be prevented to improve security.

Next, a backup data search and restore processing flow will be described with reference to FIG. In order to perform restoration, the host server 1 requests the magnetic tape library device 2 to read one or a plurality of medium numbers to be acquired in order to acquire a list of index information of the backed up data ( Step S71).
In response to a request from the host server 1, the library controller 6b moves the magnetic tape medium to the magnetic tape drive and refers to the backup information management table 301 in the storage device 9 without reading data from the magnetic tape medium itself. (Step S72). The library control unit 6b returns index information corresponding to the requested medium number to the host server 1 via the host interface 6a (step S73). The host server 1 displays a list of the acquired index information using a backup application screen or the like, and the user selects whether or not to perform restoration (step S74). When the restoration is performed, the target index information is notified to the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 and a data read is requested (step S75).

  Next, the library control unit 6b refers to the backup information management table 301 in the storage device 9, and acquires the tape group number corresponding to the requested index information (step S76).

  Next, the library control unit 6b acquires a medium barcode number belonging to the same tape group number from the backup information management table 301 in the storage device 9 (step S77).

  Next, the library controller 6b takes out the magnetic tape medium from the slot in the target storage shelf 7, and moves to the magnetic tape drive (step S78).

  Next, all the magnetic tapes moved to the drive are fast-forwarded by the number of file marks (step S79).

  Next, data is read from the magnetic tape medium, and the data is transferred to the host server (step S80).

  When all data reading is completed, all the magnetic tapes moved to the magnetic tape drive are ejected, moved to the original slots, and the processing of the magnetic tape library apparatus 2 is finished (step S81).

  Next, a data recording form on the magnetic tape medium recording surface will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a recording form of a magnetic tape medium written according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows magnetic tape media of tape group number 1 and tape group number 2 managed by the backup information management table 301. The tape group 1 is grouped into two volumes of medium barcodes 111111 and 222222. Consists of magnetic tape media. The backup data of the index information 2011/12/20 18:30 starts to be written from the file mark 0001. FIG. 7 shows an example in which an index is written on a magnetic tape medium.

  Next, backup data of index information 2011/12/30 20:30 is added to the back of the recording position where the backup data of 2011/12/20 18:30 was written because tape group 1 is specified. Is done. Data written for each index information is delimited by file marks, and the recording position of each backup data can be easily searched by managing the number of file marks.

  Tape group 2 is composed of a magnetic tape medium with a medium barcode 333333. The backup data of the index information 2012/1/25 17:30 starts to be written from the file mark 0001.

1 Host server 2 Magnetic tape library device 3 Magnetic tape drive 1
4 Magnetic tape drive 2
5 Magnetic tape drive n
6 Control unit 6a Host interface control unit 6b Library control unit 6c Internal interface control unit 6d Robot control unit 7 Storage shelf 8 Transport mechanism 9 Storage device 201 Magnetic tape group management table 301 Backup information management table

Claims (4)

  A magnetic tape library device that receives backup data from a host server and writes backup data to a magnetic tape, comprising a host interface unit, an internal interface unit, a robot control unit, and a library control unit for controlling them, the library The control unit stores backup data index information, recording destination medium information, and recording position information in a storage device other than the magnetic tape, and writes backup data to the magnetic tape medium, and stores the backup data in the storage device other than the magnetic tape. A magnetic tape library apparatus that performs restore processing for reading backup data from the magnetic tape medium and transferring it to a host server based on stored index information, recording destination medium information, and recording position information.   2. The magnetic tape library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein index information of backup data stored in a storage device other than the magnetic tape is simultaneously written on the magnetic tape. 2. The magnetic tape library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a removable storage device is used for storing the index information, and is taken out of the magnetic tape library apparatus together with the magnetic tape and transported.   The backup data is backed up to a plurality of magnetic tapes in parallel by displaying multiple magnetic tapes as one large-capacity magnetic tape while storing the index information in a storage device other than the magnetic tape. Item 2. The magnetic tape library device according to Item 1.

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