JP6810353B2 - Information processing systems, information processing equipment and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to information processing systems, information processing devices and programs.

Currently, a library device capable of storing a plurality of recording media is used. An example of a recording medium is a magnetic tape medium. The library device is connected to the information processing device and enables the information processing device to access the data stored in the recording medium.

For example, there is a proposal of a system for managing data stored in a magnetic tape medium using a file system called LTFS (Linear Tape File System). In LTFS, the data recorded on the magnetic tape medium can be handled in file units.

There is also a proposal for a storage device that stores the same data in two recording media so that even if one recording medium becomes unusable, the operation can be continued by the remaining recording media.
When the system goes down, the I / O (Input / Output) request queue is checked and the updated contents of the primary device and the secondary device are matched, so that the contents of the primary device and the secondary device are always kept the same. There is also a proposal for an information processing system.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-51294 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-194867 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-228634

Multiple access requests may occur to one recording medium at the same time. In this case, for example, the library device performs access according to the access request received earlier (first access), and after the first access is completed, access according to the access request received later (later access) is performed. It is possible to do it. However, in this case, there is a problem that a waiting time occurs before the start of later access.

In one aspect, the present invention aims to reduce the latency of access to a recording medium.

In one aspect, an information processing system is provided. The information processing system includes a library device and an information processing device. The library device accommodates a plurality of recording media including a first recording medium and a second recording medium, includes a plurality of drives used for accessing each recording medium, and uses the plurality of drives. Data synchronization processing is performed between at least two recording media among the plurality of recording media. The information processing device is the first recording medium associated with the data storage destination among the plurality of recording media based on the identification information that specifies the access path to the recording medium of the data storage destination of the access requested data. Then, the second recording medium, which is one of the storage destinations of the synchronized data of the data, is specified, the usage status of the specified first recording medium is confirmed, and the first recording medium sets any drive. When accessed using, the library device is instructed to access the identified second recording medium using another drive.

On one side, the waiting time for access to the recording medium can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the information processing system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the information processing system of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware example of a server. It is a figure which shows the hardware example of a library. It is a figure which shows the example of the file management by LTFS. It is a figure which shows the example of the partition of a tape medium. It is a figure which shows the functional example of an information processing system. It is a figure which shows the example of the medium management information. It is a flowchart which shows the access control example. It is a flowchart which shows the access execution example. It is a flowchart which shows the synchronization processing example. It is a figure which shows the sort example of a copy order. It is a flowchart which shows another example of access control.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system according to the first embodiment. The information processing system of the first embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and a library device 2. The information processing device 1 and the library device 2 are connected by using a predetermined cable. The information processing device 1 and the library device 2 may be connected via a network.

The library device 2 can store a plurality of recording media. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic tape medium. The recording medium may be another type of recording medium such as an optical disk medium. The recording medium stores various types of data.

The information processing device 1 receives an access request by the terminal devices 3 and 4 for the data stored in the library device 2. For example, the information processing device 1 and the terminal devices 3 and 4 are connected to the network 5. The terminal devices 3 and 4 transmit an access request to the information processing device 1 via the network 5.

The information processing device 1 supports access by the terminal devices 3 and 4 to the data stored in the plurality of recording media stored in the library device 2. For example, the information processing device 1 may provide a file system function called LTFS, and the data stored in the recording medium may be recognized as a file by the terminal devices 3 and 4. The information processing device 1 instructs the library device 2 to execute access to the recording medium to be accessed in response to the access request received from the terminal devices 3 and 4. The information processing device 1 acquires the execution result of the access by the library device 2 from the library device 2. The information processing device 1 responds to the terminal devices 3 and 4 with the execution result acquired from the library device 2.

Here, the information processing apparatus 1 provides a function of avoiding access contention for a single recording medium. The information processing device 1 has a storage unit 1a and a processing unit 1b.
The storage unit 1a may be a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory. The processing unit 1b may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the like. The processing unit 1b may be a processor that executes a program. The term "processor" as used herein may include a set of a plurality of processors (multiprocessor).

Further, the library device 2 can be connected to the information processing device 1 and has a shelf 2a and drives 2b and 2c. The shelf 2a stores a plurality of recording media. The plurality of recording media include recording media M1 and M2. The medium name (identifier) of the recording medium M1 is "LT001". The medium name (identifier) of the recording medium M2 is "LT002". The drives 2b and 2c are used to access the respective recording media. Each of the drives 2b and 2c accommodates one recording medium and accesses (reads and writes data) the stored recording medium. The library device 2 has a robot (not shown in FIG. 1) that conveys a recording medium inside the library device 2. The library device 2 uses a robot to transfer the recording medium between the shelves 2a and the drives 2b and 2c.

The library device 2 uses the drives 2b and 2c to perform data synchronization processing between at least two recording media among the plurality of recording media. For example, the library device 2 performs a data synchronization process between the recording media M1 and M2 by storing a copy (referred to as synchronous data) of the data stored in the recording medium M1 also in the recording medium M2.

The data stored in the recording media M1 and M2 may be a file. For example, the recording medium M1 stores the file "a.txt" and the file "b.txt" (the text format is an example, and files of other formats may be used). Similarly, the recording medium M2 stores the file “a.txt” and the file “b.txt”.

The storage unit 1a stores information on the combination of the recording medium M1 and the recording medium M2 that stores the synchronized data of the data stored in the recording medium M1. Three or more recording media may belong to one combination. A combination of recording media can also be called a group of recording media.

For example, if the name of the combination to which the recording media M1 and M2 belong (referred to as the group name) is "group1", the group name "group1" may be considered as the identification information of the combination. Further, the medium name of the recording medium M1 is "LT001", and the medium name of the recording medium M2 is "LT002". In this case, the storage unit 1a also stores the correspondence between the group name "group1" and the media name set "{LT001, LT002}".

As described above, it is conceivable that the information processing device 1 provides the LTFS. When using LTFS, the information processing device 1 provides terminal devices 3 and 4 with symbolic links for designating a file stored in a specific recording medium (for example, recording medium M1). The symbolic link points to a directory corresponding to the medium name of any one recording medium belonging to the corresponding combination in terms of the function of the file system. The directory is represented by a predetermined access path (sometimes referred to simply as a path) containing the name of the medium.

For example, the storage unit 1a stores the correspondence between the symbolic link “tmp” and the actual directory “/ xxx / LT001”. Then, the medium name "LT001" can be specified from the symbolic link "tpm". When the medium name "LT001" is specified, the "LT002" paired with the medium name "LT001" is set based on the information "{LT001, LT002}" of the combination of the medium names stored in the storage unit 1a. It is identifiable. Therefore, in this case, the symbolic link "tpp" can be considered as the identification information indirectly associated with the combination to which the recording media M1 and M2 belong. The designation destination of the symbolic link "tpm" may be different for each data (for each file). For example, in one file, the link destination of "tp" may be the path corresponding to "LT001", and in another file, the link destination of "tp" may be the path corresponding to "LT002".

The processing unit 1b is the first recording medium associated with the data storage destination among the plurality of recording media based on the identification information that specifies the access path to the recording medium of the data storage destination of the access requested data. A second recording medium, which is one of the storage destinations of the synchronized data of the data, is specified.

As one example, the terminal device 4 inputs an access request corresponding to the command "vi / mp / a.txt" to the information processing device 1 (the command "vi" is an example and may be another command). In this case, the access request includes the specification of the path "/tpp/a.txt" corresponding to the file. As described above, "tpp" is a symbolic link and is identification information indicating the path "/ xxx / LT001" of the actual directory. The path "/ xxx / LT001" includes the medium name "LT001".

Therefore, the processing unit 1b can specify the recording medium M1 by the medium name included in the path corresponding to the symbolic link. Further, the processing unit 1b specifies the medium name "LT002" based on the information of the combination "{LT001, LT002}" of the medium names stored in the storage unit 1a. In this way, the processing unit 1b identifies the recording medium M2 that is paired with the recording medium M1.

Then, the processing unit 1b confirms the usage status of the specified first recording medium. For example, the processing unit 1b confirms the usage status of the recording medium M1 from the history of the access instruction status to the library device 2. Alternatively, the processing unit 1b may inquire the library device 2 about the usage status of the recording medium M1 to check the usage status of the recording medium M1.

Upon confirmation of the usage status of the recording medium M1, if the recording medium M1 is not currently in use, the processing unit 1b outputs an access instruction to the corresponding data stored in the recording medium M1 to the library device 2.

On the other hand, in this example, it is assumed that the library device 2 is executing the access from the terminal device 3 to the file “b.txt” stored in the recording medium M1 by using the drive 2b. That is, the recording medium M1 is accessed by using the drive 2b (the recording medium M1 is being used). In this case, the processing unit 1b instructs the library device 2 to access the recording medium M2 using a drive other than the drive 2b (for example, the drive 2c). The processing unit 1b may specify the drive to be used for access to the library device 2, or the library device 2 may select an empty drive.

Specifically, the processing unit 1b switches the access destination path by converting the part "LT001" corresponding to the medium name in the path "/ xxx / LT001" to the medium name "LT002" of the recording medium M2. .. It can be said that this process is a process of switching the link destination by a symbolic link. That is, the processing unit 1b sets the path for specifying the access destination file from "/tp/a.txt" including the symbolic link via "/xxx/LT001 / a.txt" to "/ xxx / LT002". Convert to /a.txt ”.

Then, the processing unit 1b outputs an access instruction corresponding to the converted path to the library device 2. For example, the access instruction includes information that specifies the recording medium M2 as an access target and information that specifies an address range on the recording medium M2 in which the file corresponding to the path “/xxx/LT002/a.txt” is recorded. including. The processing unit 1b specifies the recording medium M2 corresponding to the converted path and the address range on the recording medium M2 based on the predetermined index information used in the LTFS (for example, stored in the storage unit 1a). May be good. Alternatively, the processing unit 1b designates the converted path to the library device 2, and the library device 2 sets the address range on the recording medium M2 corresponding to the converted path based on the index information of the recording medium M2. It may be specified.

The library device 2 receives an access instruction from the processing unit 1b. For example, the library device 2 recognizes that access to a predetermined address range of the recording medium M2 is requested by the access instruction. The library device 2 transports the recording medium M2 stored in the shelf 2a to the drive 2c by the robot. The library device 2 uses the drive 2c to read data (file) in the corresponding address range on the recording medium M2 and provides the data (file) to the information processing device 1.

The processing unit 1b acquires the data read by the library device 2. Then, the processing unit 1b responds to the terminal device 4 with the read data. After that, the processing unit 1b accepts an operation on the corresponding data by the terminal device 4 (for example, editing by an editor), and instructs the library device 2 to update the data according to the operation, end the access to the data, and the like. ..

When the access to the corresponding data is completed, the library device 2 conveys the recording medium M2 stored in the drive 2c by the robot and puts it in a predetermined position on the shelf 2a.
As a result of the above processing, the identity of the data stored in each of the recording media M1 and M2 is impaired. Therefore, the processing unit 1b uses the library device 2 to synchronize the data stored in the recording medium M1 and the data stored in the recording medium M2 with the latest state at a predetermined timing for recording. The identity of the data stored in each of the media M1 and M2 is restored.

In this way, the information processing device 1 selects the recording medium M2 as the access destination according to the usage status of the recording medium M1. As a result, access contention for a single recording medium can be avoided, and the waiting time for access to the recording medium can be reduced.

Here, in the above example, consider the case where the file "a.txt" and the file "b.txt" are stored only in the recording medium M1. In this case, if the recording medium M1 is being used by the access request to which the file "b.txt" is specified, the library device 2 accepts the access request after specifying "a.txt". , It is not possible to immediately access according to the later access request. That is, an access conflict occurs with respect to the recording medium M1, and a wait occurs for access in response to a later access request.

On the other hand, according to the information processing system of the first embodiment, the file "a.txt" and the file "b.txt" are stored in both the recording media M1 and M2. Therefore, even if the drive 2b is being used to access the file "b.txt" of the recording medium M1, the drive 2c can be used to access the file "a.txt" of the recording medium M2. That is, when the file "b.txt" is being accessed, even if the access request for the file "a.txt" is accepted, it is not necessary to wait for the access corresponding to the access request. By distributing the access to the plurality of recording media in this way, it is possible to avoid access contention for a single recording medium and reduce the waiting time for access to the recording medium. As a result, the response delay of access to data can be reduced, and the speed of access to data can be increased.

Further, as illustrated, by utilizing the symbolic link mechanism for switching the recording medium of the access destination, the access destination can be switched at high speed by changing the path of the link destination. Further, it is not necessary for the terminal devices 3 and 4 to be aware of the recording medium of the access destination, and the influence on the data usage can be suppressed.

After confirming that the recording medium M1 is being used, the processing unit 1b identifies the recording medium M2 that is paired with the recording medium M1 and instructs the library device 2 to access the recording medium M2. May be good.

In the following, as an example of the information processing device 1, a server computer that provides LTFS will be cited, and the functions of the information processing device 1 will be described in more detail.
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. The information processing system of the second embodiment includes a server 100 and a library 200. The server 100 and the library 200 are connected by using a predetermined cable. The server 100 and the library 200 may be connected via a network such as a SAN (Storage Area Network). The server 100 is connected to the network 10. The network 10 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). Clients 300 and 400 are connected to the network 10. The server 100 and the clients 300, 400 can communicate with each other via the network 10.

The server 100 is a server computer that provides the clients 300 and 400 with data used for business processing in the clients 300 and 400. The server 100 functions as a file server and can handle data in units of files.

The library 200 is a device capable of storing a plurality of tape media. The library 200 may be referred to as a library device. Here, the tape medium may be referred to as a magnetic tape medium, a magnetic tape, or the like. An example of a tape medium standard is LTO (Linear Tape-Open, a registered trademark). However, the tape medium may be a standard other than LTO, such as DLT (Digital Linear Tape, registered trademark) or DDS (Digital Data Storage).

The clients 300 and 400 are client computers used for the business of the user. The clients 300 and 400 access the files stored in the tape medium stored in the library 200 via the server 100. The user can operate the clients 300 and 400 to check the contents of the file and update the contents of the file. For example, a user who uses the clients 300 and 400 may log in to the server 100 and input a file operation command to the server 100 by using a predetermined terminal emulator executed by the clients 300 and 400. The clients 300 and 400 can also download the file stored in the tape medium via the server 100.

Here, the server 100 has an LTFS function. The server 100 provides the data stored in the tape medium stored in the library 200 to the clients 300 and 400 as a file by the function of the LTFS.

LTFS is used, for example, for file archiving operations. "Archive" means storing files that are accessed infrequently but require a relatively large storage capacity (for example, video files, medical image files, or accounting information) for a relatively long period of time. Specifically, files with high access frequency are stored in an HDD or SSD (Solid State Drive) (on the server 100) that can be accessed at a higher speed than the tape medium. On the other hand, files with low access frequency can be stored in a large amount of data at low cost by archiving them on a tape medium that is cheaper than HDD or SSD. The access frequency of the files to be archived is relatively low. Therefore, it may be considered that the file to be archived is relatively unlikely to be updated again in a short period of time after being updated at a certain timing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of server hardware. The server 100 includes a processor 101, a RAM 102, an HDD 103, a host bus adapter (HBA: Host Bus Adapter) 104, an image signal processing unit 105, an input signal processing unit 106, a medium reader 107, and a communication interface 108. Each piece of hardware is connected to the bus of server 100.

The processor 101 is hardware that controls the information processing of the server 100. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or the like. The processor 101 may be a combination of two or more elements such as a CPU, DSP, ASIC, and FPGA.

The RAM 102 is the main storage device of the server 100. The RAM 102 temporarily stores at least a part of an OS (Operating System) program or an application program to be executed by the processor 101. Further, the RAM 102 stores various data used for processing by the processor 101.

The HDD 103 is an auxiliary storage device of the server 100. The HDD 103 magnetically writes and reads data to and from the built-in magnetic disk. The HDD 103 stores an OS program, an application program, and various data. The server 100 may include other types of auxiliary storage devices such as flash memory and SSD, and may include a plurality of auxiliary storage devices.

The HBA 104 is an interface for connecting to the library 200. As the HBA 104, for example, a Fiber Channel (FC) interface or SAS (Serial Attached SCSI, SCSI is an abbreviation for Small Computer System Interface) can be used.

The image signal processing unit 105 outputs an image to the display 11 connected to the server 100 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 101. As the display 11, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, or the like can be used.

The input signal processing unit 106 acquires an input signal from the input device 12 connected to the server 100 and outputs the input signal to the processor 101. As the input device 12, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like can be used.

The medium reader 107 is a device that reads programs and data recorded on the recording medium 13. As the recording medium 13, for example, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk (FD) or HDD, an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a magneto-optical disk (MO: Magneto-Optical disk) can be used. Can be used. Further, as the recording medium 13, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory card can be used. The medium reader 107 stores, for example, a program or data read from the recording medium 13 in the RAM 102 or the HDD 103 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 101.

The communication interface 108 communicates with another device via the network 10. The communication interface 108 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

The clients 300 and 400 can also be realized by using the same hardware as the server 100.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware example of the library. The library 200 includes a processor 201, a RAM 202, a flash memory 203, a connection interface 204, a shelf 205, a robot 206, and drives 207, 208. Each hardware is connected to the bus of library 200.

The processor 201 is hardware that controls the information processing of the library 200. The processor 201 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 201 is, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or the like. The processor 201 may be a combination of two or more elements such as a CPU, DSP, ASIC, and FPGA.

The RAM 202 is the main storage device of the library 200. The RAM 202 temporarily stores at least a part of a firmware program or an application program to be executed by the processor 201. Further, the RAM 202 stores various data used for processing by the processor 201.

The flash memory 203 is an auxiliary storage device of the library 200. The flash memory 203 electrically writes and reads data to and from the built-in storage element. The flash memory 203 stores a firmware program, an application program, and various data.

The connection interface 204 is an interface for connecting to the server 100. As the connection interface 204, for example, an FC or SAS interface can be used.

The shelf 205 is a storage shelf for storing a plurality of tape media. Shelf 205 contains a plurality of cells. The cell is a storage space for storing one tape medium. An ID (IDentifier) is attached to the cell. Further, the cell and the tape medium stored in the cell have a one-to-one correspondence, and the tape medium can be identified by the cell ID.

Here, the tape medium has a magnetic tape and a cartridge that houses the magnetic tape. A magnetic tape is a tape-like film on which a magnetic material is vapor-deposited or coated. The cartridge is a case having a predetermined shape for accommodating the magnetic tape. For example, the cartridge is given the medium name of the tape medium (a label printed with a barcode may be attached to the cartridge, or an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) tag on which the medium name is recorded is built in the cartridge. May be done). The medium name of the tape medium is an identifier of the tape medium.

For example, the shelf 205 houses the tape media MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4, ... As the tape media MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4, ..., For example, those conforming to the LTO standard as described above can be used.

The robot 206 conveys the tape medium stored in the shelf 205 to the drive 207 or the drive 208 in response to an instruction from the processor 201. Further, the robot 206 conveys the tape medium stored in the drive 207 or the drive 208 to the shelf 205 in response to the instruction from the processor 201. For example, the robot 206 recognizes the medium name of the tape medium by reading the barcode or RFID tag attached to the cartridge of the tape medium.

The drives 207 and 208 are tape drives for writing and reading data to and from the tape media MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4, ... In response to an instruction from the processor 201. One tape medium can be stored in the drive 207, and data can be written or read from the magnetic tape. Similarly, one tape medium can be stored in the drive 208, and data can be written and read from the magnetic tape. The library 200 may have three or more drives.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of file management by LTFS. For example, the server 100 executes the virtual file system 21, the FUSE (Filesystem in Userspace) 22, and the device driver 23 by using the kernel space of the OS (the address space of the RAM 102 in which the OS kernel exists).

The virtual file system 21 provides application 31 with a view of the directory structure for accessing files stored on tape media. The FUSE 22 is a software interface provided by the OS of the server 100, receives an access request to the directory structure by the virtual file system 21, and provides the access request to other user software (for example, LTFS). It can be said that the virtual file system 21 is the first file system realized by FUSE 22. The device driver 23 is driver software that controls the operation of the library 200.

Further, the server 100 executes the business application 31 and the LTFS 32 by using the user space (the address space of the RAM 102 in which the software for the user exists).

The application 31 issues an access request to the file according to the directory structure provided by the virtual file system 21. By issuing the access request, the application 31 can instruct the LTFS 32 to operate the file via the virtual file system 21 and the FUSE 22. The LTFS 32 refers to the index information 33 held by the server 100 to specify the medium name of the tape medium holding the corresponding file and the address on the tape medium in which the corresponding file is stored. The LTFS 32 instructs the library 200 via the device driver 23 to transfer the corresponding tape medium to a predetermined drive and write or read the corresponding file. It can be said that the LTFS 32 is a second file system that manages the correspondence between the access path included in the access request and the identifier of the tape medium by the index information 33.

Here, the file stored in the tape medium is specified by specifying a predetermined path (for example, "/tpp/a.txt" or the like). In this case, the "/ tpp" part in the path is a symbolic link. Symbolic links are logical links that are associated with the actual directory path. For example, the symbolic link "/ tpp" is associated with the directory path "/ LTO / (medium name)". A predetermined medium name is inserted in the "(medium name)" part. Therefore, in LTFS, access to the tape medium is performed by converting the path "/tpp/a.txt" including the symbolic link to the path "/ LTO / (medium name) / a.txt". In the index information 33, the address of the corresponding tape medium corresponding to the path "/ LTO / (medium name) / a.txt" is registered. The address is information indicating the physical recording position on the tape medium on which the file is recorded.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a partition of a tape medium. The storage area of the tape medium MT1 is divided into an index partition P1 and a data partition P2. The index partition P1 is an area for recording index information. The data partition P2 is an area for recording a file.

Here, the index information is information for identifying the file recorded in the data partition P2. The index information includes the directory structure information and the file attribute information in the data partition P2. Further, the index information includes a file pointer indicating a recording position (address) of each file in the data partition P2.

The tape media MT2, MT3, MT4, ... Also have an index partition and a data partition like the tape medium MT1. The server 100 acquires index information from the tape media MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4, ..., Stores it locally, and manages the files recorded on each tape medium based on the index information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a functional example of the information processing system. The server 100 has a storage unit 110, an access control unit 120, and a synchronization control unit 130.
The storage unit 110 is realized by using the storage area of the RAM 102 and the storage area of the HDD 103. Further, the access control unit 120 and the synchronization control unit 130 are realized by the processor 101. Specifically, the processor 101 exerts the functions of the access control unit 120 and the synchronization control unit 130 by executing the program stored in the RAM 102. However, the access control unit 120 and the synchronization control unit 130 may be realized by hard-wired logic such as FPGA or ASIC.

The storage unit 110 stores the media management information. The medium management information is information for managing the tape media MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4, ... In a group unit. A predetermined number of tape media belong to one group. In the example of the second embodiment, the predetermined number is 2 (however, the number may be 3 or more). In this case, one group can be called a pair of two tape media. Each tape medium belonging to a group stores the same set of files. That is, the file set is redundantly stored by a plurality of tape media belonging to a certain group.

Further, the storage unit 110 stores the index information read from each of the tape media MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4, .... The index information stored in the server 100 and each tape medium is updated to the latest information by the access control unit 120 each time the file stored in each tape medium is updated.

The access control unit 120 controls file access by LTFS to the tape medium. When the access control unit 120 acquires an access request for a certain file from the client 300, the access control unit 120 identifies a tape medium for storing the file. When the corresponding tape medium is not used for file access or the like, the access control unit 120 instructs the library 200 to access the file stored in the corresponding tape medium. Further, when the corresponding tape medium is used for file access or the like, the access control unit 120 instructs the library 200 to access a file stored in another tape medium belonging to the same group as the corresponding tape medium. ..

The synchronization control unit 130 controls the synchronization processing of files stored in two tape media belonging to a certain group. Here, the synchronization process is a process of updating each file set stored in a plurality of tape media belonging to the same group to the latest state. As a result of the synchronization processing, the file set stored in the first tape medium belonging to a certain group and the file set stored in the second tape medium belonging to the group become the same, and each file is stored. The constituent data will also be the same. That is, by the synchronization process, the updated contents of the file stored in the first tape medium are reflected in the file having the same name on the second tape medium. Further, the updated contents of the file stored in the second tape medium are reflected in the file having the same name stored in the first tape medium.

For example, the synchronization control unit 130 periodically outputs an execution instruction for synchronization processing to each group to the library 200. At this time, the synchronization control unit 130 determines the order in which each of the plurality of files to be synchronized is duplicated from one tape medium to the other tape medium (described later).

The library 200 has an access execution unit 210. The access execution unit 210 is realized by the processor 201. Specifically, the processor 201 exerts the function of the access execution unit 210 by executing the program stored in the RAM 202. However, the access execution unit 210 may be realized by hard-wired logic such as FPGA or ASIC.

The access execution unit 210 receives an instruction to access the file. The access execution unit 210 controls the robot 206 in response to an instruction to access the file, and conveys the instructed tape medium to the drive 207 or the drive 208. The access execution unit 210 reads the file stored in the corresponding tape medium using the drive 207 or the drive 208, and responds to the read file to the access control unit 120.

In addition, the access execution unit 210 receives an execution instruction for synchronization processing. The access execution unit 210 controls the robot 206 in response to the execution instruction of the synchronization process, and conveys the synchronization source tape medium belonging to the synchronization target group to the drive 207 or the drive 208. The access execution unit 210 uses the drive 207 or the drive 208 to read the file to be synchronized from the tape medium of the synchronization source and store the file in the RAM 202. The access execution unit 210 controls the robot 206 and conveys the synchronization destination tape medium belonging to the synchronization target group to the drive 207 or the drive 208. The access execution unit 210 uses the drive 207 or the drive 208 to write the file to be synchronized stored in the RAM 202 to the tape medium of the synchronization destination. The access execution unit 210 stores the synchronization source tape medium and the synchronization destination tape medium in the drive 207 and the drive 208, reads the file to be synchronized from the synchronization source tape medium, and transfers the synchronization target file to the synchronization destination tape medium. You may write the file to be synchronized.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of media management information. The media management information is information used for update management of files included in a pair of tape media. The media management information is created for each pair and stored in the storage unit 110. Here, it is assumed that the tape media MT1 and MT2 are managed as one pair. The media management information 111 is an example of media management information corresponding to a pair of tape media MT1 and MT2. In the following, the information included in the media management information 111 will be described using the line numbers attached to the left side of the media management information 111.

The first line is the update flag. The update flag indicates whether any file in the pair has been updated since the last synchronization. For example, the update flag "0" indicates that there has been no update for any of the files in the pair since the last synchronization. Further, the update flag "1" indicates that any file in the pair has been updated since the previous synchronization was performed.

The second and third lines are the media names (identification information of the tape media) of the tape media belonging to the pair. For example, "LTO1234L5" on the second line is the medium name of the tape medium MT1. Further, "LTO6789L5" on the third line is the medium name of the tape medium MT2.

The fourth line is a blank line.
The fifth and subsequent lines are a list of file names of the files included in the pair. One file name is registered in one line. In addition, update parameters are registered at the end of the file name on each line (following the colon symbol ":").

The update parameter is update information indicating which tape medium of the pair contains the latest version of the file. The update parameter “0” indicates that there is no update for the file (that is, the latest version is stored on both tape media). The update parameter "1" indicates that the latest version of the corresponding file is stored in the tape medium MT1 corresponding to the medium name "LTO1234L5" on the second line. The update parameter “2” indicates that the latest version of the corresponding file is stored in the tape medium MT2 corresponding to the medium name “LTO6789L5” on the third line.

For example, the information "Text.txt: 1" is registered in the fifth line of the media management information 111. This indicates that the file with the file name "Text.txt" is stored in both the tape media MT1 and MT2. It also indicates that the latest version of the file is stored in the tape medium MT1 (the file with the file name stored in the tape medium MT2 is not the latest version).

Further, the information "Picture.jpg: 0" is registered in the sixth line of the media management information 111. This indicates that the file with the file name "Picture.jpg" is stored in both the tape media MT1 and MT2. It also indicates that the file has not been updated since the last synchronization.

Further, the information "PP.dat: 2" is registered in the 7th line of the media management information 111. This indicates that the file with the file name "PP.dat" is stored in both the tape media MT1 and MT2. It also indicates that the latest version of the file is stored in the tape medium MT2 (the file with the file name stored in the tape medium MT1 is not the latest version).

The initial value of the update flag (value immediately after the completion of synchronization) is "0". Further, the initial value (value immediately after the completion of synchronization) of the update parameter corresponding to each file is "0".
For other files included in the pair of tape media MT1 and MT2, the file name and the update parameter are also registered in the media management information 111.

Next, the procedure of access control to the tape medium by the server 100 will be described. Here, in the following description, the tape medium (for example, the tape medium MT1) directly associated with the symbolic link will be referred to as a “normal medium” for convenience. Further, the tape medium (for example, the tape medium MT2) paired with the positive medium is referred to as a "secondary medium" for convenience. It can be said that the secondary medium is a tape medium indirectly associated with the symbolic link via the positive medium.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of access control. Hereinafter, the process shown in FIG. 9 will be described along with the step numbers. The procedure shown below is executed when the server 100 receives an access request specifying the access destination file. As described above, the access destination file is specified by a predetermined path including a symbolic link.

(S11) When the access control unit 120 receives the access request from the client 300, the access control unit 120 checks the link destination by the symbolic link. Then, the access control unit 120 confirms whether or not the link destination (storage destination of the latest version) of the file specified in the access request is the correct medium.

For example, the access request includes the path "/tp/a.txt". “/ Tmp” is a symbolic link and indicates the path “/ LTO / LT1234L5” or the path “/ LTO / LT5678L5” of the actual directory (which path is changed according to the update parameter of the medium management information 111). ). In this case, the link destination by the symbolic link is the tape medium MT1 corresponding to the medium name "LT1234L5" or the tape medium MT2 corresponding to the medium name "LT5678L5".

The access control unit 120 refers to the medium management information 111 stored in the storage unit 110, and the latest version of the corresponding file “a.txt” is stored in either the tape medium MT1 or the tape medium MT2. Check if. When the update parameter of the corresponding file is "0" or "1", the link destination (storage destination of the latest version) corresponding to the file is assumed to be the tape medium MT1. When the update parameter of the corresponding file is "2", it is assumed that the link destination corresponding to the file is the tape medium MT2. In the description after step S12, the case where the link destination for the file specified in the access request in step S11 is a positive medium will be described. When the link destination to the file is a secondary medium, the access control unit 120 accesses the file stored in the secondary medium (the description of the procedure is omitted).

(S12) The access control unit 120 determines whether or not the positive medium is normal. If the positive medium is normal, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S13. If the positive medium is not normal, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S14. Here, "the positive medium is normal" means that the file stored in the positive medium can be appropriately accessed. In addition, "the positive medium is not normal" means that an abnormality has occurred in the positive medium (for example, the cartridge of the tape medium is damaged, the magnetic tape is deteriorated or soiled, etc.), and the file stored in the positive medium Means inaccessible. For example, the access control unit 120 collects information on the normal / abnormal detection result of each tape medium by the library 200 and records it in the storage unit 110. The access control unit 120 determines whether or not the normal medium is normal by referring to the information of the normal / abnormal detection result of each tape medium stored in the storage unit 110.

(S13) The access control unit 120 determines whether or not the corresponding positive medium is being used by another user. If the positive medium is not used by another user, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S18. When the positive medium is used by another user, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S15. Here, "when the positive medium is used by another user" is, for example, a case where the positive medium is currently used for file access by the client 400. That is, the positive medium is stored in any drive of the library 200, and the drive is used for access such as reading or writing a file. On the other hand, "when the positive medium is not used by another user" is a case where the positive medium is not currently used for file access. It can be said that the determination in step S13 is the determination of the usage status of the positive medium.

For example, the access control unit 120 determines whether or not the positive medium is used by another user based on the history of access instructions to the library 200. The history of access instructions may be recorded in the storage unit 110 in response to an access instruction to the library 200 by the access control unit 120. Further, the access control unit 120 inquires the library 200 about the usage status of the positive medium, and makes a determination in step S13 based on the inquiry result of the usage status of the positive medium (result of being in use or not in use). You may go.

(S14) The access control unit 120 changes the link to the secondary medium. Specifically, the access control unit 120 sets the link destination path “/ LTO / LT1234L5” corresponding to the primary medium and the link destination path “/ LTO / LT6789L5” corresponding to the secondary medium based on the media management information 111. Change to ". Since there is an abnormality in the positive medium, all the links to the positive medium will be switched to the links to the secondary medium until the abnormality in the positive medium is recovered. Then, the access control unit 120 proceeds to the process in step S20.

(S15) The access control unit 120 determines whether or not the auxiliary medium is normal. If the secondary medium is normal, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S16. If the secondary medium is not normal, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S17. Here, the access control unit 120 identifies the secondary medium with respect to the primary medium based on the medium management information 111 stored in the storage unit 110. Further, the access control unit 120 can determine whether or not the auxiliary medium is normal in the same manner as in step S12.

(S16) The access control unit 120 refers to the media management information 111 and determines whether or not the update parameter corresponding to the file name of the file specified by the access request is “0”. When the update parameter corresponding to the file name of the corresponding file is "0", the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S19. When the update parameter corresponding to the file name of the corresponding file is not "0" (that is, when it is "1"), the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S17.

(S17) The access control unit 120 waits until the access to the positive medium is completed. When the access to the positive medium is completed, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S18.

(S18) The access control unit 120 determines that the tape medium of the access destination for the access request this time is the positive medium, and instructs the library 200 to access the file of the positive medium. The details of the access process to the positive medium will be described later. The access control unit 120 acquires the corresponding file from the library 200 and transmits it to the client 300. Then, the access control unit 120 ends the process.

(S19) The access control unit 120 changes the link to a secondary medium. Specifically, the access control unit 120 sets the link destination path “/ LTO / LT1234L5” corresponding to the primary medium and the link destination path “/ LTO / LT6789L5” corresponding to the secondary medium based on the media management information 111. Change to ".

(S20) The access control unit 120 determines that the tape medium of the access destination for this access request is the secondary medium, and instructs the library 200 to access the file of the secondary medium. Details of the access process to the secondary medium will be described later. The access control unit 120 acquires the corresponding file from the library 200 and transmits it to the client 300. Then, the access control unit 120 ends the process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an access execution example. Hereinafter, the process shown in FIG. 10 will be described along with the step numbers. The procedure shown below corresponds to steps S18 and S20 of FIG. 9 (the same procedure is used to access both the primary medium and the secondary medium).

(S21) The access control unit 120 updates the media management information 111 of the storage unit 110. Specifically, the access control unit 120 updates the update flag of the media management information 111 to "1" (the original case of "1" is overwritten). Further, the access control unit 120 sets the update parameter corresponding to the file name of the file specified this time to a value corresponding to the tape medium of the access destination (“1” for the primary medium and “2” for the secondary medium). Update. The access control unit 120 also saves and stores the media management information 111 before the update in a predetermined area of the storage unit 110.

(S22) The access control unit 120 instructs the library 200 to move the tape medium determined as the access destination (move from the shelf 205 to an empty drive).
(S23) The access control unit 120 instructs the library 200 to perform a file operation on the file corresponding to the access request received from the client 300. For example, a file operation may include retrieving the contents of a file, updating a file, or terminating file access. Here, updating the file indicates that the corresponding file is updated and the updated file is saved on the tape medium.

(S24) When the file access to the corresponding file is completed, the access control unit 120 determines whether or not the file has been updated. When updated, the access control unit 120 ends the process. If it has not been updated, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S25.

(S25) The access control unit 120 returns the update flag in the media management information 111 to the value before the update in step S21. Further, the access control unit 120 returns the update parameter of the corresponding file in the media management information 111 to the value before the update in step S21. Then, the access control unit 120 ends the process.

Here, steps S21 and S25 are processes for exclusive control of the same file. For example, if the update parameter of the access target file in the media management information 111 is set to "1" in step S21, when an access request to the file is received while accessing the file, No. in step S16 of FIG. Is determined. As a result, it is possible to prevent two access requests from being processed in parallel for the tape medium MT1. Further, for example, when the update parameter of the access target file in the media management information 111 is set to "2" in step S21, two access requests for the same file of the tape medium MT2 are processed in parallel in the same manner. Can be suppressed. This is because, when the sub-media is being accessed, the access control unit 120 waits until the previous access is completed before executing the subsequent access to the sub-media.

In addition, there may be cases where multiple accesses occur at the same time for different files stored in the secondary medium. In this case, the access control unit 120 makes a plurality of accesses to the sub-media in order (however, since the access frequency to the file to be archived is low, such a case is considered to be rare). .. However, by grouping three or more tape media and storing the same file set in three or more tape media, it is possible to avoid such access conflicts with respect to the secondary media.

As described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the server 100 selects the tape medium MT2 as the access destination according to the usage status of the tape medium MT1. More specifically, the server 100 converts the first path including the medium name of the tape medium MT1 which is the path of the directory corresponding to the symbolic link into the second path including the medium name of the tape medium MT2. As a result, the access destination for the file is switched from the tape medium MT1 to the tape medium MT2.

As a result, access contention for a single tape medium can be avoided, and the waiting time for access to the tape medium can be reduced.
By the way, consider a plurality of files included in a first tape medium belonging to one pair and a file set recorded on the second tape medium. When performing the synchronization process, of the plurality of files, the first tape medium is updated for the first file, and the second tape medium is updated for the second file. There is. In this case, for the first file, the first tape medium is the synchronization source and the second tape medium is the synchronization destination. On the other hand, for the second file, the second tape medium is the synchronization source and the first tape medium is the synchronization destination. That is, the tape medium of the synchronization source and the tape medium of the synchronization destination are switched for each file.

Further, writing a file to a tape medium is a write-once method. Specifically, the updated file is added to the end of the used area of the total storage area on the tape medium, and the file pointer of the corresponding file is changed to indicate the area to which the updated file is added. Will be done. The storage area corresponding to the file before the update is managed as, for example, a reusable area or an invalid area.

Therefore, the synchronization control unit 130 provides a synchronization control function in consideration of such a writing method for the tape medium.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of synchronization processing. Hereinafter, the process shown in FIG. 11 will be described along with the step numbers. The procedure shown below is periodically executed by the synchronization control unit 130 at a predetermined cycle.

(S31) The synchronization control unit 130 identifies a pair of tape media to be synchronized with reference to the media management information 111 stored in the storage unit 110. Specifically, when the update flag of the media management information 111 is "1", the synchronization control unit 130 sets the tape media MT1 and MT2 as a pair of tape media to be synchronized. On the other hand, when the update flag of the media management information 111 is "0", the synchronization control unit 130 does not pair the tape media MT1 and MT2 with the tape media to be synchronized. The synchronization control unit 130 executes the steps after step S32 on the pair of tape media to be synchronized.

(S32) The synchronization control unit 130 identifies the updated file from the file set stored in the pair specified in step S31. Specifically, the synchronization control unit 130 updates the file (updated) in the media management information 111 in which the update parameter corresponding to the file name is other than “0” (that is, “1” or “2”). Specify as a completed file). The updated file (updated file) is the latest version of the file stored in the pair, and can be said to be the data to be synchronized.

(S33) The synchronization control unit 130 sorts the copy order of the updated files. Specifically, the synchronization control unit 130 first determines the copy order so as to copy the updated file from the primary medium to the secondary medium, and then copies the updated file from the secondary medium to the primary medium. To determine the copy order. However, the synchronization control unit 130 may determine the copy order so that the copy from the secondary medium to the primary medium is performed first and the copy from the primary medium to the secondary medium is performed later.

(S34) The synchronization control unit 130 instructs the library 200 to copy the updated files in the sorted order.
(S35) The synchronization control unit 130 resets the update flag of the synchronized pair. Specifically, when the synchronization processing for the tape media MT1 and MT2 is completed, the synchronization control unit 130 sets the update flag “1” (with update) in the media management information 111 to “0” (without update). .. Further, the synchronization control unit 130 sets all the update parameters of each file in the media management information 111 to “0”.

In this way, the server 100 stores the update parameter (update information) indicating which of the tape media MT1 and MT2 the file was updated, and is stored in the tape media MT1 and MT2 based on the update parameter. Instruct the library 200 to synchronize each data set (file set).

At this time, the server 100 uses the library 200 to store all the synchronization target files stored in the tape medium MT1 in the tape medium MT2, and then store the synchronization target files stored in the tape medium MT2 in the tape medium MT1. Control synchronization.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of sorting in copy order. For example, a set of a file name and an update parameter is registered in each line of the media management information 111.
Specifically, the update parameter for the file name "A" is "1". The update parameter for the file name "B" is "2". The update parameter for the file name "C" is "0". The update parameter for the file name "D" is "1". The update parameter for the file name "E" is "1". The update parameter for the file name "F" is "2". The update parameter for the file name "G" is "0". The update parameter for the file name "H" is "1".

The media management information 111a represents a list of file names sorted by the synchronization control unit 130. Specifically, in the media management information 111a, the file names "A", "D", "E", and "H" of the updated files stored in the normal medium are arranged first. Next, among the updated files, the file names "B" and "F" of those stored in the secondary medium are arranged. The files "C" and "G" that have not been updated are listed at the end. Files "C" and "G" that have not been updated are not subject to copying (that is, are not subject to synchronization processing).

The synchronization control unit 130 is a library for copying the updated files from the primary medium to the secondary medium and from the secondary medium to the primary medium in the order indicated by the media management information 111a (the order from the upper side to the lower side in the figure). Instruct 200.

The access execution unit 210 first stores the updated file read from the primary medium in the secondary medium in response to the instruction from the synchronization control unit 130. As described above, the access execution unit 210 adds the updated file of the primary medium to the end of the used area of the secondary medium. When the addition of all the updated files on the primary medium is completed, the access execution unit 210 stores the updated files read from the secondary medium in the primary medium. The access execution unit 210 adds the updated file of the secondary medium to the end of the used area of the primary medium.

Here, for example, it is conceivable to perform the synchronization processing in the order from the upper side to the lower side of the list of file names in the media management information 111 without sorting in the copy order. However, in this case, the library 200 may switch the synchronization source / synchronization destination tape medium a plurality of times. Further, the updated file to be written to the synchronization destination and the updated file read from the synchronization source can be alternately written to one tape medium. However, if the file is read and written to the tape medium a plurality of times alternately, the synchronization processing time may become long. This is because the seek operation of the file position with respect to the tape medium occurs frequently.

Therefore, as described above, by sorting the copy order in advance by the synchronization control unit 130, the library 200 can switch the synchronization source / synchronization destination tape medium only once. In addition, the target file can be continuously added to the tape medium of the synchronization destination. Therefore, the number of times of seeking the file position with respect to the tape medium can be suppressed, and the synchronization process can be speeded up.

When one of the tape media in a pair becomes unusable, the synchronization control unit 130 replaces the unusable tape medium with a new tape medium to recreate the pair. Specifically, the synchronization control unit 130 updates the medium management information 111 with the medium name of the new tape medium (updates the old medium name with the new medium name). Then, the synchronization control unit 130 performs high-speed recovery by storing the file set of the existing tape medium in the pair in the new tape medium by the above synchronization processing. During the pair restoration work, the pair to be restored is temporarily operated on one tape medium.

Further, the access control unit 120 may perform access control in consideration of the above-mentioned synchronization processing by the synchronization control unit 130. Specifically, it is as follows.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of access control. Hereinafter, the process shown in FIG. 13 will be described along with the step numbers. The procedure shown below is executed when the server 100 receives an access request specifying the access destination file.

(S41) The access control unit 120 determines whether or not the synchronization process by the synchronization control unit 130 is in progress. If the synchronization process is in progress, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S43. If the synchronization process is not in progress, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S42.

(S42) The access control unit 120 normally performs access processing. The procedure of the normal access process corresponds to the procedure illustrated in FIG. Then, the access control unit 120 ends the process.

(S43) The access control unit 120 determines whether or not the access target tape medium (access target medium) is a tape medium being synchronized. When the access target medium is a tape medium being synchronized, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S45. If the access target medium is not a tape medium being synchronized, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S44.

(S44) The access control unit 120 determines whether or not there is a free drive in the library 200. If there is a free drive, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S48. If there is no free drive, the access control unit 120 proceeds to step S45.

(S45) The access control unit 120 instructs the synchronization control unit 130 to suspend the synchronization process. The synchronization control unit 130 interrupts the synchronization processing in response to an instruction to interrupt the synchronization processing, and records the progress information of the synchronization processing in the storage unit 110. The synchronization processing progress information is information indicating the interruption position of the synchronization processing (address at the time of interruption of the file in which the synchronization was interrupted and the synchronization destination tape medium) for the corresponding pair. If the access target medium is not a pair in which the synchronization process is interrupted, the library 200 can take out the tape medium in which the synchronization process is interrupted from the drive (drive 207 or drive 208) (even in the case of step S44 No, an empty drive). Can be prepared).

(S46) The access control unit 120 normally performs access processing. The procedure of the normal access process corresponds to the procedure illustrated in FIG.
(S47) When the normal access process in step S46 is completed, the access control unit 120 instructs the synchronization control unit 130 to restart the synchronization process from the interrupted position. The synchronization control unit 130 restarts the synchronization process from the interrupted position based on the progress information of the synchronization process stored in the storage unit 110. Then, the access control unit 120 ends the process.

(S48) The access control unit 120 performs a normal access process using an empty drive of the library 200. The procedure of the normal access process corresponds to the procedure illustrated in FIG. Then, the access control unit 120 ends the process.

In this way, when the server 100 receives an access request for the file stored in the tape medium being synchronized during the synchronization, the synchronization by the library 200 is interrupted, and the access corresponding to the access request is libraryed. Instruct 200.

That is, even during the synchronous processing, the access control unit 120 controls so that the file access to the access request by the clients 300 and 400 is executed with priority over the synchronous processing. The synchronization control unit 130 stores the copy status of the file at the time of interruption of the synchronization process in the storage unit 110, and restarts the synchronization process after the file access is completed. Similarly, in the case of the pair recovery process, the synchronization control unit 130 controls so that the file access to the access request by the clients 300 and 400 is executed with priority over the recovery process.

In this way, even when the synchronization process or the recovery process is performed, the waiting time for accessing the recording medium can be reduced without waiting for the synchronization process or the recovery process to be completed.
In addition, even if a drive is used by synchronization processing or recovery processing and there is no free drive, the waiting time for access to the recording medium is reduced by interrupting the synchronization processing or recovery processing and preparing a free drive. be able to.

As described above, according to the server 100, the accessibility to the files by the clients 300 and 400 can be improved in the archive operation of the library 200 by the LTFS. In addition, the continuity of operation can be improved by providing a high-speed recovery function in the event of a media error. When using these functions, users who perform business using files do not have to be aware of the synchronization process by the server 100, and can access files even during synchronization or file recovery. Become.

Furthermore, by utilizing the symbolic link mechanism for switching the tape medium of the access destination, the access destination can be switched at high speed by changing the path of the link destination. Further, the clients 300 and 400 do not have to be aware of the tape medium of the access destination, and the influence on the file usage by the user can be suppressed.

Then, by operating the two tape media as a pair, a pair of tape media can be used when the tape media to be accessed is used by another user. Therefore, the access waiting time can be omitted and the file can be accessed at high speed. In addition, the periodic synchronization process not only maintains the consistency between the tape media, but also functions as a backup, and can be used for file recovery in the event of a failure. During the synchronization process, it is possible to provide a file access environment without making the user aware of the synchronization process. Therefore, the server 100 and the library 200 do not have to determine the execution time of the synchronization process in consideration of the accessibility of the file by the user, and the synchronization process can be performed in the free time of the server 100 and the library 200. As a result, efficient operation of the server 100 and the library 200 becomes possible.

In the second embodiment, the tape medium is exemplified as the recording medium, but other types of media may be used. For example, the recording medium may be an optical disk medium such as Blu-ray (registered trademark). The library 200 may be a device capable of accommodating a plurality of optical disc media.

The information processing of the first embodiment can be realized by causing the processing unit 1b to execute the program. Further, the information processing of the second embodiment can be realized by causing the processor 101 to execute the program. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium 13.

For example, the program can be distributed by distributing the recording medium 13 on which the program is recorded. Alternatively, the program may be stored in another computer and distributed via the network. For example, the computer may store (install) a program recorded on the recording medium 13 or a program received from another computer in a storage device such as RAM 102 or HDD 103, read the program from the storage device, and execute the program. Good.

1 Information processing device 1a Storage unit 1b Processing unit 2 Library device 2a Shelf 2b, 2c drive 3,4 Terminal device 5 Network M1, M2 Recording medium

Claims (10)

A plurality of recording media including a first recording medium and a second recording medium are housed, a plurality of drives used for accessing each recording medium are provided, and the plurality of drives are used. A library device that synchronizes data between at least two recording media among the recording media, and
Among the plurality of recording media, the first recording medium associated with the data storage destination and the first recording medium associated with the data storage destination, based on the identification information that specifies the access path to the storage destination of the data requested to be accessed. The second recording medium, which is one of the storage destinations of the synchronized data of the data, is specified, the usage status of the specified first recording medium is confirmed, and the first recording medium is any drive. When accessed using, an information processing device that instructs the library device to access the specified second recording medium using another drive, and
Information processing system with. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is a symbolic link corresponding to a directory in which the data is stored. The information processing apparatus converts the first path including the identifier of the first recording medium, which is the path of the directory corresponding to the symbolic link, into the second path including the identifier of the second recording medium. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the access destination for the data is switched from the first recording medium to the second recording medium. The information processing device stores update information indicating which of the first recording medium and the second recording medium has been updated, and based on the update information, the first recording. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the library device is instructed to perform the synchronization process using the medium and the second recording medium. When the information processing device receives the access request for the data during the synchronization process, the information processing device interrupts the synchronization process by the library device and instructs the library device to access in response to the access request. , The information processing system according to claim 4. The information processing apparatus stores all the first synchronization target data stored in the first recording medium in the second recording medium, and then stores the second synchronization in the second recording medium. The information processing system according to claim 4 or 5, which controls the synchronization process by the library device so as to store the target data in the first recording medium. The information processing device corresponds to a first file system for acquiring the access request issued by a predetermined application, the access path included in the acquired access request, and an identifier of the first recording medium. The first recording medium is identified by executing a second file system that manages the relationship and converting the access path into an identifier of the first recording medium by the second file system. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The information processing device has a storage unit that stores information on a combination of the first recording medium and the recording medium including the second recording medium to be synchronized, and is based on the identification information. When the first recording medium is specified, the second recording medium belonging to the same combination as the first recording medium is specified by referring to the information of the combination stored in the storage unit. The information processing system according to any one of 7 to 7. An information processing device that has multiple drives used to access recording media and can be connected to a library device that stores multiple recording media.
A storage unit that stores information on a combination of a first recording medium and a second recording medium that is a storage destination for synchronous data of data stored in the first recording medium.
Based on the identification information that specifies the access path to the recording medium of the storage destination of the access requested data and the information of the combination stored in the storage unit, the data storage destination of the plurality of recording media The associated first recording medium and the second recording medium are specified, the usage status of the specified first recording medium is confirmed, and the first recording medium drives any drive. When accessed by using, a processing unit that instructs the library device to access the specified second recording medium by using another drive, and
Information processing device with. A computer that has multiple drives used to access recording media and can be connected to a library device that houses multiple recording media.
Based on the identification information that specifies the access path to the recording medium of the storage destination of the data requested to be accessed, the first recording medium associated with the storage destination of the data among the plurality of recording media, and the said Data synchronization Identify a second recording medium, which is one of the storage destinations for data,
The usage status of the specified first recording medium is confirmed, and when the first recording medium is accessed using any of the drives, another drive for the specified second recording medium is used. Instruct the library device to use access,
A program that executes processing.

Images