JPH01106357A - Cartridge aggregation type memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To move a cartridge between respective groups without any manual work by grouping volume, determining the appropriate number of cartridge housing frames, and allocating a cartridge moving means according to the real time characteristic of a file. CONSTITUTION:The access frequency of the volume changes according to the time passed from the point of generating the volume. At the same time, a request for a response goes to gentle, and as the time passes, it becomes necessary to change the group to be stored. Therefore, a cartridge moving means 7 in a substrate frame 1-1 is composed so that the means 7 can access a cartridge accommodating part provided at a substrate frame 1-2. A host designates a volume identifier (VSN) for a controller 8 loaded on the substrate frame 1-1, instructs the controller 8 to move to the cartridge accommodating part 9, and further, instructs the controller 8 of the substrate frame 1-2 to accommodate the group from cartridge accommodating part 9 to a new accommodating destination group.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plurality of cartridge accommodating portions each accommodating a plurality of cartridges each containing a tQ medium, and a memory housed in the cartridges 1 to 1. A recording and reproducing section that records or reproduces information on a medium, a Carmyridge moving means that moves a cartridge from a cartridge accommodating section to a recording and reproducing section and vice versa, and a recording and reproducing section that records or reproduces information on a storage medium. The present invention relates to a cartridge collective storage device comprising a control device that controls a cartridge moving means so that the cartridge is moved, and a control device that controls a cartridge moving means so that the cartridge is moved.

In a technical information processing system of 0.0, as the number of information (data) files increases, the average access frequency per information file tends to decrease. Information (data) files in information processing systems vary greatly in terms of the real-time performance required, ranging from files with high demands for real-time performance to files with moderate demands on real-time performance, such as files for long-term storage. There is a range.

As a representative conventional technology for realizing a storage device for storing large-capacity information files at a low cost, there is a device that can automatically exchange storage media.
No. 999, it is proposed.

6, which the invention attempts to solve.

Conventional devices that allow such exchange of storage media, particularly devices that randomly access information files, require the storage medium to be moved using a media moving means (accessor) within the time required to access the file. A large proportion of the time spent on Therefore, the capabilities of the media mover (accessor) have a significant impact on response time.

Conventional devices do not have a configuration that allows access that reflects differences in the requirements of information processing systems for real-time performance of an information file or an information volume that collects a large number of information files.

In addition, in the case of conventional devices, it is possible to install a storage medium containing an information file or an information volume in a cartridge and use a second cartridge moving means (accessor) to move the cartridge. Accessor) Since it is desirable to avoid interference between phases U, the cartridge moving means (accessor) used for simultaneous movement of the volume is
There was only one. Cartridge moving means in this case (
Duplication (having two accessors) is achieved by revising the cartridge moving means (accessor) closest to the target cartridge (Polycomb).
It only means that the performance can be improved and that if one cartridge moving means (accessor) breaks down, the other cartridge moving means (accessor) can take its place. The access performance of the means of transportation (accessor) is not fully utilized. In addition, in the case of conventional devices, although it is possible to expand the information capacity, since all polycombs are treated equally from the car 1 to the transport means (accessor), polycombs with high real-time performance An access request is made for access processing of a volume with low real-time performance. Even if the host side rearranges the queues based on priority, or even if volumes with high response demands are placed in the cartridge accommodating section near the recording/playback section, at the same time the cartridge moving means ( As long as there is only one accessor, no significant performance improvement can be expected. Furthermore, when rearranging queues based on priority on the host side, in a multi-host environment, host circle communication is a prerequisite, and there is a limit to performance improvement that is limited to the host side. Prioritize volumes with devices like this! Therefore, it is necessary to install multiple devices depending on the priority. In this case, although it is an automated device, it requires human labor to transfer the volume whose real-time performance has been lost to another device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention does not involve the drawbacks of the prior art devices mentioned above.
This will provide J+Z with a new cartridge-based storage device.

According to the cartridge collective storage device according to the present invention, volumes are grouped according to the real-time nature of files contained in the volumes, an appropriate number of cartridge storage frames is determined for each group, and a cartridge moving means (accessor) is used. ) can be assigned.

In the conventional technology, all volumes in a device are treated equally regardless of the response time required for each volume, and are serviced sequentially by the same cartridge transfer means (accessor). In contrast, in the J3 of the present invention, volumes can be grouped according to real-time performance, and the number of storage frames can be set according to the number of cartridges belonging to the group. An accessor), a recording/reproducing section, and a control device are installed, so that the cartridge can be moved and discharged between each group without having to go through the acquisition process.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a route map showing an embodiment of a cartridge collective storage device according to the present invention.

Reference numerals 1-1 and 1-2 indicate basic frames, which include a plurality of cartridge accommodating sections 5 each accommodating a plurality of cartridges 4 each containing a storage medium, and a storage medium housed in the cartridge 4. One or more recording and reproducing sections 6-1 and 6-2 record or reproduce information (data), and the cartridge 4 is taken out from the cartridge accommodating section 5, and the cartridge accommodating section 4 is placed in the recording and reproducing section 6-1.
or upon receiving commands from the host of the information processing system and the cartridge moving means (accessor) 7 to move it to the position 6-2 and vice versa to accommodate it in the cartridge accommodating section 5; It is equipped with a control device (controller) 8 that controls the recording/reproducing section 6-1 or 6-2 and the cartridge moving means (accessor) 7 so that they operate as described above.

Further, 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3 indicate a cartridge frame having a plurality of cartridge accommodating portions for accommodating the cartridges 4.

Further, reference numeral 3 denotes an end frame that accommodates the end of a cable that connects the control device (controller) 8 and the cartridge moving means (accessor) 7.

The cartridge accommodating section 5 and the recording/reproducing sections 6-1 and 6-2 located in the basic frames 1-1 and 1-2 are positioned according to orthogonal coordinates X and Y shown in FIG.

The cartridges 4 accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portions 5 of the basic frame 1-1 and the cartridge frame 2-1 are
The cartridges 4 which are classified as belonging to the first group and which are housed in the basic frame 1-2, cartridge frames 2-2 and 3-2 are classified as belonging to the second group b.

In general, the request response time is, on average, R-i
The Kerr I ridges (volumes) classified as seconds are grouped together and this is defined as the il-th group.

The average access frequency per cartridge of the cartridges (volumes) yielding to the group on the i-th day is f, times/
sec, and the number of cartridges belonging to the first group is ni, the access frequency is n, -f,
times/second. In addition, the usage rate of the cartridge moving means (Akhituna) is n, ・f, ・t, and the response time is Ri=t/(1-n) assuming random arrival and random service. , -f, -t,). Here, t is the average time required for the cartridge moving means (accessor) to move the cartridge.

Therefore, the number n i of cartridges belonging to the first group is (R・-t)/(R・−f・−ta>1
a 1 There is one.

In this way, the cartridges are assigned to the first group according to the number n, and the number of cartridge frames is set to 6. If the response time cannot be satisfied even if the number of cartridge frames is set to "1", the iWth group is further divided into another group (J:) to divide the frequently accessed group. In this case, an unused cartridge accommodating portion is created in the cartridge frame.

As described above, the cartridge frames are connected to the basic frame in a manner that groups the cartridges and corresponds to the groups.

In addition, when installing the information processing system, the basic frame 1-1
The range in the X-axis direction (not shown in FIG. 1, see external marks) to be shared by the cartridge moving means (accessor) 7 connected to the control device (controller) 8 of 1-2, respectively, is
Like the normal logical address of the device, it is set using a di-11 cable or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the X address range assigned to accelerator j+7 in basic frame 1-1 is set to 0-1, and
The X address range shared by accessor 7 in -2 is i
+1 to j.

Figure 2 shows the JJ basic frames-1 and 1- shown in Figure 1.
2 shows the connection relationship among the recording/reproducing section 6, cartridge moving means 7, and control device (controller) 8.

In FIG. 2, a3G node 11 includes a control device (controller) 8 in the basic frame 1-1 and a control device (controller) 8 in the basic frame 1-1.
The connection line (interface line) connecting the cartridge moving means (accessor) 7 in the basic frame 1-1 is shown, and the control device (controller) 8 in the basic frame 1-1 connects the cartridge moving means (accessor) 7 in the basic frame 1-1.
The basic frame 1 used for recovery when a failure of the accessor) 7 is detected and recovery is attempted using the cartridge moving means (accessor) 7 in the basic frame 1-2.
Cartridge moving means (accessor) 7 in -2
It detects whether the cartridge is in use or empty, transmits a moving command to the cartridge moving means, and causes it to respond with the result of the moving operation.

In order to avoid operating the cartridge collective storage device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, first, when creating a volume, the host uses a VOLUHE S N (V S N ) as shown in FIG. 3. [RIAL N
UMBER) and storage groups is created.

In addition, the control device (controller) 8 in the basic frames 1-1 and 1-2 stores the group information management table as shown in FIG. 4 at the time of system installation. Create it above. In addition, the interface issued by the host to the control Il device (controller) is, for example, GA22-6974.
-41BM S'fST [M/360 AND 5
YST[H370110INT[nrACE C1l
8NNEL DOC0NTR0L UNIT 0
RIGINAL [QUIPH[NT HANll
This is realized using a format protocol such as FAcTIIR[D INFORMATION.

VSN=VOO01 (Dbo') Neem (7)? Run I
” is required, refer to Figure 3 and select the third group to which it belongs and the usable recording/playback unit 1) KO
4. Find DKO5 and request the control device (controller) 8 corresponding to the third group to mount i. In issuing the input/output command in this case, the host host checks the usage state of the recording/playback section using the control OII that the host has.
Confirming using tables and the like is the same as during normal input/output control.

The controller 8 obtains the volume and the XY address of the recording/reproducing section from FIG. 4, and issues a movement command to the cartridge movement means (accessor).

If the cartridge moving means (accessor) breaks down, use the interface line 11 shown in FIG. A malfunctioning cartridge transfer means (accessor)
After evacuating, the recovery action is performed using the Yoshioke Accessory. In the figure, the leftmost group does not have an alternative cartridge movement means (Akhila), but
If you store the volume with mild response demands in the left group, the leftmost group is the group with the mildest response demands, so it is possible to reduce the amount of time required to respond to failures. be.

Next, on the premise of the storage method described above, a method for responding to temporal changes in volume response will be described.

The frequency of a volume generally changes depending on the time that has passed since the volume was created. In particular, in a device that stores time-series information (data) such as a system log, as time passes, the frequency of reference decreases and at the same time requests for responses become more relaxed.

Therefore, as time passes, it is necessary to change the group to be stored. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the cartridge moving means 7 in the basic frame 1-1 is
is configured to be able to access the cartridge accommodating portion 9 provided in the basic frame 1-2. In addition, in a basic frame belonging to a group that does not receive or take cartridges from an adjacent group, the cartridge storage section 9
is unnecessary and there is no need to intentionally provide it.

The host uses the controls installed in the basic frame 1-1.
Specify ■SN for ll device (controller) 8,
It commands the cartridge to be moved to the cartridge accommodating section 9, and further instructs the control device (controller) 8 of the basic frame 1-2 to accommodate the cartridge from the cartridge accommodating section 9 into a new accommodating group. Along with this, basic frames 1-1 and 1-
The second control device (controller) 8 updates the daples on the table 12.

In this case, in order to avoid two cartridge moving means (accessors), the cartridge moving means of basic frame 1-1 and the cartridge moving means of basic frame 1-2, from accessing the same -XY address at the same time, After confirming that only one host system is to be replaced and that the transfer to the cartridge accommodating section 9 is complete,
An instruction is given to the adjacent cartridge/moving means (accessor) to store the cartridge from the cartridge accommodating section 9 to the destination cartridge accommodating section.

Depending on the system, a plurality of volumes, for example, three or more volumes, may be required to be mounted simultaneously for processing purposes. In such a case, a frame consisting of a control device (controller) 8, a recording/reproducing section 7, a cartridge accommodating section 5, and a cartridge 4 (from the basic frame to a cartridge moving means (accessor) 7, a temporary evacuation point used when moving cartridges between cartridge groups) is required. It is desirable to prepare a container (excluding the storage area 9). This frame is called an extended frame.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment that uses the four types of frames described above and is configured to meet the requirements of various systems.

Figure 5, number Δ, shows the case where a file with medium response and very slow response performance is applied to the system.

Note that in FIG. 5A, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. Also, in Figure 5A, 13-1 and 13-2
show the above-mentioned extended frames related to basic frames 1-1 and 1-2, respectively.

Further, FIG. 5B shows a case where the system is applied to a system with strict requirements for response.

In addition, in FIG. 5B, corresponding parts with FIG. 1 are shown with the same symbol. Further, in FIG. 5B, 1-3 indicates a basic frame.

The above-described procedure is also clear from the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, we have explained the case where the management of storage positions of volumes and cartridges is carried out by a control device (controller). However, there are various methods for managing volumes and cartridges, and mount/demount interfaces, and the host side It is also easy to implement. Note that even if the methods differ in this way, the only difference is the division of functions between the host and the storage device.
This does not impair the feasibility of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, cartridges are classified and stored according to the response time required by the system, and a cartridge moving means (accessor) is assigned to each classification, so that real-time performance is not required as in the past. There is no possibility that the mount/demount processing performance of a volume with a strong demand for real-time performance is degraded due to the mount/demount processing of a volume with a moderate demand for real-time performance.

Further, if the cartridge moving means (accessor) breaks down, recovery can be attempted using the adjacent cartridge moving means (accessor), so high reliability can be ensured at a low cost.

Further, it is possible to automatically store the volume at an appropriate cartridge storage position in response to temporal changes in volume response.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a route map showing an embodiment of the cartridge collective storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the connection relationship of each part of the car 1 to the storage aggregate storage device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a volume management table created on the host side. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing tables for volume management and recording/playback unit management created by the controller (controller 1-0-). FIG. 5 is a route map showing another embodiment of the cartridge collective storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an overview of the operations of the host, control device (controller), and cartridge moving means (accessor) in the embodiment of the cartridge collective storage device according to the present invention. 1-1.1-2.1-3 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Basic frame 2-1.2-2.2-3 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Cartridge frame 3・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・・Terminal frame 4・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・Cartridge 5・・・・・・・・・・・・
...... Cartridge storage section 6-L 6-2 ...... Recording and reproducing section 7 ......・・・・・・・・・・・・Cartridge moving means (accessor) 8・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Control
l Device (controller) 9... Cartridge housing section 13-1.13-2......・・・・・・・・・Expansion frame applicant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Figure 2 Basic frame 1-1 side Basic frame 1-2 side @8 Figure 4 r = ko =] 222 No.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of cartridge accommodating portions each accommodating a plurality of cartridges each containing a storage medium, and a recording/reproducing device for recording or reproducing information on the storage medium contained in the cartridge. a cartridge moving means for moving the cartridge from the cartridge accommodating section to the recording and reproducing section and vice versa; controlling the recording and reproducing section so that recording or reproducing is performed on the storage medium; and a control device for controlling the cartridge moving means so that the cartridges are moved, wherein the cartridge moving means includes a plurality of cartridges having mutually different moving ranges. What is claimed is: 1. A cartridge assembly type storage device, characterized in that a cartridge moving means is provided. 2. In the cartridge collective storage device according to claim 1, it is provided that at least one of the plurality of cartridge moving means partially overlaps with a range in which another adjacent cartridge is moved. Features: Cartridge collective storage device. 3. In the cartridge collective storage device according to claim 1, when one of the plurality of cartridges fails, the other adjacent one malfunctions.
1. A cartridge collective storage device characterized in that said cartridge is configured to move within a range in which the former cartridge is moved.