JPH0887869A - Library control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a library control system in which overflow does not take place at the time of writing. CONSTITUTION: The library control system comprises a management information file Mf0 having an empty capacity area for writing the empty capacity of a cartridge, and a capacity check means 21 for making a decision whether an empty capacity is present in an objective cartridge with reference to an empty capacity area when writing is requested from a terminal with the cartridge being mounted on a drive. When an empty capacity is present, a read/write means 22 is operated continuously otherwise another cartridge contained in a library unit is retrieved or a new cartridge is loaded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a library control system, and more particularly to a library control system capable of managing the free space of a cartridge housed in a library device.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Storage media used in computers, especially
A library control system manages a library device that centrally stores magnetic tapes.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between a conventional library device, a library control system and a terminal. The cartridge storage shelf 31 of the library device 30 is provided with a large number of small shelves called cells, and one cartridge-type magnetic tape (hereinafter simply referred to as a cartridge) is stored in one cell.

In the storage means of the library control system 20, a management information file Mf as shown in FIG. 12 is stored in the storage means (not shown) corresponding to each cartridge stored in the cartridge storage shelf 31. The management information file Mf is provided with areas where the following items can be entered.

Cartridge name area: A field for entering the name of the cartridge. Library ID area: A column for entering the number of the library device in which the cartridge is stored.

Cell address area: An address entry field of a cell in which the cartridge is stored. Data summary area: A column for entering a name, code, etc., that allows the content of the data to be understood.

Although one data is generally stored in one cartridge, there may be a plurality of data. At this time, the data summarization area is provided for each data stored in the same cartridge.

As a result, when a cartridge name is input from the terminal 11 and a mount request is made, the mount means 25 of the library control system 20 shown in FIG. 13 operates, and first, the cartridge having the input cartridge name is stored in the cartridge storage shelf. 31 is determined by referring to the cartridge name area of the management information file Mf, and when it is stored, the drive 40
A mount request is issued to the robot 32 and the robot 32 is operated at the same time (FIG. 13, steps S91 → S92 → S93). As a result, the cartridge is mounted on the drive 40, and when the mounting is completed, the drive 40 sends a completion notification to the terminal 10 via the control system 20 (FIG. 13, step S94 →
S95). The specified cartridge is the library device 3
If it is not stored in 0, a message to that effect is displayed on the display device of the terminal and the process ends (FIG. 13, step S96).

With the cartridge designated as described above mounted in the drive 40, the operator writes the data into the cartridge after the work is completed by using the specific data stored in the cartridge. At this time, the terminal 1
When there is a write request from 0, the read / write means 22 of the library control system 20 operates to control writing between the terminal 10 and the drive 40 (FIG. 13, steps S81 to S83).

At the time of writing, when writing data different from the already written data to an area different from the already written data, the end code of the already written data is searched,
Writing is performed from the position next to the end code.

Further, when a new cartridge is used, the cartridge is loaded into the loading / unloading port 33 and an instruction is issued from the terminal so that the cartridge is stored in a predetermined cell. Conversely, a specific cartridge is loaded into the library device 3
When it is desired to remove the cartridge from the control of 0, the robot 32 takes out a target cartridge from a specific cell based on an instruction from the terminal 10 and ejects it from the insertion / ejection port 33.

[0012]

According to the above-mentioned conventional configuration, since it is impossible to confirm how much free space is available in the cartridge for which the mount request is made from the terminal 10, the data to be written in the cartridge will be written. Will be written regardless of whether or not there is enough free space to store all the data. At this time, when the amount of data to be written is larger than the free space of the cartridge, it is necessary to write some overflowed data to another cartridge, which causes inconvenience in data management.

Further, even if the operator knows that a certain cartridge has a small free space and tries to use another cartridge, it cannot determine which cartridge has a free space. There is inconvenience in work and data management.

Next, when the amount of data written to the cartridge becomes large and further writing becomes impossible, it may be necessary to insert a new cartridge. However, in the conventional library control system described above, it is not possible to judge whether or not it is a state in which a new cartridge needs to be loaded.

After the terminal 10 writes and reads data in the cartridge and finishes the work, the magnetic tape of the cartridge is rewound and the head is always positioned at the beginning of the tape when the tape is mounted next time. .
Therefore, even if there is data that is frequently used, when accessing the data at the start of work, the start position of the target data is always read from the initial position (as described above, the next code of the end code of the previous data is It was necessary to advance the cartridge to the position), and it took a long time.

Further, even if it is necessary to store data that will be generated in the future in the free space portion of the cartridge having the free space, the conventional library control system cannot make a reservation.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above conventional circumstances, and a library control system in which an overflow does not occur at the time of writing by making it possible to know the free space of a cartridge to be used and the free space of another cartridge. It is intended to provide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a library control system capable of working with target data immediately upon use. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a library control system capable of immediately confirming a cartridge with a low remaining capacity and judging the necessity of inserting a new cartridge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a library control system capable of making a reservation for a cartridge which is scheduled to be used.

[0020]

The present invention employs the following means in order to achieve the above object. That is, FIG.
As shown in, the management information for managing each cartridge is written in the management information file Mf ₀ corresponding to each cartridge stored in the cartridge storage shelf 31, and the library is referred to by referring to the management information file Mf _0. In the library control system for managing the device 30,
The management information file Mf ₀ having a free space area for entering the free space of the cartridge, and whether the target cartridge has a free space when a writing request is made from the terminal with the cartridge mounted in the drive. A capacity check unit 21 for determining whether or not to refer to the free capacity area is provided.

As a result of the check by the capacity check means 21, if the target cartridge is not writable, the cartridge search means 24 searches for another writable cartridge, and then the mount is performed. The means 25 is activated to mount the writable cartridge.

As a result of the capacity check, or by the cartridge searching means 24 searching for another cartridge and mounting it, a read / write means 22 which operates when a writable cartridge is mounted in the drive is provided. Then, the management information updating unit 23 updates the free space area of the management information file Mf ₀ based on the write amount after the writing by the read / write unit 22 is completed.

A display means 72 is provided for prompting the insertion of a new cartridge when the result of the check by the capacity check means 21 or when the result of the remaining capacity check means 29 of the cartridge after writing is not writable.

In the number-of-uses area of the management information file Mf ₀ , the number of times of use of each data stored in the cartridge is entered, the data with the highest number of times of use is searched, and the start address is notified to the drive. Then, it is also possible to adopt a configuration including a cueing means 27 for instructing the drive to cue.

Of course, the number-of-uses area can be updated by the management information updating means 23. The management information file Mf further includes a free space area for writing the free space area of the cartridge, a data amount area for writing the size of each data stored in the cartridge, and an owner area for writing the data owner.
₀ , a reserved capacity check means 61 for checking whether or not there is a free space corresponding to a specified data amount in a specified cartridge when a reservation request is made from the terminal; It is also possible to provide a reservation processing unit 62 for performing a reservation process of writing the owner name thus obtained in the owner area and the size of the reservation data in the data amount area.

[0026]

In the management information file Mf ₀ , a free space area for writing the free space is provided, and the free space of the cartridge is written. As a result, when the cartridge is mounted, the capacity check unit 21 confirms the free space by reading the free space area, while the read / write unit 22 writes the data amount of data to be written (in the case of data update). Indicates the increased data amount) to the capacity check means 21.

As a result, the capacity check means 21 checks whether or not the data amount notified by the read / write means 22 is within the capacity written in the empty capacity area as described above, and if it is writable, Lead /
Write processing is performed by the write means 22.

If writing is not possible in the above,
The cartridge search means 24 operates in response to a search request from the terminal 10, and searches for a cartridge which is different from the currently mounted cartridge and has a free space larger than the amount of data to be written. As a result, the operator designates one of the cartridges searched by the cartridge search means 24 and issues a mount request to the mount means 25. As a result, when a cartridge with a large free space is mounted, the read / write means 22 operates and the writing process is performed on the designated cartridge.

In any of the above cases, when the writing is done normally, the management information updating means 23 operates,
In consideration of the amount of written data, the free space of the cartridge after the writing work is detected and the free space area is updated.

The management information file Mf ₀ is further provided with a usage count area for recording the usage count of each data, and the usage count for specific data is recorded therein.
Next, the cueing unit 27 checks the mount count for each of the above data, and notifies the drive 40 of the head position (address) of the data that has been used the most. This causes the drive 40 to bring the head position to the head position, and then the cartridge is stored in the cartridge storage shelf. By doing this, the next time it is used, it will always be written / written at the start position of the data that is used most often.
The read head will be located.

The use number area is updated by the management information updating means 23 after the use of the data is finished. It may be necessary to insert a new cartridge when the free space of the target cartridge becomes low. Therefore, the capacity check means 21
When it is determined that there is no free space, the display means of the terminal 10 displays that a new cartridge should be inserted. Moreover, the free space may be reduced even after the writing work is completed. Therefore, after the free space is updated by the management information updating means 23, the remaining capacity check means 29 is further operated, and as a result, a display indicating that a new cartridge should be inserted even when the remaining capacity is less than a predetermined amount. do.

When a plurality of data written in a certain cartridge are of the same type, or when the data owned by the same person is written in the same cartridge, the data management is easy.

Therefore, when there is a reservation request from the terminal 10, the reserved capacity checking means 61 operates to check the free capacity of the management information file Mf ₀ . As a result, when there is a free space that can store the desired capacity, the reservation means 62 operates and the management information file Mf
A reserved area of a predetermined amount is secured at ₀ (the amount written in the data amount area), and the free capacity after reservation is written in the free capacity area.

[0034]

【Example】

[Free Space Processing] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flow chart.

In the figure, the circles indicate the terminals 10 (10a, 10b).
...), which are depicted in a dispersed manner, but represent the same terminal 10. An arrow penetrating the terminal 10 indicates that there is an instruction from the terminal 10.

First, the structure itself of the library device 30 applied to the present invention is the same as that of the conventional example shown in FIG. Next, the storage means Me of the library control system 20 stores the management information file Mf ₀ corresponding to each cartridge. The management information file Mf ₀ is provided with each area to shown in FIG. 10, and the description items of each area are as follows.

Cartridge name area: A field for entering the name of the cartridge. Library ID area: A column for entering the number of the library device in which the cartridge is stored.

Cell address area: An address entry column of a cell in which the cartridge is stored. Free space area: An entry field for the free space of the cartridge (if there is a reservation, the reserved amount is subtracted).

Data summary area: A column for entering a name, a code, etc., by which the content of the data can be understood. Start address area: A relative address entry field from the start of the tape in which data is stored.

Data amount area: A field for entering the amount of stored data (the amount of reserved data when making a reservation). Usage count area: A column for entering the usage count of stored data.

Data owner area: A column for entering the owner name of the stored data (reservation name if there is a reservation). In the above, items (1) to (2) are provided for each data.

2 and 3, a specific cartridge is already mounted on the drive 40, the operator uses the data stored in the cartridge to perform a specific operation at the terminal 10, and after the operation is completed, the operation is performed. The procedure for writing data that has been added, updated, deleted, or the like (or may be completely new data) will be described. If the above items are displayed on the display device of the terminal 10 to read the data, the data can be easily specified.

With respect to the cartridge mounted in the drive 40, the library control system 20 from the terminal 10
When the write request b ₁ is issued to the device, first, the read / write means 22 of the library control system 20 operates to receive the data D ₁ to be written in the cartridge from the terminal 10, and the amount N ₁ thereof is sent to the capacity check means 21. Notice. Since the read / write means 22 holds the start address of the update data, it is possible to specify the write position in the following write processing. In addition, since the end position of already written data is known for new data, the write position in this case can be specified.

The capacity check means 21 refers to the free capacity area, and obtains the data amount N ₁ obtained by the read / write means 22 (in the case of update data, the difference N _{1 from the} already written amount N _0). -N ₀ : N ₀ is confirmed from the data amount area of the management information file Mf ₀ ) It is checked whether or not there is more free space (FIG. 3, step S 11 →
S12). Thus, the amount of data N ₁ to be written from now on the mounted cartridge (N ₁ -
When there is more free space than N ₀ ), the capacity check means 21 notifies the read / write means 22 to that effect.

As a result, the read / write means 22 operates and a write request e ₁ is issued to the drive 40 so as to write the data from the terminal 10. As a result, data is transmitted from the terminal 10 to the drive 40, and the drive 40 writes the data (step S14 in FIG. 3).

Write completion notification e ₂ from the drive 40
Is sent to the library control system 20, the management information updating means 23 of the library control system 20 operates,
The contents of the free capacity area and the data amount area are updated, and the normal end notification e ₃ is issued to the terminal 10 (FIG. 3, step S15).

When the capacity check means 21 determines in step S12 of the capacity check that writing to the cartridge is not possible, the terminal 10 is notified to that effect. In response to this, when the operator issues a writable cartridge search request c ₁ from the terminal 10 to the library control system 20, the cartridge search means 24 of the library control system 20 operates and the management information file M
With reference to f ₀ , a cartridge having a writable capacity for the data amount N ₁ (N ₁ −N ₀ ) of the data to be written is searched (FIG. 3, step S21).
→ S22).

As a result, when there is a writable cartridge, the fact is notified to the terminal 10 c ₂ , and at this time, the writable cartridge name is listed on the display device of the terminal 10. Here, when the operator specifies one of the cartridge names listed above, it becomes a mount request d ₁ and the mounting means 25 issues a mount request d ₂ to the drive 40, and the specified cartridge is mounted on the drive 40. (FIG. 3, steps S23 to S2)
5).

When the mount operation is completed, the drive 40 issues a completion notice (d ₃ ) to the library control means 20, whereby the read / write means 22 operates to start writing. After that, when the writing is completed, the management information updating means 23 is activated to update the remaining capacity, as in the above example.

In the above, when there is no writable cartridge, a reply without any reply is given to the terminal 10. Further, when writing a new data, if a data summary or a data owner name is also input when a write request is issued, if the owner name is entered in the data summary area and the data owner area of the management information file Mf ₀ . It is supposed to be written. Further, the contents of the above area can be updated when the update data is used.

[Cueing Process] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the present invention for facilitating the cueing when the cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart thereof.

The management information updating means 23 also has a function of updating the number-of-uses area for each data after writing by using each data. That is, the management information updating means 23 updates the number of times the data has been used at the same time when the free space area is updated (FIG. 5, step S15). Next, the cueing unit 27 searches the management information file Mf ₀ for the most frequently used data among all the data used for the same cartridge, and notifies the drive 40 of its start address A ₀ .

The drive 40 advances the cartridge so that the head position comes to the head address A ₀ of the above data, and when it is completed normally, the library control system 2
0, notified to the terminal 10 (FIG. 4, step S31 → S)
32 → S33). Since there is a high probability that the data with the largest number of times of use will be used at the time of the next mount as well, work efficiency at the time of the next mount will be improved by the above processing.

[Reservation Processing] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment for reserving a free capacity portion of a specific cartridge, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart thereof.

From the terminal 10 to the library control system 20
When the reservation request f ₁ for a specific cartridge is input to the reservation check means 61 together with the data amount N ₂ to be reserved, first, the reservation check means 61 corresponds to the reserved data amount N ₂ to the designated cartridge. Whether or not there is free space is checked by referring to the free space area of the management information file Mf ₀ (step S in FIG. 6).
41 → S42).

When there is available space, the reservation means 62 operates to instruct the terminal 10 to write the name of the reservation person. This allows the operator to enter the reservation name Na
When inputting from the terminal 10, the reservation processing means 62 writes the reservation person name Na input as described above in the data owner area, and the data amount N ₂ desired to be reserved in the data amount area, and further, the free space area. Is updated to the value obtained by subtracting the above-mentioned reservation data amount N ₂ , and the normal termination is determined by the terminal 10.
To the end of the reservation procedure (FIG. 6, step S43).
→ S44 → S45).

As a result, since the reserved data amount N ₂ is reflected in the free space area, unless the reservation person who knows that the portion is reserved makes a write request to the reserved area as update data, the reserved area Will be prohibited. A reservation can be made only by inputting the reservation data amount N ₂ without inputting the reservation person name Na, but a reservation area that can be used by anyone can be created.

[New Insertion Display] Further, when the free capacity of a specific cartridge becomes small, it is necessary to replace the new cartridge with a new cartridge or add a new cartridge to proceed with the work.

Therefore, when it is found in step S12 of the capacity check by the capacity check means 21 that the capacity is low, the display means 72 is operated to insert a new cartridge as shown in FIGS. A message to that effect is displayed (FIG. 9, step S30a).

When the file updating step is completed, the remaining capacity detecting means 29 is further operated to search whether the cartridge currently mounted in the drive 40 has sufficient free capacity, When the free space is less than or equal to the predetermined data amount N ₃ , the display means 72 is the same as above.
To activate the new cartridge display,
Notify the terminal 10 of normal termination (FIG. 9, step S31).
→ 30b → S32). Whether or not the operator performs the loading process after the display requesting the loading of a new cartridge is displayed on the display means.

In the above, the capacity check means 21,
The reserved capacity check means 61 and the remaining capacity check means 29 are separate means, but they are functionally the same, so the capacity check means 21 may be provided with two other check functions. However, the data amount to be compared is the write data amount N ₁ when writing, the reservation data amount N ₂ when making a reservation, and the predetermined data amount N ₃ when making an input display. Further, when both the cueing process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the insertion display process (after writing) shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are performed, which process is performed first is not particularly limited.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the free space of the cartridge is written in the management information file in the library control system, and the free space of the cartridge is searched before writing in the cartridge. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not the data to be written from now can be written in the cartridge, and the writing operation can be performed only when the data can be written.

Further, in the above judgment, when the writing is impossible, the writable cartridge is searched and mounted, so that the writing data does not overflow.

Further, since the number of times of use is written in the management information file for each data stored in each cartridge, the data with the highest number of times of use is searched for so that the next access will not take time. can do.

Further, when the operator has a free space larger than the planned write capacity, the cartridge can be reserved and the data management becomes easy. Furthermore,
When the free space in the cartridge becomes small, it is possible to issue an alternative or additional cartridge loading instruction, so that data management is also easy in this respect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of free space processing of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of free space processing.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example of a cueing process of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a cueing process.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of reservation processing of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of reservation processing.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a cartridge loading process of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a cartridge loading process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a management information file of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a library device, a library control system,
It is a conceptual diagram of a terminal.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional management information file.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a conventional cartridge mounting procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 Capacity Checking Means 24 Cartridge Searching Means 25 Mounting Means 23 Management Information Updating Means 22 Read / Write Means 29 Remaining Capacity Checking Means 30 Library Equipment 31 Cartridge Storage Shelf 61 Reserved Capacity Checking Means 62 Reservation Processing Means 72 Display Means Free Space Area Data Amount Area Usage count area Owner area Mf ₀ Management information file

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A library that manages a library device by writing management information for managing each cartridge in a management information file corresponding to each cartridge stored in a cartridge storage shelf and referring to the management information file. In the control system, the above management information file that has a free space area for entering the free space of the cartridge, and when a write request is made from the terminal with the cartridge mounted in the drive, the free space in the target cartridge becomes A library control system, comprising: a capacity check means for determining whether or not there is any by referring to the free capacity area. 2. When the result of the check of the capacity check means indicates that the target cartridge is not writable, a cartridge search means for searching another writable cartridge, and based on the search result by the cartridge search means, The library control system according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means for mounting a writable cartridge. 3. A read / write unit that operates when a writable cartridge is mounted in a drive, and a free space area of the management information file based on the write amount after writing by the read / write unit is completed. The library control system according to claim 1, further comprising management information updating means for updating. 4. The library control system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a message prompting the insertion of a new cartridge when the capacity check means checks that writing is not possible. 5. A remaining capacity checking means for detecting whether or not the remaining capacity is equal to or more than a predetermined value after updating the free capacity area by the management information updating means, and a new cartridge when the remaining capacity is equal to or less than the predetermined value. 4. The library control system according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit that displays a message for prompting the input of the library. 6. A library which manages a library device by writing management information for managing each cartridge in a management information file corresponding to each cartridge stored in the cartridge storage shelf and referring to the management information file. In the control system, search the management information file that has a usage count area that records the usage count of each data stored in the cartridge and the data that has the most usage count, and notify the drive of the start address of the data And a cueing unit for instructing cueing. 7. The management information updating means for updating the number-of-uses area of the management information file for the data after the read / write means has finished using the specific data of the specific cartridge. Library control system. 8. A library for managing the library device by writing management information for managing each cartridge in a management information file corresponding to each cartridge stored in the cartridge storage shelf and referring to the management information file. In the control system, the above management information file is provided with a free space area for entering the free space area of the cartridge, a data amount area for entering the size of each data stored in the cartridge, and an owner area for entering the data owner. And a reserved capacity check means for checking whether or not the specified cartridge has free space corresponding to the specified amount of data when a reservation request is made from the terminal, and when there is free space, it is input from the terminal. Reservation where the owner name is entered in the owner area and the size of the reservation data is entered in the data amount area A library control system comprising reservation processing means for processing.