Data storage management system and method

Abstract

A data storage management system and method includes a physical storage, an interim storage which acts as a virtual storage to the physical storage, and a manager. The manager assigns a first interim storage portion to the first computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage upon receipt of an allocation request from the first computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage, and assigns a different second interim storage portion to the second computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage portion is assigned to the first computer, from the second computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage so that the computers have simultaneous access to the interim storage and the physical storage is free from monopolization by the computers.

1 . A data storage management system comprising: 
 a physical storage device;    an interim storage device which acts as a virtual storage device of the physical storage device; and    a storage manager in communication with the interim storage device, a plurality of computers, and the physical storage device;    wherein the storage manager assigns a first interim storage device portion to one computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request from the one computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device, and respectively assigns a different interim storage device portion to the other computers for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage device portion is assigned to the one computer, from the other computers requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device such that the computers have simultaneous access to the interim storage device and the physical storage device is free from monopolization by the computers.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the interim storage device stores data from the computers before the data is stored on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein: 
 the storage manager transfers data stored in the interim storage device to the physical storage device.    
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the computers request allocation of the same data storage space on the physical storage device when requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the interim storage device portions emulate the physical storage device with respect to storing and retrieving data for the computers while being assigned to the computers in lieu of the physical storage device.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the interim storage device includes a data storage arrangement which provides multiple computers with simultaneous access to the interim storage device.    
   
   
       7 . A data storage management method comprising: 
 providing a storage manager in communication with a physical storage device, a plurality of computers, and an interim storage space which functions as a virtual storage space of the physical storage device, the storage manager operative to assign a first interim storage space portion to one computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request from the one computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device, and operative to respectively assign a different interim storage space portion to the other computers for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage space portion is assigned to the one computer, from the other computers requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device such that the computers have simultaneous access to the interim storage space and the physical storage device is free from monopolization by the computers.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein: 
 the storage manager is operative to store data from the computers in the interim storage space before the data is stored on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the storage manager is further operative to transfer data stored in the interim storage space to the physical storage device.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein: 
 the computers request allocation of the same data storage space on the physical storage device when requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein; 
 the interim storage space portions are arranged to emulate the physical storage device with respect to storing and retrieving data for the computers while being assigned to the computers in lieu of the physical storage device.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein: 
 the interim storage space includes a data storage arrangement which provides multiple computers with simultaneous access to the interim storage space.    
   
   
       13 . A data storage management method comprising: 
 providing an interim storage device which acts as a virtual storage device of a physical storage device; and    providing a storage manager in communication with the interim storage device, a plurality of computers, and the physical storage device, the storage manager operative to assign a first interim storage device portion to one computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request from the one computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device, and to respectively assign a different interim storage device portion to the other computers for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage device portion is assigned to the one computer, from the other computers requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device such that the computers have simultaneous access to the interim storage device and the physical storage device is free from monopolization by the computers.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the interim storage device is operative to store data from the computers before the data is stored on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein: 
 the storage manager is operative to transfer data stored in the interim storage device to the physical storage device.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the computers request allocation of the same data storage space on the physical storage device when requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the interim storage device portions are arranged to emulate the physical storage device with respect to storing and retrieving data for the computers while being assigned to the computers in lieu of the physical storage device.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein; 
 the interim storage device includes a data storage arrangement which provides multiple computers with simultaneous access to the interim storage device.    
   
   
       19 . A data storage management method comprising: 
 providing a storage subsystem in communication with a physical storage device and a plurality of computers, the storage subsystem including an interim storage space which functions as a virtual storage space of the physical storage device, the storage subsystem being operative to assign a first interim storage space portion to one computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request from the one computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device, and to respectively assign a different interim storage space portion to the other computers for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage space portion is assigned to the one computer, from the other computers requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device such that the computers have simultaneous access to the interim storage space and the physical storage device is free from monopolization by the computers.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein: 
 the storage subsystem is operative to store data from the computers in the interim storage space before the data is stored on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein: 
 the storage subsystem is further operative to transfer data stored in the interim storage space to the physical storage device.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein: 
 the computers request allocation of the same data storage space on the physical storage device when requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein; 
 the interim storage space portions are arranged to emulate the physical storage device with respect to storing and retrieving data for the computers while being assigned to the computers in lieu of the physical storage device.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein: 
 the interim storage space includes a data storage arrangement which provides multiple computers with simultaneous access to the interim storage space.    
   
   
       25 . A data storage management method comprising: 
 providing an interim storage device which acts as a virtual storage device of a physical storage device;    assigning a first interim storage device portion to one computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request from the one computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device; and    respectively assigning a different interim storage device portion to other computers for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage device portion is assigned to the one computer, from the other computers requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device such that the computers have simultaneous access to the interim storage device and the physical storage device is free from monopolization by the computers.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising: 
 storing the data from the computers in the interim storage device stores data before storing the data on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 transferring data stored in the interim storage device to the physical storage device.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein: 
 the computers request allocation of the same data storage space on the physical storage device when requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25  wherein: 
 the interim storage device portions emulate the physical storage device with respect to storing and retrieving data for the computers while being assigned to the computers in lieu of the physical storage device.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein: 
 the interim storage device includes a data storage arrangement which provides multiple computers with simultaneous access to the interim storage device.    
   
   
       31 . A data storage management system comprising: 
 an interim storage device which virtually acts as a physical storage device to a plurality of computers;    a storage manager in communication with the interim storage device and the computers;    wherein the storage manager assigns a first interim storage device portion to one computer for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request from the one computer requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device, and respectively assigns a different interim storage device portion to the other computers for a time duration in lieu of the physical storage device upon receipt of an allocation request, during the time duration in which the first interim storage device portion is assigned to the one computer, from the other computers requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device such that the interim storage device virtually provides the computers with simultaneous access to the physical storage device.    
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein: 
 the interim storage device stores data from the computers for subsequent storage the physical storage device.    
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein: 
 the storage manager transfers data stored in the interim storage device to the physical storage device.    
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 31  wherein: 
 the computers request allocation of the same data storage space on the physical storage device when requesting allocation of data storage space on the physical storage device.    
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 31  wherein: 
 the interim storage device portions emulate the physical storage device with respect to storing and retrieving data for the computers while being assigned to the computers in lieu of the physical storage device.    
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 31  wherein: 
 the interim storage device includes a data storage arrangement which provides multiple computers with simultaneous access to the interim storage device.    
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 31  wherein: 
 the interim storage device virtually acts as the physical storage device to the plurality of computers using mapping.    
   
   
       38 . A method for selectively controlling reutilization of data space in a virtual tape system having a buffer and at least one multiple volume tape cartridge, the method comprising: 
 a user transferring data volume files to the virtual tape system for the virtual tape system to store;    the buffer receiving the data volume files transferred by the remote user and then transferring the data making up the data volume files as virtual tape volumes to different locations of the at least one multiple volume tape cartridge for the at least one multiple volume tape cartridge to store;    the user selectively designating a particular data volume file for the virtual tape system to automatically delete from storage after a predetermined expiration date included as part of the data volume file has elapsed by automatically deleting the virtual tape volumes corresponding to the particular data volume file designated for automatic deletion from the at least one multiple volume tape cartridge, in order to allow the virtual tape system to automatically reuse the storage space of the at least one multiple volume tape cartridge corresponding to the deleted virtual tape volumes of the particular data volume file designated for automatic deletion without any further action by the user;    detecting if a data volume file received by the buffer and transferred by the buffer as virtual tape volumes to the at least one multiple tape volume for storage has been designated by the user for automatic deletion; and    prohibiting the virtual tape system from automatically deleting the received data volume file from storage after a predetermined expiration date included as part of the received data volume file has elapsed if the received data volume file was not designated by the user for automatic deletion; and    allowing the virtual tape system to delete the received data volume file from storage after the predetermined expiration time associated with the received data volume file has expired if the received data volume file was not designated by the user for automatic deletion.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein: 
 the user selectively tags a particular data volume file before originally transferring to the virtual tape system to indicate that the data volume file is to be automatically deleted.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein: 
 if a user has designated a particular data volume file for automatic deletion, determining that the expiration date has passed, and marking the space on a data storage media occupied by the data corresponding to the data volume file to indicate the space can be automatically reused when desired.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein: 
 if automatic deletion has been designated, deleting a particular data volume space only after predetermined period of time has passed after the data volume file expiration date.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 determining that the predetermined period of time has passed, and marking the space on a data storage media occupied by the data corresponding to the data volume file to indicate the space can be automatically reused when desired.