System for improving performance writing streaming tapes
View Patent ↗A method for efficiently saving data to tape, preferably within the ANSI X3.27 standard format sends signals to the tape drive to allow the tape drive to buffer the required tape marks, which the standard requires. Although the standard presumed these would be required for synchronization and would be written when produced, we do not adhere to that thinking. Instead we synchronize only at the logical end of the application constructed file, or at the end of the tape in one embodiment, saving time in writing through avoiding stop-start activities of the tape drive, thus allowing newer tape drives to take advantage of the features of the ANSI X3.27 standard. We also provide an embodiment, which allows for non-ANSI standard (i.e., unlabeled) tapes to be used.
1. A method for writing data to a tape after an application program has been assigned to a particular tape, said method conforming to ANSI X3.27 label standards, wherein tape marks are synchronized only once per application generated file, said method comprising:
a. causing the tape drive system to buffer a header tape mark and to return status of header tape mark written upon said buffering of said header tape mark,
b. after writing all data for said file to said buffer, causing said tape drive system to buffer an end of file tape mark related to a first file, and to return status of said and of file tape murk upon said buffering of said end of file tape mark,
c. allowing said tape drive system to write said buffered header tape mark, said data of said first file, and said end of fife tape mark, and a trailer, and then synchronizing said particular tape to a synchronization tape mark written at said first files terminal end under said ANSI X3.27 standard, and
d. receiving status from said tape dive system.
2. A method for writing data to a tape after an application program has been assigned to a particular tape, said method conforming to ANSI X3.27 label standards, and wherein tape marks are synchronized only once per tape, said method comprising:
a. causing the tape drive system to buffer buffering all volume 1 information in preparation to receive data file information, then for each file,
b. (i) causing the tape drive system to buffer a header tape mark and to return status of header tape mark written upon said buffering of said header tape mark,
(ii) after writing 0.11 data for said file to said buffer, causing said tape drive system to buffer an end of file tape mark related to a first file, and to return statue of said end of file tape mark upon said buffering of said end of file tape mark, and
(iii) causing said tape drive system to buffer an end file tape mark and trailer in accord with sold ANSI X3.27 standard and allowing said tape drive system to write said buffered header tape mark, said data of said first file, said end of file tape mark, and said trailer in accord with said ANSI X327 standard,
c. repeating step b until said application program or said tape drive requires the completion of a tape media unit, then
d. causing the tape drive system to synchronize an end of tape tape mark but only after writing all information buffered in each iteration of step b, and
e. receiving a status return from said tape drive system.