System for providing virtual data storage medium and method of providing data using the same

1. A system for providing a virtual data storage medium using data storage federation, the system comprising:

a heterogeneous data storage medium including a plurality of data storage media, each of which is using different interfaces, protocols, and commands for using stored data, wherein the plurality of data storage media include at least one first external storage device that is directly connected to the system via a dedicated cable without passing through a network, and at least one second external storage device that is connected to the system via a network; and

a federation unit configured to generate a virtual data storage medium by federating the heterogeneous data storage medium including the plurality of data storage media, wherein the federation unit comprises a protocol conversion module configured to convert a user input directed to the virtual data storage medium to be compatible with the first external storage device or with the second external storage device,

wherein, when the user input is only compatible to the second external storage device that is connected to the system via the network, the protocol conversion module configured to convert the user input that is only compatible to the second external storage device to be compatible with the first external storage device that is directly connected to the system via the dedicated cable without passing through the network, and

wherein, when the user input is only compatible to the first external storage device that is directly connected to the system via the dedicated cable without passing through the network, the protocol conversion module configured to convert the user input that is only compatible to the first external storage device to be compatible with the second external storage device that is connected to the system via the network.

2. The system for providing a virtual data storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the federation unit comprises a policy management module configured to store data in the virtual data storage medium in correspondence with a data sharing policy set by a user.

3. The system for providing a virtual data storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the federation unit comprises a virtualization module configured to form a storage medium by virtualizing heterogeneous data storage media and providing a portion thereof independently to a user.

4. The system for providing a virtual data storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the federation unit comprises:

a data location management module configured to manage locations for storing data and form a data sharing environment usable by another user by virtualizing data; and

a shared data provision module configured to provide shared data according to a policy set by a data storage provider.

5. The system for providing a virtual data storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the federation unit comprises a data processing module configured to divide inputted data or combine data stored in a divided form.

6. A method of providing data by using a system for providing a virtual data storage medium, the method performed by a federation unit included in the system for providing a virtual data storage medium according to claim 1 , the method comprising:

receiving input of to-be-stored data;

checking a connectivity of heterogeneous data storage media forming a virtual data storage medium;

detecting an overall capacity of the heterogeneous data storage media;

detecting an individual capacity available for storing data in one data storage medium from among the heterogeneous data storage media; and

storing the to-be-stored data in the heterogeneous data storage media.

7. The method of providing data according to claim 6 , wherein, if a capacity of the to-be-stored data exceeds the capacity of the one data storage medium, then the operation of storing the to-be-stored data in the heterogeneous data storage media comprises dividing the to-be-stored data and storing the to-be-stored data in a divided form in the heterogeneous data storage media.

8. The method of providing data according to claim 7 , wherein the operation of dividing the to-be-stored data and storing the to-be-stored data in a divided form in the heterogeneous data storage media comprises dividing the to-be-stored data in accordance to a division policy set by a user.

9. A recorded medium readable by a computer and having recorded thereon a program of instructions for performing the method of providing data according to claim 7 .

10. A method of providing data by using a system for providing a virtual data storage medium, the method performed by a federation unit included in the system for providing virtual data storage according to claim 1 , the method comprising:

receiving a data request;

searching a stored location of requested data;

requesting distributed data stored respectively in heterogeneous data storage media, if the requested data is stored in a distributed form;

combining the distributed data; and

transmitting the combined requested data.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the federation unit provides, to a user, data stored in the plurality of data storage media in a catalogued format that enables searches by the user.

12. A system for providing a virtual data storage medium using data storage federation, the system comprising:

a heterogeneous data storage medium including a plurality of data storage media, each of which is using different interfaces, protocols, and commands for using stored data, wherein the plurality of data storage media include at least one first external storage device that is directly connected to the system via a dedicated cable without passing through a network, and at least one second external storage device that is connected to the system via a network; and

a federation unit configured to generate a virtual data storage medium by federating the heterogeneous data storage medium including the plurality of data storage media, wherein the federation unit comprises a protocol conversion module configured to convert a user input directed to the virtual data storage medium to be compatible with the first external storage device or with the second external storage device, wherein

the at least one second external storage device comprises a network-attached storage (NAS) that uses a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) protocol to communicate with the system,

the plurality of data storage media further include at least one third external storage comprising a storage area network (SAN) that uses a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to communicate with the system, and

the protocol conversion module configured to:

when the user input is only compatible to the first external storage device that is directly connected to the system via the dedicated cable without passing through the network, the protocol conversion module configured to convert the user input that is only compatible to the first external storage device to be compatible with the TCP/IP, and also convert the user input to be compatible with the SCSI protocol,

when the user input is only compatible to the SCSI protocol, convert the user input to be compatible with the first external storage device that is directly connected to the system via the dedicated cable without passing through the network, and also convert the user input to be compatible with the TCP/IP, and

when the user input is only compatible to the TCP/IP, convert the user input to be compatible with the first external storage device that is directly connected to the system via the dedicated cable without passing through the network, and also convert the user input to be compatible with the SCSI protocol.