System and method for virtual tape volumes

摘要

A system that emulates a tape cartridge mounted in a tape drive, and methods of operation are disclosed. The emulated tape drive communicates with a client using an interface protocol defining an addressable range. The emulated tape cartridge has a virtual addressable range that matches or exceeds the addressable range defined in the interface protocol. One or more storage appliances provide the emulation of the tape drive and a plurality of virtual volumes. An interface manager disposed between the client and the storage appliances mounts the virtual volumes as necessary to assemble the emulated tape cartridge.