Optimised selection and accessing of stored files to avoid mount and positioning thrashing

摘要

A method for generating file copies with minimal mounting and positioning of storage volumes involves receiving a request to generate file copies specifying file selection criteria, identifying matching files meeting the selection criteria, locating the matching files on their storage volumes, and copying the files to a copy set. Determination of file copying order is optimized by placing greater emphasis on relative storage locations of matching files than on the order in which their copies are requested. Once a storage volume is mounted, all files stored on that volume are matched against the pending requests including future requests and if found to be the subject of a request, are copied from the mounted volume in optimal position-sensitive order. Copying from secondary storage is deferred until all copying from primary storage is complete.