System and method for allocating tape drives for multi-cartridge files

摘要

A system and method for allocating tape drives for multi-cartridge files achieves most of the benefits of allocating two tape drives without the cost of a mostly idle tape drive. The system and method includes allocating a first tape drive to process a first tape cartridge and then allocating a second tape drive to process a second tape cartridge while the first tape cartridge is rewinding after being processed. The second tape cartridge is then mounted into the second tape drive while the first tape cartridge is being rewound. The first tape cartridge is then dismounted from the first tape drive and the second tape drive begins processing the second tape cartridge. The operation is then continued by using other tape drives, which may include the first and second tape drives, to process the tape cartridges. The processing includes writing respective parts of a file to the tape cartridges to store a complete multi-cartridge file. The processing also includes reading respective parts of file stored on the tape cartridges to read a complete multi-cartridge file.