| 摘要 |
<p>A method for selectively controlling reutilization of data space in a virtual tape system is provided that stores (100) data volume files in a disk buffer, and analyzes (102) the files to determine whether the user has designated the corresponding data for immediate deletion at an associated expiration date. If the data has been designated (104), identifying and mapping information are marked to indicate that the corresponding data can be immediately deleted at the expiration date. Otherwise, the virtual volume is stored (106) using a default policy which prevents the virtual tape control system from reusing the tape and disk space occupied by the virtual volume after scratching until that particular virtual volume name is actually reused by the user. Thus, a user can selectively protect data past an original expiration date, while minimizing the impact to the overall efficiency in space management otherwise provided by the virtual tape system.</p> |
