Data storage apparatus.

摘要

One or more data-storing disk devices (20 - 28) support logical tracks extending between radial recording zones of tracks in the device(s). Each data-storing disk in the device(s) is formatted into a plurality of radial recording zones (A - D) of physical tracks, each radial recording zone having a like number of physical tracks (135), each physical track may be one circumvolution of a single spiral track. The physical tracks (135) in the respective recording zones (A - D) store a different number of data bytes. Each logical track includes a plurality of physical tracks (135); at least one of the physical tracks in each of the logical tracks is in a different one of the radial recording zones (A - D) in different ones of the devices (20 - 28) or in a single device. Described are an extended logical track and extended logical cylinder accessing methods and apparatus. Not all of the physical tracks (135) of any of the devices (20 - 28) or recording zones (A - D) need be a member of any logical track. <IMAGE>