Importance

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Abstract

Data is migrated from source media to target media in an automated tape library, where identifiers associated with the data are obtained from the source media, and the data and associated identifiers are consolidated by storing data/identifier paris in substantially continuous form or the target media. A plurality of source media units, such as magnetic tape cartridges, are first loaded to the library. Each source media unit contains one or more data blocks and a machine-readable identifier associated with each data block. The machine-readable identifier, for example, may be embodied by a machine-readable code imprinted on a housing of the media unit, or a code stored on the media itself. The identifier for each data block is obtained using the corresponding source media. Multiple data blocks and identifiers may be consolidated onto a single output media unit. The data blocks and identifiers on each output media unit are written in substantially contiguous form on output media units; on each output media unit, data blocks and associated identifiers are positioned in a predetermined relationship relative to each other. For example, each identifier may precede the associated data block. A catalog is created or updated to map the data blocks among their respective output media units.

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First Claim