초록 ▼

A computer network (10) includes workstations (12), file servers (14), a cabling system (16), and removable media servers (24). Removable media drives (26) couple to the removable media servers (24), and removable media 30 are removably loaded into the drives (26). The file servers (14) may reside i

A computer network (10) includes workstations (12), file servers (14), a cabling system (16), and removable media servers (24). Removable media drives (26) couple to the removable media servers (24), and removable media 30 are removably loaded into the drives (26). The file servers (14) may reside in restricted access areas (22), but no such requirement is placed on the removable media servers (24) or their associated drives (26). A workstation 12 originates a request (64) for removable media data (68). The request (64) is redirected (60) from the workstation (12) through the network (10) to a file server (14). A network operating system (NOS) (84) running on the file server (14) passes the request (64) to a removable media redirector (100), which redirects the request (64) back through the network (10) to a removable media server (24). The removable media server (24) obtains the requested data (68) and routes these data back to the requesting file server (14). The file server (14) then passes the requested data (68) back through the NOS (84), where they are again routed through the network (10), this time to the requesting workstation (12). A database (104) is maintained at the file server (14) for use in managing the use of removable media (30) on the network (10).

대표청구항 ▼

A method of operating a computer network of the type having a network communication link, at least one file server node connected to the network communication link, and at least one work station node connected to the network communication link, comprising the steps of: connecting a removable media s

A method of operating a computer network of the type having a network communication link, at least one file server node connected to the network communication link, and at least one work station node connected to the network communication link, comprising the steps of: connecting a removable media server to the network communication link, wherein said removable media server couples to a removable media drive which facilitates access to data on removable media; detecting, at a file server node, a request received over the network communication link from a workstation node; using said file server node to redirect said request to said removable media server over the network communication link; servicing said request by said removable media server; maintaining a list of recognized media; verifying that a new removable medium is included in said list; monitoring said removable media drive to detect a change from an old removable medium to said new removable medium; and automatically mounting said new removable medium when said monitoring step detects a change in removable media to place said new removable medium in service on said computer network, said automatically mounting step being performed in response to said verifying step.