A computer-implemented method, a computer program product, and a computer system for reordering a sequence of files based on compression rates in data transfer. A host determines predicted compression rates of first files that are to be saved onto a first tape, based on a relationship between compression rates and file attributes of second files that have been saved on a second tape. The host reorders a sequence of the first files stored in host cache storage and generates a new sequence of transferring the first files from the host cache storage to the tape drive hosting the first tape, based on the predicted compression rates of the first files. The host transfers the first files to the tape drive hosting the first tape and writes the first files to the first tape, according to the new sequence.

A tape device includes: a tape drive configured to read and write data to a tape medium; and a processor configured to: determine, when requested to read data from a first segment and a second segment on the tape medium, a data amount in a third segment located between the first segment and the second segment; compare the data amount with a threshold value that is determined based on a reading characteristic of the tape drive; instruct the tape drive, when the data amount is the threshold value or more, to read data from the first segment, skip the third segment, and read data from the second segment; and instruct the tape drive, when the data amount is less than the threshold value, to continuously read data from the first segment, the third segment, and the second segment.

A tape-shaped magnetic recording medium includes a substrate; and a magnetic layer that is provided on the substrate and contains a magnetic powder. An average thickness of the magnetic layer is not more than 90 nm, an average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder is not less than 1.0 and not more than 3.0, the coercive force Hc1 in a vertical direction is not more than 3000 Oe, the coercive force Hc1 in the vertical direction and a coercive force Hc2 in a longitudinal direction satisfy a relationship of Hc2/Hc10.8, and a value of 1.50.5 is not more than 0.6 N in a tensile test of the magnetic recording medium in the longitudinal direction, where 0.5 is a load at an elongation rate of 0.5% in the magnetic recording medium and 1.5 is a load at an elongation rate of 1.5% in the magnetic recording medium.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of transducers, where the array of transducers includes at least one contiguous group of transducers in a number specified in a format and at least two servo readers, where the servo readers are symmetrically positioned about the contiguous group of transducers and the servo readers are asymmetrically positioned relative to a centerline of the array of transducers.

A tape drive, according to one embodiment, includes: a processor, and logic which is integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor. The logic is configured to: determine whether a difference between information and corresponding design values is in a range. The information corresponds to how an array of writers write and/or are expected to write to a magnetic medium during shingled recording. Moreover, the logic is configured to: compute, using the information, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled track edges are aligned according to a format in response to determining that the difference between the information and corresponding design values is not in the range.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers, and a controller electrically coupled only to transducers in odd positions in the array. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers, where at least one of the transducers within the array is configured as a servo reader, a controller electrically coupled only to transducers in odd positions in the array, and a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over the array.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for timing index write to a tape medium of a tape system. Index write timing data that specifies index write timing based on file metadata attributes is stored. Metadata attributes of a first file are analyzed to determine whether a first index should be written at a first time based on the index write timing data. In response to determining that an index should be written, the first index is written to the tape medium at the first time.

A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are readable and/or executable by a processor to cause the processor to: receive a first portion of data, and divide the first portion of data into a plurality of blocks. An identification segment having identification information therein is appended to each of the blocks, each block and the corresponding identification information appended thereto forming a record. Each record is written in a data partition of the magnetic tape, and an index may be written in the data partition of the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is rewound to a beginning of tape in response to a final one of the records being written in the magnetic tape, and the index is written in an index partition of the magnetic tape.

A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes receiving at a storage drive, from a host, a data request, implementing the data request at the storage drive, utilizing a streaming mode, and returning, by the storage drive, a confirmation to the host, in response to implementing the data request at the storage drive utilizing the streaming mode.

A tape-shaped magnetic recording medium includes a substrate; and a magnetic layer that is provided on the substrate and contains a magnetic powder. An average thickness of the magnetic layer is not more than 90 nm, an average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder is not less than 1.0 and not more than 3.0, the coercive force Hc1 in a vertical direction is not more than 3000 Oe, the coercive force Hc1 in the vertical direction and a coercive force Hc2 in a longitudinal direction satisfy a relationship of Hc2/Hc10.8, and a value of 1.5-0.5 is not more than 0.6 N in a tensile test of the magnetic recording medium in the longitudinal direction, where 0.5 is a load at an elongation rate of 0.5% in the magnetic recording medium and 1.5 is a load at an elongation rate of 1.5% in the magnetic recording medium.