EFFICIENT SCHEDULING OF READING DATA FROM MULTIPLE STORAGE MEDIUMS TO SATISFY MULTIPLE REQUESTS

A dynamic process for improving the performance of a tape-based storage system is disclosed which takes a global view with regard to scheduling and tape selection. All requested data blocks located on multiple tapes within the storage system are analyzed and, taking advantage of the existing replication of some of the requested data blocks on multiple tapes and the location of the data blocks on the tapes, a schedule is formed that results in the reading/downloading of requested data blocks in an efficient manner.