A method for generating file copies with minimal mounting and positioning of
storage
volumes involves receiving a request to generate file copies specifying file selection
criteria, identifying matching files meeting the selection criteria, locating the
matching files on their storage volumes, and copying the files to a copy set. Determination
of file copying order is optimized by placing greater emphasis on relative storage
locations of matching files than on the order in which their copies are requested.
Once a storage volume is mounted, all files stored on that volume are matched against
the pending requests including future requests and if found to be the subject of
a request, are copied from the mounted volume in optimal position-sensitive order.
Copying from secondary storage is deferred until all copying from primary storage
is complete.
