A data storage device includes a recording head assembly having a recording head and a servo head operatively connected to the recording head, a recording medium capable of being positioned relative to the recording head assembly for recording data in a longitudinal recording direction, and a control interface for receiving data of a file to be recorded on the recording medium and positioning information for positioning the recording medium relative to the recording head assembly. The file data is recorded on the recording medium as a logical ring located within a logical cylinder spanning a finite length on the recording medium, with all data for the file being stored in a single logical ring on a single recording medium. The logical cylinder occupies a portion of the single recording medium.