Merge branch 'master' into squeeze
[debian/amanda] / device-src / xfer-dest-taper-cacher.c
diff --git a/device-src/xfer-dest-taper-cacher.c b/device-src/xfer-dest-taper-cacher.c
new file mode 100644 (file)
index 0000000..7564304
--- /dev/null
@@ -0,0 +1,1531 @@
+/*
+ * Amanda, The Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver
+ * Copyright (c) 2009, 2010 Zmanda, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 as published
+ * by the Free Software Foundation.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307 USA
+ *
+ * Contact information: Zmanda Inc., 465 S. Mathilda Ave., Suite 300
+ * Sunnyvale, CA 94085, USA, or: http://www.zmanda.com
+ */
+
+#include "amanda.h"
+#include "amxfer.h"
+#include "xfer-device.h"
+#include "arglist.h"
+#include "conffile.h"
+
+/* A transfer destination that writes an entire dumpfile to one or more files
+ * on one or more devices, caching each part so that it can be rewritten on a
+ * subsequent volume in the event of an unexpected EOM.   This is designed to
+ * work in concert with Amanda::Taper::Scribe. */
+
+/* Future Plans:
+ * - capture EOF early enough to avoid wasting a tape when the part size is an even multiple of the volume size - maybe reader thread can just go back and tag previous slab with EOF in that case?
+ * - use mmap to make the disk-cacher thread unnecessary, if supported, by simply mapping slabs into the disk cache file
+ * - can we find a way to fall back to mem_cache when the disk cache gets ENOSPC? Does it even make sense to try, since this would change the part size?
+ * - distinguish some permanent device errors and do not retry the part? (this will be a change of behavior)
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Slabs
+ *
+ * Slabs are larger than blocks, and are the unit on which the element
+ * operates.  They are designed to be a few times larger than a block, to
+ * achieve a corresponding reduction in the number of locks and unlocks used
+ * per block, and similar reduction in the the amount of memory overhead
+ * required.
+ */
+
+typedef struct Slab {
+    struct Slab *next;
+
+    /* counts incoming pointers: the preceding slab's 'next' pointer, and pointers
+     * from any processes operating on the slab */
+    gint refcount;
+
+    /* number of this slab in the sequence, global to this element's lifetime.
+     * Since this counts slabs, which are about 1M, this can address 16
+     * yottabytes of data before wrapping. */
+    guint64 serial;
+
+    /* slab size; this is only less than the element's slab size if the
+     * transfer is at EOF. */
+    gsize size;
+
+    /* base of the slab_size buffer */
+    gpointer base;
+} Slab;
+
+/*
+ * Xfer Dest Taper
+ */
+
+static GObjectClass *parent_class = NULL;
+
+typedef struct XferDestTaperCacher {
+    XferDestTaper __parent__;
+
+    /* object parameters
+     *
+     * These values are supplied to the constructor, and can be assumed
+     * constant for the lifetime of the element.
+     */
+
+    /* maximum buffer space to use for streaming; this is unrelated to the
+     * fallback_splitsize */
+    gsize max_memory;
+
+    /* split buffering info; if we're doing memory buffering, use_mem_cache is
+     * true; if we're doing disk buffering, disk_cache_dirname is non-NULL and
+     * contains the (allocated) filename of the cache file.  In any
+     * case, part_size gives the desired part size.  If part_size is zero, then
+     * no splitting takes place (so part_size is effectively infinite). */
+    gboolean use_mem_cache;
+    char *disk_cache_dirname;
+    guint64 part_size; /* (bytes) */
+
+    /*
+     * threads
+     */
+
+    /* The thread doing the actual writes to tape; this also handles buffering
+     * for streaming */
+    GThread *device_thread;
+
+    /* The thread writing slabs to the disk cache, if any */
+    GThread *disk_cache_thread;
+
+    /* slab train
+     *
+     * All in-memory data is contained in a linked list called the "slab
+     * train".  Various components are operating simultaneously at different
+     * points in this train.  Data from the upstream XferElement is appended to
+     * the head of the train, and the device thread follows along behind,
+     * writing data to the device.  When caching parts in memory, the slab
+     * train just grows to eventually contain the whole part.  When using an
+     * on-disk cache, the disk cache thread writes the tail of the train to
+     * disk, freeing slabs to be re-used at the head of the train.  Some
+     * careful coordination of these components allows them to operate as
+     * independently as possible within the limits of the user's configuration.
+     *
+     * Slabs are rarely, if ever, freed: the oldest_slab reference generally
+     * ensures that all slabs have refcount > 0, and this pointer is only
+     * advanced when re-using slabs that have been flushed to the disk cache or
+     * when freeing slabs after completion of the transfer. */
+
+    /* pointers into the slab train are all protected by this mutex.  Note that
+     * the slabs themselves can be manipulated without this lock; it's only
+     * when changing the pointers that the mutex must be held.  Furthermore, a
+     * foo_slab variable which is not NULL will not be changed except by its
+     * controlling thread (disk_cacher_slab is controlled by disk_cache_thread,
+     * and device_slab is controlled by device_thread).  This means that a
+     * controlling thread can drop the slab_mutex once it has ensured its slab
+     * is non-NULL.
+     *
+     * Slab_cond is notified when a new slab is made available from the reader.
+     * Slab_free_cond is notified when a slab becomes available for
+     * reallocation.
+     *
+     * Any thread waiting on either condition variable should also check
+     * elt->cancelled, and act appropriately if awakened in a cancelled state.
+     */
+    GMutex *slab_mutex; GCond *slab_cond; GCond *slab_free_cond;
+
+    /* slabs in progress by each thread, or NULL if the thread is waiting on
+     * slab_cond.  These can only be changed by their respective threads, except
+     * when they are NULL (in which case the reader will point them to a new
+     * slab and signal the slab_cond). */
+    Slab *volatile disk_cacher_slab;
+    Slab *volatile mem_cache_slab;
+    Slab *volatile device_slab;
+
+    /* tail and head of the slab train */
+    Slab *volatile oldest_slab;
+    Slab *volatile newest_slab;
+
+    /* thread-specific information
+     *
+     * These values are only used by one thread, and thus are not
+     * subject to any locking or concurrency constraints.
+     */
+
+    /* slab in progress by the reader (not in the slab train) */
+    Slab *reader_slab;
+
+    /* the serial to be assigned to reader_slab */
+    guint64 next_serial;
+
+    /* bytes written to the device in this part */
+    guint64 bytes_written;
+
+    /* bytes written to the device in the current slab */
+    guint64 slab_bytes_written;
+
+    /* element state
+     *
+     * "state" includes all of the variables below (including device
+     * parameters).  Note that the device_thread reads state values when
+     * paused is false without locking the mutex.  No other thread should
+     * change state when the element is not paused.
+     *
+     * If there is every any reason to lock both mutexes, acquire this one
+     * first.
+     *
+     * Any thread waiting on this condition variable should also check
+     * elt->cancelled, and act appropriately if awakened in a cancelled state.
+     */
+    GMutex *state_mutex;
+    GCond *state_cond;
+    volatile gboolean paused;
+
+    /* The device to write to, and the header to write to it */
+    Device *volatile device;
+    dumpfile_t *volatile part_header;
+
+    /* If true, when unpaused, the device should begin at the beginning of the
+     * cache; if false, it should proceed to the next part. */
+    volatile gboolean retry_part;
+
+    /* If true, the previous part was completed successfully; only used for
+     * assertions */
+    volatile gboolean last_part_successful;
+
+    /* part number in progress */
+    volatile guint64 partnum;
+
+    /* if true, the main thread should *not* call start_part */
+    volatile gboolean no_more_parts;
+
+    /* the first serial in this part, and the serial to stop at */
+    volatile guint64 part_first_serial, part_stop_serial;
+
+    /* read and write file descriptors for the disk cache file, in use by the
+     * disk_cache_thread.  If these are -1, wait on state_cond until they are
+     * not; once the value is set, it will not change. */
+    volatile int disk_cache_read_fd;
+    volatile int disk_cache_write_fd;
+
+    /* device parameters
+     *
+     * Note that these values aren't known until we begin writing to the
+     * device; if block_size is zero, threads should block on state_cond until
+     * it is nonzero, at which point all of the dependent fields will have
+     * their correct values.  Note that, since this value never changes after
+     * it has been set, it is safe to read block_size without acquiring the
+     * mutext first. */
+
+    /* this device's need for streaming */
+    StreamingRequirement streaming;
+
+    /* block size expected by the target device */
+    gsize block_size;
+
+    /* Size of a slab - some multiple of the block size */
+    gsize slab_size;
+
+    /* maximum number of slabs allowed, rounded up to the next whole slab.  If
+     * using mem cache, this is the equivalent of part_size bytes; otherwise,
+     * it is equivalent to max_memory bytes. */
+    guint64 max_slabs;
+
+    /* number of slabs in a part */
+    guint64 slabs_per_part;
+} XferDestTaperCacher;
+
+static GType xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type(void);
+#define XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER_TYPE (xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type())
+#define XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(obj) G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST((obj), xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type(), XferDestTaperCacher)
+#define XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER_CONST(obj) G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST((obj), xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type(), XferDestTaperCacher const)
+#define XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER_CLASS(klass) G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_CAST((klass), xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type(), XferDestTaperCacherClass)
+#define IS_XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(obj) G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_TYPE((obj), xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type ())
+#define XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER_GET_CLASS(obj) G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_CLASS((obj), xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type(), XferDestTaperCacherClass)
+
+typedef struct {
+    XferDestTaperClass __parent__;
+
+} XferDestTaperCacherClass;
+
+/*
+ * Debug logging
+ */
+
+#define DBG(LEVEL, ...) if (debug_taper >= LEVEL) { _xdt_dbg(__VA_ARGS__); }
+static void
+_xdt_dbg(const char *fmt, ...)
+{
+    va_list argp;
+    char msg[1024];
+
+    arglist_start(argp, fmt);
+    g_vsnprintf(msg, sizeof(msg), fmt, argp);
+    arglist_end(argp);
+    g_debug("XDT: %s", msg);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Slab handling
+ */
+
+/* called with the slab_mutex held, this gets a new slab to write into, with
+ * refcount 1.  It will block if max_memory slabs are already in use, and mem
+ * caching is not in use, although allocation may be forced with the 'force'
+ * parameter.
+ *
+ * If the memory allocation cannot be satisfied due to system constraints,
+ * this function will send an XMSG_ERROR, wait for the transfer to cancel, and
+ * return NULL.  If the transfer is cancelled by some other means while this
+ * function is blocked awaiting a free slab, it will return NULL.
+ *
+ * @param self: the xfer element
+ * @param force: allocate a slab even if it would exceed max_memory
+ * @returns: a new slab, or NULL if the xfer is cancelled
+ */
+static Slab *
+alloc_slab(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    gboolean force)
+{
+    XferElement *elt = XFER_ELEMENT(self);
+    Slab *rv;
+
+    DBG(8, "alloc_slab(force=%d)", force);
+    if (!force) {
+       /* throttle based on maximum number of extant slabs */
+       while (G_UNLIKELY(
+            !elt->cancelled &&
+           self->oldest_slab &&
+           self->newest_slab &&
+           self->oldest_slab->refcount > 1 &&
+           (self->newest_slab->serial - self->oldest_slab->serial + 1) >= self->max_slabs)) {
+           DBG(9, "waiting for available slab");
+           g_cond_wait(self->slab_free_cond, self->slab_mutex);
+       }
+       DBG(9, "done waiting");
+
+        if (elt->cancelled)
+            return NULL;
+    }
+
+    /* if the oldest slab doesn't have anything else pointing to it, just use
+     * that */
+    if (self->oldest_slab && self->oldest_slab->refcount == 1) {
+       rv = self->oldest_slab;
+       self->oldest_slab = rv->next;
+    } else {
+       rv = g_new0(Slab, 1);
+       rv->refcount = 1;
+       rv->base = g_try_malloc(self->slab_size);
+       if (!rv->base) {
+           xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(self),
+               _("Could not allocate %zu bytes of memory: %s"), self->slab_size, strerror(errno));
+           g_free(rv);
+           return NULL;
+       }
+    }
+
+    rv->next = NULL;
+    rv->size = 0;
+    return rv;
+}
+
+/* called with the slab_mutex held, this frees the given slave entirely.  The
+ * reference count is not consulted.
+ *
+ * @param slab: slab to free
+ */
+static void
+free_slab(
+    Slab *slab)
+{
+    if (slab) {
+       if (slab->base)
+           g_free(slab->base);
+       g_free(slab);
+    }
+}
+
+/* called with the slab_mutex held, this decrements the refcount of the
+ * given slab
+ *
+ * @param self: xfer element
+ * @param slab: slab to free
+ */
+static inline void
+unref_slab(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    Slab *slab)
+{
+    g_assert(slab->refcount > 1);
+    slab->refcount--;
+    if (G_UNLIKELY(slab->refcount == 1 && slab == self->oldest_slab)) {
+       g_cond_broadcast(self->slab_free_cond);
+    } else if (G_UNLIKELY(slab->refcount == 0)) {
+       free_slab(slab);
+    }
+}
+
+/* called with the slab_mutex held, this sets *slabp to *slabp->next,
+ * adjusting refcounts appropriately, and returns the new value
+ *
+ * @param self: xfer element
+ * @param slabp: slab pointer to advance
+ * @returns: new value of *slabp
+ */
+static inline Slab *
+next_slab(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    Slab * volatile *slabp)
+{
+    Slab *next;
+
+    if (!slabp || !*slabp)
+       return NULL;
+
+    next = (*slabp)->next;
+    if (next)
+       next->refcount++;
+    if (*slabp)
+       unref_slab(self, *slabp);
+    *slabp = next;
+
+    return next;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Disk Cache
+ *
+ * The disk cache thread's job is simply to follow along the slab train at
+ * maximum speed, writing slabs to the disk cache file. */
+
+static gboolean
+open_disk_cache_fds(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self)
+{
+    char * filename;
+
+    g_assert(self->disk_cache_read_fd == -1);
+    g_assert(self->disk_cache_write_fd == -1);
+
+    g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+    filename = g_strdup_printf("%s/amanda-split-buffer-XXXXXX",
+                               self->disk_cache_dirname);
+
+    self->disk_cache_write_fd = g_mkstemp(filename);
+    if (self->disk_cache_write_fd < 0) {
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+       xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(self),
+           _("Error creating cache file in '%s': %s"), self->disk_cache_dirname,
+           strerror(errno));
+       g_free(filename);
+       return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    /* open a separate copy of the file for reading */
+    self->disk_cache_read_fd = open(filename, O_RDONLY);
+    if (self->disk_cache_read_fd < 0) {
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+       xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(self),
+           _("Error opening cache file in '%s': %s"), self->disk_cache_dirname,
+           strerror(errno));
+       g_free(filename);
+       return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    /* signal anyone waiting for this value */
+    g_cond_broadcast(self->state_cond);
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+
+    /* errors from unlink are not fatal */
+    if (unlink(filename) < 0) {
+       g_warning("While unlinking '%s': %s (ignored)", filename, strerror(errno));
+    }
+
+    g_free(filename);
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+static gpointer
+disk_cache_thread(
+    gpointer data)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(data);
+    XferElement *elt = XFER_ELEMENT(self);
+
+    DBG(1, "(this is the disk cache thread)");
+
+    /* open up the disk cache file first */
+    if (!open_disk_cache_fds(self))
+       return NULL;
+
+    while (!elt->cancelled) {
+       gboolean eof, eop;
+       guint64 stop_serial;
+       Slab *slab;
+
+       /* rewind to the begining of the disk cache file */
+       if (lseek(self->disk_cache_write_fd, 0, SEEK_SET) == -1) {
+           xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(self),
+               _("Error seeking disk cache file in '%s': %s"), self->disk_cache_dirname,
+               strerror(errno));
+           return NULL;
+       }
+
+       /* we need to sit and wait for the next part to begin, first making sure
+        * we have a slab .. */
+       g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+       while (!self->disk_cacher_slab && !elt->cancelled) {
+           DBG(9, "waiting for a disk slab");
+           g_cond_wait(self->slab_cond, self->slab_mutex);
+       }
+       DBG(9, "done waiting");
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+       if (elt->cancelled)
+           break;
+
+       /* this slab is now fixed until this thread changes it */
+       g_assert(self->disk_cacher_slab != NULL);
+
+       /* and then making sure we're ready to write that slab. */
+       g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+        while ((self->paused ||
+                   (self->disk_cacher_slab && self->disk_cacher_slab->serial > self->part_first_serial))
+               && !elt->cancelled) {
+            DBG(9, "waiting for the disk slab to become current and un-paused");
+            g_cond_wait(self->state_cond, self->state_mutex);
+        }
+       DBG(9, "done waiting");
+
+       stop_serial = self->part_stop_serial;
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+
+       if (elt->cancelled)
+           break;
+
+       g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+       slab = self->disk_cacher_slab;
+       eop = eof = FALSE;
+       while (!eop && !eof) {
+           /* if we're at the head of the slab train, wait for more data */
+           while (!self->disk_cacher_slab && !elt->cancelled) {
+               DBG(9, "waiting for the next disk slab");
+               g_cond_wait(self->slab_cond, self->slab_mutex);
+           }
+           DBG(9, "done waiting");
+
+            if (elt->cancelled)
+                break;
+
+           /* drop the lock long enough to write the slab; the refcount
+            * protects the slab during this time */
+           slab = self->disk_cacher_slab;
+           g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+           if (full_write(self->disk_cache_write_fd, slab->base, slab->size) < slab->size) {
+               xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(self),
+                   _("Error writing to disk cache file in '%s': %s"), self->disk_cache_dirname,
+                   strerror(errno));
+               return NULL;
+           }
+
+           eof = slab->size < self->slab_size;
+           eop = (slab->serial + 1 == stop_serial);
+
+           g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+           next_slab(self, &self->disk_cacher_slab);
+       }
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+       if (eof) {
+           /* this very thread should have just set this value to NULL, and since it's
+            * EOF, there should not be any 'next' slab */
+           g_assert(self->disk_cacher_slab == NULL);
+           break;
+       }
+    }
+
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Device Thread
+ *
+ * The device thread's job is to write slabs to self->device, applying whatever
+ * streaming algorithms are required.  It does this by alternately getting the
+ * next slab from a "slab source" and writing that slab to the device.  Most of
+ * the slab source functions assume that self->slab_mutex is held, but may
+ * release the mutex (either explicitly or via a g_cond_wait), so it is not
+ * valid to assume that any slab pointers remain unchanged after a slab_source
+ * function invocation.
+ */
+
+/* This struct tracks the current state of the slab source */
+typedef struct slab_source_state {
+    /* temporary slab used for reading from disk */
+    Slab *tmp_slab;
+
+    /* next serial to read from disk */
+    guint64 next_serial;
+} slab_source_state;
+
+/* Called with the slab_mutex held, this function pre-buffers enough data into the slab
+ * train to meet the device's streaming needs. */
+static gboolean
+slab_source_prebuffer(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self)
+{
+    XferElement *elt = XFER_ELEMENT(self);
+    guint64 prebuffer_slabs = (self->max_memory + self->slab_size - 1) / self->slab_size;
+    guint64 i;
+    Slab *slab;
+
+    /* always prebuffer at least one slab, even if max_memory is 0 */
+    if (prebuffer_slabs == 0) prebuffer_slabs = 1;
+
+    /* pre-buffering is not necessary if we're retrying a part */
+    if (self->retry_part)
+       return TRUE;
+
+    /* pre-buffering means waiting until we have at least prebuffer_slabs in the
+     * slab train ahead of the device_slab, or the newest slab is at EOF. */
+    while (!elt->cancelled) {
+       gboolean eof_or_eop = FALSE;
+
+       /* see if there's enough data yet */
+       for (i = 0, slab = self->device_slab;
+            i < prebuffer_slabs && slab != NULL;
+            i++, slab = slab->next) {
+           eof_or_eop = (slab->size < self->slab_size)
+               || (slab->serial + 1 == self->part_stop_serial);
+       }
+       if (i == prebuffer_slabs || eof_or_eop)
+           break;
+
+       DBG(9, "prebuffering wait");
+       g_cond_wait(self->slab_cond, self->slab_mutex);
+    }
+    DBG(9, "done waiting");
+
+    if (elt->cancelled) {
+       self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+       self->no_more_parts = TRUE;
+       return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+/* Called without the slab_mutex held, this function sets up a new slab_source_state
+ * object based on the configuratino of the Xfer Element. */
+static inline gboolean
+slab_source_setup(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    slab_source_state *state)
+{
+    XferElement *elt = XFER_ELEMENT(self);
+    state->tmp_slab = NULL;
+    state->next_serial = G_MAXUINT64;
+
+    /* if we're to retry the part, rewind to the beginning */
+    if (self->retry_part) {
+       if (self->use_mem_cache) {
+           /* rewind device_slab to point to the mem_cache_slab */
+           g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+           if (self->device_slab)
+               unref_slab(self, self->device_slab);
+           self->device_slab = self->mem_cache_slab;
+           if(self->device_slab != NULL)
+               self->device_slab->refcount++;
+           g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+       } else {
+           g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+           /* we're going to read from the disk cache until we get to the oldest useful
+            * slab in memory, so it had best exist */
+           g_assert(self->oldest_slab != NULL);
+
+           /* point device_slab at the oldest slab we have */
+           self->oldest_slab->refcount++;
+           if (self->device_slab)
+               unref_slab(self, self->device_slab);
+           self->device_slab = self->oldest_slab;
+
+           /* and increment it until it is at least the slab we want to start from */
+           while (self->device_slab->serial < self->part_first_serial) {
+               next_slab(self, &self->device_slab);
+           }
+
+           /* get a new, temporary slab for use while reading */
+           state->tmp_slab = alloc_slab(self, TRUE);
+
+           g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+           if (!state->tmp_slab) {
+                /* if we couldn't allocate a slab, then we're cancelled, so we're done with
+                 * this part. */
+               self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+               self->no_more_parts = TRUE;
+               return FALSE;
+           }
+
+           state->tmp_slab->size = self->slab_size;
+           state->next_serial = self->part_first_serial;
+
+           /* We're reading from the disk cache, so we need a file descriptor
+            * to read from, so wait for disk_cache_thread to open the
+            * disk_cache_read_fd */
+           g_assert(self->disk_cache_dirname);
+           g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+           while (self->disk_cache_read_fd == -1 && !elt->cancelled) {
+               DBG(9, "waiting for disk_cache_thread to set disk_cache_read_fd");
+               g_cond_wait(self->state_cond, self->state_mutex);
+           }
+           DBG(9, "done waiting");
+           g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+
+           if (elt->cancelled) {
+               self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+               self->no_more_parts = TRUE;
+               return FALSE;
+           }
+
+           /* rewind to the beginning */
+           if (lseek(self->disk_cache_read_fd, 0, SEEK_SET) == -1) {
+               xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(self),
+                   _("Could not seek disk cache file for reading: %s"),
+                   strerror(errno));
+               self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+               self->no_more_parts = TRUE;
+               return FALSE;
+           }
+       }
+    }
+
+    /* if the streaming mode requires it, pre-buffer */
+    if (self->streaming == STREAMING_REQUIREMENT_DESIRED ||
+       self->streaming == STREAMING_REQUIREMENT_REQUIRED) {
+       gboolean prebuffer_ok;
+
+       g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+       prebuffer_ok = slab_source_prebuffer(self);
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+       if (!prebuffer_ok)
+           return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+/* Called with the slab_mutex held, this does the work of slab_source_get when
+ * reading from the disk cache.  Note that this explicitly releases the
+ * slab_mutex during execution - do not depend on any protected values across a
+ * call to this function.  The mutex is held on return. */
+static Slab *
+slab_source_get_from_disk(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    slab_source_state *state,
+    guint64 serial)
+{
+    XferDestTaper *xdt = XFER_DEST_TAPER(self);
+    gsize bytes_read;
+
+    g_assert(state->next_serial == serial);
+
+    /* NOTE: slab_mutex is held, but we don't need it here, so release it for the moment */
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+    bytes_read = full_read(self->disk_cache_read_fd,
+                          state->tmp_slab->base,
+                          self->slab_size);
+    if ((gsize)bytes_read < self->slab_size) {
+       xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(xdt),
+           _("Error reading disk cache: %s"),
+           errno? strerror(errno) : _("Unexpected EOF"));
+       goto fatal_error;
+    }
+
+    state->tmp_slab->serial = state->next_serial++;
+    g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+    return state->tmp_slab;
+
+fatal_error:
+    g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+    self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+    self->no_more_parts = TRUE;
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+/* Called with the slab_mutex held, this function gets the slab with the given
+ * serial number, waiting if necessary for that slab to be available.  Note
+ * that the slab_mutex may be released during execution, although it is always
+ * held on return. */
+static inline Slab *
+slab_source_get(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    slab_source_state *state,
+    guint64 serial)
+{
+    XferElement *elt = (XferElement *)self;
+
+    /* device_slab is only NULL if we're following the slab train, so wait for
+     * a new slab */
+    if (!self->device_slab) {
+       /* if the streaming mode requires it, pre-buffer */
+       if (self->streaming == STREAMING_REQUIREMENT_DESIRED) {
+           if (!slab_source_prebuffer(self))
+               return NULL;
+
+           /* fall through to make sure we have a device_slab;
+            * slab_source_prebuffer doesn't guarantee device_slab != NULL */
+       }
+
+       while (self->device_slab == NULL && !elt->cancelled) {
+           DBG(9, "waiting for the next slab");
+           g_cond_wait(self->slab_cond, self->slab_mutex);
+       }
+       DBG(9, "done waiting");
+
+       if (elt->cancelled)
+           goto fatal_error;
+    }
+
+    /* device slab is now set, and only this thread can change it */
+    g_assert(self->device_slab);
+
+    /* if the next item in the device slab is the one we want, then the job is
+     * pretty easy */
+    if (G_LIKELY(serial == self->device_slab->serial))
+       return self->device_slab;
+
+    /* otherwise, we're reading from disk */
+    g_assert(serial < self->device_slab->serial);
+    return slab_source_get_from_disk(self, state, serial);
+
+fatal_error:
+    self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+    self->no_more_parts = TRUE;
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+/* Called without the slab_mutex held, this frees any resources assigned
+ * to the slab source state */
+static inline void
+slab_source_free(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    slab_source_state *state)
+{
+    if (state->tmp_slab) {
+       g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+       free_slab(state->tmp_slab);
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+    }
+}
+
+/* Called without the slab_mutex, this writes the given slab to the device */
+static gboolean
+write_slab_to_device(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self,
+    Slab *slab)
+{
+    XferElement *elt = XFER_ELEMENT(self);
+    gpointer buf = slab->base;
+    gsize remaining = slab->size;
+
+    while (remaining && !elt->cancelled) {
+       gsize write_size = MIN(self->block_size, remaining);
+       gboolean ok;
+       ok = device_write_block(self->device, write_size, buf);
+       if (!ok) {
+            self->bytes_written += slab->size - remaining;
+
+            /* TODO: handle an error without is_eom
+             * differently/fatally? or at least with a warning? */
+           self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+           self->no_more_parts = FALSE;
+           return FALSE;
+       }
+
+       buf += write_size;
+       self->slab_bytes_written += write_size;
+       remaining -= write_size;
+    }
+
+    if (elt->cancelled) {
+       self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+       self->no_more_parts = TRUE;
+        return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    self->bytes_written += slab->size;
+    self->slab_bytes_written = 0;
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+static XMsg *
+device_thread_write_part(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self)
+{
+    GTimer *timer = g_timer_new();
+    XMsg *msg;
+    slab_source_state src_state = {0, 0};
+    guint64 serial, stop_serial;
+    gboolean eof = FALSE;
+    int fileno = 0;
+    int failed = 0;
+    int slab_source_set = 0;
+
+    self->last_part_successful = FALSE;
+    self->bytes_written = 0;
+
+    if (!device_start_file(self->device, self->part_header)) {
+       failed = 1;
+       goto part_done;
+    }
+
+    dumpfile_free(self->part_header);
+    self->part_header = NULL;
+
+    fileno = self->device->file;
+    g_assert(fileno > 0);
+
+    if (!slab_source_setup(self, &src_state))
+       goto part_done;
+    slab_source_set = 1;
+
+    g_timer_start(timer);
+
+    stop_serial = self->part_stop_serial;
+    g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+    for (serial = self->part_first_serial; serial < stop_serial && !eof; serial++) {
+       Slab *slab = slab_source_get(self, &src_state, serial);
+       DBG(8, "writing slab %p (serial %ju) to device", slab, serial);
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+       if (!slab) {
+           failed = 1;
+           goto part_done;
+       }
+
+       eof = slab->size < self->slab_size;
+
+       if (!write_slab_to_device(self, slab)) {
+           failed = 1;
+           goto part_done;
+       }
+
+       g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+       DBG(8, "wrote slab %p to device", slab);
+
+       /* if we're reading from the slab train, advance self->device_slab. */
+       if (slab == self->device_slab) {
+           next_slab(self, &self->device_slab);
+       }
+    }
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+part_done:
+    /* if we write all of the blocks, but the finish_file fails, then likely
+     * there was some buffering going on in the device driver, and the blocks
+     * did not all make it to permanent storage -- so it's a failed part. */
+    if (self->device->in_file && !device_finish_file(self->device))
+       failed = 1;
+
+    if (slab_source_set) {
+       slab_source_free(self, &src_state);
+    }
+
+    if (!failed) {
+       self->last_part_successful = TRUE;
+       self->no_more_parts = eof;
+    }
+
+    g_timer_stop(timer);
+
+    msg = xmsg_new(XFER_ELEMENT(self), XMSG_PART_DONE, 0);
+    msg->size = self->bytes_written;
+    msg->duration = g_timer_elapsed(timer, NULL);
+    msg->partnum = self->partnum;
+    msg->fileno = fileno;
+    msg->successful = self->last_part_successful;
+    msg->eom = !self->last_part_successful;
+    msg->eof = self->no_more_parts;
+
+    /* time runs backward on some test boxes, so make sure this is positive */
+    if (msg->duration < 0) msg->duration = 0;
+
+    if (self->last_part_successful)
+       self->partnum++;
+
+    g_timer_destroy(timer);
+
+    return msg;
+}
+
+/* Called with the status_mutex held, this frees any cached data for
+ * a successful part */
+static void
+release_part_cache(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self)
+{
+    if (self->use_mem_cache && self->mem_cache_slab) {
+       /* move up the mem_cache_slab to point to the first slab in
+        * the next part (probably NULL at this point), so that the
+        * reader can continue reading data into the new mem cache
+        * immediately. */
+       g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+       unref_slab(self, self->mem_cache_slab);
+       self->mem_cache_slab = self->device_slab;
+       if (self->mem_cache_slab)
+           self->mem_cache_slab->refcount++;
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+    }
+
+    /* the disk cache gets reused automatically (rewinding to offset 0), so
+     * there's nothing else to do */
+}
+
+static gpointer
+device_thread(
+    gpointer data)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(data);
+    XferElement *elt = XFER_ELEMENT(self);
+    XMsg *msg;
+
+    DBG(1, "(this is the device thread)");
+
+    if (self->disk_cache_dirname) {
+        GError *error = NULL;
+       self->disk_cache_thread = g_thread_create(disk_cache_thread, (gpointer)self, TRUE, &error);
+        if (!self->disk_cache_thread) {
+            g_critical(_("Error creating new thread: %s (%s)"),
+                error->message, errno? strerror(errno) : _("no error code"));
+        }
+    }
+
+    /* This is the outer loop, that loops once for each split part written to
+     * tape. */
+    g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+    while (1) {
+       /* wait until the main thread un-pauses us, and check that we have
+        * the relevant device info available (block_size) */
+       while (self->paused && !elt->cancelled) {
+           DBG(9, "waiting to be unpaused");
+           g_cond_wait(self->state_cond, self->state_mutex);
+       }
+       DBG(9, "done waiting");
+
+        if (elt->cancelled)
+           break;
+
+        g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+       self->slab_bytes_written = 0;
+       DBG(2, "beginning to write part");
+       msg = device_thread_write_part(self);
+       DBG(2, "done writing part");
+        g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+
+       /* release any cache of a successful part, but don't bother at EOF */
+       if (msg->successful && !msg->eof)
+           release_part_cache(self);
+
+       xfer_queue_message(elt->xfer, msg);
+
+       /* if this is the last part, we're done with the part loop */
+       if (self->no_more_parts)
+           break;
+
+       /* pause ourselves and await instructions from the main thread */
+       self->paused = TRUE;
+    }
+
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+
+    /* make sure the other thread is done before we send XMSG_DONE */
+    if (self->disk_cache_thread)
+        g_thread_join(self->disk_cache_thread);
+
+    /* tell the main thread we're done */
+    xfer_queue_message(XFER_ELEMENT(self)->xfer, xmsg_new(XFER_ELEMENT(self), XMSG_DONE, 0));
+
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Class mechanics
+ */
+
+/* called with the slab_mutex held, this adds the reader_slab to the head of
+ * the slab train and signals the condition variable. */
+static void
+add_reader_slab_to_train(
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self)
+{
+    Slab *slab = self->reader_slab;
+
+    DBG(3, "adding slab of new data to the slab train");
+
+    if (self->newest_slab) {
+       self->newest_slab->next = slab;
+       slab->refcount++;
+
+       self->newest_slab->refcount--;
+    }
+
+    self->newest_slab = slab; /* steal reader_slab's ref */
+    self->reader_slab = NULL;
+
+    /* steal reader_slab's reference for newest_slab */
+
+    /* if any of the other pointers are waiting for this slab, update them */
+    if (self->disk_cache_dirname && !self->disk_cacher_slab) {
+       self->disk_cacher_slab = slab;
+       slab->refcount++;
+    }
+    if (self->use_mem_cache && !self->mem_cache_slab) {
+       self->mem_cache_slab = slab;
+       slab->refcount++;
+    }
+    if (!self->device_slab) {
+       self->device_slab = slab;
+       slab->refcount++;
+    }
+    if (!self->oldest_slab) {
+       self->oldest_slab = slab;
+       slab->refcount++;
+    }
+
+    g_cond_broadcast(self->slab_cond);
+}
+
+static void
+push_buffer_impl(
+    XferElement *elt,
+    gpointer buf,
+    size_t size)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = (XferDestTaperCacher *)elt;
+    gpointer p;
+
+    DBG(3, "push_buffer(%p, %ju)", buf, (uintmax_t)size);
+
+    /* do nothing if cancelled */
+    if (G_UNLIKELY(elt->cancelled)) {
+        goto free_and_finish;
+    }
+
+    /* handle EOF */
+    if (G_UNLIKELY(buf == NULL)) {
+       /* send off the last, probably partial slab */
+       g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+       /* create a new, empty slab if necessary */
+       if (!self->reader_slab) {
+           self->reader_slab = alloc_slab(self, FALSE);
+            if (!self->reader_slab) {
+                /* we've been cancelled while waiting for a slab */
+                g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+                /* wait for the xfer to cancel, so we don't get another buffer
+                 * pushed to us (and do so *without* the mutex held) */
+                wait_until_xfer_cancelled(XFER_ELEMENT(self)->xfer);
+
+                goto free_and_finish;
+            }
+           self->reader_slab->serial = self->next_serial++;
+       }
+
+       add_reader_slab_to_train(self);
+       g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+       goto free_and_finish;
+    }
+
+    p = buf;
+    while (1) {
+       gsize copy_size;
+
+       /* get a fresh slab, if needed */
+       if (G_UNLIKELY(!self->reader_slab) || self->reader_slab->size == self->slab_size) {
+           g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+           if (self->reader_slab)
+               add_reader_slab_to_train(self);
+           self->reader_slab = alloc_slab(self, FALSE);
+            if (!self->reader_slab) {
+                /* we've been cancelled while waiting for a slab */
+                g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+                /* wait for the xfer to cancel, so we don't get another buffer
+                 * pushed to us (and do so *without* the mutex held) */
+                wait_until_xfer_cancelled(XFER_ELEMENT(self)->xfer);
+
+                goto free_and_finish;
+            }
+           self->reader_slab->serial = self->next_serial++;
+           g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+       }
+
+       if (size == 0)
+           break;
+
+       copy_size = MIN(self->slab_size - self->reader_slab->size, size);
+       memcpy(self->reader_slab->base+self->reader_slab->size, p, copy_size);
+
+       self->reader_slab->size += copy_size;
+       p += copy_size;
+       size -= copy_size;
+    }
+
+free_and_finish:
+    if (buf)
+        g_free(buf);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Element mechanics
+ */
+
+static gboolean
+start_impl(
+    XferElement *elt)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = (XferDestTaperCacher *)elt;
+    GError *error = NULL;
+
+    self->device_thread = g_thread_create(device_thread, (gpointer)self, FALSE, &error);
+    if (!self->device_thread) {
+        g_critical(_("Error creating new thread: %s (%s)"),
+            error->message, errno? strerror(errno) : _("no error code"));
+    }
+
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+static gboolean
+cancel_impl(
+    XferElement *elt,
+    gboolean expect_eof)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(elt);
+    gboolean rv;
+
+    /* chain up first */
+    rv = XFER_ELEMENT_CLASS(parent_class)->cancel(elt, expect_eof);
+
+    /* then signal all of our condition variables, so that threads waiting on them
+     * wake up and see elt->cancelled. */
+    g_mutex_lock(self->slab_mutex);
+    g_cond_broadcast(self->slab_cond);
+    g_cond_broadcast(self->slab_free_cond);
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->slab_mutex);
+
+    g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+    g_cond_broadcast(self->state_cond);
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+
+    return rv;
+}
+
+static void
+start_part_impl(
+    XferDestTaper *xdt,
+    gboolean retry_part,
+    dumpfile_t *header)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(xdt);
+
+    g_assert(self->device != NULL);
+    g_assert(!self->device->in_file);
+    g_assert(header != NULL);
+
+    DBG(1, "start_part(retry_part=%d)", retry_part);
+
+    g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+    g_assert(self->paused);
+    g_assert(!self->no_more_parts);
+
+    if (self->part_header)
+       dumpfile_free(self->part_header);
+    self->part_header = dumpfile_copy(header);
+
+    if (retry_part) {
+       g_assert(!self->last_part_successful);
+       self->retry_part = TRUE;
+    } else {
+       g_assert(self->last_part_successful);
+       self->retry_part = FALSE;
+       self->part_first_serial = self->part_stop_serial;
+       if (self->part_size != 0) {
+           self->part_stop_serial = self->part_first_serial + self->slabs_per_part;
+       } else {
+           /* set part_stop_serial to an effectively infinite value */
+           self->part_stop_serial = G_MAXUINT64;
+       }
+    }
+
+    DBG(1, "unpausing");
+    self->paused = FALSE;
+    g_cond_broadcast(self->state_cond);
+
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+}
+
+static void
+use_device_impl(
+    XferDestTaper *xdt,
+    Device *device)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(xdt);
+    GValue val;
+
+    /* short-circuit if nothing is changing */
+    if (self->device == device)
+       return;
+
+    g_mutex_lock(self->state_mutex);
+    if (self->device)
+       g_object_unref(self->device);
+    self->device = device;
+    g_object_ref(device);
+
+    /* get this new device's streaming requirements */
+    bzero(&val, sizeof(val));
+    if (!device_property_get(self->device, PROPERTY_STREAMING, &val)
+        || !G_VALUE_HOLDS(&val, STREAMING_REQUIREMENT_TYPE)) {
+        g_warning("Couldn't get streaming type for %s", self->device->device_name);
+        self->streaming = STREAMING_REQUIREMENT_REQUIRED;
+    } else {
+        self->streaming = g_value_get_enum(&val);
+    }
+    g_value_unset(&val);
+
+    /* check that the blocksize hasn't changed */
+    if (self->block_size != device->block_size) {
+        g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+        xfer_cancel_with_error(XFER_ELEMENT(self),
+            _("All devices used by the taper must have the same block size"));
+        return;
+    }
+    g_mutex_unlock(self->state_mutex);
+}
+
+static guint64
+get_part_bytes_written_impl(
+    XferDestTaper *xdt)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(xdt);
+
+    /* NOTE: this access is unsafe and may return inconsistent results (e.g, a
+     * partial write to the 64-bit value on a 32-bit system).  This is ok for
+     * the moment, as it's only informational, but be warned. */
+    return self->bytes_written + self->slab_bytes_written;
+}
+
+static void
+instance_init(
+    XferElement *elt)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(elt);
+    elt->can_generate_eof = FALSE;
+
+    self->state_mutex = g_mutex_new();
+    self->state_cond = g_cond_new();
+    self->slab_mutex = g_mutex_new();
+    self->slab_cond = g_cond_new();
+    self->slab_free_cond = g_cond_new();
+
+    self->last_part_successful = TRUE;
+    self->paused = TRUE;
+    self->part_stop_serial = 0;
+    self->disk_cache_read_fd = -1;
+    self->disk_cache_write_fd = -1;
+}
+
+static void
+finalize_impl(
+    GObject * obj_self)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER(obj_self);
+    Slab *slab, *next_slab;
+
+    if (self->disk_cache_dirname)
+       g_free(self->disk_cache_dirname);
+
+    g_mutex_free(self->state_mutex);
+    g_cond_free(self->state_cond);
+
+    g_mutex_free(self->slab_mutex);
+    g_cond_free(self->slab_cond);
+    g_cond_free(self->slab_free_cond);
+
+    /* free the slab train, without reference to the refcounts */
+    for (slab = self->oldest_slab; slab != NULL; slab = next_slab) {
+        next_slab = slab->next;
+        free_slab(slab);
+    }
+    self->disk_cacher_slab = NULL;
+    self->mem_cache_slab = NULL;
+    self->device_slab = NULL;
+    self->oldest_slab = NULL;
+    self->newest_slab = NULL;
+
+    if (self->reader_slab) {
+        free_slab(self->reader_slab);
+        self->reader_slab = NULL;
+    }
+
+    if (self->part_header)
+       dumpfile_free(self->part_header);
+
+    if (self->disk_cache_read_fd != -1)
+       close(self->disk_cache_read_fd); /* ignore error */
+    if (self->disk_cache_write_fd != -1)
+       close(self->disk_cache_write_fd); /* ignore error */
+
+    if (self->device)
+       g_object_unref(self->device);
+
+    /* chain up */
+    G_OBJECT_CLASS(parent_class)->finalize(obj_self);
+}
+
+static void
+class_init(
+    XferDestTaperCacherClass * selfc)
+{
+    XferElementClass *klass = XFER_ELEMENT_CLASS(selfc);
+    XferDestTaperClass *xdt_klass = XFER_DEST_TAPER_CLASS(selfc);
+    GObjectClass *goc = G_OBJECT_CLASS(selfc);
+    static xfer_element_mech_pair_t mech_pairs[] = {
+       { XFER_MECH_PUSH_BUFFER, XFER_MECH_NONE, 1, 1},
+       { XFER_MECH_NONE, XFER_MECH_NONE, 0, 0},
+    };
+
+    klass->start = start_impl;
+    klass->cancel = cancel_impl;
+    klass->push_buffer = push_buffer_impl;
+    xdt_klass->start_part = start_part_impl;
+    xdt_klass->use_device = use_device_impl;
+    xdt_klass->get_part_bytes_written = get_part_bytes_written_impl;
+    goc->finalize = finalize_impl;
+
+    klass->perl_class = "Amanda::Xfer::Dest::Taper::Cacher";
+    klass->mech_pairs = mech_pairs;
+
+    parent_class = g_type_class_peek_parent(selfc);
+}
+
+static GType
+xfer_dest_taper_cacher_get_type (void)
+{
+    static GType type = 0;
+
+    if G_UNLIKELY(type == 0) {
+        static const GTypeInfo info = {
+            sizeof (XferDestTaperCacherClass),
+            (GBaseInitFunc) NULL,
+            (GBaseFinalizeFunc) NULL,
+            (GClassInitFunc) class_init,
+            (GClassFinalizeFunc) NULL,
+            NULL /* class_data */,
+            sizeof (XferDestTaperCacher),
+            0 /* n_preallocs */,
+            (GInstanceInitFunc) instance_init,
+            NULL
+        };
+
+        type = g_type_register_static (XFER_DEST_TAPER_TYPE, "XferDestTaperCacher", &info, 0);
+    }
+
+    return type;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Constructor
+ */
+
+XferElement *
+xfer_dest_taper_cacher(
+    Device *first_device,
+    size_t max_memory,
+    guint64 part_size,
+    gboolean use_mem_cache,
+    const char *disk_cache_dirname)
+{
+    XferDestTaperCacher *self = (XferDestTaperCacher *)g_object_new(XFER_DEST_TAPER_CACHER_TYPE, NULL);
+
+    self->max_memory = max_memory;
+    self->part_size = part_size;
+    self->partnum = 1;
+    self->device = first_device;
+    g_object_ref(self->device);
+
+    /* pick only one caching mechanism, caller! */
+    if (use_mem_cache)
+       g_assert(!disk_cache_dirname);
+    if (disk_cache_dirname)
+       g_assert(!use_mem_cache);
+
+    /* and if part size is zero, then we don't do any caching */
+    g_assert(part_size != 0 || (!use_mem_cache && !disk_cache_dirname));
+
+    self->use_mem_cache = use_mem_cache;
+    if (disk_cache_dirname)
+       self->disk_cache_dirname = g_strdup(disk_cache_dirname);
+
+    /* calculate the device-dependent parameters */
+    self->block_size = first_device->block_size;
+
+    /* The slab size should be large enough to justify the overhead of all
+     * of the mutexes, but it needs to be small enough to have a few slabs
+     * available so that the threads are not constantly waiting on one
+     * another.  The choice is sixteen blocks, not more than a quarter of
+     * the part size, and not more than 10MB.  If we're not using the mem
+     * cache, then avoid exceeding max_memory by keeping the slab size less
+     * than a quarter of max_memory. */
+
+    self->slab_size = self->block_size * 16;
+    if (self->part_size)
+        self->slab_size = MIN(self->slab_size, self->part_size / 4);
+    self->slab_size = MIN(self->slab_size, 10*1024*1024);
+    if (!use_mem_cache)
+        self->slab_size = MIN(self->slab_size, self->max_memory / 4);
+
+    /* round slab size up to the nearest multiple of the block size */
+    self->slab_size =
+        ((self->slab_size + self->block_size - 1) / self->block_size) * self->block_size;
+
+    /* round part size up to a multiple of the slab size */
+    if (self->part_size != 0) {
+        self->slabs_per_part = (self->part_size + self->slab_size - 1) / self->slab_size;
+        self->part_size = self->slabs_per_part * self->slab_size;
+    } else {
+        self->slabs_per_part = 0;
+    }
+
+    /* set max_slabs */
+    if (use_mem_cache) {
+        self->max_slabs = self->slabs_per_part; /* increase max_slabs to serve as mem buf */
+    } else {
+       self->max_slabs = (self->max_memory + self->slab_size - 1) / self->slab_size;
+    }
+
+    /* Note that max_slabs == 1 will cause deadlocks, due to some assumptions in
+        * alloc_slab, so we check here that it's at least 2. */
+    if (self->max_slabs < 2)
+        self->max_slabs = 2;
+
+    DBG(1, "using slab_size %zu and max_slabs %ju", self->slab_size, (uintmax_t)self->max_slabs);
+
+    return XFER_ELEMENT(self);
+}