Abstract: A cloud environment is provided generally having at least one private data center possessing a controller/routing system and nonvolatile mass storage, a plurality of data objects retained in the nonvolatile mass storage, and a public cloud storage service provider linked to the controller/routing system. The public cloud storage service provider possessing a database containing policy decisions and metadata of the plurality of data objects. When data objects are uploaded to the cloud environment, the private data center is in possession of the data objects, the public cloud is not in possession of the data objects. The private data center is not in possession of the policy decisions and the metadata for the plurality of data objects, rather the public cloud storage service provider is. The public cloud storage service provider adapted to be communicatively linked to an end-user computing system by way of the controller/routing system.

Abstract: A cloud environment is provided generally having at least one private data center possessing a controller/routing system and nonvolatile mass storage, a plurality of data objects retained in the nonvolatile mass storage, and a public cloud storage service provider linked to the controller/routing system. The public cloud storage service provider possessing a database containing policy decisions and metadata of the plurality of data objects. When a data object is uploaded by an end-user to a specific data bucket in the cloud environment, the private data center is the recipient of the data object because the specific data bucket is located in the private data center and not in the public cloud storage service. Meta data and location information about the data object is uploaded to the public cloud storage service provider. The private data center is not in possession of the policy decisions and the metadata for data objects.

Abstract: A cloud environment is provided generally having at least one private data center possessing a controller/routing system and nonvolatile mass storage, a plurality of data objects retained in the nonvolatile mass storage, and a public cloud storage service provider linked to the controller/routing system. The public cloud storage service provider possessing a database containing policy decisions and metadata of the plurality of data objects. The private data center is not in possession of the policy decisions and the metadata for the plurality of data objects, rather the public cloud storage service provider is. The private data center in possession of the plurality of data objects, whereas the public cloud storage provider is not. The public cloud storage service provider adapted to be communicatively linked to an end-user computing system by way of the controller/routing system. The data center is independent of the public cloud storage provider.

Abstract: A cloud environment is provided generally having a private data center possessing a controller/routing system and nonvolatile mass storage, a plurality of data objects retained in the nonvolatile mass storage, and a public cloud storage service provider linked to the controller/routing system. The public cloud storage service provider possessing a database logically set up by an administrator to contain policy decisions and metadata of the plurality of data objects. When data objects are uploaded to the cloud environment, the private data center is in possession of the data objects, the public cloud is not in possession of the data objects. The private data center is not in possession of the policy decisions and the metadata for the plurality of data objects, rather the public cloud storage service provider is. The public cloud storage service provider adapted to be communicatively linked to an end-user computing system by way of the controller/routing system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for mobile media with both dedicated readable and writeable user data space and dedicated readable and writeable drive device space. The mobile data storage media adapted for operatively working with a drive device comprises a data space accessible by an end user and a drive software space accessible by the drive device and inaccessible by an end user. The drive software space is adapted to accommodate firmware for use by the drive device in addition to the reading and writing of software by the drive device. The media is adapted to receive and store software from the drive device or, alternatively, is adapted to transmit software to the drive device.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library is described that essentially provides a first tape cartridge adapted to retain first data and first metadata, a second tape cartridge adapted to retain second data and second metadata, a random access storage memory, such as a hard disk drive, whereon parity of the first data and the second data along with the first metadata and second metadata is retained. It is not required that the first data and the second data be written in parallel. The parity data on the random access storage memory is transferred to a parity tape, which can be used to reconstruct any data lost from either the first tape cartridge or the second tape cartridge.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention described here are directed to a tape library that is constructed within an integrated with a standard freight/shipping container to form a freight/shipping container tape library. The freight/shipping container library can be assembled at a manufacturing site, loaded with tape media, equipped with the tape drives, provided with robotic transporters and all the necessary computing systems, wiring, and electronics to fully function as a storage system when transported to an end user location.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a processor-based storage controller and a nontransient, tangible computer memory configured to store a plurality of data files. Computer instructions are stored in the computer memory defining container-level array storage logic that is configured to be executed by the controller to sequentially containerize the data files to a plurality of virtual storage containers, and to flush the virtual storage containers by migrating each storage container's contents to a respective physical storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplating an apparatus having a processor-based storage controller. A nontransient, tangible computer memory is configured to store a data file. Computer instructions are stored in the computer memory defining file-level array storage logic that is configured to be executed by the controller to logically containerize the data file in a file-level data set across a plurality of virtual storage containers, and to concurrently flush the virtual storage containers by migrating units of the file-level data set to a plurality of physical storage devices.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library in connection with a disk drive-based archive storage system is described that essentially generates parity data for tape formatted data streams (stored to tape cartridges) that do not align by way of data blocks or file marks. Data streams intended for tape storage sent to tape cartridges are also sent to a disk drive storage system via an encoder where parity of the data streams can be generated. More specifically, the encoder digitally formats tape blocks and tape marks (as well as other tape formatted structure) in a digital stream of data that can be added to other encoded digital streams of data to generate parity. To reconstruct a specific tape cartridge from a tape set, the encoded data from each of the tapes in the tape set are subtracted from the parity data and the remaining encoded data is decoded and sent to a designated tape cartridge.

Abstract: An optical disk RAID set is described that essentially comprises a plurality of optical recording disks including at least one full capacity disk and a plurality of less than full capacity disks. The full capacity disk possessing a rated storage capacity set by an original manufacturer. The less than full capacity disks, which are generally considered reject disks, do not meet the rated storage capacity due to surface flaws or other manufacturing defects. The less than full capacity disks are reserved for user data. Parity is generated from the user data on the less than full capacity disks. The parity data is stored to the full capacity disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing a data storage system operably transferring data between a storage space and a remote device via a network. The data storage system includes a first storage controller having top-level control of a first data storage device and a second storage controller having top-level control of a second data storage device that is different than the first data storage device, the first and second data storage devices forming portions of the storage space. Data pathway logic resides in the first storage controller that performs a direct memory access (DMA) transfer to the second data storage device at a DMA data transfer rate in response to the first storage controller receiving, from the external device via the network, an access request for the second data storage device.

Abstract: A passive electrical component is described including a substrate, at least a first, second and third electrically conductive pad, each disposed on the substrate and at least a first electrical device fixedly attached to the first pad and the second pad. The first electrical device is electrically connected to the first and second pads. The third pad is devoid of electrical connection to either the first or the second pads. The component is recognizable by both a Computer Aided Design program and an automated component assembly machine.

Abstract: A passive electrical component is described including a substrate, at least a first, second and third electrically conductive pad, each disposed on the substrate and at least a first electrical device fixedly attached to the first pad and the second pad. The first electrical device is electrically connected to the first and second pads. The third pad is devoid of electrical connection to either the first or the second pads. The component is recognizable by both a Computer Aided Design program and an automated component assembly machine.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing removable data storage elements as a cloud based storage system. More specifically, the method achieves this for at least one embodiment by receiving at least one generally random stream of data objects, each data object having at least one identifiable element. The method directs the selection of at least a first identifiable element. The method then orders the stream of data objects against the first identifiable element and disposes the data objects upon at least one of the removable data storage elements in accordance with the ordered stream of data objects. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method contemplating sending a bulk request to a first archive storage controller to transfer application data from a server at a target transfer rate, the first archive storage controller residing within a complex of archive storage controllers; identifying two or more archive storage controllers in the complex collectively forming a speed matching buffer set capable of parallel streaming the application data at a data transfer rate that is at least the target transfer rate; and as a result of the identifying step, apportioning the application data to the speed matching buffer set.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method contemplating: operating a storage server having access to a plurality of storage devices, at least a first storage device of the plurality of storage devices defining a first bank and at least a second storage device of the plurality of storage devices defining a second bank; during a first time interval, energizing the first bank to enable data transfer, and de-energizing the second bank to disable data transfer; during the first time interval, mapping data received from the storage server to the first bank; during a second time interval that begins before a storage capacity of the first bank is full, de-energizing the first bank to disable data transfer, and energizing the second bank to enable data transfer; and during the second time interval, mapping the data received from the storage server to the second bank.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method that contemplate obtaining a server in selective communication with an archive storage controller (ASC) via a computer network, the ASC having access to a plurality of removable storage mediums (RSMs); storing data in the server; creating a logical storage volume in the ASC that has a logical relationship to the data stored in the server; and after the creating step, and without communication between the server and the ASC via the computer network, selecting at least one of the RSMs and dedicating the selected at least one RSM for retaining only data that is stored in the logical storage volume.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library is described that essentially provides a first tape cartridge adapted to retain first data and first metadata, a second tape cartridge adapted to retain second data and second metadata, a random access storage memory, such as a hard disk drive, whereon parity of the first data and the second data along with the first metadata and second metadata is retained. It is not required that the first data and the second data be written in parallel. The parity data on the random access storage memory is transferred to a parity tape, which can be used to reconstruct any data lost from either the first tape cartridge or the second tape cartridge.