Abstract: Intelligent services are provided in a storage network using intelligent service modules that can be cabled to a switch external to the switch chassis and yet be managed as part of the switch's logical domain. Data and management communications between the intelligent service module and the core switch are provided through a “soft-backplane” implemented using in-band communications through cabling attached between the switch and the intelligent service module rather than through hardwired backplane within the chassis. Management communications from management software is directed to the switch, which handles the management functions relating to the intelligent service module or forwards the management requests to the intelligent service module for processing.

Abstract: An automated cartridge library (30) has plural cartridge receiving units which are precisely locatable so that a transport device (300) can accurately move a cartridge (90) between at least two of the cartridge-receiving units. The cartridge-receiving units and/or calibration cartridges inserted therein have an indicia (190) which is of contrasting reflectivity, the indicia having at least two sides (191, 192) which meet at a vertex (193). An illumination source (340) on the cartridge transport device makes two sweeps (Y1, Y2) of an illuminating beam over the indicia. Illumination transitions as detected by a sensor (350) during the two sweeps are used to determine a location of the indicia vertex (193). In the case of a cartridge-receiving unit being a multi-celled cartridge magazine, a rear wall (220) of the magazine has an aperture (222) for each cell.

Abstract: An automated magnetic tape catridge library system houses a plurality of tape drives (56A-56E) and a plurality of racks (70) wherein magnetic tape cartridges are stored. A cartridge transport assembly (100) serves to retrieve a cartridge from a cartridge cell (826) of a rack (70) and to load the cartridge into a target tape drive (56), and vice versa. The cartridge transport assembly (100) includes a pair of engagement fingers (402A, 402B) which engage a selected cartridge upon contact with the cartridge, and a biased plunger (438). The plunger (438) has a bar code reader (446) internally mounted therein for reading bar code indicia on the cartridges and for detecting tracking indicia (868) provided on projections (866) of the cartridge racks (70). A method for library inventory, necessitated by possible manual removal or insertion of cartridges after opening of a library door (26), is also provided.