Abstract: A tape cartridge for use in one or more tape drives of a tape library includes a cartridge housing and a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is retained within the cartridge housing. The magnetic tape includes a first tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to measure a health of the one or more tape drives and/or confirm a suitability of an operating environment within the tape library in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity. The calibrated data in the first tape section can be further configured for evaluating total transverse dimensional stability on the magnetic tape. The first tape section can include predetermined error patterns to assist in evaluating the data durability on the magnetic tape and/or periodic tape scrubbing operations to enhance data durability on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for use in one or more tape drives of a tape library includes a cartridge housing and a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is retained within the cartridge housing. The magnetic tape includes a first tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to measure a health of the one or more tape drives and/or confirm a suitability of an operating environment within the tape library in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity. The calibrated data in the first tape section can be further configured for evaluating total transverse dimensional stability on the magnetic tape. The first tape section can include predetermined error patterns to assist in evaluating the data durability on the magnetic tape and/or periodic tape scrubbing operations to enhance data durability on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A request for a physical import/export (I/E) slot is satisfied using a tape library slot that is not a physical I/E slot. According to one embodiment, the request for the physical I/E slot, that is associated with the tape library, is received. A different slot, which is not any of the physical I/E slots associated with the tape library, is used to satisfy the request.

Abstract: A method for mover transition in an open systems based media library (14) for use with a host (10) that relays command requests comprises the steps of retaining a storage medium (20); selectively moving the storage medium (20) within the media library (14) with a first media mover (26); and when the first media mover (26) has a status of unavailable due to mover transition, indicating to the host (10) with a control system (40) that the first media mover (26) is not ready to perform a motion operation, and is in the process of becoming ready. Additionally, the host (10) continues to relay command requests to the media library (14) when the first media mover (26) has the status of unavailable, and the control system (40) performs any subsequent command requests relayed by the host (10) when the first media mover (26) subsequently has the status of available.

Abstract: A method for mover transition in an open systems based media library (14) for use with a host (10) that relays command requests comprises the steps of retaining a storage medium (20); selectively moving the storage medium (20) within the media library (14) with a first media mover (26); and when the first media mover (26) has a status of unavailable due to mover transition, indicating to the host (10) with a control system (40) that the first media mover (26) is not ready to perform a motion operation, and is in the process of becoming ready. Additionally, the host (10) continues to relay command requests to the media library (14) when the first media mover (26) has the status of unavailable, and the control system (40) performs any subsequent command requests relayed by the host (10) when the first media mover (26) subsequently has the status of available.

Abstract: A request for a physical import/export (I/E) slot is satisfied using a tape library slot that is not a physical I/E slot. According to one embodiment, the request for the physical I/E slot, that is associated with the tape library, is received. A different slot, which is not any of the physical I/E slots associated with the tape library, is used to satisfy the request.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing a mass data storage device, such as for troubleshooting a cartridge tape drive device. In one embodiment, the method comprises: physically associating non-volatile memory with a removable media storage device, storing information in the non-volatile memory regarding characteristics of the removable media storage device, and providing the non-volatile memory and the removable media storage device for service. Information stored in the non-volatile memory is available for use by a service technician. This information includes at least a first data structure associated with a state of the removable media storage device before servicing and at least a second data structure associated with historical information regarding operation of the removable media storage device.

Abstract: A method of generating command instructions for a distributed mass data storage library comprises the steps of receiving an operator request from an operator, determining at least one command for at least one intelligent library component in response to the operator request, forming at least one command message containing the at least one command, and sending the at least one command message to the at least one intelligent library component for carrying out actions requested by the operator.

Abstract: A method of generating command instructions for a distributed mass data storage library comprises the steps of receiving an operator request from an operator, determining at least one command for at least one intelligent library component in response to the operator request, forming at least one command message containing the at least one command, and sending the at least one command message to the at least one intelligent library component for carrying out actions requested by the operator.

Abstract: In an automated information storage and retrieval library system having a single recording drive, a backup or copying operation is preferably performed in a single-threaded fashion whereas in a library having two or more drives, a multi-threaded approach is preferred. The present invention provides a library with the capability to back up information from one piece of media to another in an adaptive fashion. A determination is made whether there is one drive unit available in the library or whether at least two are available. A multi-threaded backup approach is employed if there are two available recording drives in the library and a single-threaded approach is employed if there is only one available drive. In addition to making the determination when a copy request is received, the library controller can make the determination at various stages of a copy operation and adaptively change between single-threaded and multi-threaded approaches.