Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a tape library and a tape drive coupled to the tape library. In response to determining that at least one special operation may be performed, the tape library sends a first notification that the tape drive is to remain in a not ready state. The tape library mounts the tape cartridge in the tape drive after determining that at least one special operation may be performed. A method according to one embodiment includes sending a first notification that a tape drive is to remain in a not ready state in response to determining at least one special operation may be performed by said tape drive upon mounting of a tape cartridge therein. The tape cartridge is caused to be mounted in the tape drive after determining that at least one special operation may be performed.

Abstract: Provided is a data storage drive for encrypting data, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a session key, wherein a result is a data key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium. Also provided is a system, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a private key, wherein a result is a secret key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for recording data on a contactless integrated circuit (IC) memory associated with a data storage cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a consistency is verified between a TOC written to a contactless IC memory and an index, wherein if the TOC and the index are inconsistent, a TOC profile file is refreshed with data from the index. The TOC is written to the contactless IC memory.

Abstract: Provided is a data storage drive for encrypting data, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a session key, wherein a result is a data key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium. Also provided is a system, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a private key, wherein a result is a secret key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium.

Abstract: A system and a computer program product are disclosed for eliminating access to data on removable storage media of a removable storage media cartridge. The system comprises a computer configured to send to a data storage drive a command to eliminate access to data on a removable storage media cartridge, and send to the data storage drive a command to shred at least one key in response to the command, where shredding the at least one key eliminates access to the data on the removable storage media cartridge. A determination to eliminate access to the data on the removable storage media cartridge is based on a number of read and/or write errors encountered for the removable storage media cartridge.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a tape library and a tape drive coupled to the tape library. In response to determining that at least one special operation may be performed, the tape library sends a first notification that the tape drive is to remain in a not ready state. The tape library mounts the tape cartridge in the tape drive after determining that at least one special operation may be performed. A method according to one embodiment includes sending a first notification that a tape drive is to remain in a not ready state in response to determining at least one special operation may be performed by said tape drive upon mounting of a tape cartridge therein. The tape cartridge is caused to be mounted in the tape drive after determining that at least one special operation may be performed.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for generating a code alphabet for use by a deployed program to determine codewords for words. A first code alphabet has a first number of symbols that provide variable length codings of the words. A second code alphabet is generated having a second number of symbols formed by merging the symbols in the first code alphabet, wherein the second code alphabet comprises the code alphabet used by the deployed program.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for re-conveying input/output (I/O) operations utilizing a sequential-access data storage device secondary communication port are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided which comprises receiving an input/output (I/O) operation request via a first communication port of a primary data storage device, processing the I/O operation request utilizing the primary data storage device, and re-conveying the I/O operation request to a secondary data storage device substantially simultaneously with the processing via a second communication port of the primary data storage device. In the described embodiment, the primary data storage device comprises a sequential-access data storage device.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for recording data on a contactless integrated circuit (IC) memory associated with a data storage cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a consistency is verified between a TOC written to a contactless IC memory and an index, wherein if the TOC and the index are inconsistent, a TOC profile file is refreshed with data from the index. The TOC is written to the contactless IC memory.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for recording data on a contactless integrated circuit (IC) memory associated with a data storage cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, subsequent to an insertion of a data storage cartridge, a consistency is verified between a TOC written to a contactless IC memory and an index, wherein if the TOC and the index are inconsistent, a TOC profile file is refreshed with data from the index. The TOC is written to the contactless IC memory.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes storing instances of a file in a first storage tier and a second storage tier of a storage system, wherein the second storage tier uses less expensive and/or slower-to-access storage media than the first storage tier. Each instance of the file on the first and second storage tier is associated with a unique program identifier (UPI). A request to access the file or instance thereof is received from a user in a group of users, and a UPI associated with an instance of the file that exists on the first storage tier is searched for. Remote access to the instance of the file on the first storage tier is provided to the user requesting access to the file. Additional embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for generating a code alphabet for use by a deployed program to determine codewords for words. A first code alphabet has a first number of symbols that provide variable length codings of the words. A second code alphabet is generated having a second number of symbols formed by merging the symbols in the first code alphabet, wherein the second code alphabet comprises the code alphabet used by the deployed program.

Abstract: A system and a computer program product are disclosed for eliminating access to data on removable storage media of a removable storage media cartridge. The system comprises a computer configured to send to a data storage drive a command to eliminate access to data on a removable storage media cartridge, and send to the data storage drive a command to shred at least one key in response to the command, where shredding the at least one key eliminates access to the data on the removable storage media cartridge. A determination to eliminate access to the data on the removable storage media cartridge is based on a number of read and/or write errors encountered for the removable storage media cartridge.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for merging multiple point-in-time copies into a merged point-in-time copy. A repository maintains a full copy of the source data and point-in-time copies at point-in-times of the source data. Each of the point-in-time copies have change information indicating changed data in the source data that changed between the point-in-time of the point-in-time copy and a subsequent point-in-time and changed point-in-time data comprising data in the source data as of the point-in-time of the point-in-time copy indicated in the change information as changed. At least two selected of the point-in-time copies in the repository are merged into a merged point-in-time copy by: forming merged change information in the merged point-in-time copy indicating changed data indicated in change information for the selected point-in-time copies; and forming merged changed data in the merged point-in-time copy from the changed data in the selected point-in-time copies.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving a request to store data on media, and generating a data key. An encryption encapsulated data key is generated using the data key. A session encrypted data key is generated using the data key. The encryption encapsulated data key and session encrypted data key are provided for use in writing encrypted data to the media. A method according to another embodiment includes receiving a request to read data from media, and receiving an encryption encapsulated data key. The encryption encapsulated data key is processed to obtain a data key. A session encrypted data key is generated using the data key. The encryption encapsulated data key and session encrypted data key are provided for use in reading the encrypted data from the media.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for creating a restore copy from a copy of a full copy of source data in a repository that is at a different point-in-time than a restore point-in-time of a restore request. A repository has a full copy of source data as of a full copy point-in-time and for each of a plurality of point-in-time copies at different point-in-times of the source data, change information indicating changed data in the source data that changed between the point-in-time of the point-in-time copy and a subsequent point-in-time, and changed point-in-time data comprising data in the source data as of the point-in-time of the point-in-time copy indicated in the change information as changed. A point-in-time copy of the full copy is created in response to a restore request and returned as a restore copy to the restore request.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for creating a restore copy from a copy of source data in a repository having source data at different point-in-times and reading data from the repository for the restore copy. The source data is copied as of an initial point-in-time to a repository. Point-in-time copies at different point-in-times of the source data are initiated following the initial point-in-time. Change information for the point-in-time copy indicating changed data in the source data that changed between the point-in-time of the point-in-time copy and a subsequent point-in-time are transmitted to the repository. For each point-in-time copy, changed source data indicated in the change information for the point-in-time copy as changed is copied to the repository. A restore copy is returned to a restore request before the source data in the repository as of a restore point-in-time is copied to the restore copy.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for creating a restore copy from a copy of source data in a repository having source data at different point-in-times. All the source data as of an initial point-in-time is copied to a repository. In response to completing point-in-time copies following the initial point-in-time, change information is transmitted to the repository indicating changed data in the source data that changed between the point-in-time of the point-in-time copy and a subsequent point-in-time. For each point-in-time copy, copying changed source data comprising source data indicated in the change information for the point-in-time copy as changed to the repository. A restore request is received to restore the source data as of a restore point-in-time. The source data in the repository as of the restore point-in-time is copied from the repository to a restore copy.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using a repository having a full copy of source data and point-in-time information from point-in-time copies of the source data to restore the source data at different points-in-time. The source data is copied to a full copy in the repository. Point-in-time copies are initiated at different point-in-times of the source data. In response to completing each of the point-in-time copies, transmitting to the repository change information indicating changed data in the source data that changed between the point-in-time and the subsequent point-in-time and changed point-in-time data comprising data in the source data as of the point-in-time of the point-in-time copy. In response to a restore request having a restore time, applying the changed point-in-time data from at least one of the point-in-time copies to the data of the full copy to restore the full copy to the restore time.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for generating a code alphabet for use by a deployed program to determine codewords for words. A first code alphabet has a first number of symbols that provide variable length codings of the words. A second code alphabet is generated having a second number of symbols formed by merging the symbols in the first code alphabet, wherein the second code alphabet comprises the code alphabet used by the deployed program.