Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape drive includes a drive buffer, a processor, and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the processor to: receive a list including: user data segments recorded on tape media, wherein the user data segments are arranged in the list according to a predetermined order, and information associated with each user data segment, wherein the information includes a description of a physical location of each of the user data segments on the tape media. The logic is further configured to cause the processor to locate each of the user data segments on the tape media according to the order in the list, read each of the user data segments from the tape media according to the order in the list, and write each of the user data segments to a buffer according to the order in the list.

Abstract: Records or filemarks read from data segments are aggregated into at least one single data segment. The records and the filemarks are reorganized and restructured in the single data segment such that buffer utilization is improved.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes monitoring a plurality of parameters relating to operation of a tape drive to collect data from the operation of the tape drive. A specification of one or more of the parameters to log during one or more collection windows is received. At least some of the data collected from the operation of the tape drive is logged to a memory during the one or more collection windows, where the at least some of the data collected is stored in a plurality of fields. The method further includes dynamically overlaying one or more of the fields with data corresponding to the one or more specified parameters.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes monitoring a plurality of parameters relating to operation of a tape drive to collect data from the operation of the tape drive, receiving a specification of one or more user-specified parameters to log during one or more collection windows, wherein the one or more user-specified parameters are specified from the plurality of parameters, logging at least some of the data collected from the operation of the tape drive to a memory during the one or more collection windows, wherein the at least some of the data collected is stored in a tape map comprising a plurality of fields, the plurality of fields including at least one histogram field, at least one per-channel field, and at least one per-channel indicator field, and dynamically overlaying one or more fields from the plurality of fields with data collected from the one or more user-specified parameters.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a tape drive for reading from and/or writing to magnetic tape media, the tape drive having a memory and logic adapted for: monitoring parameters relating to operation of the tape drive to collect data from the operation of the tape drive, receiving a specification of an owner interface comprising a source of specifiable parameters, receiving one or more user-specified parameters from the owner interface to log during a collection window, logging at least some of the data collected from the operation of the tape drive to the memory during the collection window, wherein the at least some of the data collected is stored in a tape map including a plurality of fields, and dynamically overlaying one or more fields from the plurality of fields with data collected from the one or more user-specified parameters. The plurality of fields includes at least one histogram field, at least one per-channel field, and at least one per-channel indicator field.

Abstract: Records or filemarks read from data segments are aggregated into at least one single data segment. The records and the filemarks are reorganized and restructured in the single data segment such that buffer utilization is improved.

Abstract: A system employing a storage device and a host for configuration information exchange between the host and the storage device. In operation, the host manages host configuration information in a data management layer of a communication model, and communicates the host configuration information to the storage device by one or more data communication layers of the communication model. Likewise, the storage device manages storage device configuration information in the data management layer of the communication model, and communicates the storage device configuration information to the host by one or more data communication layers of the communication model.

Abstract: Exemplary method, system, and computer program embodiments for managing a network are provided. In one embodiment, at least one of an available plurality of network components is polled, including devices, hosts and virtual devices, an interconnected plurality of communication paths, and quality of service (QoS) information in a discovery process for network information. A graphical representation of the at least one of the available plurality of network components is created for presentation by a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user. Based on a selection of the user of at least one attribute of the at least one of the available plurality of network components as displayed by the GUI to the user, a zone is created for the at least one of the available plurality of network components.

Abstract: Exemplary method, system, and computer program embodiments for managing a computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, a plurality of information, including each of an available plurality of devices, an interconnected plurality of communication paths, and quality of service (QoS) information, is gathered for at least one of the available plurality of devices and the interconnected plurality of communication paths. The plurality of information is organized into a plurality of zones according to a zoning methodology. One of an available plurality of checking operations is performed to verify consistency of the plurality of information, including performing a real-time zone checking operation to determine that at least one of the plurality of zones is functional. The plurality of information, including the at least one of the plurality of zones, is displayed to the user via a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: A method for providing end-to-end data protection while supporting multiple cyclic-redundancy-check (CRC) algorithms is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes receiving, from a first host device, a data block protected by a first CRC. The first CRC is generated using a first CRC algorithm. The method checks the integrity of the data block using the first CRC and the first CRC algorithm. The method then computes a second CRC for the data block using a second CRC algorithm different from the first CRC algorithm. The method then stores the data block, the first CRC, and the second CRC on a storage medium, such as magnetic tape.

Abstract: A method for providing end-to-end data protection while supporting multiple cyclic-redundancy-check (CRC) algorithms is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes receiving, from a first host device, a data block protected by a first CRC. The first CRC is generated using a first CRC algorithm. The method checks the integrity of the data block using the first CRC and the first CRC algorithm. The method then computes a second CRC for the data block using a second CRC algorithm different from the first CRC algorithm. The method then stores the data block, the first CRC, and the second CRC on a storage medium, such as magnetic tape. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a tape drive for reading from and/or writing to magnetic tape media, the tape drive having a memory and logic adapted for: monitoring parameters relating to operation of the tape drive to collect data from the operation of the tape drive, receiving a specification of an owner interface comprising a source of specifiable parameters, receiving one or more user-specified parameters from the owner interface to log during a collection window, logging at least some of the data collected from the operation of the tape drive to the memory during the collection window, wherein the at least some of the data collected is stored in a tape map including a plurality of fields, and dynamically overlaying one or more fields from the plurality of fields with data collected from the one or more user-specified parameters. The plurality of fields includes at least one histogram field, at least one per-channel field, and at least one per-channel indicator field.

Abstract: Exemplary method, system, and computer program embodiments for managing a network are provided. In one embodiment, at least one of an available plurality of network components is polled, including devices, hosts and virtual devices, an interconnected plurality of communication paths, and quality of service (QoS) information in a discovery process for network information. A graphical representation of the at least one of the available plurality of network components is created for presentation by a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user. Based on a selection of the user of at least one attribute of the at least one of the available plurality of network components as displayed by the GUI to the user, a zone is created for the at least one of the available plurality of network components.

Abstract: A method for enabling reservations in SCSI architectures is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes receiving a reservation request from a SCSI initiator. The method then generates a token in response to receiving the reservation request, stores the token, and transmits a copy of the token to the SCSI initiator. The SCSI initiator may attach this token to commands transmitted while the reservation is in place. Upon receiving a command from the SCSI initiator, the method compares the token attached to the command with the stored token. If the attached token and stored token match, the method processes the command. Otherwise, the command is not processed. A corresponding system and computer program product are also described herein.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for reordering User Data Segment (UDS) lists to reduce seek times when accessing data stored on tape media. A host application sends a list of UDSs to a target tape drive and requests the tape drive to reorder the list to provide better performance. An ordered list of target User data Segments to retrieve from a target tape media is received. Information related to the location of each UDS on the target media is processed to determine its corresponding physical position on the tape media. The resulting physical positions are then processed to generate a reordered UDS list, where the order of the User Data Segments is reordered according to their physical location on the target tape media. The reordered list of User Data Segments is then used to perform seek, reposition and read operations to read User Data Segments from the tape media.

Abstract: Exemplary method, system, and computer program embodiments for managing a computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, a plurality of information, including each of an available plurality of devices, an interconnected plurality of communication paths, and quality of service (QoS) information, is gathered for at least one of the available plurality of devices and the interconnected plurality of communication paths. The plurality of information is organized into a plurality of zones according to a zoning methodology. One of an available plurality of checking operations is performed to verify consistency of the plurality of information, including performing a real-time zone checking operation to determine that at least one of the plurality of zones is functional. The plurality of information, including the at least one of the plurality of zones, is displayed to the user via a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: A method for determining volume coherency is disclosed herein. Upon completing a first write job to a volume partition, the method makes a copy of a volume change reference (VCR) value associated with the volume. The VCR value is configured to change in a non-repeating manner each time content on the volume is modified. Prior to initiating a second write job to the volume partition, the method retrieves the copy and compares the copy to the VCR value. If the copy matches the VCR value, the method determines that a logical object on the partition was not modified between the first and second write jobs. If the copy does not match the VCR value, the method determines that the logical object on the partition was modified between the first and second write jobs. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Protection against data overwrite of a rewritable non-WORM data storage cartridge is provided by a data storage drive operating cartridge data overwrite protection procedures independent of, or not withstanding, the absence of cartridge controls relating to data overwrite protection. Also for the non-WORM cartridge, the drive responds to an allow data overwrite command to allow an immediately subsequent write type command to write to the cartridge even if the write command overwrites existing data. The overwrite protection procedures and data overwrite procedures may be configured and enabled for the data storage drive.

Abstract: A system employing a storage device and a host for configuration information exchange between the host and the storage device. In operation, the host manages host configuration information in a data management layer of a communication model, and communicates the host configuration information to the storage device by one or more data communication layers of the communication model. Likewise, the storage device manages storage device configuration information in the data management layer of the communication model, and communicates the storage device configuration information to the host by one or more data communication layers of the communication model.

Abstract: A system employing a storage device and a host for configuration information exchange between the host and the storage device. In operation, the host manages host configuration information in a data management layer of a communication model, and communicates the host configuration information to the storage device by one or more data communication layers of the communication model. Likewise, the storage device manages storage device configuration information in the data management layer of the communication model, and communicates the storage device configuration information to the host by one or more data communication layers of the communication model.