Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and article of manufacture to provide for managing data storage media to provide secure storage of the data storage media in an automated data storage library. A logical library partition vault is created in the automated data storage library that is not accessible by any host computer. Data storage media in the logical library partition vault may only be accessed by an operator using a secure means. The logical library partition vault may comprise various components of the automated data storage library by assigning storage shelves, service bays, data storage media, data storage drives or other library components to the logical library partition vault.

Abstract: A method for displaying physical address of data storage media residing within an automated data storage library. A drive, including a drive processor and a drive display, recognizes a load display request received from a host computer/application that includes an identification of a data storage medium. The drive generates a request for the physical address of the data storage medium corresponding to the identification and transmits the request to a library controller. The library controller looks up the corresponding physical address and transmits it back to the drive, where it is displayed on the drive display.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for allowing communication among nodes in a system. A request is received in a source node from a source object executing in the source node to send a message to a destination object executing in a destination node. Each node includes a processor capable of multitasking multiple program objects and a communication interface to transmit and receive data with the other nodes. A determination is made in the source node as to whether the destination node and source node are a same node. The message is sent in the source node to the destination object within the source node if the destination node is the source node. If the destination node is not the source node, then the source node transmits the message to the destination node through the communication interface. The destination node sends the message to the destination object within the destination node.

Abstract: In an automated data storage library, selective encryption for data stored or to be stored on removable media is provided. One or more encryption policies are established, each policy including a level of encryption one or more encryption keys and the identity of one or more data cartridges. The encryption policies are stored in a policy table and the encryption keys are stored in a secure key server. A host requests access to a specified data cartridge and the cartridge is transported from a storage shelf in the library to a storage drive. Based on the identity of the specified cartridge the corresponding encryption policy is selected from the table and the appropriate encryption key is obtained from the key server. The storage drive encrypts data in accordance with the key and stores the data on the media within the specified data cartridge.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for configuring a storage drive to communicate with encryption and key managers. A storage drive receives a request to access a coupled removable storage media for drive operations. The storage drive obtains encryption status for the coupled removable storage media from an encryption manager. The storage drive determines from the obtained encryption status whether to encrypt the coupled removable storage media to access. The storage drive obtains at least one key from a key manager in response to determining to encrypt with respect to the coupled removable storage media. The storage drive performs data operations using the at least one key to encrypt data.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for performing data library background operations. The present invention teaches one or more data storage drives capable of entering a phantom load mode and a library controller capable of initiating the phantom load mode for the data storage drives. The phantom load mode operates to hide the media status of the data storage drives from host computers during background operations involving the data storage drives. In certain embodiments, the data storage drives exit the phantom load mode as a result of a media unload request. In some embodiments, the library controller receives a media load request from a host computer during the background operation and completes the media load request upon completion of the background operation.

Abstract: In an automated data storage library, procedures are implemented to ensure that a correct volume is mounted before data is written to or read from the volume. After a host requests access to a specified volume, the volume is retrieved and mounted in a storage drive. The drive then verifies the volume serial number (VolSer) to ensure that it matches the VolSer of the requested volume. If the two VolSers are the same, the host is notified that the identity has been verified and access is allowed. If the two VolSers are different, an error recovery procedure may be initiated. The VolSer may be read by the drive through electronic means, such as a cartridge memory reader or an RFID tag reader, thereby avoiding potential problems which may result from physically reading or scanning an external label affixed to the volume.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for rekeying encryption keys for removable storage media. A rekey request is received for a coupled removable storage media, wherein encryption on the coupled removable storage media uses a first key and wherein the rekey request indicates a second key. The first key and the second key are accessed in response to the rekey request. The first key is used to perform decryption for the coupled removable storage media and the second key is used to perform encryption for the coupled removable storage media.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program product to provide a failover procedure for an automated data storage library are provided. During the operation of a data storage library, a host computer issues control commands to the automated data storage library using one or more control paths. In the event that the host does not receive desirable results, such as when communication is lost between the host computer and the automated data storage library while a command is in process, the host computer may attempt to retry the same command using the same control path or an alternate control path. When the host issues a retry of the same command, the automated data storage library performs an examination of the command and one or more previous commands executed to prevent the automated data storage library from executing an identical command more than once.

Abstract: Management communication for data storage drives, for example, of an automated data storage library. An external network management interface is configured to communicate externally of the library employing at least one proxy address for the data storage drives and employing TCP/IP packaging of network management information. At least one processor is configured to handle TCP/IP commands on behalf of the data storage drives, to determine internal interface addresses of the data storage drives versus the at least one proxy address, and to pass network management information without alteration. At least one internal interface is configured to communicate with the data storage drives employing the internal interface addresses and employing library-drive packaging of the network management information.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing physical addresses of data storage media within a data storage library. The library maintains a data table of storage slots and the media stored in those slots. The data table may contain addresses for storage slots that are not physically present or accessible within the library. Hardware such as storage slots may be added or removed without causing an inconsistency within the data table of assigned addresses. Addresses may be recorded as the particular frame, column, and row that describe the location of a particular storage slot. Each data storage media is associated with a particular host. The data table of the library maintains a record of data storage media and the host affinity the media corresponds to.

Abstract: An automated data storage library provides for reducing inventory after media access. Media is moved, inserted, or removed without opening the access door normally associated with accessed media. A media status of a data storage drive within the automated data storage library is checked. An unexpected condition is detected at the data storage drive. An inventory of at least part of the library is performed for the unexpected condition. Alternately, a move operation is initiated for a data storage media wherein an unexpected condition is detected at the source and/or target location of the move operation. An inventory of at least part of the library is performed for the unexpected condition.

Abstract: Addressing failure is handled in a nodal system of processor nodes, which comprise at least one processor and at least one interface to a network. Upon detection of a node address failure of a processor node for the network, such as lack of a node address, or presence of a duplicate address, the processor node is disabled from the network, thereby temporarily failing the processor node so that the system remains operational. An alternate node address stored in nonvolatile memory may be selected that avoids the node address failure.

Abstract: In a distributed system of modules in a network, each module having an associated processor node comprising a processing unit for operating the associated module. The processing unit comprises a processor interface for communication in the network; and nonvolatile memory for storing code for the processing unit for operating the associated module, and for storing backup code for at least one other processing unit of another processor node in the network, the backup code for operating an associated module of the another processor node. In response to a request, the processing unit supplies the backup code to a processor node to be used to restore the code for operating the module associated with the requesting processor node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide failover capability to a data storage and retrieval system in the event of a failure of a data storage drive, where that data storage and retrieval system includes one or more active data storage devices and one or more reserve data storage devices. In the event of a failure of an active data storage device, Applicants' data storage and retrieval system suspends all pending operations using that failed device, allocates a reserve data storage device to perform those suspended operations, and then resumes those suspended operations.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for selecting a code image to execute. Multiple copies of a code image are maintained in a non-volatile memory device. A first operation routine is executed. A first counter is incremented if the first operation routine succeeds. A second operation routine is executed and a second counter is incremented if the second operation routine succeeds. The first and second counters are used to select one of the code images from the memory device to execute.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for using storage slots efficiently. A move command is received to move a portable data storage medium from a source address to a destination address. An empty storage slot that has no association with the destination address is located. The portable data storage medium is moved from the source address to the located empty storage slot. An association is stored between the located empty storage slot and the destination address.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for storing data in a storage medium. A layout of a storage medium including a first and second user data sections is provided, wherein the first user data section comprises a faster access storage space than the second user data section. A determination is made of a first set of data to be accessed with less delay than a second set of data. The first set of data is written to the first user data section and the second set of data is written to the second user data section.

Abstract: A converter is utilized with at least one implicit addressing sequential media device to simulate explicit addressing sequential media device performance from the perspective of host applications. Responsive to receiving explicit addressing read/write commands from the host application, the converter converts the explicit addressing read/write commands into implicit addressing read/write commands and passes the implicit addressing read/write commands through to the device. Optionally, responsive to device capability queries from a host application, the converter reports that the device utilizes explicit addressing. As another option, responsive to receiving commands other than explicit addressing read/write commands from the application host, the converter examines the commands to monitor sequential media address, and relays the commands to the device substantially free of any modification.

Abstract: An automated data storage library is partitioned into multiple logical libraries. A cartridge memory attached to each data storage cartridge in the library is used to hold library identification information. The library identification information is used to associate each data cartridge with one or more logical libraries. The library identification information may also be used to associate each data storage cartridge to an automated data storage library.