Abstract: A data storage system, employing cache and base storage, assigns an “anywhere” token to each data object received for storage, whether the object is stored in cache or base storage. The anywhere token contains the latest metadata for the data object and includes at least a version code. If a data object is stored in base storage, the data object is assigned a “base” token with the same value as its anywhere token. These “cacading” tokens are available for use in tracking functions such as cache grooming, de-staging data to base storage, and processing cache miss events. All tokens are stored in a token database. For each data object, the token database lists its anywhere token and base token. If the storage system experiences a cache failure, normal storage operations are halted until the cache is repaired. Then, the controller implements a replacement token database. Namely, the controller accesses base storage to retrieve tokens of all data objects lost from cache.

Abstract: A portable data storage media library includes multiple accessors, various designated access sites, and multiple calibration locations having various spatial relationships to the access sites. Calibration of the accessors begins by determining positional relationships between different accessors to different of the predetermined calibration locations, and determining a positional interrelationship between different accessors to at least one the predetermined calibration locations in common. The positional interrelationships are utilized to establish a positional relationship between each accessor and calibration locations for which the positional relationship has not been determined.

Abstract: A storage controller conditions host access to stored data objects upon host provision of a proposed key with matching or other prescribed relation to a security key stored in host-inaccessible metadata that is associated with the stored data object. The security key may be established upon writing the data or allocating storage space, for example. This enables the storage controller or device to be attached directly to a network without compromising security or having to add an intermediate server to perform security functions. Another implementation concerns sound recording playback devices that only play sound tracks for which the user has purchased an appropriate security key.

Abstract: Multiple competing processors cooperatively manage access to a shared resource. Each processor separately stores a lock table, listing shared resource subparts, such as memory addresses of a data storage device, for example. The lock tables are stored in nonvolatile storage. In each lock table, each subpart is associated with a “state,” such as; LOCAL or REMOTE. In response to access requests from the hosts, the processors exchange various messages to cooperatively elect a single processor to have exclusive access to the subparts involved in the access requests. After one processor is elected, the lock-holding processor configures its lock table to show the identified subpart in the LOCAL state, and all non-lock-holding processors configure their lock tables to show the identified subpart in the REMOTE state. Thus, rather than replicating one lock table for all processors, the processors separately maintain lock tables that are coordinated with each other.

Abstract: A host-independent storage facility selectively provides data-dependent security by initially storing a security key in association with a storage region, where that key must be presented by any host seeking access to the region. The storage system includes a storage controller coupled to a digital data storage and one or more hosts. Initially, the controller receives a set-access-key command from one of the hosts, identifying a storage region, an operation parameter identifying prohibited types of storage operations, and a reference access key. The controller stores the access key and the operation parameter in a reference location associated with the identified storage region. Later, the controller may receive storage access requests from the hosts. Requests include an identification of a requested storage region, an access type, and an input access key. In response, the controller retrieves the reference access key and operation parameter associated with the requested storage region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring the proper position and orientation of a multi-disk cartridge, and for selectively locking the cartridge while it is inserted in a disk drive to prevent withdrawal of the cartridge while the disk drive is conveying one of the cartridge's disks. The disk drive of the invention includes a guide to slidably receive a multi-disk cartridge. When the cartridge is inserted in the guide, presence of the cartridge in the drive is detected by a position sensor. Having detected the presence of the cartridge, an orientation sensor determines whether the cartridge has been oriented properly. This prevents upside-down insertion of the cartridge, for example. With the cartridge fully inserted into the guide in a proper orientation, a locking mechanism serves to lock the cartridge in place at selected times. The cartridge may be locked in place, for example, at all times when the cartridge is inserted into the guide, or merely during sensitive operations of the disk drive.