Abstract: An optical disk RAID set is described that essentially comprises a plurality of optical recording disks including at least one full capacity disk and a plurality of less than full capacity disks. The full capacity disk possessing a rated storage capacity set by an original manufacturer. The less than full capacity disks, which are generally considered reject disks, do not meet the rated storage capacity due to surface flaws or other manufacturing defects. The less than full capacity disks are reserved for user data. Parity is generated from the user data on the less than full capacity disks. The parity data is stored to the full capacity disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing a data storage system operably transferring data between a storage space and a remote device via a network. The data storage system includes a first storage controller having top-level control of a first data storage device and a second storage controller having top-level control of a second data storage device that is different than the first data storage device, the first and second data storage devices forming portions of the storage space. Data pathway logic resides in the first storage controller that performs a direct memory access (DMA) transfer to the second data storage device at a DMA data transfer rate in response to the first storage controller receiving, from the external device via the network, an access request for the second data storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for a data storage library comprising a first and second drive, a first and second mobile medium, a first and second partition wherein the first partition comprises the first drive and the first mobile medium and the second partition comprises the second drive and the second mobile medium, and a combination bridge controller device. The combination bridge controller device is configurable to control first communication traffic between at least a first client and the first partition wherein the first communication traffic can comprise a first data package. The combination bridge controller device is further configurable to optionally encrypt the first data package for storage on the first mobile medium when the first mobile medium is in cooperation with the first drive.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method contemplating: operating a storage server having access to a plurality of storage devices, at least a first storage device of the plurality of storage devices defining a first bank and at least a second storage device of the plurality of storage devices defining a second bank; during a first time interval, energizing the first bank to enable data transfer, and de-energizing the second bank to disable data transfer; during the first time interval, mapping data received from the storage server to the first bank; during a second time interval that begins before a storage capacity of the first bank is full, de-energizing the first bank to disable data transfer, and energizing the second bank to enable data transfer; and during the second time interval, mapping the data received from the storage server to the second bank.

Abstract: A passive electrical component is described including a substrate, at least a first, second and third electrically conductive pad, each disposed on the substrate and at least a first electrical device fixedly attached to the first pad and the second pad. The first electrical device is electrically connected to the first and second pads. The third pad is devoid of electrical connection to either the first or the second pads. The component is recognizable by both a Computer Aided Design program and an automated component assembly machine.

Abstract: A passive electrical component is described including a substrate, at least a first, second and third electrically conductive pad, each disposed on the substrate and at least a first electrical device fixedly attached to the first pad and the second pad. The first electrical device is electrically connected to the first and second pads. The third pad is devoid of electrical connection to either the first or the second pads. The component is recognizable by both a Computer Aided Design program and an automated component assembly machine.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing removable data storage elements as a cloud based storage system. More specifically, the method achieves this for at least one embodiment by receiving at least one generally random stream of data objects, each data object having at least one identifiable element. The method directs the selection of at least a first identifiable element. The method then orders the stream of data objects against the first identifiable element and disposes the data objects upon at least one of the removable data storage elements in accordance with the ordered stream of data objects. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method contemplating sending a bulk request to a first archive storage controller to transfer application data from a server at a target transfer rate, the first archive storage controller residing within a complex of archive storage controllers; identifying two or more archive storage controllers in the complex collectively forming a speed matching buffer set capable of parallel streaming the application data at a data transfer rate that is at least the target transfer rate; and as a result of the identifying step, apportioning the application data to the speed matching buffer set.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method contemplating: operating a storage server having access to a plurality of storage devices, at least a first storage device of the plurality of storage devices defining a first bank and at least a second storage device of the plurality of storage devices defining a second bank; during a first time interval, energizing the first bank to enable data transfer, and de-energizing the second bank to disable data transfer; during the first time interval, mapping data received from the storage server to the first bank; during a second time interval that begins before a storage capacity of the first bank is full, de-energizing the first bank to disable data transfer, and energizing the second bank to enable data transfer; and during the second time interval, mapping the data received from the storage server to the second bank.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method that contemplate obtaining a server in selective communication with an archive storage controller (ASC) via a computer network, the ASC having access to a plurality of removable storage mediums (RSMs); storing data in the server; creating a logical storage volume in the ASC that has a logical relationship to the data stored in the server; and after the creating step, and without communication between the server and the ASC via the computer network, selecting at least one of the RSMs and dedicating the selected at least one RSM for retaining only data that is stored in the logical storage volume.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library is described that essentially provides a first tape cartridge adapted to retain first data and first metadata, a second tape cartridge adapted to retain second data and second metadata, a random access storage memory, such as a hard disk drive, whereon parity of the first data and the second data along with the first metadata and second metadata is retained. It is not required that the first data and the second data be written in parallel. The parity data on the random access storage memory is transferred to a parity tape, which can be used to reconstruct any data lost from either the first tape cartridge or the second tape cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplate a data storage system having a removable storage device operably transferring user data between the data storage system and another device via execution of a plurality of input/output commands. A commonality factoring module executes computer instructions stored in memory to assign commonality information to the user data. A deduplication module executes computer instructions stored in memory to combine a plurality of files of the user data (user data files) with at least one file of corresponding commonality information (commonality information file), the combined files forming a sequential data stream.

Abstract: A data storage library is described that essentially provides a write once and read many (WORM) conversion device integrated with a picker device all of which are inside of the data storage library. One embodiment contemplates that after receiving a request to store data in a WORM arrangement on a tape cartridge in the data storage library a tape cartridge selected from a scratch pool of tape cartridges can be converted to a WORM tape cartridge via the picker device, during the normal activity of using a picker device to grasp the selected tape cartridge.

Abstract: A magazine-based data storage library is described that includes plurality of chambers each adapted to hold a magazine, that in turn, is adapted to hold a plurality of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a vacant chamber that shifts from a first chamber when a recently used magazine is disposed therein to a second chamber when a new magazine is withdrawn there from. The recently used magazine most recently being withdrawn from a different chamber than the first chamber where it is later disposed.

Abstract: A data storage library is described that essentially provides a write once and read many (WORM) conversion station located inside of the data storage library. After receiving a request to store data in a WORM arrangement on a tape cartridge in the data storage library and appropriate tape cartridge is selected from a scratch pool of tape cartridges, brought by a robotic transporter to a WORM station where the tape cartridge is converted into a WORM tape cartridge. The WORM tape cartridge can be converted back to a non-write disabled tape cartridge at the WORM station.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method contemplating first and second electronic devices configured to execute input/output (I/O) commands via a network. At least one of the electronic devices has a power manager application configured to control an amount of power supplied to the one of the electronic devices based on an amount of power being supplied to one or more of the electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of operation of a stepper motor, especially as used in connection with a picker assembly employed in a data storage library and a picker assembly that may utilize the stepper motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of a mobile robot within a data storage library and to a library including such systems and utilizing such methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for interfacing a plurality of electronic devices with a network to execute input/output (I/O) commands. A power manager is configured to individually control amounts of power supplied to each of the electronic devices. The power manager selectively increases an amount of power supplied to a first one of the electronic devices based on an amount of power being supplied to a different second one of the electronic devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for a data storage library comprising a first and second drive, a first and second mobile medium, a first and second partition wherein the first partition comprises the first drive and the first mobile medium and the second partition comprises the second drive and the second mobile medium, and a combination bridge controller device. The combination bridge controller device is configurable to control first communication traffic between at least a first client and the first partition wherein the first communication traffic can comprise a first data package. The combination bridge controller device is further configurable to optionally encrypt the first data package for storage on the first mobile medium when the first mobile medium is in cooperation with the first drive.