Abstract: A method and a system are provided for displaying information on a hard disk drive assembly. The hard disk drive assembly includes a hard disk drive which further comprises a driver circuit coupled to a display and a display memory. The driver circuit activates the display mounted on the hard disk drive assembly. In response to the activation of the display the driver circuit obtains information from the display memory of the hard disk drive. The driver circuit displays at least a portion of the information obtained from the display memory on the display mounted on the hard disk drive assembly.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for displaying information on a data storage cartridge. The data storage cartridge includes a driver circuit coupled to a display and a cartridge memory. The driver circuit activates the display on the data storage cartridge. In response to the activation of the display on the data storage cartridge the driver circuit obtains information from the cartridge memory of the data storage cartridge. The driver circuit displays at least a portion of the information obtained from the cartridge memory on the display of the data storage cartridge. In one embodiment the data storage cartridge is a tape cartridge.

Abstract: A method to evaluate a holographic data storage medium is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the holographic data storage medium is evaluated by a manufacturer. In certain embodiments, the holographic data storage medium is evaluated by a customer prior to encoding customer information into the storage medium. In certain embodiments, the holographic data storage medium is evaluated by a customer after encoding customer information therein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to encode information in a holographic data storage medium. The method supplies a holographic information storage system comprising a laser light source, a spatial light modulator, and a holographic data storage medium. The method energizes the laser light source using first power comprising a first current, disposes a data image on the spatial light modulator, and further energizes the laser light source using second power comprising a second current, wherein the second current is greater than the first current. The method forms a data beam comprising said data image, forms a hologram comprising said data image, and encodes an interference pattern comprising the hologram in the holographic data storage medium.

Abstract: A mirrored storage system for applications is provided, which enables and supports the variation and dynamic adaptation of the Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) based on policies. Furthermore, methods are provided for running such a mirrored storage system. Said mirrored storage system comprises a first storage system and at least one further storage system, wherein said first and said further storage system are connected via at least one mirror link. An application accesses said mirrored storage system via a network. Therewith, the data to be stored as response to a write command of said application can be mirrored according to a configurable time-varying RPO requirement of the application transmitting the corresponding write command.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for storing data. An Input/Output (I/O) command is received, wherein the I/O command includes a unique identifier that is associated with one region of a multi-format data store. The unique identifier is used to select an I/O channel from among multiple I/O channels, wherein each I/O channel is associated with a data format and with a region of the multi-format data store. The I/O command is forwarded to the selected I/O channel to access the region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to receive information and to generate, store, and read, a plurality of error correction coded data sets using that information. Applicants' storage controller receives information and generates (N) sets of error correction coded data, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 2. The method writes, for each value of (i), the (i)th set of error correction coded data to the (i)th data storage medium, wherein (i) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (N). If Applicants' storage controller receives a request to read the information, then Applicants' method reads each of the (N) error correction coded data sets, generates the information using the (N) error correction coded data sets, and returns the information to the requestor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to store and retrieve information using holographic data storage media. The method provides original data, generates a first image of that original data, and encodes that first image in a holographic data storage medium at a first storage location. The method then generates a second image of the original data, where the second image differs from the first image, and encodes the second image in a holographic data storage medium at a second storage location, where the second storage location differs from the first storage location.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a cable management system, a computer program product, a cable, a method for manufacturing a cable, and a method for guiding a user in identifying a connection location for a cable of interest. A processor, in a data processing system, receives a cable identification from the cable of interest. The processor then matches at least one connection location with the cable of interest based on the cable identification. Responsive to matching the at least one connection location with the cable of interest, the processor activates an indicator that identifies the at least one connection location for connecting the cable of interest.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge comprises data storage media configured to store data for read and/or write access, wherein the data may be arranged in a plurality of partitions; and a plurality of cartridge memories. Each cartridge memory comprises a communication interface and a memory, wherein the information of the memory is formatted to allow association with at least one of the plurality of partitions of the data storage media. Thus, each of the cartridge memories may have a separate user and provide access for that user to a separate partition or subset of partitions.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and device for signaling a reconnection inhibitor over a bus to cause the reconnection inhibitor to access the bus to inhibit an Input/Output (I/O) controller from accessing the bus. An initiator transmits I/O requests on the bus to the I/O controller, wherein the I/O requests are queued in an I/O queue, wherein the I/O controller is inhibited by the reconnection inhibitor from draining the queue while the initiator transmits requests to the I/O controller.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring data transmission activity through a port of a switch device interconnecting nodes of a storage area network, the port transmitting data as words of predetermined length, one data word indicating idle port activity. The method includes steps of: counting a number of transmitted words received from the port in a first counter device; and, for each word counted, comparing that word with a predetermined word indicating no (idle) port transmission activity. In response to the comparing, a number of matches are counted in a second counter device. In this manner, a ratio of a number of counted matches with a total amount of words counted indicates available bandwidth for transmitting additional data over that link. Preferably, this value is communicated to a processor device for controlling bandwidth over the link.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for quick access of stored removable storage media. The apparatus includes an automated data storage library, a communications processor, and a media interface module. The automated data storage library has a plurality of storage cells, each storage cell having a media interface module for communicating with removable storage media. The communication processor module communicates with the media interface module of each storage cell. A grid bus couples the media interface module and the communication processor module. The system includes a storage area network coupling multiple hosts to at least one automated data storage library. The method includes communicating with the removable storage media, communicating with the media interface modules, and coupling the media interface modules to the communication processor module.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring data transmission activity through a port of a switch device interconnecting nodes of a storage area network, the port transmitting data as words of predetermined length, one data word indicating idle port activity. The method includes steps of: counting a number of transmitted words received from the port in a first counter device; and, for each word counted, comparing that word with a predetermined word indicating no (idle) port transmission activity. In response to the comparing, a number of matches are counted in a second counter device. In this manner, a ratio of a number of counted matches with a total amount of words counted indicates available bandwidth for transmitting additional data over that link. Preferably, this available bandwidth information is included in a link state record that the switch communicates to other switch devices interconnecting that link.

Abstract: A command accumulation tool, a testing tool for a queue, and a method, are provided, which, for example, may cause commands to accumulate in queue(s). In one embodiment, a testing tool comprises an I/O interface for connecting with a target having the queue(s); and an I/O interface for connecting with initiator(s). Trigger logic intercepts a predetermined response at the target I/O interface from a target to an initiator with respect to a command of the initiator, and asserts a trigger signal. Outbound logic responds to the trigger signal, providing a reject and retry response at the target I/O interface for the target with respect to the response from the target, whereby a timeout timer for the command of the initiator is stopped for the queue(s). The outbound logic additionally conducts flow control with respect to the target at the target I/O interface.

Abstract: A processor having a unidirectional rotator configured to shift or rotate data in one direction is disclosed. The processor also includes a control unit having logic configured to modify a shift value specified by a registered-based shift, or rotate, instruction in an opposite direction, the modified shift value being usable by the rotator to shift, or rotate, the data in the one direction, and thereby, generate the same result as if the data in the rotator had otherwise been shifted, or rotated, in the opposite direction by the shift value originally specified by the registered-based instruction. The control unit is further configured to bypass the logic and provide to the rotator a shift value specified by a register-based instruction to shift, or rotate, the data in the one direction.

Abstract: A power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more power supply modules removably disposed therein. An accessor movably disposed with an automated data storage and retrieval system comprising a gripper mechanism which can be releaseably attached to a power supply module. A method to supply power to an automated data storage and retrieval system. A method to monitor the operation of a power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: An accessor moveably disposed within a data storage and retrieval system, where that accessor includes an information input/output device and a power supply connector disposed on a gripper mechanism such that the information input/output device and the power supply connector can be releaseably coupled/connected to an information input/output port and a power port, respectively, disposed on a hard disk drive unit disposed in a storage slot within the data storage and retrieval system. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more of Applicants' accessors, one or more hard disk disposed in one or more hard disk drive units each of which includes an information input/output port in communication with that hard disk, and an information transfer station in communication with a host computer, wherein that information transfer station can communicate with Applicants' accessor(s).

Abstract: A data processing system and method are disclosed for simulating a hardware fault occurring on an expansion card coupled to the system utilizing a bus. The hardware fault to simulate is specified. A determination is made of a signal to output utilizing the bus to simulate the hardware fault occurring on the expansion card. The signal is output during operation of the expansion card such that the hardware fault occurring on the expansion card is simulated.

Abstract: A method and system including apparatus for detecting and blocking an invalid request to a target wherein fiber channels interconnect the data processing configuration. A request made from a hub such as a fabric switch to an internal fiber channel arbitrated loop is blocked by substituting IDLE characters for the frames of data included with the request. The substitution of IDLE signals can also occur within an internal fiber channel arbitrated loop system where access is blocked to a confidential data storage system. If the request is legitimate, the data frames are passed to the target and the requested data is transmitted back to the requester. If the request is refused as being an unauthorized request, the data frames are replaced with IDLE characters and no transfer of confidential data occurs.