Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting data cartridges between cartridge libraries. A data cartridge is received by a data cartridge transport device, pivoted, and then ejected to a cartridge sleeve of a second cartridge library. In one embodiment, the data cartridge transport device includes a pivot assembly; a cartridge sleeve, mounted to the pivot assembly; a cartridge eject mechanism, operably associated with the cartridge sleeve; a drive assembly; and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly moves between first and second positions, wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the first position engages the pivot assembly with the drive assembly, thereby enabling pivoting of the cartridge sleeve, and wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the second position engages the cartridge eject mechanism with the drive assembly, thereby enabling ejection of a data cartridge from the cartridge sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a redundant back up device. Through use of the device, a method for backing up information can be performed that comprises the steps of transmitting data to be backed up to a primary backup device and to the redundant backup device, writing the transmitted data to a writing medium contained within a writing device of the primary backup device, and simultaneous to the step of writing the transmitted data to the writing medium of the primary backup device, caching the transmitted data in a data storage device of the redundant backup device. By caching the transmitted data in this manner, the data can be rewritten to the writing medium should a failure occur.

Abstract: A method of locating a starting point of a firmware image in a non-volatile memory unit may include checking each of a number of possible starting points within the non-volatile memory unit until a code space signature is located that indicates the starting point of the firmware image. A system for implementing this method in a host device may include a non-volatile memory unit of the host device, and a boot module stored in the host device for execution by a processor, where the boot module is configured, when executed, to check each of a number of possible starting points for the firmware image within the non-volatile memory unit until a code space signature is located that indicates the starting point of the firmware image.

Abstract: A method of switching between two or more images of firmware on a host device includes storing two or more images of firmware in non-volatile memory of the host device and loading one of the images upon startup in response to a user-controllable indicator. A host device that runs firmware during operation may include a non-volatile memory unit that stores a boot code module and is configured to hold two or more firmware images, a processor for executing the boot code module and firmware, said processor being in communication with the non-volatile memory and a switch in communication with the processor, where the boot code module is configured to cause the processor to execute a particular firmware image in response to a position of the switch.

Abstract: A method for mounting a device in an equipment cabinet may comprises: Providing a device with a mounting pathway; providing a support spar that is sized to be received by the mounting pathway in the device; engaging the support spar with the mounting pathway; engaging a spacer sleeve with the support spar; and engaging the first and second ends of the support spar with the equipment cabinet so that the support spar supports the device within the cabinet and so that the spacer sleeve is positioned between the device and at least one side of the equipment cabinet.

Abstract: A data library comprising a plurality of partitions, at least one data transfer element, each of the data transfer elements assigned to one of the partitions and assigned an internally unique element address, a plurality of data storage element slots, each of the slots assigned to a partition and assigned an internally unique element address, at least one media transport element shared by the partitions to move media between the slots and the at least one data transfer elements, the transport assigned an internally unique element address, and a library controller that assigns a different logical unit designation to each of the partitions and that assigns external element addresses to the transport, the data transfer elements, and the slots for each of the partitions and maps the internally unique addresses to the external addresses, the controller restricting movement of media to and from the slots assigned to a same of the partitions.

Abstract: A method for securing access to a data medium comprises listing at least one unique identifier of media that a data transfer element is allowed to access in memory storage of the data transfer element, accessing only media having at least one of the listed unique identifiers in media cartridge memory with the data transfer element, and writing a unique identifier associated with the data transfer element to the cartridge memory of the selected medium with the data transfer element in response to no library assigned unique identifier being present in the cartridge memory of the selected medium.

Abstract: A data library system with managed device access comprises at least one partition, a plurality of data transfer elements each of the data transfer elements assigned to a partition, a plurality of data storage element slots, each of the slots assigned to a partition, a library controller comprising a virtual controller for each partition, the virtual controller directing movement of the media to and from the slots assigned to a same partition and to and from the data transfer elements assigned to the same partition, and at least one bridge operatively disposed between at least one user and the library, each of the bridges present the data transfer elements and the virtual controllers of each partition to the users as logical components beginning at a same designation for each partition.

Abstract: A method for securing access to a data medium comprises recording a unique identification number assigned to each medium in at least a portion of a data library, and commanding at least one selected data transfer element in said library to only accept media having particular ones of said identification numbers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a data collection and transmittal system for a networked device where the networked device performs a stand-alone dedicated function and comprises data collection logic, message collection logic and a communication system. The data collection logic is configured to collect information pertaining to the networked device. The message generation logic is configured to generate an electronic message which contains the collection information. The communication system connects the networked device to a remote server and the remote server is configured to process the electronic message from the message generation logic. The message generation logic is responsive to a triggering event so as to cause the message to be transmitted to the remote server.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting data cartridges between cartridge libraries. A data cartridge is received by a data cartridge transport device, pivoted, and then ejected to a cartridge sleeve of a second cartridge library. In one embodiment, the data cartridge transport device includes a pivot assembly; a cartridge sleeve, mounted to the pivot assembly; a cartridge eject mechanism, operably associated with the cartridge sleeve; a drive assembly; and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly moves between first and second positions, wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the first position engages the pivot assembly with the drive assembly, thereby enabling pivoting of the cartridge sleeve, and wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the second position engages the cartridge eject mechanism with the drive assembly, thereby enabling ejection of a data cartridge from the cartridge sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a redundant back up device. Through use of the device, a method for backing Up information can be performed that comprises the steps of transmitting data to be backed up to a primary backup device and to the redundant backup device, writing the transmitted data to a writing medium contained within a writing device of the primary backup device, and simultaneous to the step of writing the transmitted data to the writing medium of the primary backup device, caching the transmitted data in a data storage device of the redundant backup device. By caching the transmitted data in this manner, the data can be rewritten to the writing medium should a failure occur.

Abstract: A rack-mount storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise an equipment cabinet that defines at least one device opening therein. A first device sized to be received by the first device opening defines a first mounting pathway therein. The first device has a chassis that is sized to receive at least one component of the first device and that also defines at least a portion of the first mounting pathway. A support spar sized to be received by the first mounting pathway and being sized to engage said equipment cabinet, engages the first mounting pathway and the equipment cabinet to support said first device in the equipment cabinet.

Abstract: A method for mounting a device in an equipment cabinet may comprise: Providing a device with a mounting pathway; providing a support spar that is sized to be received by the mounting pathway in the device; engaging the support spar with the mounting pathway; and engaging first and second ends of the support spar with the equipment cabinet so that the support spar supports the device within the cabinet.

Abstract: A system and method is provided in a self-contained high speed repeater/LUN converter that allows for up to fifty-six devices to be connected to a narrow host SCSI bus via a local SCSI bus, where there does not have to be any modification of the devices on the local SCSI bus in terms of the SCSI interface. The host side of the converter supports either a single-ended or a differential SCSI bus. The converter controls all SCSI operations between the host SCSI bus and the local SCSI bus by means of a Corona device and a controller, where Corona controls all of the physical SCSI signals and the controller provides the capability to detect and respond to SCSI error conditions. The controller also selects the operation mode (LUN or repeater), board addresses, host bus type (single-ended or differential) selection, LUN/SCSI address mapping, and data mode (asynchronous, synchronous or fast synchronous) conversion.