Abstract: A method of tuning an electrically small antenna comprising a radiating element and a support structure comprises applying a force to the support structure to change a shape or a dimension of the radiating element to increase or decrease a frequency at which the electrically small antenna resonates.

Abstract: A method for associating a physical address with a logical communication address for an Ethernet-connected media drive (22A1-22A4, 22B1-22B4) in a media library assembly (10) includes the steps of providing a first media drive (22A1) having a first physical address; sending a request for a first logical communication address from the first media drive (22A1) to a library controller (16) via an Ethernet switch (18) the first physical address being imbedded in the request; and recording the first physical address with the Ethernet switch (18). The method can include associating the first physical address with one of a plurality of Ethernet switch ports (26A1-26A4, 26B1-26B4) using a mapping server (25) of the library controller (16). The method can include searching a routing table (228) of the Ethernet switch (18) with the library controller (16) to determine the first physical address.

Abstract: A method of assigning a physical address to a tape-based data storage device is provided. The method includes receiving a first initialization signal from a system controller at an input port associated with a first tape-based data storage device and prohibiting communication at an output port associated with the first tape-based data storage device. The method further includes providing a first confirmation signal to the system controller in response to receiving the first initialization signal and receiving an instruction from the system controller to enable communication at the output port associated with the first tape-based data storage device in response to the first confirmation signal. The method also includes determining a physical address associated with said first tape-based data storage device based on the instruction from the system controller, the physical address enabling communication at the output port of the first tape-based storage device.

Abstract: A method of assigning a multi-dimensional physical address to a tape-based data storage device is provided. The method includes accessing a first signal from a first communication path electrically coupled to a first tape-based data storage device, wherein the first signal indicates a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a first axis. The method further includes accessing a second signal from a second communication path electrically coupled to the first tape-based data storage device, wherein the second signal is associated with a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a second axis.

Abstract: A method of assigning a physical address to a tape-based data storage device is provided. The method includes receiving a first initialization signal from a system controller at an input port associated with a first tape-based data storage device and prohibiting communication at an output port associated with the first tape-based data storage device. The method further includes providing a first confirmation signal to the system controller in response to receiving the first initialization signal and receiving an instruction from the system controller to enable communication at the output port associated with the first tape-based data storage device in response to the first confirmation signal. The method also includes determining a physical address associated with said first tape-based data storage device based on the instruction from the system controller, the physical address enabling communication at the output port of the first tape-based storage device.

Abstract: A method for associating a physical address with a logical communication address for an Ethernet-connected media drive (22A1-22A4, 22B1-22B4) in a media library assembly (10) includes the steps of providing a first media drive (22A1) having a first physical address; sending a request for a first logical communication address from the first media drive (22A1) to a library controller (16) via an Ethernet switch (18) the first physical address being imbedded in the request; and recording the first physical address with the Ethernet switch (18). The method can include associating the first physical address with one of a plurality of Ethernet switch ports (26A1-26A4, 26B1-26B4) using a mapping server (25) of the library controller (16). The method can include searching a routing table (228) of the Ethernet switch (18) with the library controller (16) to determine the first physical address.

Abstract: A method of assigning a multi-dimensional physical address to a tape-based data storage device is provided. The method includes accessing a first signal from a first communication path electrically coupled to a first tape-based data storage device, wherein the first signal indicates a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a first axis. The method further includes accessing a second signal from a second communication path electrically coupled to the first tape-based data storage device, wherein the second signal is associated with a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a second axis.

Abstract: A method of generating command instructions for a distributed mass data storage library comprises the steps of receiving an operator request from an operator, determining at least one command for at least one intelligent library component in response to the operator request, forming at least one command message containing the at least one command, and sending the at least one command message to the at least one intelligent library component for carrying out actions requested by the operator.

Abstract: A method of generating command instructions for a distributed mass data storage library comprises the steps of receiving an operator request from an operator, determining at least one command for at least one intelligent library component in response to the operator request, forming at least one command message containing the at least one command, and sending the at least one command message to the at least one intelligent library component for carrying out actions requested by the operator.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring signals transmitted over one or more optical serial interface channels in an ESCON environment. A formatter card mounts on bus connector in a general purpose tracing tool (GPT) and intercepts optical I/O signals being transmitted between a host processor and, a peripheral device. The signals are decoded into trace data words which are then partitioned into ESCON transaction frames and mapped into a block of GPT frames. The GPT block is stored on the formatter card and transmitted to the GPT when the GPT can accept the data. Data received by the GPT is interleaved with data from other formatter cards attached to other I/O channels (both ESCON and non-ESCON) and is displayed or printed in time-correlated format for analysis. Data can also be stored for later review.