Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape is provided. The optical data storage tape includes a read/write data area including a plurality of writeable tracks for storing data thereon, each writeable track having a first track width. The optical data storage tape further includes a seam area positioned proximate to the read/write data area. The seam area including a plurality of non-writeable tracks, each non-writeable track including a second track width that is greater than the first track width for each writeable track.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape including a plurality of tracks is provided. The plurality of tracks include a first track having a plurality of first informational fields configured to store one of first positional information indicative of a location on an optical tape and a first predetermined sequence of data. The plurality of tracks further include a second track located adjacent to the first track and having a plurality of second informational fields configured to store one of second positional information indicative of the location on the optical tape and a second predetermined sequence of data. The first positional information is located adjacent to the second predetermined sequence of data on the optical tape to minimize cross track interference during a read operation.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape including a plurality of tracks is provided. The plurality of tracks include a first track having a plurality of first informational fields configured to store one of first positional information indicative of a location on an optical tape and a first predetermined sequence of data. The plurality of tracks further include a second track located adjacent to the first track and having a plurality of second informational fields configured to store one of second positional information indicative of the location on the optical tape and a second predetermined sequence of data. The first positional information is located adjacent to the second predetermined sequence of data on the optical tape to minimize cross track interference during a read operation.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape is provided. The optical data storage tape includes a read/write data area including a plurality of writeable tracks for storing data thereon, each writeable track having a first track width. The optical data storage tape further includes a seam area positioned proximate to the read/write data area. The seam area including a plurality of non-writeable tracks, each non-writeable track including a second track width that is greater than the first track width for each writeable track.

Abstract: An optical tape drive system includes n total optical pickup units and a controller. The controller writes readable data in logical wraps each having less than n physical tracks to the optical tape via at least some of the optical pickup units such that for each of the logical wraps that contain readable data, all physical tracks within the logical wrap contain readable data.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and predicting health of tape drives and media in a tape library. The method includes receiving exchange data associated with an exchange in the tape library. Then the method includes, with an analytics module, processing the exchange data to determine gain types for the exchange. Based on the gain type, a health gain value is assigned to a tape drive and media and current suspicion level values are independently assigned to the tape drive and the media. The method includes assigning a first health indicator to the media and a second health indicator to the tape drive based on these two suspicion level values. In some embodiments of the method, the current suspicion level value calculating step includes summing the health gain value with a number of health gain values assigned to the tape drive and the media for up to a predefined number of monitored exchanges.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and predicting health of tape drives and media in a tape library. The method includes receiving exchange data associated with an exchange in the tape library. Then the method includes, with an analytics module, processing the exchange data to determine gain types for the exchange. Based on the gain type, a health gain value is assigned to a tape drive and media and current suspicion level values are independently assigned to the tape drive and the media. The method includes assigning a first health indicator to the media and a second health indicator to the tape drive based on these two suspicion level values. In some embodiments of the method, the current suspicion level value calculating step includes summing the health gain value with a number of health gain values assigned to the tape drive and the media for up to a predefined number of monitored exchanges.

Abstract: An information storage medium such as a magnetic tape medium records a directory revision number as part of each block written to the medium (e.g., data block, ECC block, or information block). The directory revision number can determine if the directory that was read from the tape is valid for the block that was written with that directory revision number. The directory revision number may also be used to rebuild the directory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing data on a tape medium and coping with defective regions on the tape medium are provided. The method includes: writing a plurality of envelopes of data onto the tape medium, each envelope of data comprising a plurality of blocks of data; detecting a defective region of the tape medium; writing a boundary start field after the defective region, the boundary start field indicating that the defective region has been passed; and writing a boundary end field before the defective region of the tape medium, the boundary end field indicating that the defective region follows the boundary end field.