Abstract: Disclosed is a system and program for using storage slots efficiently. A storage element count is assigned to each one of multiple logical libraries, and the sum of the storage element count for each one of the multiple logical libraries exceeds the total number of storage slots in the library.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and program for using storage slots efficiently. A storage element count is assigned to each one of multiple logical libraries, and the sum of the storage element count for each one of the multiple logical libraries exceeds the total number of storage slots in the library.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for using storage slots efficiently. A storage element count is assigned to each one of multiple logical libraries, and the sum of the storage element count for each one of the multiple logical libraries exceeds the total number of storage slots in the library.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program product to provide a failover procedure for an automated data storage library are provided. During the operation of a data storage library, a host computer issues control commands to the automated data storage library using one or more control paths. In the event that the host does not receive desirable results, such as when communication is lost between the host computer and the automated data storage library while a command is in process, the host computer may attempt to retry the same command using the same control path or an alternate control path. When the host issues a retry of the same command, the automated data storage library performs an examination of the command and one or more previous commands executed to prevent the automated data storage library from executing an identical command more than once.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing physical addresses of data storage media within a data storage library. The library maintains a data table of storage slots and the media stored in those slots. The data table may contain addresses for storage slots that are not physically present or accessible within the library. Hardware such as storage slots may be added or removed without causing an inconsistency within the data table of assigned addresses. Addresses may be recorded as the particular frame, column, and row that describe the location of a particular storage slot. Each data storage media is associated with a particular host. The data table of the library maintains a record of data storage media and the host affinity the media corresponds to.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and an article of manufacture to provide for configuring an automated data storage library having one or more storage frames that operate with different types of data storage media. The automated data storage library is configured to operate with sequential storage shelf addresses assigned to consecutive storage frames that use the same type of data storage media. The storage frames that operate with different types of data storage media may be physically assembled in any order. The automated data storage library may be expanded by attaching storage frames that operate with different types of data storage media in any order while maintaining sequential storage shelf addresses that span across multiple library frames.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for using storage slots efficiently. A move command is received to move a portable data storage medium from a source address to a destination address. An empty storage slot that has no association with the destination address is located. The portable data storage medium is moved from the source address to the located empty storage slot. An association is stored between the located empty storage slot and the destination address.

Abstract: Drives of a data storage library are concurrently configured. A processor transmits library configuration data separately to each drive, initializes a first configuration process state, with a time-out period, for each drive. A drive responds with a status response, the first process state is updated to “completed”. A request for drive unique information is transmitted to the responding drive, advancing the process to a second state, with a time-out period. A drive responds with the information, and the second process state is updated to “completed”, and the received information is stored.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program product to provide a failover procedure for an automated data storage library are provided. During the operation of a data storage library, a host computer issues control commands to the automated data storage library using one or more control paths. In the event that the host does not receive desirable results, such as when communication is lost between the host computer and the automated data storage library while a command is in process, the host computer may attempt to retry the same command using the same control path or an alternate control path. When the host issues a retry of the same command, the automated data storage library performs an examination of the command and one or more previous commands executed to prevent the automated data storage library from executing an identical command more than once.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for providing status information in a system comprised of multiple components. A first processing node receives status information indicating a state of a system component and generates a status message indicating the state of the system component. The first processing node transmits the status message to a second processing node. The second processing node updates information maintained by the second processing node with the state of the system component indicated in the status message. Status information maintained by the second processing node is returned to a request for status.

Abstract: A portable data storage drive cartridge has external interfaces positioned respectively at opposite ends of a cartridge shell. They may be arranged to be similar when the cartridge is rotated end over end to a reverse direction with respect to the opposite ends. A data storage drive, such as a magnetic disk drive assembly, having an interface, is positioned in the cartridge shell with the drive interface positioned toward a first end and away from a second end of the opposite ends of the cartridge shell. Flex cables extend from the drive interface, a first extending from the drive interface around the drive to the external interface at the second end of the cartridge shell, and a second extending from the drive interface, initially around the drive toward the second end, and reversing direction and extending back to the external interface at the first end of the cartridge shell.

Abstract: A method to return an automated data storage and retrieval system from a reset state to the ready state. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants' method to return the automated data storage and retrieval system to the ready state from a reset state. A method to allocate storage elements disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system while that automated data storage and retrieval system is in a reset state. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants' method to allocate storage elements disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system while that automated data storage and retrieval system is in a reset state. A method to adjust the system recovery period of an automated data storage and retrieval system after that system is placed in a reset state.

Abstract: Drives of a data storage library are concurrently configured. A processor transmits library configuration data separately to each drive, initializes a first configuration process state, with a time-out period, for each drive. A drive responds with a status response, the first process state is updated to “completed”. A request for drive unique information is transmitted to the responding drive, advancing the process to a second state, with a time-out period. A drive responds with the information, and the second process state is updated to “completed”, and the received information is stored.

Abstract: A portable data storage drive cartridge has external interfaces positioned respectively at opposite ends of a cartridge shell. They may be arranged to be similar when the cartridge is rotated end over end to a reverse direction with respect to the opposite ends. A data storage drive, such as a magnetic disk drive assembly, having an interface, is positioned in the cartridge shell with the drive interface positioned toward a first end and away from a second end of the opposite ends of the cartridge shell. Flex cables extend from the drive interface, a first extending from the drive interface around the drive to the external interface at the second end of the cartridge shell, and a second extending from the drive interface, initially around the drive toward the second end, and reversing direction and extending back to the external interface at the first end of the cartridge shell.

Abstract: An automated system having removable system components is self-configured, first, determining whether configuration data is available, for example, in a non-volatile memory. If available, the processor reads a system identifier of the configuration data, compares the read and a sensed system identifier, and, if they match, ends the self-configuration. Otherwise, the system senses the removable system components, configuring the system. A sensor is moved to sense the presence or absence each of the removable system components at substantially the expected location of the component. The system operates a movable sensor to calibrate a relative position with respect to the calibration mark.

Abstract: A method to return an automated data storage and retrieval system from a reset state to the ready state. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants' method to return the automated data storage and retrieval system to the ready state from a reset state.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for providing status information in a system comprised of multiple components. A first processing node receives status information indicating a state of a system component and generates a status message indicating the state of the system component. The first processing node transmits the status message to a second processing node. The second processing node updates information maintained by the second processing node with the state of the system component indicated in the status message. Status information maintained by the second processing node is returned to a request for status.

Abstract: In an automated retrieval library with virtual storage for identifying particular cartridges in the library to protect the data in the virtual volume from overwriting in import and export operations. A convenience input/output station is set to an import mode with export/import virtual tape servers. Possible import cartridges are categorized upon insertion to prevent their access by the host computer. Recovery from erroneous identification is provided.

Abstract: A method for balancing workloads in media library access systems that provide multiple accessors disposed within a library. Each of the accessors is assigned a given zone of primary access wherein each of the zones of primary access has at least one boundary. Accessor usage is calculated by adding a score for each access to total accesses for each accessor. The totals are evaluated to determine that one or more of the boundaries requires adjustment and the boundaries are adjusted in accordance with the evaluation. By changing the average span of each accessor dynamically, the method can equalize the use of each accessor, minimizing library latency.

Abstract: A read only input system provides a source of information for a controller of an automated data storage library, separate from the controller stored microcode, and that will be available for use by the controller after the controller microcode has been updated or restored. The read only input system comprises a bar code reader mounted on an accessor of the library and coupled to the controller for providing the output of the bar code reader to the controller, and a bar code label mounted in the automated data storage library, positioned at a predetermined fixed location. The bar code label encodes input control information for the controller, which is read by the bar code reader and supplied to the controller. The bar code label input control information may comprise an offset value for at least one of the X, Y and Z direction coordinates of the accessor in order to align the accessor.