Abstract: A method, system and computer-program product for re-initializing a storage volume with an previously created volume map being preserved to allow access to previously stored data sets. The invention includes creating a new volume map in an unused volume area where the new volume map has pointers to new data sets. One of the new data sets contains the previously created volume map that points to previously created data sets. Each volume map is referenced by a volume label and includes a VTOC and an optional VTOC index. The pointers in the VTOC are data set control block (DSCB) records.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are presented for scaling storage media to improve data access performance. A scaling module is provided and configured to receive a dataset, identify storage characteristics of the dataset, make a determination based upon user-defined storage criteria, and select a storage instruction. In one embodiment, the storage instruction is configured to scale the storage medium to a predefined capacity. The predefined capacity of the storage medium is configured to optimize data access performance. Alternatively, the storage instruction is configured to not scale the storage medium. Additionally, the present invention may be configured to map and track the storage medium while the dataset is being written to or read from the storage medium.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-program product for re-initializing a storage volume with an previously created volume map being preserved to allow access to previously stored data sets. The invention includes creating a new volume map in an unused volume area where the new volume map has pointers to new data sets. One of the new data sets contains the previously created volume map that points to previously created data sets. Each volume map is referenced by a volume label and includes a VTOC and an optional VTOC index. The pointers in the VTOC are data set control block (DSCB) records.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for receiving an initial request from a first device to a second device. A response to the initial request is received from the second device to the first device. Each response and request received from the first device to the second device is processed by accessing the response or request from a packet encoded using a first communication protocol; generating a packet including the accessed response or request into a packet encoded using a second communication protocol; and transmitting the generated packet to the second device. Each response and request received from the second device to the first device is processed by accessing the response or request from a packet encoded using the second communication protocol; generating a packet including the accessed response or request into a packet encoded using the first communication protocol; and transmitting the generated packet to the second device.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture to process communications between a host and storage drive having a storage media. An Input/Output (I/O) request is received from the host directed to the storage media that requires requested information be sent to the storage drive to use to execute the I/O request against the storage media. A message is sent to the host to cause the host to modify I/O timeout operations in response to determining that the requested information is required.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and storage medium are disclosed for utilizing data protection by a storage device to minimize loss of sensitive data on a storage medium. The apparatus includes a monitor module, a verification module, and a process module. The monitor module recognizes a write-type command from a host connected to an electronic data storage device. The verification module determines a presence of a passkey associated with the write-type command. The process module processes the write-type command according to the determination of the presence of the passkey. The apparatus, system, and storage medium provide protection of sensitive data at the device level so that a designated protected area on the electronic data storage device is protected against an inadvertent data overlay.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture to process communications between a host and storage drive having a storage media. An Input/Output (I/O) request is received from the host directed to the storage media that requires requested information be sent to the storage drive to use to execute the I/O request against the storage media. A message is sent to the host to cause the host to modify I/O timeout operations in response to determining that the requested information is required.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for receiving an initial request from a first device to a second device. A response to the initial request is received from the second device to the first device. Each response and request received from the first device to the second device is processed by accessing the response or request from a packet encoded using a first communication protocol; generating a packet including the accessed response or request into a packet encoded using a second communication protocol; and transmitting the generated packet to the second device. Each response and request received from the second device to the first device is processed by accessing the response or request from a packet encoded using the second communication protocol; generating a packet including the accessed response or request into a packet encoded using the first communication protocol; and transmitting the generated packet to the second device.

Abstract: The process, apparatus, and system estimate the size of a data block in a data buffer to efficiently recover the data block to the memory of a computer. The data block resides in a data buffer prior to being written to a destination medium. If the data block cannot be written to the destination medium, the process, apparatus, and system create a data block size estimate. The data block size estimate may be based on the size of the largest data block in the data buffer. Alternately, the data block size estimate may be based on the size of a data block in the memory of the computer. The computer reserves a memory space proportional to the data block size estimate and recovers the data block to the memory space.

Abstract: A storage management system, apparatus, and method to increase the storage capacity of data storage media. Applicants' method uses a data storage device comprising a fixed device architecture, where that data storage device is capable of operating in a first capacity mode or in a second capacity mode, and where that data storage device is capable of switching between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode. In certain embodiments, the first capacity mode utilizes a 22 bit blockid format and the second capacity mode utilizes a 32 bit blockid format. In other embodiments, the first capacity mode utilizes a 32 bit blockid format and the second capacity mode utilizes a 22 bit blockid format. A computer code product comprising a data management system which includes an operating system and data storage device microcode, which supports the capability to switch between alternative information storage architectures, and thereby, increase the capacity utilization of data storage media.

Abstract: A method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. A data storage device comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. A data storage and retrieval system comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. Computer program products embodied as program code stored in one or more memory devices, such as a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or other non-volatile memory device disposed in a host computer, a data storage device, and/or a library controller.

Abstract: A method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. A data storage device comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. A data storage and retrieval system comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. Computer program products embodied as program code stored in one or more memory devices, such as a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or other non-volatile memory device disposed in a host computer, a data storage device, and/or a library controller.

Abstract: A method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. A data storage device comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. A data storage and retrieval system comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' method to record information on a data storage medium using buffered tape marks. Computer program products embodied as program code stored in one or more memory devices, such as a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or other non-volatile memory device disposed in a host computer, a data storage device, and/or a library controller.

Abstract: A method for fast multiple file write operations using a deferred conditional a write tape mark command and a deferred conditional tape mark indicator. A data storage and retrieval system comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' method for fast multiple file write operations. A data management system comprising computer program products embodied as program code stored in one or more memory devices, such as a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or another non-volatile memory device, disposed in a host computer and/or a data storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A storage management system, apparatus, and method to increase the storage capacity of data storage media. Applicants' method uses a data storage device comprising a fixed device architecture, where that data storage device is capable of operating in a first capacity mode or in a second capacity mode, and where that data storage device is capable of switching between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode. In certain embodiments, the first capacity mode utilizes a 22 bit blockid format and the second capacity mode utilizes a 32 bit blockid format. In other embodiments, the first capacity mode utilizes a 32 bit blockid format and the second capacity mode utilizes a 22 bit blockid format.

Abstract: Missing interrupt handler (MIH) software features for supporting a variable MIH timeout for I/O requests issued by an operating system (OS). The MIH timeout is varied to prevent a false indication of a failure in an I/O device operation, which is indicated if the MIH timeout occurs. By extending the MIH timeout, the I/O device is given more time to complete its operation, and the extension is provided when the device control unit (CU), or the OS, determines an I/O operation cannot complete before the shortest available MIH timeout. The length of a primary MIH timeout period is extended to a secondary MIH timeout period in response to the OS detecting that an I/O request has a long command that requires a long operating time in the I/O device, or a signal from the device's CU indicating that the current operation in the I/O device is taking an excessive time without the device being in any error condition.

Abstract: Missing interrupt handler (MIH) internal software features support a variable MIH timeout for I/O requests issued by an operating system (OS), when the same OS is involved with both an executing I/O request and a waiting I/O request. The OS varies its MIH timeout period without a signal from any I/O entity to prevent a false indication of a potential failure in a current I/O device operation. If a current I/O request has not completed when the OS senses the end of a primary MIH timeout period, started when issuing that request, the OS then scans the I/O program of that I/O request for any contained long-running command. (Most I/O requests complete during their primary MIH timeout period.) If a long command is found, the OS extends the MIH timeout period from the primary MIH timeout period to a long MIH timeout period, The latter gives the I/O device more time to complete its operation before the OS indicates it has a potential I/O error condition.

Abstract: I/O control unit (CU) features for supporting multiple host operating systems (OSs) which use missing interrupt handler (MIH) timeout functions for detecting potential failures of requested I/O device operations. These CU features support multiple host OSs by preventing them from falsely indicating I/O device failures, when in fact the device has not failed but is merely processing one or more other requests for other host Oss.