Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes receiving a search request. Additionally, the method includes transparently loading a data storage cartridge into a data storage drive of a data storage library. Further, the method includes determining search results, utilizing the data storage cartridge and the data storage drive. Further still, the method includes returning the search results.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling at least one environmental condition within at least one data storage library. The system may include at least one data storage library, the at least one data storage library having at least one component bay therein. The system may also include at least one adapter configured to fit within the at least one component bay, and/or at least one environmental conditioning device connected to the at least one adapter, wherein the at least one environmental conditioning device is configured to control at least one environmental condition within the at least one data storage library.

Abstract: An enclosure configured to at least partially surround a data storage library, and a system including a data storage library and enclosure(s). The enclosure includes at least one surface configured to surround the at least one library access opening and form a chamber and to permit movement of the movable panel to permit access to the interior of the data storage library, and at least one enclosure access opening in the at least one of the surface to permit access to the interior of the chamber. The enclosure is configured to resist environmental conditions from intruding into the interior of the enclosure, and is further configured to permit exterior environmental conditions from within the interior of the library to intrude into the chamber of the enclosure.

Abstract: An enclosure configured to at least partially surround at least one access opening that permits access to an interior of a data storage library, wherein the enclosure includes at least one side surface configured to surround the at least one access opening to form a chamber and to permit access to the interior of the data storage library. The enclosure also includes at least one access opening in the at least one side surface to permit access to an interior of the chamber, wherein the enclosure is configured to selectively acclimate the chamber between environmental conditions exterior of the enclosure and environmental conditions of the interior of the data storage library.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one environmental condition within a data storage library, including providing at least one enclosure configured to surround at least one ventilation opening of the data storage library and to form a chamber around at least the at least one ventilation opening, and providing at least one enclosure environmental conditioning unit fluidly connected to the at least one enclosure to provide conditioned air into the chamber. The method may also include providing air from the at least one enclosure environmental conditioning unit into the chamber such that air provided into the chamber enters the data storage library through the at least one ventilation opening.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus to acclimate a data storage component from a first environmental setting to a second environmental setting is disclosed. In one embodiment a system having a data storage library with a plurality of data storage cartridges and at least one media acclimation device having one or more storage locations which are sized to accept one or more data storage cartridges therein is disclosed. The at least one media acclimation device is configured to gradually acclimate the one or more storage locations from an external environmental condition to an internal environmental condition. In another embodiment, a method of acclimating a data storage library component is disclosed. The system, method and apparatus may optionally further include at least one environmental conditioning unit for conditioning the internal environment within the library.

Abstract: An enclosure configured to at least partially surround at least one access opening that permits access to an interior of a data storage library, wherein the enclosure includes at least one side surface configured to surround the at least one access opening to form a chamber and to permit access to the interior of the data storage library. The enclosure also includes at least one access opening in the at least one side surface to permit access to an interior of the chamber, wherein the enclosure is configured to selectively acclimate the chamber between environmental conditions exterior of the enclosure and environmental conditions of the interior of the data storage library.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus to acclimate a data storage component from a first environmental setting to a second environmental setting is disclosed. In one embodiment a system having a data storage library with a plurality of data storage cartridges and at least one media acclimation device having one or more storage locations which are sized to accept one or more data storage cartridges therein is disclosed. The at least one media acclimation device is configured to gradually acclimate the one or more storage locations from an external environmental condition to an internal environmental condition. In another embodiment, a method of acclimating a data storage library component is disclosed. The system, method and apparatus may optionally further include at least one environmental conditioning unit for conditioning the internal environment within the library.

Abstract: A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drones is disclosed. The data storage system comprises a data storage library for reading and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, at least one drone vehicle, a processing device, and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to: receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location in the data storage library, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.

Abstract: A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drones is disclosed. The data storage system comprises a data storage library for reading and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, at least one drone vehicle, a processing device, and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to: receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location in the data storage library, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting one or more data storage cartridges between data storage library strings, including a plurality of data storage libraries, a plurality of shuttle connections coupled to the plurality of data storage libraries, and a plurality of shuttle cars movably housed within each of the plurality of shuttle connections. The system also includes at least one system controller, wherein the at least one system controller is configured to receive host commands and control movement of the shuttle cars between the plurality of data storage libraries, and the at least one system controller is configured to control movement of each of the shuttle cars such that at least one shuttle car is associated with each of the plurality of data storage libraries during operation of the system.

Abstract: A data storage system that moves and transfers components (e.g., the data storage cartridges, data storage magazines, etc.) utilizing drone systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one data storage library for storing, reading, and writing of data to or on a plurality of data storage cartridges and at least one drone vehicle. The system also includes a processing device and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and by the drone vehicle, perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location.

Abstract: A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drones is disclosed. The data storage system comprises a data storage library for reading and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, at least one drone vehicle, a processing device, and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to: receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location in the data storage library, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.

Abstract: A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drone systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of data storage libraries comprising a first data storage library for the storage, reading, and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges and a second data storage library for the storage of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, and at least one drone vehicle. The system also includes a processing device and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to transfer the data storage component to the destination location, and transfer the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.

Abstract: A data storage library system includes a first data storage library and a second data storage library, and at least one pass-through mechanism coupling the first data storage library to the second data storage library, wherein the at least one pass-through mechanism is configured to enable data storage cartridges to be transported between the first data storage library and the second data storage library. The environmental conditions within the first data storage library are controllable to maintain operational conditions conducive to at least one of reading and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges. The environmental conditions within the second data storage library are controllable so as to gradually transition the environmental conditions between ambient environmental conditions and operational conditions within the first data storage library. Associated methods for transporting components between the first and second data storage libraries are disclosed.

Abstract: A data storage library includes at least a first library portion and at least a second library portion, with the second library portion including an environmental conditioning unit configured to control environmental conditions within the second library portion. The data storage library also includes at least one acclimation chamber formed within the first library portion, which permits transition of environmental condition(s) within the at least one acclimation chamber toward at least one of the corresponding environmental condition(s) external and internal to the second library portion. At least one deployable environmental barrier is configured to extend at least partially between the first library portion and the second library portion to insulate the at least one environmental condition within the at least one acclimation chamber from the at least one environmental condition within the second library portion.

Abstract: A method of servicing a data storage library having at least one access opening and at least one access door to permit access to an interior of the data storage library, the method including providing at least one barrier configured to at least partially surround the at least one library access opening when the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier is configured to resist environmental conditions from exterior the barrier and data storage library from intruding into the interior of data storage library when the barrier is deployed. The method also includes deploying the at least one barrier when the at least one access door is opened to form an interior working space, accessing the interior space formed by the at least one barrier, and accessing the interior of the data storage library via the at least one library access opening.

Abstract: A barrier system configured to at least partially surround at least one access opening that permits access to an interior of a data storage library. The barrier system includes at least one side surface configured to be coupled to at least one door along a first side surface location and to the data storage library along a second side surface location. The at least one side surface may be configured to be deployable to surround the at least one access opening and form a working space when the at least one door is in an open position, and is configurable to be collapsible when the at least one door is in a closed position. The at least one side surface may also be configured to resist environmental conditions external to the data storage library from intruding into the working space when the at least one side surface is deployed.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting one or more data storage cartridges between data storage library strings, including a plurality of data storage libraries, a plurality of shuttle connections coupled to the plurality of data storage libraries, and a plurality of shuttle cars movably housed within each of the plurality of shuttle connections. The system also includes at least one system controller, wherein the at least one system controller is configured to receive host commands and control movement of the shuttle cars between the plurality of data storage libraries, and the at least one system controller is configured to control movement of each of the shuttle cars such that at least one shuttle car is associated with each of the plurality of data storage libraries during operation of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling at least one environmental condition within at least one data storage library. The system may include at least one data storage library, the at least one data storage library having at least one component bay therein. The system may also include at least one adapter configured to fit within the at least one component bay, and/or at least one environmental conditioning device connected to the at least one adapter, wherein the at least one environmental conditioning device is configured to control at least one environmental condition within the at least one data storage library.