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: An apparatus and system are provided for communicating control messages between a first device and a second device. The apparatus and system include a communication module that directs control messages between a first device and a second device through an intermediate device. The intermediate device is coupled to the first device by a control path and to the second device by a data path. The apparatus and system also include a translation module and a transmission module that cooperate to translate control messages received over the control path at the intermediate device to transport data messages and transport data messages received over the data path at the second device to control messages. Transport data messages are sent over the data path to the second device and control messages from the second device are sent over the control path to the first device.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge, a recording system, and a magnetic tape drive are configured to, for example, guard against tampering with a write once overwrite protection pointer which allows a rewritable magnetic tape to be treated as write once. In one embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge comprises a magnetic tape and a cartridge memory. The magnetic tape is configured to provide at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying data to be protected from being overwritten; and the cartridge memory is configured to provide the at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying magnetic tape data to be protected from being overwritten.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for data synchronization. A first identifier for a portion of data on a primary volume is determined, wherein a unique identifier is associated with each portion of data at the primary volume. A second identifier for a portion of corresponding data at a secondary volume is determined, wherein a unique identifier is associated with each portion of data at the secondary volume. The first and second identifiers are compared. When the first and second identifiers do not match, the portion of corresponding data at the secondary volume in a storage device is replaced with the portion of data at the primary volume.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for communicating control messages between a first device and a second device. The apparatus and system include a communication module that directs control messages between a first device and a second device through an intermediate device. The intermediate device is coupled to the first device by a control path and to the second device by a data path. The apparatus and system also include a translation module and a transmission module that cooperate to translate control messages received over the control path at the intermediate device to transport data messages and transport data messages received over the data path at the second device to control messages. Transport data messages are sent over the data path to the second device and control messages from the second device are sent over the control path to the first device.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge, a recording system, and a magnetic tape drive are configured to, for example, guard against tampering with a write once overwrite protection pointer which allows a rewritable magnetic tape to be treated as write once. In one embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge comprises a magnetic tape and a cartridge memory. The magnetic tape is configured to provide at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying data to be protected from being overwritten; and the cartridge memory is configured to provide the at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying magnetic tape data to be protected from being overwritten.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge, a recording system, and a magnetic tape drive are configured to, for example, guard against tampering with a write once overwrite protection pointer which allows a rewritable magnetic tape to be treated as write once. In one embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge comprises a magnetic tape and a cartridge memory. The magnetic tape is configured to provide at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying data to be protected from being overwritten; and the cartridge memory is configured to provide the at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying magnetic tape data to be protected from being overwritten.

Abstract: A method for communicating control messages between a first device and a second device. The method includes a communication module that directs control messages between a first device and a second device through an intermediate device. The intermediate device is coupled to the first device by a control path and to the second device by a data path. The method also includes a translation module and a transmission module that cooperate to translate control messages received over the control path at the intermediate device to transport data messages and transport data messages received over the data path at the second device to control messages. Transport data messages are sent over the data path to the second device and control messages from the second device are sent over the control path to the first device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for data synchronization. A first identifier is determined for a portion of data at a first source. A second identifier is determined for a portion of corresponding data at a second source. The first and second identifiers are compared. When the first and second identifiers do not match, the portion of corresponding data at the second source is replaced with the portion of data at the first source.

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 sequential buffer for a magnetic tape data storage system comprises a plurality of segments. A buffer management system buffers data in the sequential buffer, conducting a data transfer process. Subsequently, some of the buffered data is maintained in some, but less than all, the segments of the buffer. Additionally, the maintained buffered data is indicated as VALID data. Thus, a subsequent process may be conducted directly using the data maintained in the buffer, and avoids moving the tape to reread the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides fast read performance for accessing a file from a multiplicity of files when its corresponding Block ID is unavailable, by furnishing new file-positioning commands, allowing access to data based on File Number, at the same fast locate speed as with Block Ids, thereby expanding the range of applications that can use certain tape drive systems effectively. The present invention includes both a device architecture for supporting the file oriented positioning and the appending, as well as a software system that can permit easy application access to the device facilities and system components which permit the advantages to accrue without any software application or operator changes, including a robust architecture for navigating residual data, e.g., for data recovery. The present invention comprises several device command innovations, a relative positioning command, an absolute positioning command, and other commands, e.g., for sensing current position.

Abstract: A system and method, employing a data storage device, for providing communication between a plurality of processing units which are respectively unconnected to each other, with the processing units each separately coupled to the data storage device. A data storage device controller coupled to storage interfaces and to a buffer, recognizes “broadcast” commands and any message accompanying the “broadcast” commands, and recognizes “read message” commands, received from the processing units. The controller stores the message accompanying the “broadcast” command in the buffer, and forwards, at the storage interfaces, a “message ready” signal to at least one of the processing units. The processing units then send a “read message” command to the data storage device. The controller responds to a “read message” command at one of the storage interfaces, supplying the message stored in the buffer at the storage interface to the sending processing unit.

Abstract: A data storage device having a fixed device architecture capable of operating in a first capacity mode or in a second capacity mode, and capable of switching between that first capacity mode and that 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 data storage device comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for recording information in alternative information storage architectures. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more of Applicants' data storage devices. A computer code product comprising a data management system which supports the capability to record information on a data storage medium using alternative information storage architectures.

Abstract: A data storage device comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for writing information on a data storage medium using fast multiple file write operations. A data storage and retrieval system comprising one or more of Applicants' data storage devices. Computer program products embodied as program code stored in Applicants' storage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides fast read performance for accessing a file from a multiplicity of files when its corresponding Block ID is unavailable, by furnishing new file-positioning commands, allowing access to data based on File Number, at the same fast locate speed as with Block Ids, thereby expanding the range of applications that can use certain tape drive systems effectively. The present invention includes both a device architecture for supporting the file oriented positioning and the appending, as well as a software system that can permit easy application access to the device facilities and system components which permit the advantages to accrue without any software application or operator changes, including a robust architecture for navigating residual data, e.g., for data recovery. The present invention comprises several device command innovations, a relative positioning command, an absolute positioning command, and other commands, e.g., for sensing current position.

Abstract: A sequential buffer for a magnetic tape data storage system comprises a plurality of segments. A buffer management system buffers data in the sequential buffer, conducting a data transfer process. Subsequently, some of the buffered data is maintained in some, but less than all, the segments of the buffer. Additionally, the maintained buffered data is indicated as VALID data. Thus, a subsequent process may be conducted directly using the data maintained in the buffer, and avoids moving the tape to reread the data.

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: Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider, upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool.