Abstract: An automated data storage library with storage shelves, data storage drive(s), a bus bar; and a robot accessor with a drive system for moving the robot accessor, an accessor communication interface, a bus bar relay configured to engage and disengage the bus bar; and a robot control configured to operate the drive system to move the robot accessor, to operate a picker, and to operate the bus bar relay to engage the bus bar when the robot accessor is stationary, to provide communication capability with a library communication interface via the bus bar relay and the bus bar when the bus bar relay engages the bus bar. Additionally, a second communication system may be provided between the robot accessor and the automated data storage library, which is operable at least when the robot accessor is moving.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for managing component identifiers in a data storage system. The apparatus includes a recognition module, a receiving module, a comparison module, and an update module. The recognition module recognizes newly installed components. The receiving module receives a component identifier stored on the newly installed component. The comparison module compares the identifier of the newly installed component with one or more component identifiers stored in a computer system memory. The update module updates the one or more component identifiers stored in the system memory based upon the identifier of the newly installed component.

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: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing control path commands in an automated data storage library. The present invention teaches a data storage library with stored data and at least one controller. The present invention also teaches at least one command source that provides commands to the data storage library via at least one control path. The data storage library stores a last successful command for each control path in the data storage library, receives a new command from a control path, compares the new command with one or more of the last successful commands, and executes the new command if the new command is unique.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and article of manufacture to provide for managing data storage media to provide secure storage of the data storage media in an automated data storage library. A logical library partition vault is created in the automated data storage library that is not accessible by any host computer. Data storage media in the logical library partition vault may only be accessed by an operator using a secure means. The logical library partition vault may comprise various components of the automated data storage library by assigning storage shelves, service bays, data storage media, data storage drives or other library components to the logical library partition vault.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and article of manufacture to provide for managing data storage media to provide secure storage of the data storage media in an automated data storage library. A logical library partition vault is created in the automated data storage library that is not accessible by any host computer. Data storage media in the logical library partition vault may only be accessed by an operator using a secure means. The logical library partition vault may comprise various components of the automated data storage library by assigning storage shelves, service bays, data storage media, data storage drives or other library components to the logical library partition vault.

Abstract: A method for displaying physical address of data storage media residing within an automated data storage library. A drive, including a drive processor and a drive display, recognizes a load display request received from a host computer/application that includes an identification of a data storage medium. The drive generates a request for the physical address of the data storage medium corresponding to the identification and transmits the request to a library controller. The library controller looks up the corresponding physical address and transmits it back to the drive, where it is displayed on the drive display.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for allowing communication among nodes in a system. A request is received in a source node from a source object executing in the source node to send a message to a destination object executing in a destination node. Each node includes a processor capable of multitasking multiple program objects and a communication interface to transmit and receive data with the other nodes. A determination is made in the source node as to whether the destination node and source node are a same node. The message is sent in the source node to the destination object within the source node if the destination node is the source node. If the destination node is not the source node, then the source node transmits the message to the destination node through the communication interface. The destination node sends the message to the destination object within the destination node.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for configuring a storage drive to communicate with encryption and key managers. A storage drive receives a request to access a coupled removable storage media for drive operations. The storage drive obtains encryption status for the coupled removable storage media from an encryption manager. The storage drive determines from the obtained encryption status whether to encrypt the coupled removable storage media to access. The storage drive obtains at least one key from a key manager in response to determining to encrypt with respect to the coupled removable storage media. The storage drive performs data operations using the at least one key to encrypt data.

Abstract: In an automated data storage library, selective encryption for data stored or to be stored on removable media is provided. One or more encryption policies are established, each policy including a level of encryption one or more encryption keys and the identity of one or more data cartridges. The encryption policies are stored in a policy table and the encryption keys are stored in a secure key server. A host requests access to a specified data cartridge and the cartridge is transported from a storage shelf in the library to a storage drive. Based on the identity of the specified cartridge the corresponding encryption policy is selected from the table and the appropriate encryption key is obtained from the key server. The storage drive encrypts data in accordance with the key and stores the data on the media within the specified data cartridge.

Abstract: In an automated data storage library, procedures are implemented to ensure that a correct volume is mounted before data is written to or read from the volume. After a host requests access to a specified volume, the volume is retrieved and mounted in a storage drive. The drive then verifies the volume serial number (VolSer) to ensure that it matches the VolSer of the requested volume. If the two VolSers are the same, the host is notified that the identity has been verified and access is allowed. If the two VolSers are different, an error recovery procedure may be initiated. The VolSer may be read by the drive through electronic means, such as a cartridge memory reader or an RFID tag reader, thereby avoiding potential problems which may result from physically reading or scanning an external label affixed to the volume.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for rekeying encryption keys for removable storage media. A rekey request is received for a coupled removable storage media, wherein encryption on the coupled removable storage media uses a first key and wherein the rekey request indicates a second key. The first key and the second key are accessed in response to the rekey request. The first key is used to perform decryption for the coupled removable storage media and the second key is used to perform encryption for the coupled removable storage media.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for performing data library background operations. The present invention teaches one or more data storage drives capable of entering a phantom load mode and a library controller capable of initiating the phantom load mode for the data storage drives. The phantom load mode operates to hide the media status of the data storage drives from host computers during background operations involving the data storage drives. In certain embodiments, the data storage drives exit the phantom load mode as a result of a media unload request. In some embodiments, the library controller receives a media load request from a host computer during the background operation and completes the media load request upon completion of the background operation.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements. These thermoelectric elements each have multiple end surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other, and include terminals attached to the end surfaces. The thermoelectric elements also include a support structure with an external surface covered by multiple layers of a thermoelectric material and a flexible substrate. The thermoelectric device also includes a plurality of conductive members which electrically interconnect the thermoelectric elements.

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: Management communication for data storage drives, for example, of an automated data storage library. An external network management interface is configured to communicate externally of the library employing at least one proxy address for the data storage drives and employing TCP/IP packaging of network management information. At least one processor is configured to handle TCP/IP commands on behalf of the data storage drives, to determine internal interface addresses of the data storage drives versus the at least one proxy address, and to pass network management information without alteration. At least one internal interface is configured to communicate with the data storage drives employing the internal interface addresses and employing library-drive packaging of the network management information.

Abstract: A metal building includes a joist system having upper and lower longitudinally extending chords, the upper and lower chords being substantially parallel, and a plurality of web members interposed between the parallel chords. Each of the chords includes an upper chord segment, opposed parallel side walls, inwardly extending lower chord segments, the lower chord segments being parallel to the upper chord segment, and a pair of flanges extending downwardly from the innermost edges of lower chord segments, the flanges defining a longitudinally extending continuous web receiving aperture traversing the length of the chord, the upper chord segment, lower chord segment, parallel side walls and flanges, the web receiving apertures of the upper and lower chords being positioned in opposed relationship.

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: A metal building includes a joist system having upper and lower longitudinally extending chords, the upper and lower chords being substantially parallel, and a plurality of web members interposed between the parallel chords. Each of the chords includes an upper chord segment, opposed parallel side walls, inwardly extending lower chord segments, the lower chord segments being parallel to the upper chord segment, and a pair of flanges extending downwardly from the innermost edges of lower chord segments, the flanges defining a longitudinally extending continuous web receiving aperture traversing the length of the chord, the upper chord segment, lower chord segment, parallel side walls and flanges, the web receiving apertures of the upper and lower chords being positioned in opposed relationship.

Abstract: An automated data storage library provides for reducing inventory after media access. Media is moved, inserted, or removed without opening the access door normally associated with accessed media. A media status of a data storage drive within the automated data storage library is checked. An unexpected condition is detected at the data storage drive. An inventory of at least part of the library is performed for the unexpected condition. Alternately, a move operation is initiated for a data storage media wherein an unexpected condition is detected at the source and/or target location of the move operation. An inventory of at least part of the library is performed for the unexpected condition.