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, system, and method are disclosed for enforcing policy controls for non-system managed tape media. The apparatus includes an operating system configured to communicate with a tape media drive, and an identification module configured to identify a tape media type of a tape media cartridge. The apparatus may also include a policy module configured to maintain control policies for tape media types, and a media control module configured to enforce the control policies. The system includes a computing system having a processor, a cache, an operating system, and a plurality of input/output interfaces, a tape media drive coupled to the computing system, and the apparatus. The method includes communicating with a tape media drive, identifying a tape media type of a tape media cartridge, maintaining a plurality of control policies for tape media types, and enforcing the plurality of control policies.

Abstract: An automated data storage library, method, and a computer program product manage categories of physical media volumes, which may store stacked logical volumes, in partitions of the library. A media sensor senses the VOLSER identifier of thee physical media volumes at an input station. A library manager is provided, having a computer processor. Upon receipt of a physical media volume at the input station, the library manager receives the sensed VOLSER of the physical media volume; places the physical media volume in an “UNASSIGNED” category of an inventory; and sends a message at an interface to a host system, the message identifying the sensed VOLSER and indicating that the physical media volume has transitioned to the “UNASSIGNED” category.

Abstract: In response to a storage access request, eligible data storage device types are efficiently identified in a data storage library. A list of the appropriate data storage device types is prepared by indexing attributes with corresponding pre-prepared tables and then combining the resultant indices. In one embodiment, the attributes may include recording technology ("RT") and media type ("MT") attributes. First, a user request is received for data access in the library. The request includes the RT and MT attributes. The RT attribute is indexed to a RT table to yield a RT mask. The MT attribute is similarly indexed to a MT table to yield a MT mask. In the RT and MT masks, storage device types may be represented by different codes to preference the device types with respect to each other. A request mask is prepared by performing a Boolean operation, such as AND, to combine the MT mask and the RT mask. The request mask identifies all data storage device types in the library compatible with the received request.