Abstract: An automated storage system includes a media storage facility, which may take the form of an automated storage library or shelf system. The media storage facility includes a plurality of individual medium slots and a plurality of superset slots. The facility further includes at least one mechanism for accessing individual media and at least one mechanism for accessing supersets of media. Individual media located in a superset remain accessible on an individual basis in addition to being accessible as part of the corresponding superset.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring expandable buses wherein a host supports a plurality of expandable buses are provided. A plurality of devices are arranged to form a plurality of groups. Each group forms a chain of devices on an expandable bus. Each chain includes an input connector. The chains are configured such that connecting an expandable bus of the host to the input connector for a particular chain causes that particular chain to be directly connected to that particular expandable bus of the host. The absence of connecting any expandable bus of the host to the input connector for a particular chain causes that particular chain to be directly connected to a different chain so as to be indirectly connected to one of the expandable buses of the host.