Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes initiating a copy request for a data storage cartridge. The data storage cartridge includes data storage media having host data thereon. The method also includes transparently loading the data storage cartridge into a first data storage drive of a data storage library and establishing drive-to-drive communication for copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to data storage media in a second data storage drive. The method includes copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to the data storage media in the second data storage drive. A system includes a processor and logic integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor. The logic is configured to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying a lower calibration target of a column of an automated tape library and identifying an upper calibration target of the column. The method includes calculating at least one slot position between the upper calibration target and the lower calibration target. For at least some of the calculated slot positions, the method includes performing a check including identifying an actual slot position corresponding to the calculated slot position. The actual slot position is located by a robotic accessor. The method includes comparing the calculated slot position to the corresponding identified actual slot position and determining whether the calculated slot position is within a predefined range of the corresponding identified actual slot position. The method includes outputting a result of the determination.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying a lower calibration target of a column of an automated tape library and identifying an upper calibration target of the column. The method includes calculating at least one slot position between the upper calibration target and the lower calibration target. For at least some of the calculated slot positions, the method includes performing a check including identifying an actual slot position corresponding to the calculated slot position. The actual slot position is located by a robotic accessor. The method includes comparing the calculated slot position to the corresponding identified actual slot position and determining whether the calculated slot position is within a predefined range of the corresponding identified actual slot position. The method includes outputting a result of the determination.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes initiating a copy request for a data storage cartridge. The data storage cartridge includes data storage media having host data thereon. The method also includes transparently loading the data storage cartridge into a first data storage drive of a data storage library and establishing drive-to-drive communication for copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to data storage media in a second data storage drive. The method includes copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to the data storage media in the second data storage drive. A system includes a processor and logic integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor. The logic is configured to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture 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: Disclosed is a 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: Calibration of an automated data storage library having a plurality of storage slots configured to store at least one data storage cartridge. An element is placed in one of the plurality of storage slots having a known location, the element having similar external dimensions as a data storage cartridge having a fiducial mark thereon. The fiducial mark is sensed, and the position of the fiducial mark is calibrated with respect to the known location of the storage slot. The element comprises an exterior shell having similar external dimensions as a data storage cartridge; and the fiducial mark located on the exterior shell comprises at least one contrasting edge defining a specific calibration location on the element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 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: 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: 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: Addressing failure is handled in a nodal system of processor nodes, which comprise at least one processor and at least one interface to a network. Upon detection of a node address failure of a processor node for the network, such as lack of a node address, or presence of a duplicate address, the processor node is disabled from the network, thereby temporarily failing the processor node so that the system remains operational. An alternate node address stored in nonvolatile memory may be selected that avoids the node address failure.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for selecting a code image to execute. Multiple copies of a code image are maintained in a non-volatile memory device. A first operation routine is executed. A first counter is incremented if the first operation routine succeeds. A second operation routine is executed and a second counter is incremented if the second operation routine succeeds. The first and second counters are used to select one of the code images from the memory device to execute.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for using storage slots efficiently. A move command is received to move a portable data storage medium from a source address to a destination address. An empty storage slot that has no association with the destination address is located. The portable data storage medium is moved from the source address to the located empty storage slot. An association is stored between the located empty storage slot and the destination address.

Abstract: Drives of a data storage library are concurrently configured. A processor transmits library configuration data separately to each drive, initializes a first configuration process state, with a time-out period, for each drive. A drive responds with a status response, the first process state is updated to “completed”. A request for drive unique information is transmitted to the responding drive, advancing the process to a second state, with a time-out period. A drive responds with the information, and the second process state is updated to “completed”, and the received information is stored.

Abstract: A method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries, where that data storage and retrieval system includes a library controller, one or more data storage drives and one or more control ports. A data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants' method to partition the data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for partitioning Applicants' data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries.

Abstract: Addressing failure is handled in a nodal system of processor nodes, which comprise at least one processor and at least one interface to a network. Upon detection of a node address failure of a processor node for the network, such as lack of a node address, or presence of a duplicate address, the processor node is disabled from the network, thereby temporarily failing the processor node so that the system remains operational. An alternate node address stored in nonvolatile memory may be selected that avoids the node address failure.

Abstract: Verification of a primary or backup copy of vital information of a processing system employs a pseudo-fixed reference identifier, defined as an identifier unlikely to change over the life of the system, and controls which copy of vital information is correct. The primary copy of vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier and a backup copy of the vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier. A processor, when triggered, reads the pseudo-fixed reference identifier, compares it to the stored copies of the identifier of the primary and backup non-volatile storage. (1) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the primary copy of the identifier, the processor indicates the vital information is valid. (2) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the backup only, indicating that the backup copy of vital information is to be restore copied to become the primary copy.

Abstract: Drives of a data storage library are concurrently configured. A processor transmits library configuration data separately to each drive, initializes a first configuration process state, with a time-out period, for each drive. A drive responds with a status response, the first process state is updated to “completed”. A request for drive unique information is transmitted to the responding drive, advancing the process to a second state, with a time-out period. A drive responds with the information, and the second process state is updated to “completed”, and the received information is stored.

Abstract: A method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries, where that data storage and retrieval system includes a library controller, one or more data storage drives and one or more control ports. A data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants' method to partition the data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for partitioning Applicants' data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries.

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.