Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head, and a controller coupled to the magnetic head, the controller being configured to perform a method that includes measuring humidity in a vicinity of the apparatus in response to detection of an error while performing a data operation on a magnetic recording tape. An error recovery procedure to remove debris on the tape is executed in response to detection of an error and the measured humidity exceeding a predefined upper limit value. An error recovery procedure to remove debris adhering to the magnetic head is executed in response to detection of an error and the measured humidity being below a predefined lower limit value.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method includes narrowing down a number of data sets to be searched in an HRTD (High Resolution Tape Directory) area for a target record based at least in part on a ratio of: a number of records from a beginning of the HRTD area to the target record, and a total number of records in the HRTD area having the target record. A physical position range in the HRTD area where the narrowed number of data sets physically exist is calculated based on a linear density of a tape drive specification. A magnetic tape having the HRTD area is repositioned to a starting data set in the calculated physical position range. The narrowed range of data sets is read starting at the starting data set.

Abstract: Beginning of wrap (BOW) data set reading and writing for tape drives is provided. In response to reaching an end of wrap (EOW) while writing to tape, a tape directory (TD) is updated to include first data set information for a first data set written at the EOW of a first wrap. A second data set is written using normal write procedure from a BOW of a second wrap, the second wrap following the first wrap. The first data set information is overwritten with second data set information for the second data set written at BOW. When reading a BOW data set from tape, data set information is read from a TD. Based on determining whether the data set information corresponds to a BOW data set, a target Data Set ID and a target Tape Write Pass are set for reading the BOW data set.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to improved tape repositioning. Information associated with at least one preceding dataset on a tape medium is stored within a dataset information table (DSIT) of a dataset on the tape medium. A repositioning request specifying a target data position is received. The information associated with the at least one preceding dataset within the DSIT of the dataset is referenced while attempting to complete the repositioning request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a computer program product, and a computer system for repositioning operation on a tape medium based on dataset information. A computer system obtains dataset information of a dataset on a tape medium in a sync operation, where the dataset information includes positions of data in the dataset. A computer system sends the dataset information of the dataset to a host. In response to starting a repositioning operation, a computer system receives from the host the dataset information of the dataset. A computer system reads the dataset information of the dataset. A computer system repositions to a target on the tape medium, based on the dataset information of the dataset, where a tape drive refers to the dataset information and moves to a position immediately before the target.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to improved tape repositioning. Information associated with at least one preceding dataset on a tape medium is stored within a dataset information table (DSIT) of a dataset on the tape medium. A repositioning request specifying a target data position is received. The information associated with the at least one preceding dataset within the DSIT of the dataset is referenced while attempting to complete the repositioning request.

Abstract: A method for writing to tape by a tape drive is provided. The method includes, in response to identifying a write error during a write to a tape in a certain HRTD region, repositioning the tape to a next HRTD region. The method further includes continuing the write at the next HRTD region.

Abstract: A system for recalling data from tape is disclosed. The system includes computer processing circuits and computer readable storage media having computer executable instructions. When executed, the instructions cause the computer-processing circuits to start, in response to a request to recall data from a tape, to read the tape at a read position. Additionally, the instructions cause the circuits to determine that the tape comprises a damaged region. Further, the instructions cause the circuits to determine a start position of the damaged region by skimming the tape. Additionally, the instructions cause the circuits to determine an end position of the damaged region by skimming the tape. Further, the instructions cause the circuits to read between the read position and the start position of the damaged region. Additionally, the instructions cause the circuits to read between the end position of the damaged region and an end of data indicator.

Abstract: A method for creating a Full Data Set Directory (FDSD) entry, in accordance with one embodiment, includes acquiring a record count and file mark count of a data set written to and/or to be written to a magnetic recording tape. A writing position on the tape where the data set will be written is determined. The data set is written on the tape. An FDSD entry is generated for the data set. The FDSD entry includes information about each of the following: a tape write pass in which the data set is written, a position of the data set on the tape, the record count, and the file mark count.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head, and a controller coupled to the magnetic head, the controller being configured to perform a method that includes measuring humidity in a vicinity of the apparatus in response to detection of an error while performing a data operation on a magnetic recording tape. An error recovery procedure to remove debris on the tape is executed in response to detection of an error and the measured humidity exceeding a predefined upper limit value. An error recovery procedure to remove debris adhering to the magnetic head is executed in response to detection of an error and the measured humidity being below a predefined lower limit value.

Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and computer program product for minimizing high resolution tape directory (HRTD) recovery time when a HRTD is invalid. A tape drive may load a tape in the tape drive. In response to receiving a write command or a read command at a beginning of tape (BOT) position, the tape drive may execute the write command or the read command without performing HRTD recovery. In response to receiving the write command or the read command at a position other than the BOT position, the tape drive may determine if the HRTD is valid. In response to determining the HRTD is not valid, the tape drive may clear a timer.

Abstract: A method for creating a Full Data Set Directory (FDSD) entry, in accordance with one embodiment, includes acquiring a record count and file mark count of a data set written to and/or to be written to a magnetic recording tape. A writing position on the tape where the data set will be written is determined. The data set is written on the tape. An FDSD entry is generated for the data set. The FDSD entry includes information about each of the following: a tape write pass in which the data set is written, a position of the data set on the tape, the record count, and the file mark count.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer program product for offsetting a reading head on a magnetic tape to improve verification. A processor determines a write head width, a read head width, and a track pitch based on determining an LTO standard of the magnetic tape. The processor determines a distance of the reading head from a writing head using the write head width, the read head width, and the track pitch, and causes a tape appliance to relocate the read head on the magnetic tape to the determined distance.

Abstract: A tool for scaling media utilizing healthy regions of a data storage cartridge. The tool determines a health status index for one or more regions of a data storage cartridge. The tool records the health status index to a cartridge memory and housekeeping dataset of the data storage cartridge. The tool determines one or more available regions of the data storage cartridge, based, at least in part, on a capacity designation and the health status index for the one or more regions. The tool returns the one or more available regions and a reduced capacity for the data storage cartridge to a user.

Abstract: In an approach to using a cut and paste segment for reading an sHKDS, a request to reposition a tape media in a tape drive is received. Responsive to encountering an error reading an sHKDS while attempting to reposition the tape media, one segment of a plurality of segments from a data set cut and paste error recovery procedure (ERP) is used for an sHKDS cut and paste ERP. Responsive to recovering the sHKDS using the sHKDS cut and paste ERP, the one segment reserved for the sHKDS cut and paste ERP is released to the data set cut and paste ERP.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer program product for offsetting a reading head on a magnetic tape to improve verification. A processor determines a write head width, a read head width, and a track pitch based on determining an LTO standard of the magnetic tape. The processor determines a distance of the reading head from a writing head using the write head width, the read head width, and the track pitch, and causes a tape appliance to relocate the read head on the magnetic tape to the determined distance.

Abstract: In one aspect of tape repositioning management in accordance with the present description, in response to loading a tape in a tape drive, mounting the tape linear tape file system (LTFS) is initiated including reading an index partition on the tape to extract metadata for mounting the tape LTFS, and prior to accessing a data area of the tape in response to any application access request, the tape is repositioned within a data partition to read a vHRTD (virtual High Resolution Tape Directory) recorded in an EOD (End of Data) portion such as an EOD data set, for example, of the data partition. The EOD portion is read to retrieve the vHRTD to facilitate application requested accesses to the tape. In one embodiment, repositioning and stopping the tape at the beginning of the data partition after reading the index partition containing metadata is bypassed.

Abstract: A tool for scaling media utilizing healthy regions of a data storage cartridge. The tool determines a health status index for one or more regions of a data storage cartridge. The tool records the health status index to a cartridge memory and housekeeping dataset of the data storage cartridge. The tool determines one or more available regions of the data storage cartridge, based, at least in part, on a capacity designation and the health status index for the one or more regions. The tool returns the one or more available regions and a reduced capacity for the data storage cartridge to a user.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method of writing a dataset to a tape, the dataset comprising a plurality of sub datasets, each sub dataset including a plurality of headers and a plurality of records. The method includes storing, in each header of each sub dataset, at least a portion of a record range indicator indicating a range of records included in the dataset.

Abstract: An HRTD stored in the volatile memory of a tape drive is communicated for storage in an off-tape non-volatile memory prior to unloading a tape cartridge. In response to the tape cartridge being loaded into the tape drive, the HRTD is received from the off-tape non-volatile memory.