Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for a tape device to replicate data to a plurality of remote storage devices. A replication request is received from the computing device to replicate data to a replication number of at least one remote storage device of the remote storage devices over a network. The data to replicate is transmitted to the replication number of at least one remote storage device. At least one device acknowledgment from the at least one remote storage device indicating complete of writing the data to replicate is received. A replication acknowledgment is transmitted to the computing device indicating that the data in the replication request has been replicated in response to receiving the at least one device acknowledgment from the replication number of the at least one remote storage device.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for replicating data to a plurality of replication devices through a tape device. A replication request is transmitted to a primary tape device to replicate data to a replication number of at least one replication device to store the data to replicate. The primary tape device stores the data to replicate in tape storage media at the primary tape device and transmits the data to replicate over a network to the replication number of at least one replication device to store. Acknowledgment is received from the primary tape device indicating that the data has been replicated to the primary tape device and the replication number of the at least one replication device.

Abstract: Data is buffered for concurrent writing to tape. For a magnetic tape drive having a magnetic head with multiple sets of transducers; a drive mechanism configured to pass a magnetic tape past the magnetic head; interfaces from two different hosts; and at least one buffer configured to buffer data; and a control; the buffering comprises receiving data from two different hosts at the interfaces; buffering the received data in separate buffer space of the buffer(s) associated with each host, and adjustably size the separate buffer space for each host in accordance with a data transfer rate of the host associated with the separate buffer space; and concurrently writing data from the separate buffer spaces with the magnetic head to separate partitions of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an extended data storage system employs a first data storage and an extended data storage. A first level of metadata is established with respect to data from the using entity, the first level of metadata is provided in the first data storage. The data from the using entity is stored in the extended data storage. A second level of metadata at least describing the data as stored in the extended data storage is also established, wherein the second level of metadata associated with the first level of metadata for the stored data. The first level of metadata is made accessible to the using entity at the first data storage; and the second level of metadata is made unavailable to the using entity. Thus, the data is stored in the extended data storage and a small amount of metadata is stored in the first data storage.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-program product for indicating progress status of a mid-tape or data recovery operation in a tape drive. The method includes visually indicating that a recovery operation has started, periodically determining the remaining recovery time based on the remaining tape spool, and displaying the determined remaining recovery time to show progress status of the operation. The determination of the remaining recovery time includes determining the length of the tape being processed based on an estimated radius of the remaining tape spool and system parameters. The remaining recovery time is displayed with a moving track to show progress toward completion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an extended data storage system employs a first data storage and an extended data storage. A first level of metadata is established with respect to data from the using entity, the first level of metadata is provided in the first data storage. The data from the using entity is stored in the extended data storage. A second level of metadata at least describing the data as stored in the extended data storage is also established, wherein the second level of metadata associated with the first level of metadata for the stored data. The first level of metadata is made accessible to the using entity at the first data storage; and the second level of metadata is made unavailable to the using entity. Thus, the data is stored in the extended data storage and a small amount of metadata is stored in the first data storage.

Abstract: Protection against data overwrite of a rewritable non-WORM data storage cartridge is provided by a data storage drive operating cartridge data overwrite protection procedures independent of, or not withstanding, the absence of cartridge controls relating to data overwrite protection. Also for the non-WORM cartridge, the drive responds to an allow data overwrite command to allow an immediately subsequent write type command to write to the cartridge even if the write command overwrites existing data. The overwrite protection procedures and data overwrite procedures may be configured and enabled for the data storage drive.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-program product for indicating progress status of a mid-tape or data recovery operation in a tape drive. The method includes visually indicating that a recovery operation has started, periodically determining the remaining recovery time based on the remaining tape spool, and displaying the determined remaining recovery time to show progress status of the operation. The determination of the remaining recovery time includes determining the length of the tape being processed based on an estimated radius of the remaining tape spool and system parameters. The remaining recovery time is displayed with a moving track to show progress toward completion.

Abstract: Handling a magnetic tape cartridge comprises the steps of reading cartridge mount information from the cartridge memory; determining from the cartridge mount information whether the present mount is the first mount of the magnetic tape cartridge; and if so, fast forward and rewind the magnetic tape of the magnetic tape cartridge, e.g., the fast forward is to end of tape (EOT) and the rewind is to beginning of tape (BOT). Alternatively, if the cartridge mount information indicates the present mount is the first mount of the magnetic tape cartridge; monitoring input/output with respect to the magnetic tape cartridge for write errors during the mount; determining whether the number of monitored write errors meets a predetermined threshold; and if so, fast forward and rewind the magnetic tape of the magnetic tape cartridge.

Abstract: A system for providing a single display for control of multiple data storage drives in an automated library incorporates a switching unit that allows the different drives to be displayed on the single display unit. The drives are mounted in a frame and connected to the display. A connection and switching mechanism and microcode are used to attach and control the drives with the display. The switching mechanism controls the drive that is currently displayed on the display unit. The operations panel and the switching mechanism fit into an existing frame without modification. When a user selects one of the drives through the operations panel, the operations panel controls the drive without having to switch physical connections.