Abstract: Storage systems and methods for distributed support ticket processing are disclosed. An exemplary method may include accessing at least one storage device in a storage system by an interface manager to retrieve raw support ticket data from the at least one storage device. The method may also include analyzing the raw support ticket data at the interface manager to generate a support ticket for the storage system. The method may also include decoding the support ticket to an intermediate format at a management station. The method may also include presenting the converted support ticket to a user at the management station.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing an error in a cartridge drive, comprises detecting an occurrence of a defined event in a cartridge drive, in response to the defined event, initiating an analysis routine of at least one event log from the cartridge drive, and invoking an intervention routine when the analysis indicates that the defined event represents a failure threat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge library, comprises a management component comprising a first processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the first processor module, an interface controller comprising a second processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the second processor module, wherein the interface controller comprises logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed, cause the second processor module to, record, in a memory medium coupled to the cartridge library, at least one access control parameter, wherein the access control parameter identifies at least one of a user, a server, a command, or a time, receive, in an interface controller coupled to the cartridge library, a request for at least one resource of the cartridge library, and implement an access control routine in the interface controller to use the access control parameter to determine whether to limit a user's ability to perform at least one command on at least one resou

Abstract: Backup storage apparatus and related methods wherein communication capabilities are provided that allow information to be shared between devices installed in the apparatus to extend the functionality of the apparatus. A controller comprising a communication link is coupled to an operator control panel that controls functions of and displays information regarding the apparatus. An installable component that is operable to extend the functionality of the apparatus when coupled to the communication link, and is operable to discover services that are sharable between the controller and the component. When communications are established, the operator control panel via the shared services is also capable of controlling functions of and displaying information regarding the component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge library comprises a library controller comprising a first processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the processor module, and a cartridge drive controller comprising a second processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the processor module. The cartridge drive controller comprises logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed, cause the first processor module to receive, from a management component coupled to the cartridge library, at least one access control parameter, wherein the access control parameter identifies at least one of a user, a server, a command, or a time, record, in a memory medium coupled to the cartridge library, the at least one access control parameter; receive a request for at least one resource of the cartridge library; and use the access control parameter in determining whether to grant access to the at least one resource of the cartridge library.

Abstract: Storage systems and methods for distributed support ticket processing are disclosed. An exemplary method may include accessing at least one storage device in a storage system by an interface manager to retrieve raw support ticket data from the at least one storage device. The method may also include analyzing the raw support ticket data at the interface manager to generate a support ticket for the storage system. The method may also include decoding the support ticket to an intermediate format at a management station. The method may also include presenting the converted support ticket to a user at the management station.

Abstract: A storage device is communicatively coupled to a management station and comprises an interface manager to send a notification to the management station when a network address of the storage device is changed to a new address. The management station retains information on the network address of the storage device and, upon receipt of a notification, reestablishes a connection to the storage device using the new address. Related methods, and components of the system, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge library, comprises a management component comprising a first processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the first processor module, an interface controller comprising a second processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the second processor module, wherein the interface controller comprises logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed, cause the second processor module to, record, in a memory medium coupled to the cartridge library, at least one access control parameter, wherein the access control parameter identifies at least one of a user, a server, a command, or a time, receive, in an interface controller coupled to the cartridge library, a request for at least one resource of the cartridge library, and implement an access control routine in the interface controller to use the access control parameter to determine whether to limit a user's ability to perform at least one command on at least one resou

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge library comprises a library controller comprising a first processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the processor module, and a cartridge drive controller comprising a second processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the processor module. The cartridge drive controller comprises logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed, cause the first processor module to receive, from a management component coupled to the cartridge library, at least one access control parameter, wherein the access control parameter identifies at least one of a user, a server, a command, or a time, record, in a memory medium coupled to the cartridge library, the at least one access control parameter; receive a request for at least one resource of the cartridge library; and use the access control parameter in determining whether to grant access to the at least one resource of the cartridge library.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing an error in a cartridge drive, comprises detecting an occurrence of a defined event in a cartridge drive, in response to the defined event, initiating an analysis routine of at least one event log from the cartridge drive, and invoking an intervention routine when the analysis indicates that the defined event represents a failure threat.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for managing a storage library with removable media. One method includes providing to an administrative console identification of host computers attempting to access a tape drive in a tape library; determining, from input at the administrative console, access rights for each of the host computers attempting to access the tape drive; and transmitting the access rights to the tape drive in order to configure the tape drive to determine which of the host computers are authorized to access the tape drive.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for switching firmware images in storage systems.

Abstract: Backup storage apparatus and related methods wherein communication capabilities are provided that allow information to be shared between devices installed in the apparatus to extend the functionality of the apparatus. A controller comprising a communication link is coupled to an operator control panel that controls functions of and displays information regarding the apparatus. An installable component that is operable to extend the functionality of the apparatus when coupled to the communication link, and is operable to discover services that are sharable between the controller and the component. When communications are established, the operator control panel via the shared services is also capable of controlling functions of and displaying information regarding the component.

Abstract: A storage device is communicatively coupled to a management station and comprises an interface manager to send a notification to the management station when a network address of the storage device is changed to a new address. The management station retains information on the network address of the storage device and, upon receipt of a notification, reestablishes a connection to the storage device using the new address. Related methods, and components of the system, are also disclosed.

Abstract: User interface for a storage network and methods of operation. In an exemplary implementation, a storage network comprises an automated storage system including data access drives and transfer robotics. An interface manager is communicatively coupled to each of the data access drives and transfer robotics, the interface manager aggregating configuration information for the data access drives and transfer robotics in the automated storage system. An interface application is provided in computer-readable storage at the interface manager, the interface application generating user interface rendering data for the configuration information. A graphical user interface is operatively associated with the interface application, the graphical user interface outputting the configuration information in accordance with the user interface rendering data.

Abstract: Interface manager and methods of operation in a storage network. In an exemplary implementation, a storage network comprises an automated storage system including data access drives and transfer robotics. A plurality of interface controllers are operatively associated with the data access drives and transfer robotics. An interface manager is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of interface controllers. Computer-readable program code is provided in computer-readable storage at the interface manager, the computer-readable program code aggregating configuration information for the data access drives and transfer robotics.