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:
In an automated data storage library, selective encryption for data stored or to be stored on removable media is provided. One or more encryption policies are established, each policy including a level of encryption, one or more encryption keys and the identity of one or more data cartridges. The encryption policies are stored in a policy table and the encryption keys are stored in a secure key server. A host requests access to a specified data cartridge and the cartridge is transported from a storage shelf in the library to a storage drive. Based on the identity of the specified cartridge, the corresponding encryption policy is selected from the table and the appropriate encryption key is obtained from the key server. The storage drive encrypts data in accordance with the key and stores the data on the media within the specified data cartridge.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automated data storage library system efficiently using a common element. SOLUTION: A drive resource provider 35, upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Furthermore drive image providers 30 of a virtualization system for an automated data storage library provide an image of a fixed plurality of virtual data storage drives with fixed identifications to a host application. The drive image provider 30 characterizes and directs communication between the host and the dedicated drive as a fixed virtual drive; and prior to the dedication of a drive, characterizes the virtual drive to the requesting host application as "not ready". COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for work queuing which increase the availability of an automated data storage library for storage and access to a data storage medium. SOLUTION: At least one accessor moves the data storage medium between a storage shelf and a data storage drive at a work request. The work queuing device has a communication processor node, which receives the work request and broadcasts the work request to mutually connected work processor nodes connected to the communication processor node through, for example, a common bus network. Each work processor node generates a work queue of jobs at the broadcasted work request. At least, one of the work processor nodes selects a job from the work queue in response to access and indicates the execution of the selected job. Then the work processor nodes synchronizes their work queues with one another.
Abstract:
Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider (35), upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool. Furthermore drive image providers of a virtualization system for an automated data storage library provide an image of a fixed plurality of virtual data storage drives with fixed identifications to a host application. A drive resource provider (35), at any one time, assigns any number "m" of a pool of "n" drives to the drive image providers, and "n" - "m" of the pool are freed and available for assignment. The drive resource provider (35) responds to a triggering event requesting a drive, and dedicates one of the "n" - "m" drives of the pool to the virtual drive. The drive image provider (30) characterizes and directs communication between the host and the dedicated drive as a fixed virtual drive; and prior to the dedication of a drive, characterizes the virtual drive to the requesting host application as "not ready".
Abstract:
Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider (35), upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool. Furthermore drive image providers of a virtualization system for an automated data storage library provide an image of a fixed plurality of virtual data storage drives with fixed identifications to a host application. A drive resource provider (35), at any one time, assigns any number "m" of a pool of "n" drives to the drive image providers, and "n" - "m" of the pool are freed and available for assignment. The drive resource provider (35) responds to a triggering event requesting a drive, and dedicates one of the "n" - "m" drives of the pool to the virtual drive. The drive image provider (30) characterizes and directs communication between the host and the dedicated drive as a fixed virtual drive; and prior to the dedication of a drive, characterizes the virtual drive to the requesting host application as "not ready".
Abstract:
A work queuing system and method to increase the availability of an automated data storage library for accessing and storing data storage media. At least one accessor moves the data storage media among storage shelves and data storage drives in response to work requests. The work queuing system comprises a communication processor node for receiving the work requests and for broadcasting the work requests, e.g., over a common bus network, to a plurality of work processor nodes coupled to the communication processor node and coupled to each other. Each work processor node responds to the broadcast work requests, establishing a work queue of jobs. At least one of the work processor nodes selects ones of the jobs in the work queue for an accessor and directs the accessor to conduct the selected job. The work processor nodes then synchronize the work queues.
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:
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:
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.