Aspects of the invention described here are directed to a tape library that is constructed within an integrated with a standard freight/shipping container to form a freight/shipping container tape library. The freight/shipping container library can be assembled at a manufacturing site, loaded with tape media, equipped with the tape drives, provided with robotic transporters and all the necessary computing systems, wiring, and electronics to fully function as a storage system when transported to an end user location.

A library device includes: a housing for accommodating a magazine to be able to be put in and out, wherein the magazine has slots for accommodating recording medium cartridges to be able to be put in and out; an accessor for conveying the recording medium cartridge ejected from the slot to the magnetic tape drive; and a cartridge jump-out preventing mechanism for preventing the recording medium cartridge from jumping out to a moving path of the accessor. The cartridge jump-out preventing mechanism includes: an elastic pushing mechanism which can push the recording medium cartridge into the slot by using an elastic force when the magazine is inserted into the housing; and a latch mechanism which can hold the recording medium cartridge so that the recording medium cartridge does not jump out of the slot when the recording medium cartridge is completely accommodated in the slot.

Embodiments are described for proximity auditing of removable media cartridge magazines in a data storage library. For example, a proximity sensor mounted on a robotic assembly can be used to detect one or more target features of cartridge magazines. In particular, the proximity sensor can look for relatively large structural features of a removable cartridge magazine in a manner that is fast and reliable, and does not rely on precise positioning of the robotic assembly with respect to the magazine. Some implementations can use the proximity sensor in conjunction with further auditing and/or other functions of line camera, and/or other sensors of the robotic assembly. Proximity-based auditing of the magazines can permit storage library systems to initialize faster and with more reliable inventory information.

A system according to one embodiment includes a tape library and a tape drive coupled to the tape library. In response to determining that at least one special operation may be performed, the tape library sends a first notification that the tape drive is to remain in a not ready state. The tape library mounts the tape cartridge in the tape drive after determining that at least one special operation may be performed. A method according to one embodiment includes sending a first notification that a tape drive is to remain in a not ready state in response to determining at least one special operation may be performed by said tape drive upon mounting of a tape cartridge therein. The tape cartridge is caused to be mounted in the tape drive after determining that at least one special operation may be performed.

The presently disclosed technology is directed to maximizing cleanliness, reliability, and space efficiency within a jukebox-style HDD, while minimizing overall cost of the HDD. In an effort to reduce the movement of a robotic arm assembly, cassettes within a jukebox-style HDD may be configured to be magnetically repositionable to replace some of the movement of the robotic arm assembly, without adding another significant source of potential mechanical failure within the HDD enclosure. Further, the overall number of moving parts is reduced, which may improve reliability of the HDD, as well as cleanliness within the HDD enclosure.

A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a module housing and a service tray. The module housing forms at least a part of a library housing. The service tray is removably positionable within the module housing. The service tray is configured to releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position so that the service tray and the media mover are movable as an integral unit out of and into the module housing. The service tray includes a tray body and at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body.

A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a service tray and a capture assembly. The service tray is removably positionable within the library housing. The service tray includes a tray body. The capture assembly is configured to enable the service tray to securely receive and releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position. The capture assembly includes at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body when the media mover is in the removable position.

A tape library system includes a plurality of tape libraries, a plurality of data centers, and an error diagnostic system. Each of the plurality of tape libraries includes a tape drive, at least one tape cartridge that retains magnetic tape, and a tape cartridge mover that moves the tape cartridge relative to the tape drive. Each of the plurality of data centers is configured to retain at least one of the plurality of tape libraries. The error diagnostic system includes (i) a central database that is configured to receive one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries, each of the one or more error codes being generated due to errors that occurred during operation of the tape drive within a corresponding tape library, and (ii) a system controller including a processor that is configured to analyze the one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries to determine a health of the tape drive and the at least one tape cartridge within the corresponding tape library.

An automated tape library (10) includes a library housing (12) that is substantially rectangular box-shaped, including a first housing side (12A), a second housing side (12B), a housing rear (12C), a housing top (12D), a housing bottom (12E), and a housing front (12F). The library housing (12) defines a library width (10W) that is less than or equal to approximately 550 millimeters and a library depth (10D) that is at least approximately 1000 millimeters. The automated tape library (10) can further include a front door (16) that is movably coupled to the housing front (12F) to move between a closed configuration (11A) and an open configuration (11B); wherein the library housing (12) defines a library interior (14); and wherein full access to the library interior (14) is only provided through the front door (16) when the front door (16) has been moved to the open configuration (11B). The automated tape library (10) can also include at least one tape drive (20) that is coupled to the front door (16).

A data storage disk cartridge library system includes a rack having an array of bays, at least some housing disk media cartridges and/or media drives, and a pair of horizontal and vertical guide rails bordering each bay. A media transport robot includes fixed-position drive wheels at each corner for driving the robot along the guide rails, and pivoting guide wheels corresponding to each drive wheel for guiding the drive wheel horizontally along a horizontal guide rail and vertically along a vertical guide rail. With each guide wheel coupled with a horizontal guide rail the robot can travel horizontally on the rack, and with each guide wheel coupled with a vertical guide rail the robot can travel vertically on the rack. Electrical power can be supplied to the robot via the guide rails, and gear portions of the wheels mechanically interface with a mechanical portion of the guide rails.