A method for securing user data that is stored to a tape cartridge having a medium auxiliary memory (MAM) is described. When user data is sent to a tape library from a client, the tape library sends a request to a cloud based key management service for a data key to encrypt the user data and an encrypted data key that corresponds to the data key. The data key is used to encrypt the user data which is then stored to the tape cartridge and the encrypted data key is stored to the MAM. Upon decrypting the encrypted user data, the encrypted data key is extracted from the MAM and sent to the cloud based key management service where it is used to produce the data key from the cloud based key management service which is then sent to the tape library. When the tape library is in possession of the data key, the encrypted data in the tape cartridge can then be decrypted and sent to a requester of the user data.

A recording control device reads tape quality information recorded on an RFID tag included in a recording tape cartridge, acquires drive quality information indicating quality of each of a plurality of tape drives that are loading targets of the recording tape cartridge, and prohibits reading or writing of data from or to the recording tape using the tape drive in a combination of which the quality is lower than predetermined quality among combinations of quality of the recording tape cartridge indicated by the read tape quality information and quality of each of the plurality of tape drives indicated by the acquired drive quality information.

A product, according to one embodiment, includes: a tape spool having: a first flange, a second flange, and a circular hub sandwiched between the first and second flanges. The tape spool also includes a cylindrical compliance layer which encircles the hub. The compliance layer is configured to dampen radial stress exerted on the hub by a tape wound around the hub. A product, according to another embodiment, includes: a tape cartridge having: an outer housing, and a tape spool positioned within the outer housing. The tape spool further includes: a first flange, a circular hub coupled to the first flange, and a cylindrical compliance layer which encircles the hub. A magnetic tape is also wrapped around the compliance layer and the hub. Moreover, the compliance layer is configured to dampen radial stress exerted on inner wraps of the magnetic tape.

A method comprising: determining, by a tape library, respective tape densities supported by each of a plurality of tape drives and respective tape densities indicated for each of a plurality of tape cartridges; receiving, by the tape library, a command to load a given one of the tape cartridges into a given one of the tape drives; determining, by the tape library, that the indicated tape density for the given tape cartridge matches a tape density supported by the given tape drive; and in response to the determination that the tape densities match, configuring, by the tape library, the given tape drive to initialize the given tape cartridge to the tape density indicated for the given tape cartridge.

A magnetic tape cartridge includes a magnetic tape wound around a reel, in which the magnetic tape has a first region, which is a predetermined region influenced by a width change of the magnetic tape accompanied by deformation of the reel due to winding of the magnetic tape, and a second region, which is a region on an outer peripheral side of the reel with respect to the first region, and regarding a degree of elongation in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape, the degree of the first region is equal to or larger than the degree of the second region.

A product, according to one embodiment, includes: a tape spool having: a first flange, a second flange, and a circular hub sandwiched between the first and second flanges. The tape spool also includes a cylindrical compliance layer which encircles the hub. The compliance layer is configured to dampen radial stress exerted on the hub by a tape wound around the hub. A product, according to another embodiment, includes: a tape cartridge having: an outer housing, and a tape spool positioned within the outer housing. The tape spool further includes: a first flange, a circular hub coupled to the first flange, and a cylindrical compliance layer which encircles the hub. A magnetic tape is also wrapped around the compliance layer and the hub. Moreover, the compliance layer is configured to dampen radial stress exerted on inner wraps of the magnetic tape.

A data storage cartridge according to one embodiment comprises a housing configured to house a data storage medium, a sensor coupled to the housing, and a microcontroller coupled to the sensor. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate information about the sensor. Other embodiments relate to a data storage cartridge comprising a housing configured to house a data storage medium, a cartridge memory coupled to the housing, the cartridge memory having a wireless communications interface, and a microcontroller in physical communication with the cartridge memory. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate information retrieved from the cartridge memory. Additional embodiments relate to a data storage cartridge comprising a mechanical write protect mechanism coupled to the housing of the data storage cartridge, an actuator coupled to the mechanical write protect mechanism for selectively changing a state of the mechanical write protect mechanism, and a microcontroller configured to control the actuator.

A magnetic-tape storage apparatus having a simple structure and being able to surely store magnetic tapes on each of which valuable data are recorded and the recorded data on them at a low cost and over a long period in a small space, a magnetic-tape storage apparatus comprises a housing, a cartridge storage part, a magnetic tape drive, a cartridge transfer device [18] to selectively transfer a plurality of cartridges stored in the cartridge storage part to the magnetic tape drive and to return to the original position, a cartridge data reading device to selectively and contactlessly read data retained in each memory chip of the cartridges stored in the cartridge storage part and a computer to control them and to rewind the cartridges timely.

A data storage cartridge according to one embodiment comprises a housing configured to house a data storage medium, a sensor coupled to the housing, and a microcontroller coupled to the sensor. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate information about the sensor. Other embodiments relate to a data storage cartridge comprising a housing configured to house a data storage medium, a cartridge memory coupled to the housing, the cartridge memory having a wireless communications interface, and a microcontroller in physical communication with the cartridge memory. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate information retrieved from the cartridge memory. Additional embodiments relate to a data storage cartridge comprising a mechanical write protect mechanism coupled to the housing of the data storage cartridge, an actuator coupled to the mechanical write protect mechanism for selectively changing a state of the mechanical write protect mechanism, and a microcontroller configured to control the actuator.

A recording system includes a reading part that reads information recorded on a first recording medium that is provided in a recording tape cartridge, of which recorded information is readable in a non-contact manner; and a recording part that records the information read by the reading part on a second recording medium of which recorded information is visually recognizable from the outside.