A tape appliance includes first and second tape guide components. The tape path includes a first path portion between a tape supply reel and the first guide component, a second path portion between a tape take-up reel and the second guide component, and a joining path portion between the first and second guide components. When tape travel is in the first longitudinal direction, a first tape head module engages the tape along one of the first or second tape path portions, and a second tape head module engages the tape along the joining path portion, such that the first tape head module is the leading module. When the tape travel is in the reverse direction, the first tape head module is positioned to engage the tape along the other of the first or second tape path portions, such that the first tape head module remains the leading module.

A computer-implemented method for indexing a tape for unmounting from a tape drive. The computer-implemented method includes: receiving a request to unmount the tape from the tape drive, wherein the tape includes an index partition and a data partition, determining that an update to the tape is not reflected in any data index written in the data partition, appending a new data index at the end of the last written data file in the data partition, wherein the new data index includes information associated with the update to the tape, unthreading the tape from the tape drive, wherein unthreading the tape from the tape drive is performed at low tension writing a metadata index to an ancillary storage device, wherein the metadata index includes information associated with the update to the tape.

A computer-implemented method for indexing a tape for unmounting from a tape drive. The computer-implemented method includes: receiving a request to unmount the tape from the tape drive, wherein the tape includes an index partition and a data partition, determining that an update to the tape is not reflected in any data index written in the data partition, appending a new data index at the end of the last written data file in the data partition, wherein the new data index includes information associated with the update to the tape, unthreading the tape from the tape drive, wherein unthreading the tape from the tape drive is performed at low tension writing a metadata index to an ancillary storage device, wherein the metadata index includes information associated with the update to the tape.

A cleaning mechanism is provided with an arm and a drive unit. The arm includes: a holder having a shape that allows a magnetic tape touching a magnetic head to be separated from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension; and a cleaning unit that can be brought into contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head. The drive unit drives the arm to separate the magnetic tape touching the magnetic head from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension, and drives the arm so that the cleaning unit comes in contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head.

A cleaning mechanism is provided with an arm and a drive unit. The arm includes: a holder having a shape that allows a magnetic tape touching a magnetic head to be separated from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension; and a cleaning unit that can be brought into contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head. The drive unit drives the arm to separate the magnetic tape touching the magnetic head from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension, and drives the arm so that the cleaning unit comes in contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head.

A cleaning mechanism is provided with an arm and a drive unit. The arm includes: a holder having a shape that allows a magnetic tape touching a magnetic head to be separated from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension; and a cleaning unit that can be brought into contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head. The drive unit drives the arm to separate the magnetic tape touching the magnetic head from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension, and drives the arm so that the cleaning unit comes in contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head.

A cleaning mechanism is provided with an arm and a drive unit. The arm includes: a holder having a shape that allows a magnetic tape touching a magnetic head to be separated from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension; and a cleaning unit that can be brought into contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head. The drive unit drives the arm to separate the magnetic tape touching the magnetic head from the magnetic head without wearing the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is under tension, and drives the arm so that the cleaning unit comes in contact with the contact surface of the magnetic head that was touching the magnetic tape while the magnetic tape is separate from the magnetic head.

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 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 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.