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.

A data storage device may have increased signal-to-noise ratio contact detection by employing a transducing head associated with a data storage medium each connected to a controller. The transducing head can have an alternating current heater excited to a first frequency for a first revolution of the data storage medium and to a different second frequency for a second revolution of the data storage medium. The second frequency may produce lateral transducing head motion as a result of physical contact of the transducing head with the data storage medium. The controller can issue a contact status in response to comparing a first plurality of position error signals logged during the first frequency to a second plurality of position error signals logged during the second frequency.

A cartridge memory is a cartridge memory used in a magnetic tape cartridge, including: an antenna unit; a storage unit that stores data; and a control unit that reads the data from the storage unit in response to a request from a recording/reproduction apparatus, adds an error correction code to the data, and transmits the obtained data via the antenna unit.

A cartridge memory is a cartridge memory used in a magnetic tape cartridge, including: an antenna unit; a storage unit that stores data; and a control unit that reads the data from the storage unit in response to a request from a recording/reproduction apparatus, adds an error correction code to the data, and transmits the obtained data via the antenna unit.

A computer-implemented method includes identifying a lower calibration target of a column of an automated tape library and identifying an upper calibration target of the column. The method includes calculating at least one slot position between the upper calibration target and the lower calibration target. For at least some of the calculated slot positions, the method includes performing a check including identifying an actual slot position corresponding to the calculated slot position. The actual slot position is located by a robotic accessor. The method includes comparing the calculated slot position to the corresponding identified actual slot position and determining whether the calculated slot position is within a predefined range of the corresponding identified actual slot position. The method includes outputting a result of the determination.

A computer-implemented method includes identifying a lower calibration target of a column of an automated tape library and identifying an upper calibration target of the column. The method includes calculating at least one slot position between the upper calibration target and the lower calibration target. For at least some of the calculated slot positions, the method includes performing a check including identifying an actual slot position corresponding to the calculated slot position. The actual slot position is located by a robotic accessor. The method includes comparing the calculated slot position to the corresponding identified actual slot position and determining whether the calculated slot position is within a predefined range of the corresponding identified actual slot position. The method includes outputting a result of the determination.

An apparatus for big data tape management tape cartridge management. The apparatus includes a tape gripper for storing one or more additional tape cartridges within a housing of the tape gripper, wherein the housing of the tape gripper includes a tape cartridge cache, where the tape cartridge cache is a modification to the housing of the tape gripper for holding the one or more additional tape cartridges stacked internally within the tape gripper, the tape cartridge cache is affixed to a bottom portion of the housing of the tape gripper, and the tape cartridge cache includes a plate, oriented above and centered to the tape cartridge cache, capable of being raised and lowered within the tape cartridge cache utilizing one or more springs mounted under the plate inside the tape cartridge cache.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to control writing operations to a magnetic recording tape. The apparatus further includes logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to write user data to the magnetic recording tape in a user data area of the magnetic recording tape. Furthermore, the logic is integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to create a housekeeping data set (HKDS) that includes location information for the user data written in the user data area, and write several copies of the HKDS in a non-user data area of the magnetic recording tape.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to control writing operations to a magnetic recording tape. The apparatus further includes logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to write user data to the magnetic recording tape in a user data area of the magnetic recording tape. Furthermore, the logic is integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to create a housekeeping data set (HKDS) that includes location information for the user data written in the user data area, and write several copies of the HKDS in a non-user data area of the magnetic recording tape.

A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drones is disclosed. The data storage system comprises a data storage library for reading and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, at least one drone vehicle, a processing device, and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to: receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location in the data storage library, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.