A method for providing enhanced readability of data written to a magnetic tape, includes the steps of (i) writing data to a first tape partition using a tape drive, the data being written under a first dimensional stability condition; (ii) monitoring an ambient dimensional stability condition with a condition monitor to determine if the ambient dimensional stability condition has moved at least a predetermined threshold value from the first dimensional stability condition toward a preferred dimensional stability condition; and (iii) replicating the data to a second tape partition with a data replicator when it has been determined that the ambient dimensional stability condition has moved at least the predetermined threshold value from the first dimensional stability condition toward the preferred dimensional stability condition.

The present disclosure generally relates to a tape head and a tape drive including a tape head. The tape head comprises a first same gap verify (SGV) head assembly comprising a first media facing surface (MFS) and a plurality of first write transducer and first read transducer pairs, and a second SGV head assembly comprising a second MFS and a plurality of second write transducer and second read transducer pairs. During operation, when a tape or magnetic media moves in a first direction over the tape head, the tape contacts the second MFS and is spaced from the first MFS, and when the tape moves in a second direction opposite the first direction over the tape head, the tape contacts the first MFS and is spaced from the second MFS. As such, the tape contacts only one edge of either the first or second MFS during operation.

A method for providing enhanced readability of data written to a magnetic tape, includes the steps of (i) writing data to a first tape partition using a tape drive, the data being written under a first dimensional stability condition; (ii) monitoring an ambient dimensional stability condition with a condition monitor to determine if the ambient dimensional stability condition has moved at least a predetermined threshold value from the first dimensional stability condition toward a preferred dimensional stability condition; and (iii) replicating the data to a second tape partition with a data replicator when it has been determined that the ambient dimensional stability condition has moved at least the predetermined threshold value from the first dimensional stability condition toward the preferred dimensional stability condition.

A tape apparatus includes a tape drive and a processor. The tape drive is configured to perform data reading and data writing on a magnetic tape in which a plurality of tracks are formed. The processor is configured to control the tape drive to perform data reading and data writing on the plurality of tracks in a first segment among a plurality of segments obtained by dividing the magnetic tape in a running direction. The processor is configured to reserve a first track of the plurality of tracks as a copy target upon determining that an abnormality occurs in the first segment on the first track. The processor is configured to instruct the tape drive to copy data recorded in the first segment on the first track to a second segment on the first track at a predetermined timing. The second segment is adjacent to the first segment.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a block having multiple skiving edges along a tape bearing surface thereof, and a guide mechanism configured to set a wrap angle of a tape approaching the skiving edge. A drive mechanism is configured to cause the tape to move over the block. The block has no transducer coupled directly thereto. A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes causing a magnetic recording tape to pass over a block having a skiving edge at a wrap angle of at least one degree for burnishing the tape, wherein the block has an average hardness of at least about 9 Mohs.

A method according to one embodiment includes instructing a drive to detect a written signal burst on a magnetic tape and stop movement of the tape in response to detecting the written signal burst. A search for a defect is conducted in a location proximate to the written signal burst. An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a plurality of detector structures positioned in an array. Each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material. A write transducer is aligned with each of the detector structures. A controller is configured to cause one of the write transducers to write a signal burst in response to the associated detector structure encountering a defect.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile storage medium (NVSM) having a plurality of data sectors and a plurality of reserve sectors. A map-out value is generated for each of a first plurality of the data sectors based on a read latency of each of the first plurality of data sectors, and when the map-out value of a first data sector in the first plurality of data sectors exceeds a threshold, a first logical block address (LBA) is mapped from the first data sector to a first reserve sector. When the map-out value of a second data sector in the first plurality of data sectors exceeds the map-out value of the first data sector, the first LBA is mapped from the first reserve sector back to the first data sector, and a second LBA is mapped from the second data sector to the first reserve sector.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile storage medium (NVSM) having a plurality of data sectors and a plurality of reserve sectors. A map-out value is generated for each of a first plurality of the data sectors based on a read latency of each of the first plurality of data sectors, and when the map-out value of a first data sector in the first plurality of data sectors exceeds a threshold, a first logical block address (LBA) is mapped from the first data sector to a first reserve sector. When the map-out value of a second data sector in the first plurality of data sectors exceeds the map-out value of the first data sector, the first LBA is mapped from the first reserve sector back to the first data sector, and a second LBA is mapped from the second data sector to the first reserve sector.

A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: receiving, from a tape drive, a first error location on a magnetic tape where a first error occurred, in addition to determining one or more areas on the magnetic tape to be examined based on the first error location. Independent of a read and/or write operation, the tape drive is instructed to induce relative motion between a tape head and the magnetic tape such that the tape head is positioned adjacent to each of the respective one or more areas in turn. Moreover, each of the one or more areas having a respective number of measured servo errors which exceeds a threshold value is identified as a damaged area of the magnetic tape.

A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are readable and/or executable by a processor to cause the processor to: determine, by the processor, a first error location on a magnetic tape where a first error occurred. One or more areas on the magnetic tape to be examined are also determined, by the processor, based on the first error location. Independent of a read and/or write operation, relative motion between a tape head and the magnetic tape is induced by the processor, such that the tape head is positioned adjacent to each of the one or more areas in turn. Moreover, each of the one or more areas having a respective number of measured servo errors which exceeds a threshold value are identified, by the processor, as a damaged area of the magnetic tape.