International Business Machines Corporation

Jonathan Wade Ain

Craig Anthony Klein

Robert George Emberty

Jesus R Acevedo

Louie Arthur Dickens

Donald Eugene Denning

David Adam Sinclair

Steven J Buller

Peter Connley Lancaster

In one embodiment, a data storage system includes a source media library configured to send a message to a destination media library when a media cartridge from the source media library is sent to the destination media library using a media mobility unit (MMU), and/or a destination media library configured to receive a message from a source media library when a media cartridge from the source media library is sent to the destination media library using a MMU. In another embodiment, a method for transporting a media cartridge includes receiving one or more media cartridges from a source media library, storing the media cartridge(s) in a holding portion of a media mobility unit, sensing at least an approximate location of the media mobility unit, transporting the media cartridge(s) to a destination library; and transferring the media cartridge(s) from the MMU to the destination media library.

Media mobility unit (MMU) and methods of use thereof

In one embodiment, a media mobility unit includes a media cartridge holding portion configured to simultaneously store multiple media cartridges, a sensing mechanism for sensing at least an approximate location of the holding portion in relation to other objects, a drive mechanism for moving the holding portion from a source media library to a destination media library, and a power source electrically coupled to the sensing mechanism and/or the drive mechanism for providing current to the at least one of the drive mechanism and the sensing mechanism. In another embodiment, a method for transporting a media cartridge includes receiving one or more media cartridges from a source media library, storing the one or more media cartridges in a holding portion of a media mobility unit, sensing at least an approximate location of the media mobility unit, and transporting the one or more media cartridges to a destination library.

In one embodiment, a media mobility unit includes a media cartridge holding portion configured to simultaneously store multiple media cartridges, a sensing mechanism for sensing at least an approximate location of the holding portion in relation to other objects, a drive mechanism for moving the holding portion from a source media library to a destination media library, and a power source electrically coupled to at least one of the sensing mechanism and the drive mechanism for providing current to the at least one of the drive mechanism and the sensing mechanism. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more media cartridges from a source media library, storing the one or more media cartridges in a holding portion of a media mobility unit, sensing at least an approximate location of the media mobility unit, and transporting the one or more media cartridges to a destination media library.

Aspects of the present invention relate to use of a MMU. In one embodiment, a method for transporting a media cartridge includes receiving one or more media cartridges from a source media library, storing the one or more media cartridges in a holding portion of a media mobility unit, sensing at least an approximate location of the media mobility unit, and transporting the one or more media cartridges to a destination media library. Additional embodiments are also presented.

Methods of use of a media mobility unit (MMU)

In one embodiment, a media mobility unit includes a media cartridge holding portion for storing media cartridges, a sensing mechanism for sensing at least an approximate location of the holding portion in relation to other objects, a drive mechanism for moving the holding portion from a source media library to a destination media library, and a power source electrically coupled to at least one of the sensing mechanism and the drive mechanism for providing current to the at least one of the drive mechanism and the sensing mechanism.

Data storage system using a media mobility unit (MMU), the MMU, and methods of use thereof

A transceiver test module and method for testing an optical transceiver. An optical wrap interconnects the optical transmitter and optical receiver of an optical transceiver. A processor system reads information from an optical transceiver; provides a signal to the optical transceiver to operate the optical transceiver to transmit a signal at the optical transmitter, which is received via the optical wrap; detects diagnostic information from the optical transceiver for errors of the optical transceiver; and determines the rated speed of the optical transceiver from the read information. Operation of the optical transceiver at the rated speed is verified by the diagnostic information.

Transceiver test module employing an optical wrap

Provided are a method, system, and device for signaling a reconnection inhibitor over a bus to cause the reconnection inhibitor to access the bus to inhibit an Input/Output (I/O) controller from accessing the bus. An initiator transmits I/O requests on the bus to the I/O controller, wherein the I/O requests are queued in an I/O queue, wherein the I/O controller is inhibited by the reconnection inhibitor from draining the queue while the initiator transmits requests to the I/O controller.

Method, system, and program for building a queue to test a device

A system and method for measuring data transmission activity through a port of a switch device interconnecting nodes of a storage area network, the port transmitting data as words of predetermined length, one data word indicating idle port activity. The method includes steps of: counting a number of transmitted words received from the port in a first counter device; and, for each word counted, comparing that word with a predetermined word indicating no (idle) port transmission activity. In response to the comparing, a number of matches are counted in a second counter device. In this manner, a ratio of a number of counted matches with a total amount of words counted indicates available bandwidth for transmitting additional data over that link. Preferably, this value is communicated to a processor device for controlling bandwidth over the link.

Available bandwidth detector for SAN switch ports

A system and method for measuring data transmission activity through a port of a switch device interconnecting nodes of a storage area network, the port transmitting data as words of predetermined length, one data word indicating idle port activity. The method includes steps of: counting a number of transmitted words received from the port in a first counter device; and, for each word counted, comparing that word with a predetermined word indicating no (idle) port transmission activity. In response to the comparing, a number of matches are counted in a second counter device. In this manner, a ratio of a number of counted matches with a total amount of words counted indicates available bandwidth for transmitting additional data over that link. Preferably, this available bandwidth information is included in a link state record that the switch communicates to other switch devices interconnecting that link. Processing devices at the switches determine a link cost factor, based on the available bandwidth of that link and, in addition, the link speed, the cost factor being used to optimize path selection over links in the network according to a path routing algorithm.

System and method for selecting fibre channel switched fabric frame paths

A command accumulation tool, a testing tool for a queue, and a method, are provided, which, for example, may cause commands to accumulate in queue(s). In one embodiment, a testing tool comprises an I/O interface for connecting with a target having the queue(s); and an I/O interface for connecting with initiator(s). Trigger logic intercepts a predetermined response at the target I/O interface from a target to an initiator with respect to a command of the initiator, and asserts a trigger signal. Outbound logic responds to the trigger signal, providing a reject and retry response at the target I/O interface for the target with respect to the response from the target, whereby a timeout timer for the command of the initiator is stopped for the queue(s). The outbound logic additionally conducts flow control with respect to the target at the target I/O interface.

Command accumulation tool

A method and system including apparatus for detecting and blocking an invalid request to a target wherein fiber channels interconnect the data processing configuration. A request made from a hub such as a fabric switch to an internal fiber channel arbitrated loop is blocked by substituting IDLE characters for the frames of data included with the request. The substitution of IDLE signals can also occur within an internal fiber channel arbitrated loop system where access is blocked to a confidential data storage system. If the request is legitimate, the data frames are passed to the target and the requested data is transmitted back to the requester. If the request is refused as being an unauthorized request, the data frames are replaced with IDLE characters and no transfer of confidential data occurs.

Fiber channel address blocking

A secure communication circuit for use with a data communication interconnect adapter and method of operation thereof. The secure communication circuit includes a first data buffer coupled to a data input terminal, an encoder/decoder coupled to the first data buffer, a second data buffer coupled to the encoder/decoder and a switching device coupled to a data output terminal. The switching device is couplable to either the first or second data buffers. A controller, coupled to the (switching device, selectively connects the switching device to the first or second data buffers. In a related embodiment, the secure communication circuit further includes a first serializer/deserializer (SERDES) coupled to the data input and a second SERDES coupled to the switching device.

Circuit and method for providing secure communication over data communication interconnects

An automatic enable and disable system and method for a computer interfaced device linkable to an external computer system. Communication occurs when a computer interfaced device has been latched to and inserted into or unlatched and about to be removed from the external computer system. A sensor is coupled to a controller of the computer interfaced device, and a sensor component is coupled to a cam mechanism or other such component of the computer interfaced device. The sensor component is engagable to and disengagable from the sensor. The sensor senses engaging and disengaging of the sensor component respectively thereto and therefrom as the cam mechanism or such component is latched and unlatched. Latching of the cam mechanism or such component and the computer interfaced device is communicated to the external computer system when the sensor component is engaged to the sensor. Unlatching of the cam mechanism or such component and the fact that the computer interfaced device is about to be removed from the external computer system is communicated to the external computer system when the sensor component is disengaged from the sensor. A non-maskable interrupt is used to couple the sensor to the controller which is in communications with the external computer system. The sensor component is a magnet, light passage blocker, or mechanical sensor component, and the sensor is a hall-effect sensor, an optical sensor, or a mechanical sensor.

Auto enable/disable system and method for computer interfaced devices

An improved system and method for extending interface communications for a SCSI. The system and method provides SCSI extenders that are able to extend SCSI communications over relatively long distances between at least two SCSI interfaces while also being fast and efficient in operation and inexpensive in implementation. The present system and method reduces latency, buffering, error recovery code, and other such additional hardware and software. SCSI signals are received from one SCSI interface, and the SCSI signals from the one SCSI interface are parallel loaded into a parallel register. The SCSI signals from the one SCSI interface are serialized into serial data, and the serial data from the parallel register is transmitted over an optical communication system. The transmitted serial data is converted back to the SCSI signals that were originally from the one SCSI interface. The SCSI signals that were originally from the one SCSI interface are received by and shifted into a data management and driver system, and the data management and driver system is used to manage and drive the SCSI signals from the one SCSI interface to another SCSI interface. The same system and methodology is applied to extend communications in both directions between the at least two SCSI interfaces. The data management and driver system arbitrates, selects, and drives SCSI signals from one SCSI interface to another SCSI interface. The data management and driver system includes a receive serial shift register and a driver logic device.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Jonathan Wade Ain