International Business Machines Corporation

Michael T Solan

Daniel James Winarski

Blair I Finkelstein

Chi H Dang

James J Dente

Marc Ethan Goldfeder

A headerless data storage format is implemented in a library environment. The header information, otherwise stored on the data storage media, is consolidated in one or more indices of the library, thus freeing the media from header information. To export an existing storage medium from the library, the storage medium is modified to include the previously missing header information and then ejected from the library; the medium is thus compatible, as a self-sufficient unit, with other libraries or standalone data storage drives. Conversely, to import a new storage medium containing data and interspersed header information, the medium is received into the library, whereupon the header information is removed from the medium and stored in the appropriate index.

Method for storing multiple files without header information and for

By adjusting the advancement rate of an optical data storage medium in response to the amount of data to be written, and operating a laser with a minimum amount of write laser power level for the particular advancement rate to achieve a desired level of write effectiveness, data signals are written to the optical medium with a minimum amount of power. Where the optical medium comprises an optical disk, choosing the rate of disk rotation selectively establishes the advancement rate. Similarly, where the optical medium comprises an optical tape, choosing the rate of tape advancement from source reel to take-up reel selectively establishes the advancement rate. Preferably, the advancement rate is increased or decreased depending upon whether a greater or lesser quantity or write length of data resides in a write queue. The invention may be implemented, for example, to provide a process, apparatus or program storage medium useful for laser storage of digital data signals to an optical data storage medium with minimal power consumption.

Optical storage drive employing variable write speed for reduced laser

The utilization of a level of a data storage hierarchy is monitored and the data in such level is manipulated in response thereto. In a data storage hierarchy including an automated storage library, the utilization is a mount rate relative to the maximum possible mount rate. When the combined utilization of all of the libraries exceeds a predetermined value, data is promoted from the most utilized library (or libraries) to a higher level in the data storage hierarchy until the combined utilization of all of the libraries is sufficiently reduced. By reducing the combined utilization of all of the libraries, the average queue time for library mount requests is prevented from becoming excessively long relative to the average library mount cycle time. When the difference between the utilization of the most utilized library and the least utilized library exceeds a predetermined value, data is passed from the most utilized library (or libraries) to the least utilized library (or libraries) until the difference is sufficiently reduced. By reducing the difference in utilization between the most and least utilized libraries, mount activity is evenly distributed among the libraries.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Michael T Solan