International Business Machines Corporation

Paul Merrill Greco

Glen Alan Jaquette

James Mitchell Karp

Hirokazu Nakayama

Hiroshi Itagaki

Brian Gerard Goodman

Scott Jeffrey Schaffer

Leonard George Jesionowski

Kirby Grant Dahman

Kevin Dale Butt

Melanie Jean Sandberg

Steven Michael Wallace

Mark Alfred Lantz

Robert Beverley Basham

Shai Halevi

Paul Joseph Seger

Toshiyuki Shiratori

Slavisa Sarafijanovic

Hironobu Nagura

Thomas R Albrecht

Ernest Stewart Gale

Takashi Katagiri

Eiji Ogura

Kevin Bruce Judd

Terue Watanabe

Randy Clark Inch

Pamela Ruth Nylander-Hill

Timothy James Hahn

Erika Dawson

George G Zamora

Steven Ross Bentley

David Michael Davis

Ralph Thomas Beeston

Vinodh Venkatesan

Wayne Erwin Rhoten

Allen Ronald Cox

John Ray Blair

Michael L Taylor

Michael Ray Noel

Aaron S Palazzolo

Dale A Christiansen

Satoshi Tohji

Ahmed M Almoustafa

An Thien Tran

Toshimi Ataku

Tajashi Katagiri

Yuhjo Mori

Glen Alan Jacquette

Glen Alan Jauette

Cory Grix Smith

A method for characterizing a magnetic recording tape, according to one approach, includes measuring, using a magnetic head having servo readers of known pitch, a servo band difference at various locations along a length of a magnetic recording tape. The servo band difference measurements and/or derivatives thereof are stored in association with the magnetic recording tape. This procedure creates a characterization of the magnetic recording tape that is useful for assessing aging of the magnetic recording tape, as well as improving subsequent reading and/or writing operations.

Management of head and media dimensional stability

A method for data storage tape access ordering is provided. The method receives an order request for accessing a plurality of data segments stored on a data storage tape. Each data segment is defined by segment characteristics. The method identifies a number of data segments within the plurality of data segments in the order request. The method determines an order model based on the number of data segments and the segment characteristics of the plurality of data segments. The method generates an access order for the plurality of data segments based on the order model and retrieves a subset of data segments from the data storage tape based on the access order.

Group-based tape storage access ordering

A method for data storage tape access optimization is provided. The method identifies a plurality of data segments stored on a data storage tape. Each segment having a location and a size on the data storage tape. The method determines a subset of data segments stored on the data storage tape selected for retrieval. The method determines an access order for the subset of data segments. The access order represents a minimized tape cycle time for retrieving the subset of data segments. The method retrieves the subset of data segments from the data storage tape based on the access order.

Access ordering for tape cycle optimization

A method, system, and computer program product are provided for utilizing target of opportunity to perform at least one special operation while a key session is opened with a key manager for another purpose. The method of recognizing a target of opportunity includes receiving a command to be performed on a removable storage medium and determining if the command requires interaction with the encryption key manager. If it is determined that the command requires interaction with the key manager the command is held off. A request is sent to the encryption key manager. A target of opportunity is recognized by determining if at least one special operation may be performed. If it is determined that at least one special operation may be performed then the at least one special operation and the request are performed.

Target of opportunity recognition during an encryption related process

A system and computer program product are provided for utilizing target of opportunity to perform at least one special operation while a removable storage medium is mounted within a data storage drive for another purpose. The system comprises a tape library and a tape drive coupled to the tape library. The tape library receives a command to mount a tape cartridge in the tape drive. If it is determined by the tape library that at least one special operation may be performed, then tape library has recognized that a target of opportunity exists. 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. In response to the tape drive performing the at least one special operation, the tape library sends a second notification that the tape drive is in a ready state or an error state.

Automated data storage library with target of opportunity recognition

Disclosed is a method for eliminating access to data on removable storage media of a removable storage media cartridge. A key is stored on the removable storage media cartridge, such that data on the removable storage media is accessible with the key. Upon receiving a command to eliminate access to data on the removable storage media the key is shredded such that access to data on the removable storage media is eliminated.

Bulk data erase utilizing an encryption technique

Provided is a data storage drive for encrypting data, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a session key, wherein a result is a data key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium. Also provided is a system, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a private key, wherein a result is a secret key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium.

Key encryption and decryption

Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for cryptographic erasure of selected encrypted data are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, data files are configured with a derived key. The derived keys adapted to be individually shredded in a subsequent erasure operation. The derived key allows for cryptographic erasure of the selected encrypted data in the data files without necessitating at least one of removal and rewrite of retained data. Additional system and computer program product embodiments are disclosed and provide related advantages.

Cryptographic erasure of selected encrypted data

Records and filemarks read from data segments are aggregated into at least one single data segment. The records and the filemarks are reorganized and restructured in the single data segment such that buffer utilization is improved.

Tape drive buffer utilization

A system and computer program product are provided for utilizing target of opportunity to perform at least one special operation while a removable storage medium is mounted within a data storage drive for another purpose. The system for recognizing a target of opportunity comprises a tape drive. The tape drive receives a command to mount a tape cartridge in the tape drive, and in response the tape drive mounts the tape cartridge in the tape drive. The tape drive determines if at least one special operation may be performed. If it is determined that at least one special operation may be performed, the tape drive recognizes that a target of opportunity exists. In response to determining that at least one special operation may be performed, the tape drive sends a first notification that the tape drive is to remain in a not ready state. The tape drive performs the at least one special operation, and in response to performing the at least one special operation, the tape drive sends a second notification that the tape drive is in a ready state or an error state.

Data storage drive with target of opportunity recognition

A method for determining volume coherency is disclosed herein. Upon completing a first write job to a volume partition, the method makes a copy of a volume change reference (VCR) value associated with the volume. The VCR value is configured to change in a non-repeating manner each time content on the volume is modified. Prior to initiating a second write job to the volume partition, the method retrieves the copy and compares the copy to the VCR value. If the copy matches the VCR value, the method determines that a logical object on the partition was not modified between the first and second write jobs. If the copy does not match the VCR value, the method determines that the logical object on the partition was modified between the first and second write jobs. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Volume coherency verification for sequential-access storage media

A label corresponding to a cryptographic key is stored at a first computational device. A user provided label is received at a second computational device. The user provided label is sent from the second computational device to the first computational device. The user provided label is compared to the label stored at the first computational device. The cryptographic key is used to perform cryptographic operations on data, in response to determining that the user provided label matches the label stored at the first computational device.

Validation of encryption key

A plurality of fuses are arranged in pairs and configured such that each pair of fuses represents a data bit when one fuse of the pair is blown; represents an un-programmed bit when no fuse of the pair is blown; and represents a zero-ized bit when both fuses of the pair are blown. A fuse programming system programs the fuses of the pairs such that each pair represents a bit, comprising blowing a first fuse of a pair to represent a '1' bit, blowing a second fuse of a pair to represent a '0' bit, and blowing both fuses of a pair to represent a zero-ized pair, whereby if neither fuse of a pair is blown represents a null, un-programmed bit.

Paired programmable fuses

A non-volatile redundant verifiable indication of data storage status is provided with respect to data storage operations conducted with respect to removable data storage media, and store the indication with an auxiliary non-volatile memory of the data storage media, such that the indication stays with the media. At least one state value indicating the status of the data storage operation is written to one page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory, and a redundancy check is provided with respect to at least the written state value of the one page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory; and the same state value is written to a second page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory, and a redundancy check is provided with respect to at least the written state value of the second page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory. The redundancy checks indicate the validity of the state values.

Non-volatile redundant verifiable indication of data storage status

A method is provided for utilizing target of opportunity to perform at least one special operation while a removable storage medium is mounted within a data storage drive for another purpose. A target of opportunity is recognized by determining if at least one special operation may be performed by the data storage drive. If it is determined that at least one special operation may be performed then a first notification that the data storage drive is to remain in a not ready state is sent in response. At least one special operation is performed, and in response to the at least one special operation being performed, a second notification is sent that the removable storage medium is in a ready state or an error state.

Target of opportunity in an automated data storage library

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Paul Merrill Greco