Abstract

The automated library system stores and retrieves media cartridges for an associated plurality of media drives. Within this system, a virtual robot is implemented to create multiple virtual media libraries within the single automated cartridge library system. This capability enables the use of a plurality of types of media within the single automated cartridge library and a corresponding plurality of drive elements within the library. Thus, each drive element has associated therewith a number of object storage locations within the library which contain media of a form and content that matches the drive element. The automated cartridge library system manages the correspondence between object storage location, media type, designated drive element in an automated manner such that the single library appears to the user as multiple independent libraries. This enables the user to transition to another media on an incremental basis, since a single drive element can be added to the library and associated media added as needed without displacing the embedded base of installed robotic media handling equipment or requiring significant modification to this equipment. Furthermore, the automated library system provides a media management capability to define media subsets media elements which have consistent mechanical and electrical characteristics, can vary in data management attributes.