Allocation of data storage drives of an automated data storage library

Patent 6636778 Issued on October 21, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 10, 2021. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Application

No. 09/948627 filed on 09/10/2001

US Classes:

700/214, Article storing, retrieval, or arrangement (e.g., warehousing, automated library)360/98.01, Plural disks369/178.01, Access of multiple storage elements (e.g., record changer)369/30.06, Plural storage medium elements (e.g., "juke box")369/30.28, Plural storage medium elements700/225, Having an identification code711/112Direct access storage device (DASD)

Examiners

Primary: Tran, Khai

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Holcombe; John H.

International Class

G06F 7/00 (20060101)

Abstract

Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider, upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool.