Media drive module and storage library system
View Patent ↗In one exemplary embodiment a storage library system for storing and retrieving media devices is provided where media drives may be added modularly to the storage library. The storage library includes at least one media drive module having a frame configured to include at least one media drive, a power supply, and interface communication electronics. The drive module may further include optional data path bridge/control electronics. The storage library includes a housing having storage bins for storing storage cartridges, a mechanism for transferring storage cartridges, and an opening for receiving two or more media drive modules therein.
1. A storage library for storing storage devices, comprising:
a media drive module having a frame configured to support a media drive, a power supply, and interface communication electronics; and
a library housing having:
storage bins for storing storage devices,
a mechanism for transferring storage devices, and
an opening for receiving two or more media drive modules.
2. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes one or more slots for receiving a media drive.
3. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module is configured to include four media drives.
4. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module is configured to include two media drives.
5. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module is configured to include one media drive.
6. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module includes a media drive operable to receive and release a storage device.
7. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the storage devices include magnetic tape cartridges.
8. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive includes a magnetic tape drive.
9. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module includes one or more power supplies to support the maximum number of media drives that the media drive module may include.
10. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module includes interface communication electronics configured to communicate with a library controller.
11. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module includes data path bridge/control electronics.
12. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the library housing includes an open architecture for receiving the media drive module.
13. The storage library of claim 1 , wherein the media drive module does not include a mechanism for transferring storage devices.
14. A device for modularly adding one or more media drives in a storage library, comprising:
a frame configured to include one or more media drives, a power supply, and interface communication electronics, wherein
the frame includes at least one slot for receiving the one or more media drives, and
the frame is adapted for modular insertion within a storage library.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the frame is further configured to include optional data path bridge/control electronics.
16. The device of claim 14 , wherein the frame is configured to include two media drives.
17. The device of claim 14 , wherein the frame is configured to include four media drives.
18. The device of claim 14 , wherein the frame is configured to include one media drive.
19. The device of claim 14 , wherein the one or more media drives are operable to receive and release storage devices.
20. The device of claim 14 , wherein the storage devices include magnetic tape cartridges.
21. The device of claim 14 , wherein the one or more media drives includes a magnetic tape drive.
22. The device of claim 14 , wherein the frame includes one or more power supplies to support the maximum number of media drives that the frame may include.
23. The device of claim 14 , wherein the interface communication electronics are configured to be in communication with a library controller.
24. The device of claim 14 , wherein the frame further includes one or more slots for receiving the interface communication electronics.
25. The device of claim 14 , wherein the frame does not include a mechanism for transferring storage devices.
26. A method for including media drives in a storage library, comprising:
modularly adding a frame to a storage library housing, the frame configured to include a number of media drives, a power supply, and interface communications electronics, wherein
the frame includes at least one slot for receiving the number of drives, and
the power supply and the interface communication electronics are sufficient to support the number of drives.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the number of media drives is 4.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the number of media drives is 2.
29. The method of claim 26 , wherein the number of media drives is 1.
30. The method of claim 26 , wherein the media drives include magnetic tape drives.
31. The method of claim 26 , wherein the frame is configured to be added to an opening of a storage library system housing.
32. The method of claim 26 , wherein the frame is removable from the storage library housing.
33. The method of claim 26 , further including testing the operation of at least one of the media drives, the power supply, and the interface communication electronics when associated with the frame and before modularly adding the frame to the storage library housing.
34. A method for including media drives in a storage library, comprising:
modularly adding a frame to a storage library housing, the frame including a number of media drives, a power supply, and interface communications electronics, wherein the power supply and the interface communication electronics are sufficient to support the number of drives; and
testing the operation of one or more of the media drives, the power supply, and the interface communication electronics when included with the frame and prior to modularly adding the frame to the storage library housing.
35. A device for modularly adding one or more media drives to a storage library, comprising:
a frame including one or more media drives, a power supply, and interface communication electronics, wherein
the frame is adapted for modular addition to a storage library, and
the one or more media drives are powered by the power supply and function through the interface communication electronics remotely from the storage library.
36. The device of claim 35 , wherein the one or media drive are adapted to be tested through the interface communication electronics remotely from the storage library.