Archival data storage library
An archival data storage system library includes magnetic-recording disk media, a storage enclosure in which the media are housed, data storage devices (DSDs) configured to write to and read from the media, an automated disk handling mechanism configured to transfer at least some of the media between the storage enclosure and the DSD, and a hermetic enclosure containing the foregoing components. The storage system may further include a gas circulation system for filtering contaminants from the hermetic enclosure. Such a storage system may be implemented as a rack-mountable unit, or as an entire cleanroom facility, as well as in intermediate form factors between those. In the context of a cleanroom storage system, the system may further include an automated disk handling shuttle to receive the media from the disk handling mechanism and an automated disk loading mechanism for accessing the media from the shuttle for installing into the DSD.
1. A data storage system comprising:
a plurality of magnetic-recording disk media;
at least one disk storage enclosure in which the disk media are housed;
at least one data storage device (DSD) configured to write to and read from the disk media;
at least one automated disk handling mechanism configured to transfer at least some of the disk media between the disk storage enclosure and the at least one DSD;
a hermetic enclosure containing the disk media, the at least one disk storage enclosure, the at least one DSD, and the at least one disk handling mechanism;
an automated disk handling shuttle configured to receive the disk media from the disk handling mechanism; and
an automated disk loading mechanism to access the disk media from the disk handling shuttle and to install the disk media into the at least one DSD.
2. The data storage system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a gas circulation system configured to filter contaminants from the internal environment of the hermetic enclosure.
3. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein:
the disk storage enclosure comprises a container comprising a lid configured to open and close; and
the at least one automated disk handling mechanism is configured to open and close the lid of the container.
4. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the hermetic enclosure is configured as a cleanroom.
5. The data storage system of claim 1 ,
wherein:
the hermetic enclosure is configured as a cleanroom; and
each of a plurality of the disk handling mechanisms is configured to move between rows of a plurality of disk storage enclosures;
the data storage system further comprising:
wherein:
the automated disk handling shuttle is configured to move across the rows and to receive the disk media from the disk handling mechanisms; and
the automated disk loading mechanism is configured to access the disk media from the disk handling shuttle and to install the disk media into one or more of a plurality of DSDs.
6. The data storage system of claim 5 , wherein:
the plurality of disk storage enclosures are configured as disk cassettes configured to store a plurality of the disk media; and
each of the plurality of the disk handling mechanisms is configured to move between rows of shelves each housing a plurality of the disk cassettes;
the automated disk handling shuttle is configured to move across the rows of shelves and to receive one or more of the disk cassettes from the disk handling mechanisms; and
the automated disk loading mechanism is configured to access the disk media from the disk cassettes on the disk handling shuttle and to install the disk media into one or more of the plurality of DSDs.
7. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the hermetic enclosure is configured as a cleanroom, the data storage system further comprising:
at least one first service door positioned adjacent to and configured for use in replacing at least one DSD; and
at least one second service door configured for use in adding or removing disk media from the data storage system.
8. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one DSD comprises:
a DSD enclosure comprising an opening/closing mechanism; and
a seal configured for temporarily sealing the DSD enclosure during operation.
9. The data storage system of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more access means for accessing the hermetic enclosure.
10. The data storage system of claim 9 , wherein the access means are configured for a person entering and exiting the hermetic enclosure.
11. The data storage system of claim 9 , wherein the access means comprise a mechanism configured for inhibiting the introduction of external particles into the hermetic enclosure.
12. The data storage system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a seismic isolation system supporting the hermetic enclosure.
13. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one DSD comprises:
a spindle on which to rotatably mount the disk media;
a head slider housing a read-write transducer configured to read from and to write to the disk media; and
an actuator configured to move the head slider to access portions of the disk media.
14. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the hermetic enclosure is configured as a rack-mountable enclosure.
15. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the hermetic enclosure is configured as an equipment rack.
16. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the hermetic enclosure is configured as a group of operationally-integrated equipment racks.
17. The data storage system of claim 1 , wherein the hermetic enclosure is configured as a shipping container.
18. A method for operating an archival data storage library, the method comprising:
transferring, by an automated disk handling mechanism, magnetic-recording disk media between a disk storage enclosure in which the disk media are housed and at least one data storage device (DSD) configured to write to and read from the disk media;
hermetically enclosing, by a hermetic enclosure, the disk media, the disk storage enclosure, the at least one DSD, and the disk handling mechanism;
filtering, by a gas circulation system, contaminants from an internal environment of the hermetic enclosure;
receiving, by an automated disk handling shuttle, the disk media from the disk handling mechanism; and
loading, by an automated disk loading mechanism, the disk media from the disk handling shuttle and onto a disk spindle of the at least one DSD.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
engaging, with the disk media, a head slider housing a read-write transducer and an actuator configured to move the head slider to access portions of the disk media; and
reading, by the read-write transducer driven by the actuator, from the disk media.
20. A data storage system comprising:
a plurality of magnetic-recording disk media;
at least one disk storage enclosure in which the disk media are housed, the disk storage enclosure comprising a container comprising a lid configured to open and close;
at least one data storage device (DSD) configured to write to and read from the disk media;
at least one automated disk handling mechanism configured to open and close the lid of the container and to transfer at least some of the disk media between the disk storage enclosure and the at least one DSD; and
a hermetic enclosure containing the disk media, the at least one disk storage enclosure, the at least one DSD, and the at least one disk handling mechanism.