Horizontal pass-through for a data storage library

Abstract

Embodiments include systems and methods for providing throughput increase and / or physical expansion of a data storage library. Some embodiments include multiple robotic assemblies, each having its own hand assembly, which are electrically and mechanically integrated for concurrent use in a single storage library environment for increased throughput. Other embodiments include an active vertical pass-through assembly that operates to ferry cartridges from one storage library environment to another, vertically adjacent storage library environment. Some such embodiments use existing robotic mechanisms of the libraries to exploit a shared slot through which vertical pass-through functionality can be realized. Other embodiments include an active horizontal pass-through assembly that operates to ferry cartridges from one storage library environment to another, horizontally adjacent storage library environment. Some such embodiments include a separate robotic mechanism that couples with each library and actively passes a cartridge among them and is adjustable to varying spans between the libraries.

Description

FIELD[0001]Embodiments relate generally to data storage systems, and, more particularly, to scaling storage libraries by using multiple robotic assemblies and / or pass-throughs.BACKGROUND[0002]Storage library systems are often used by enterprises and the like to efficiently store and retrieve data from storage media. In the case of some storage libraries, the media are data cartridges (e.g., tape cartridges) that are typically stored and indexed within a set of magazines. When particular data is requested, a specialized robotic mechanism finds the appropriate cartridge, removes the cartridge from its magazine, and carries the cartridge to a drive that is designed to receive the cartridge and read its contents. Some storage libraries have multiple drives that can operate concurrently to perform input / output (IO) operations on multiple cartridges.[0003]One limitation of some such storage library systems is that the throughput of the system (e.g., how quickly data can be accessed) is at...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes systems and methods for increasing the throughput and physical expansion of a data storage library. The techniques involve using robotic assemblies to retrieve and ferry media cartridges between their slots and media drives. The patent describes both the use of multiple robotic assemblies in a single library and the use of a vertical pass-through assembly to connect two libraries in a vertically adjacent configuration. Additionally, the patent describes the use of an active horizontal pass-through assembly for transferring cartridges between adjacent libraries. The techniques described facilitate faster processing and higher throughput for data storage libraries.

Problems solved by technology

One limitation of some such storage library systems is that the throughput of the system (e.g., how quickly data can be accessed) is at least partly dependent on physical constraints relating to moving the robot, picking and placing cartridges, etc.

Another limitation of some such storage library systems is that a fixed number of cartridges fit in the library.

For example, if a library is intended to fit in half of a standard equipment rack, that overall footprint can drive the space available for cartridges, magazines, etc.

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