Magnetic tape library device, magnetic tape cartridge optimization method, and program thereof

Abstract

To provide a magnetic tape library device that can avoid abnormality detection in host devices, such as backup software, during optimization processing of a magnetic tape cartridge, to allow processing in the host device to continue.SOLUTION: A magnetic tape library device includes control means for notifying a host device in response to a query that a slot is inaccessible, and performing the optimization of a magnetic tape cartridge at a magnetic tape drive detached from the host device, if it is determined from read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is required, after reading the information from the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge inserted into the slot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a magnetic tape library device, a magnetic tape cartridge optimization method, and a program therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] The rapid increase in cold data, which is data that is accessed infrequently, has led to a need for magnetic tape with larger capacity, higher density, and higher reliability. For example, the ninth generation LTO (Linear Tape-Open) cartridge requires an optimization operation to automatically run the tape and measure the tape's characteristics when it is first loaded into a magnetic tape drive, in order to improve the accuracy of writing and reading to the magnetic tape through its higher density. This optimization operation usually takes about 40 minutes, but can take up to two hours.

[0003] When a magnetic tape cartridge is inserted into a magnetic tape library device, the magnetic tape library device first inventoryes the magnetic tape cartridge, and then the backup software, recognizing that the magnetic tape cartridge has been inserted, performs an inventory. Here, "inventory" refers to checking and recording the specifications, usage status, etc. of the magnetic tape cartridge. At this time, the magnetic tape library device, in response to instructions from the backup software, transports the magnetic tape cartridge to the magnetic tape drive and loads it. If this is the first time the magnetic tape cartridge has been used, the optimization process begins, and it takes time for the loading to complete, resulting in a timeout on the backup software side, which may be recognized as an abnormality in the magnetic tape library device, magnetic tape drive, or magnetic tape cartridge.

[0004] Therefore, when inserting a magnetic tape cartridge into a magnetic tape library device, even if the backup software is running, the user must disconnect the magnetic tape library device from the backup software by stopping the upper server / backup software or putting the magnetic tape library device offline, and then perform an optimization operation by inserting one cartridge at a time or by using the automatic transport function of the magnetic tape library device, before the backup software can recognize the cartridge.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a cassette exchange device analyzes whether or not the cassettes will be able to be located in time, and separates any cassettes that will not be able to be located in time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-187085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The cassette exchange device described in Patent Document 1 is a technology for separating cassettes related to cueing for video tapes and audio cassettes used in TV broadcasting stations, and is not designed for inventory by backup software. Therefore, it cannot avoid abnormality detection due to timeouts in host devices such as backup software when optimizing magnetic tape cartridges.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic tape library device, a magnetic tape cartridge optimization method, and a program therefor that solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A magnetic tape library device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control means that reads information from the cartridge memory of a magnetic tape cartridge inserted into a slot, and when it determines from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, notifies a host device in response to an inquiry that the slot is inaccessible, and optimizes the magnetic tape cartridge in a magnetic tape drive that is disconnected from the host device.

[0010] A magnetic tape cartridge optimization method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a computer that reads information from the cartridge memory of a magnetic tape cartridge inserted into a slot, and if it determines from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, notifies a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimizes the magnetic tape cartridge in a magnetic tape drive that is disconnected from the host device.

[0011] A program for optimizing a magnetic tape cartridge according to one aspect of the present disclosure reads information from the cartridge memory of a magnetic tape cartridge inserted into a slot, and if it determines from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, notifies a host device in response to an inquiry that the slot is inaccessible, and causes a computer to optimize the magnetic tape cartridge in a magnetic tape drive disconnected from the host device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the above aspect, during optimization processing of a magnetic tape cartridge, abnormality detection in a host device such as backup software can be avoided, and processing in the host device can be continued. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a magnetic tape library device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operations of each device and the exchange of information during backup processing. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an inventory operation performed by a magnetic tape library device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an optimization operation performed by the magnetic tape library device. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a magnetic tape library device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a magnetic tape library device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and common descriptions will be omitted.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a magnetic tape library device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic tape library device 301 is composed of a magnetic tape device control unit 309, slots (magazines) 304, an accessor 305, and a magnetic tape drive 308. The slots 304 are shelves for storing magnetic tape cartridges 302, and the magazines are removable. The magnetic tape cartridges 302 each have a built-in cartridge memory (CM) 303 that records information specific to the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape drive 308 reads from and writes to the magnetic tape cartridge 302. The magnetic tape drive 308 also includes a CM reader / writer for reading from and writing to the CM 303 of the magnetic tape cartridge 302. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which there are two magnetic tape drives 308. The accessor 305 transports the magnetic tape cartridge 302 between the slots 304 and the magnetic tape drive 308. The accessor 305 also includes a CM reader 306 for reading the CM 303 of the magnetic tape cartridge 302, and a barcode reader 307 for reading a barcode attached to the magnetic tape cartridge 302. The magnetic tape device control unit 309 includes a drive communication unit 310, an accessor control unit 311, and an internal device information management unit 312, and controls the entire device. The drive communication unit 310 acquires the status of the magnetic tape drive 308, etc. The accessor control unit 311 controls the transportation of the magnetic tape cartridge 302 of the accessor 305. The internal device information management unit 312 manages the number of cartridges, etc. in the magnetic tape library device 301, and stores information for management.

[0016] Next, the operation of the backup process in the magnetic tape library device 301 will be described. In this disclosure, the host device is a backup device related to backup software, and the backup process will be described as an example of a time-consuming process in the host device. In the following, the backup device will be simply referred to as the backup software.

[0017] 2 is a diagram showing the operation of each device and the exchange of information between devices during backup processing. Note that the operation and processing of the device described as a "magnetic tape library device" in FIG. 2 is performed by a magnetic tape device control unit 309.

[0018] When a magnetic tape cartridge 302 is inserted into the magnetic tape library device 301 (step 201), the magnetic tape device control unit 309 performs an inventory to determine which slot 304 the magnetic tape cartridge 302 is stored in (step 202).

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an inventory operation by the magnetic tape library device 301. The accessor control unit 311 moves the accessor 305 in front of the slot 304, and the barcode reader 307 of the accessor 305 checks whether or not a magnetic tape cartridge 302 is present (step 401). A barcode is attached to the magnetic tape cartridge at a predetermined position, and the magnetic tape device control unit 309 checks whether or not the magnetic tape cartridge 302 is present based on whether or not the barcode can be read. If the cartridge is present (step 402: Yes), the CM reader 306 mounted on the accessor 305 reads information from the cartridge memory (CM) 303 in the magnetic tape cartridge 302. The magnetic tape device control unit 309 checks from this information whether or not the cartridge requires optimization (step 404). If optimization is necessary (step 404: Yes), the magnetic tape device control unit 309 records a value indicating that the slot is inaccessible in the device information management unit 312 (step 405). On the other hand, if optimization is not required (step 404: No), the magnetic tape device control unit 309 records a value indicating that the slot can be accessed in the device information management unit 312 (step 406). The magnetic tape device control unit 309 continues checking each slot until checking all slots is complete (step 407).

[0020] Returning to FIG. 2, after the magnetic tape library device 301 completes the inventory, the magnetic tape library device control unit 309 responds to a status check command for the magnetic tape library device 301 periodically sent from the backup software by returning a "Not Ready to Ready" status indicating that the inventory has been completed, along with slot accessibility information recorded in the device information management unit 312 (step 203). The magnetic tape device control unit 309 then uses the magnetic tape drive 308 to optimize the magnetic tape cartridge 302 in the slot indicated as inaccessible because it requires optimization (step 204). During the optimization, the backup software performs backup processing using the magnetic tape cartridge 302 in the accessible slot (step 205). Note that in FIG. 2, the two magnetic tape drives 308 are identified by "#1" and "#2," and an example is shown in which optimization processing is performed by magnetic tape drive 308 "#2" and backup processing is performed by magnetic tape drive 308 "#1."

[0021] The optimization operation by the magnetic tape library device 301 will now be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the optimization operation by the magnetic tape library device 301. The magnetic tape device control unit 309 checks whether or not there is a magnetic tape cartridge 302 that needs optimization based on the information recorded in the device information management unit 312 during the inventory operation shown in FIG. 3 (step 501). If there is a magnetic tape cartridge 302 that needs optimization (step 501: Yes), the magnetic tape device control unit 309 transitions the magnetic tape drive 308 that is not being used by the backup software to a forced Not Ready mode by a command (step 502). In this mode, the magnetic tape device control unit 309 always returns a Not Ready status in response to a command from the backup software. In other words, even if a magnetic tape cartridge 302 is present in the magnetic tape drive 308, the magnetic tape library device 301 will return a No Magnetic Tape Cartridge status, allowing the magnetic tape library device 301 to exclusively use this magnetic tape drive 308.

[0022] In this state, the magnetic tape device control unit 309 uses the drive communication unit 310 and the accessor control unit 311 to transport the magnetic tape cartridge 302 that requires optimization to the magnetic tape drive 308 that has been set to Not Ready mode, and performs optimization. After optimization is complete, the magnetic tape device control unit 309 updates the information in (CM) 303 of the magnetic tape cartridge 302 to indicate that optimization is not required. The magnetic tape device control unit 309 also controls the magnetic tape cartridge 302, for which optimization has been completed, to be returned to its original slot (step 503). When the necessary optimization for the magnetic tape cartridge 302 is completed, the magnetic tape device control unit 309 rewrites the slot that contains the magnetic tape cartridge 302 for which optimization has been completed to be accessible. The magnetic tape device control unit 309 also responds to a status check command periodically sent from the backup software with Not Ready to Ready (status has changed) (step 504). If there are other magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization (step 505: No), the magnetic tape device control unit 309 repeats the processes of steps 504 and 505 for the magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization.

[0023] After completing the optimization process for all magnetic tape cartridges 302 that require optimization (step 505: Yes), the magnetic tape device control unit 309 returns the magnetic tape drive 308 that was in Not Ready mode to normal mode (step 506). This allows the backup software to use the magnetic tape drive 308. Note that it may take some time for optimization of all magnetic tape cartridges to be completed. For this reason, by returning a Not Ready to Ready response each time optimization is completed for each magnetic tape cartridge 302, the backup software is notified that the magnetic tape cartridges are available for use in the order that they become available.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 2, if the backup software recognizes a usable magnetic tape cartridge in the Not Ready to Ready response (step 206), it will be able to use that magnetic tape cartridge from the next backup process (step 207).

[0025] As described above, before the backup software recognizes that a magnetic tape cartridge 302 has been inserted into the magnetic tape library device 301, the magnetic tape library device 301 checks whether optimization of the inserted magnetic tape cartridge 302 is necessary. If optimization is necessary, the device automatically performs optimization and then notifies the backup software that a magnetic tape cartridge has been inserted. This allows optimization to be performed automatically in the background without stopping the processing of the backup software.

[0026] Furthermore, when the magnetic tape library device 301 performs an inventory, it determines whether optimization is necessary from the information recorded in the cartridge memory (CM) 303, and keeps magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization in a state where they cannot be used by the backup software until the optimization is complete. This prevents abnormalities from occurring in the backup software. In addition, by performing the optimization operation for magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization in the background using a magnetic tape drive 308 that is separated from the host device, it is possible to continue processing the backup software without disconnecting the magnetic tape library device from the host server.

[0027] It is possible that the magnetic tape library device 301 has only one magnetic tape drive 308, or that there are multiple magnetic tape drives but all of them are being used by the backup software. In such cases, a time period during which backup is not performed can be set in advance via the operator panel or Web-GUI of the magnetic tape library device 301, and the device can perform optimization operations during that time. Also, the magnetic tape library device can learn the time periods when it is not being used for backup and automatically perform optimization operations during those time periods.

[0028] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, backup processing has been described as an example of time-consuming processing by a higher-level device, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0029] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a magnetic tape library device 301 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic tape library device 301 includes a control unit 21. The control unit 21 reads information from the cartridge memory of a magnetic tape cartridge inserted into a slot, and when it determines from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, it notifies a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimizes the magnetic tape cartridge in a magnetic tape drive that is disconnected from the host device.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a magnetic tape library device 301. The hardware configuration of a magnetic tape device control unit 309 of the magnetic tape library device 301 includes a CPU 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, and a storage device 14. The ROM 13 and the storage device 14 store programs and information for implementing the functions of the magnetic tape library device 301. The RAM 12 is used as a work area for temporarily storing data used by the CPU 11 and other devices during operation. The magnetic tape library device 301 may also include an access port 16 from a host device to the magnetic tape drive 308, as well as input / output ports and communication ports 15 for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and display device. The ROM 13 may be configured as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or the like, and the storage device 14 may be configured as a hard disk, SSD, or the like, and the computer programs for implementing the functions of the magnetic tape library device 301 may be updated in the ROM 13 or the storage device 14.

[0031] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0032] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0033] (Appendix 1) It reads information from the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge inserted into the slot, If it is determined from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, a notification is sent to a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed in a magnetic tape drive separated from the host device. control means, A magnetic tape library device comprising:

[0034] (Appendix 2) the control means forcibly places a magnetic tape drive that is not being used by the host device into a Not Ready mode, thereby disconnecting the magnetic tape drive from the host device. 2. A magnetic tape library device according to claim 1.

[0035] (Appendix 3) When optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the control means transfers the magnetic tape cartridge for which optimization has been completed to the slot, and notifies the host device in response to an inquiry after the transfer that the slot to which the cartridge has been transferred is accessible. 3. A magnetic tape library device according to claim 2.

[0036] (Appendix 4) When the optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the control means switches the magnetic tape drive to a normal mode, thereby completing the disconnection from the host device. 4. A magnetic tape library device according to claim 3.

[0037] (Appendix 5) When there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, the control means maintains the state in which the magnetic tape drive is disconnected from the host device until optimization of all of the magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive. 5. A magnetic tape library device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0038] (Appendix 6) When there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, the control means sequentially optimizes the magnetic tape cartridges in the magnetic tape drive separated from the host device, transfers the magnetic tape cartridges for which optimization has been completed to the slots into which the magnetic tape cartridges have been inserted, and notifies the host device in response to an inquiry that the slots for which transfer has been completed are accessible, for each magnetic tape cartridge requiring optimization. 4. A magnetic tape library device according to claim 3.

[0039] (Appendix 7) When there is no unused magnetic tape drive, the control means performs optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge during a time period obtained from a learning result regarding a time period when the magnetic tape drive is not in use, or during a predetermined time period when the magnetic tape drive is not used to back up the magnetic tape cartridge. 7. A magnetic tape library device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0040] (Appendix 8) The host device is a backup device. 8. A magnetic tape library device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0041] (Appendix 11) It reads information from the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge inserted into the slot, If it is determined from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, a notification is sent to a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed in a magnetic tape drive separated from the host device. The magnetic tape cartridge optimization method is performed by a computer.

[0042] (Appendix 12) forcibly setting a magnetic tape drive that is not being used in the host device into a Not Ready mode, thereby disconnecting the magnetic tape drive from the host device; 12. The magnetic tape cartridge optimization method of claim 11.

[0043] (Appendix 13) When the optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape cartridge for which optimization has been completed is transferred to the slot, and in response to an inquiry from the host device after the transfer, the host device is notified that the slot to which the transfer has been made is accessible. 13. The magnetic tape cartridge optimization method of claim 12.

[0044] (Appendix 14) When the optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape drive is set to a normal mode, thereby completing the disconnection from the host device. 14. The magnetic tape cartridge optimization method of claim 13.

[0045] (Appendix 15) If there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization, the magnetic tape drive is maintained in a disconnected state from the host device until optimization of all magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive. 15. A magnetic tape cartridge optimization method according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

[0046] (Appendix 16) When there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, the magnetic tape cartridges are optimized in the magnetic tape drive separated from the host device, the magnetic tape cartridges for which optimization has been completed are transferred to the slots into which the magnetic tape cartridges have been inserted, and in response to an inquiry from the host device, a notification that the slots for which transfer has been completed are accessible is given to each of the magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, in order. 14. The magnetic tape cartridge optimization method of claim 13.

[0047] (Appendix 17) If there is no unused magnetic tape drive, optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed during a time period obtained from a learning result regarding a time period when the magnetic tape drive is not in use, or during a time period determined in advance not to back up the magnetic tape cartridge using the magnetic tape drive. 17. A magnetic tape cartridge optimization method according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

[0048] (Appendix 18) The host device is a backup device. 18. A magnetic tape cartridge optimization method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

[0049] (Appendix 21) It reads information from the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge inserted into the slot, If it is determined from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, a notification is sent to a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed in a magnetic tape drive separated from the host device. A program for optimizing magnetic tape cartridges that causes a computer to do the following:

[0050] (Appendix 22) forcibly setting a magnetic tape drive that is not being used in the host device into a Not Ready mode, thereby disconnecting the magnetic tape drive from the host device; 21. The program described in Appendix 21.

[0051] (Appendix 23) When the optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape cartridge for which optimization has been completed is transferred to the slot, and in response to an inquiry from the host device after the transfer, the host device is notified that the slot to which the transfer has been made is accessible. 22. The program of claim 1.

[0052] (Appendix 24) When the optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape drive is set to a normal mode, thereby completing the disconnection from the host device. 23. The program described in Appendix 23.

[0053] (Appendix 25) If there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization, the magnetic tape drive is maintained in a disconnected state from the host device until optimization of all magnetic tape cartridges that require optimization is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive. 25. A program according to any one of appendices 21 to 24.

[0054] (Appendix 26) When there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, the magnetic tape cartridges are optimized in the magnetic tape drive separated from the host device, the magnetic tape cartridges for which optimization has been completed are transferred to the slots into which the magnetic tape cartridges have been inserted, and in response to an inquiry from the host device, a notification that the slots for which transfer has been completed are accessible is given to each of the magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, in order. 23. The program described in Appendix 23.

[0055] (Appendix 27) If there is no unused magnetic tape drive, optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed during a time period obtained from a learning result regarding a time period when the magnetic tape drive is not in use, or during a time period determined in advance not to back up the magnetic tape cartridge using the magnetic tape drive. 27. A program according to any one of appendices 21 to 26.

[0056] (Appendix 28) The host device is a backup device. 28. A program according to any one of appendices 21 to 27. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 301 Magnetic tape library device 302 Magnetic tape cartridge 303 Cartridge Memory (CM) 304 slots (magazine) 305 Accessor 306 CM Reader 307 Barcode Reader 308 Magnetic Tape Drive 309 Magnetic Tape Device Control Unit 310 Drive communication unit 311 Accessor control unit 312 Device information management department

Claims

1. It reads information from the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge inserted into the slot, If it is determined from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, a notification is sent to a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed in a magnetic tape drive separated from the host device. control means, A magnetic tape library device comprising:

2. the control means forcibly places a magnetic tape drive that is not being used by the host device into a Not Ready mode, thereby disconnecting the magnetic tape drive from the host device.

2. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 1.

3. When optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the control means transfers the magnetic tape cartridge for which optimization has been completed to the slot, and notifies the host device in response to an inquiry after the transfer that the slot to which the cartridge has been transferred is accessible.

3. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 2.

4. When the optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive, the control means switches the magnetic tape drive to a normal mode, thereby completing the disconnection from the host device.

4. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 3.

5. When there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, the control means maintains the state in which the magnetic tape drive is disconnected from the host device until optimization of all of the magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization is completed in the disconnected magnetic tape drive.

2. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 1.

6. When there are a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges requiring optimization, the control means sequentially optimizes the magnetic tape cartridges in the magnetic tape drive separated from the host device, transfers the magnetic tape cartridges for which optimization has been completed to the slots into which the magnetic tape cartridges have been inserted, and notifies the host device in response to an inquiry that the slots for which transfer has been completed are accessible, for each magnetic tape cartridge requiring optimization.

4. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 3.

7. When there is no unused magnetic tape drive, the control means performs optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge during a time period obtained from a learning result regarding a time period when the magnetic tape drive is not in use, or during a predetermined time period when the magnetic tape drive is not used to back up the magnetic tape cartridge.

2. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 1.

8. The host device is a backup device. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 1 .

9. It reads information from the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge inserted into the slot, If it is determined from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, a notification is sent to a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed in a magnetic tape drive separated from the host device. The magnetic tape cartridge optimization method is performed by a computer.

10. It reads information from the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge inserted into the slot, If it is determined from the read information that optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is necessary, a notification is sent to a host device in response to an inquiry from the host device that the slot is inaccessible, and optimization of the magnetic tape cartridge is performed in a magnetic tape drive separated from the host device. A program for optimizing magnetic tape cartridges that causes a computer to do the following:

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