Load balancing and space efficient big data tape management

{
  "publication_number": "US9431049B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Load balancing and space efficient big data tape management",
  "abstract": "A tool for space efficient tape management. The tool retrieves one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library. The tool inserts the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library. The tool transfers the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for space efficient tape management, the method comprising: retrieving one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library; inserting the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library; wherein inserting the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library includes inserting the one or more tapes into a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library; and transferring the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library.",
    "2. The method of claim 1 further comprises: moving the first tape library and the second tape library into a closed, non-maintenance position.",
    "3. The method of claim 2, wherein moving the first tape library and the second tape library into a closed, non-maintenance position, further comprises: moving the first tape library and the second tape library in a forward and backward motion along an underlying rail system, wherein the non-maintenance position establishes a mechanical connection for transfer of the one or more tapes between the first tape library and the second tape library.",
    "4. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library, further comprises: transferring the one or more tapes from a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to a flexible passing tunnel module of a passing tunnel module in one or more tape library frames in the second tape library.",
    "5. The method of claim 4, wherein transferring the one or more tapes from a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to a flexible passing tunnel module of a passing tunnel module in one or more tape library frames in the second tape library, further comprises: moving the one or more tapes through a mechanical transfer connection between the first tape library and the second tape library in a closed, non-maintenance position.",
    "6. The method of claim 5, wherein moving the one or more tapes through the mechanical transfer connection between the first tape library and the second tape library in the closed, non-maintenance position, further comprises: activating a motor-driven side of each of a fixed passing tunnel portion of the passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library and a flexible passing tunnel portion of the passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the second tape library.",
    "7. A computer program product for space efficient tape management, the computer program product comprising: one or more computer-readable storage devices and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage devices, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to retrieve one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library; program instructions to insert the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library; wherein program instructions to insert the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library include program instructions to insert the one or more tapes into a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library; and program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library.",
    "8. The computer program product of claim 7 further comprises: program instructions to move the first tape library and the second tape library into a closed, non-maintenance position.",
    "9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein program instructions to move the first tape library and the second tape library into a closed, non-maintenance position, further comprises: program instructions to move the first tape library and the second tape library in a forward and backward motion along an underlying rail system, wherein the non-maintenance position establishes a mechanical connection for transfer of the one or more tapes between the first tape library and the second tape library.",
    "10. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library, further comprises: program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to a flexible passing tunnel module of a passing tunnel module in one or more tape library frames in the second tape library.",
    "11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to a flexible passing tunnel module of a passing tunnel module in one or more tape library frames in the second tape library, further comprises: program instructions to move the one or more tapes through a mechanical transfer connection between the first tape library and the second tape library in a closed, non-maintenance position.",
    "12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein program instructions to move the one or more tapes through the mechanical transfer connection between the first tape library and the second tape library in the closed, non-maintenance position, further comprises: program instructions to activate a motor-driven side of each of a fixed passing tunnel portion of the passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library and a flexible passing tunnel portion of the passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the second tape library.",
    "13. A computer system for space efficient tape management, the system comprising: one or more computer processors; one or more computer readable storage devices; program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer readable storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more computer processors, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to retrieve one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library; program instructions to insert the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library; wherein program instructions to insert the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library include program instructions to insert the one or more tapes into a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library; and program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library.",
    "14. The computer system of claim 13 further comprises: program instructions to move the first tape library and the second tape library into a closed, non-maintenance position.",
    "15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein program instructions to move the first tape library and the second tape library into a closed, non-maintenance position, further comprises: program instructions to move the first tape library and the second tape library in a forward and backward motion along an underlying rail system, wherein the non-maintenance position establishes a mechanical connection for transfer of the one or more tapes between the first tape library and the second tape library.",
    "16. The computer system of claim 13, wherein program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library, further comprises: program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to a flexible passing tunnel module of a passing tunnel module in one or more tape library frames in the second tape library.",
    "17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein program instructions to transfer the one or more tapes from a fixed passing tunnel portion of a passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to a flexible passing tunnel module of a passing tunnel module in one or more tape library frames in the second tape library, further comprises: program instructions to move the one or more tapes through a mechanical transfer connection between the first tape library and the second tape library in a closed, non-maintenance position; and program instructions to activate a motor-driven side of each of a fixed passing tunnel portion of the passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library and a flexible passing tunnel portion of the passing tunnel module in the one or more tape library frames in the second tape library."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to big data tape management, and more particularly to a tape library frame for space-saving and load-balancing in a tape library cluster.\n\nIn big data tape management systems, data is digitally stored on a magnetic tape media (i.e., tapes). Reading and writing of the information stored on the tapes is executed by a tape drive. Tape drives are arranged in a column within a tape library. Tape libraries are divided into a plurality of frames, and tapes are stored within the plurality of frames in the tape library. Tapes are stored within the plurality of frames in the tape library separately from the tape drives. An alignment system selects a tape and transfers it to a vacant tape drive via an x-y-z rail system (i.e., a mechanical armature capable of moving horizontally on an x-axis, vertically on a y-axis, and diagonally on a z-axis). A plurality of tape libraries can be interconnected and organized spatially in columns and rows.\n\nTypically, tape enterprise technology combines sixteen frames per one library. Sixteen tape libraries can be linked together with each other in a library cluster. A top unit can be used to move tapes between different library enclosures (i.e., a library interconnect). Library interconnects are used to leverage the workload between one or more libraries.\n\nPresently, state of the art technology can store a maximum of 8.5 terabytes of uncompressed data on a single tape. Global digital data requires approximately 3.5×10 9 tapes to store the information.",
  "cpc": [
    "G11B 15/6895",
    "B65G 1/06",
    "B65G 1/1371",
    "G11B 15/6815",
    "G11B 15/6835",
    "G11B 17/221",
    "G11B 17/225",
    "G11B 5/39"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65G 1/06",
    "B65G 1/137",
    "G11B 15/68",
    "G11B 17/22",
    "G11B 5/39"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "International Business Machines Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Frank Krick",
    "Thorsten Muehge",
    "Erik Rueger",
    "Daniel Wendler"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-10-29",
  "publication_date": "2016-08-30",
  "grant_date": "2016-08-30",
  "priority_date": "2014-05-14",
  "application_number": "US-201514926562-A",
  "family_id": "53638506",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
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}