Apparatus, system, and method for automatically mapping a tape library system

• US 20060174036A1
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dain, Joseph Whitney, James, Raymond Anthony, Luciani, David, Fisher, James Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,962,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/245
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0662 Virtualisation aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0686 Libraries, e.g. tape libraries, jukebox
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/689 Control of the cassette changing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically and transparently mapping tape drives within tape libraries to IP addresses. In one embodiment, the tape library includes, a DHCP server, a LAN to serial switch, and a library manager configured with the necessary modules to map the tape library devices to the proper IP addresses. The entire process may be transparent to users. The result is that the tape library is configured with the proper IP addressing without costly, time-consuming, and error-prone manual intervention. The tape library can be configured more quickly with accurate IP addressing and is able to operate efficiently and properly.

Claims

1. A method for automatically mapping a tape library system, the method:

comprising;

establishing communication with a device within an unidentified frame, the unidentified frame having a MAC address associated therewith;

extracting sufficient characteristics from the device to distinguish the frame from other frames; and

associating a persistent IP address with the MAC address.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein extracting sufficient characteristics comprises determining a physical location of the device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein extracting sufficient characteristics comprises determining a device model number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein extracting sufficient characteristics comprises determining a device type.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising communicating with a plurality of devices to determine a device quantity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing communication comprises associating a temporary IP address with the frame.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing communication comprises communicating through a hub.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing communication comprises communicating through a LAN switch.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the MAC address is the MAC address of the hub.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a tape drive.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a termination device.

12. An apparatus for automatically mapping a tape library system, the apparatus comprising:

a communication module configured to establish communication with a device within an unidentified frame, the unidentified frame having a MAC address associated therewith;

an identification module configured to extract sufficient characteristics from the device to distinguish the frame from other frames; and

an IP address assignment module configured to associate a persistent IP address with the MAC address;

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the identification module is further configured to determine a physical location of the device.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the identification module is further configured to determine a device model number.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the identification module is further configured to determine a device type.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, where the identification module is further configured to determine a device quantity.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the IP address assignment module is further configured to associate a temporary IP address with the frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the MAC address is the MAC address of the hub.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device is a tape drive.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device is a termination device.

21. A system for automatically mapping a tape library system, the system comprising:

a library manager configured to establish communication with a device within an unidentified frame having a MAC address associated therewith;

the library manager further configured to extract sufficient characteristics from the device to distinguish the frame from other frames, and associate a persistent IP address with the MAC address;

a robotic device configured to mount a cartridge in a drive; and

a DHCP server configured to assign IP addresses to a switching device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the library manager is further configured to extract sufficient characteristics to determine a physical location of the device.