Data security arrangement for an automated magnetic tape cartridge library system
First Claim
1. In a data processing system which includes a host computer connected to a plurality of information storage volume read/write devices and also connected to an automated library system, which includes two or more interconnected library modules, each of which stores information storage volumes for retrieval and placement into ones of said information storage volume read/write devices, an information storage volume security arrangement to permit data retrieval by said host computer from a selected information storage volume located in said automated library system without human access to said information storage volume comprising:
- means responsive to a request from a user on said host computer for a data file stored on one of said information storage volumes for translating said data file request into an identification of the information storage volume that contains said requested data file;
means for converting said information storage volume identification to a definition of a physical location in said automated library system of said identified information storage volume;
means responsive to said definition for selecting one of said information storage volume read/write devices to read/write said requested information storage volume;
means responsive to said selecting means for robotically transporting said identified information storage volume from said identified location to said selected information storage volume read/write device;
means for performing an information storage volume audit, to determine if each information storage volume in said automated library system in located in its assigned information storage cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This data security arrangement provides a significant level of data security in an automatic magnetic tape cartridge library by isolating the actual data from the control of the data retrieval process. This isolation is accomplished by the use of a plurality of architectural devices that dissociate control and data. The data written on the magnetic tape cartridges cannot be accessed by the library modules. The library modules are not electrically connected to the tape drives or the data bus that connects the tape drives to the host computer. In addition, library software on the host computer emulates an operator'"'"'s console and intercepts all tape mount commands generated by the host computer. The library software translates these commands into control signals to activate the library module to retrieve a designated magnetic tape cartridge and load this cartridge into a tape drive. Thus, the data retrieval apparatus is separate from the library control apparatus. The library module is unaware of the identity of the data stored on the magnetic tape cartridges and the host computer is unaware of the existence of the automated magnetic tape cartridge library.
100 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a data processing system which includes a host computer connected to a plurality of information storage volume read/write devices and also connected to an automated library system, which includes two or more interconnected library modules, each of which stores information storage volumes for retrieval and placement into ones of said information storage volume read/write devices, an information storage volume security arrangement to permit data retrieval by said host computer from a selected information storage volume located in said automated library system without human access to said information storage volume comprising:
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means responsive to a request from a user on said host computer for a data file stored on one of said information storage volumes for translating said data file request into an identification of the information storage volume that contains said requested data file; means for converting said information storage volume identification to a definition of a physical location in said automated library system of said identified information storage volume; means responsive to said definition for selecting one of said information storage volume read/write devices to read/write said requested information storage volume; means responsive to said selecting means for robotically transporting said identified information storage volume from said identified location to said selected information storage volume read/write device; means for performing an information storage volume audit, to determine if each information storage volume in said automated library system in located in its assigned information storage cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a data processing system which includes a host computer connected to a plurality of information storage volume read/write devices and also connected to an automated library system which stores information storage volumes for retrieval and placement into ones of said information storage volume read/write devices, an information storage volume security arrangement to permit data retrieval by said host computer from a selected information storage volume located in said automated library system without human access to said information storage volume comprising:
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means for intercepting a request from a user on said host computer for data stored on one of information storage volumes for translating said request into an identification of the physical location in said automated library system of said requested information storage volume; means responsive to said identification for selecting one of said information storage volume read/write devices to read/write said requested information storage volume; means responsive to said selecting means for robotically transporting said requested information storage volume from said identified location to said selected information storage volume read/write device; and means for performing an information storage volume audit, to determine if each information storage volume in said automated library system is located in its assigned information storage cell. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification