Verifying primary and backup copies of vital information for a processing system employing a pseudo-fixed reference identifier

• US 6,625,703 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pierce, Timothy Keith, Goodman, Brian Gerald, Jesionowski, Leonard George, Hill, Ronald Faye Jr., Roberts, Robin Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Yoo, Do Hyun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh, Ngoc V
• Application Number:
  US09/847,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20020053008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 711/162, 700/213, 700/214, 700/218, 369/34, 369/36, 369/38
• US Class Current: 711/162
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1417 Boot up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1666 where the redundant component is memory or memory area

Abstract

Verification of a primary or backup copy of vital information of a processing system employs a pseudo-fixed reference identifier, defined as an identifier unlikely to change over the life of the system, and controls which copy of vital information is correct. The primary copy of vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier and a backup copy of the vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier. A processor, when triggered, reads the pseudo-fixed reference identifier, compares it to the stored copies of the identifier of the primary and backup non-volatile storage. (1) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the primary copy of the identifier, the processor indicates the vital information is valid. (2) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the backup only, indicating that the backup copy of vital information is to be restore copied to become the primary copy.

Claims

1. A method for verifying primary and backup copies of vital information for an automated data storage library, said library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage media, at least one accessor for accessing said data storage media in said plurality of storage shelves, a machine readable serial number identifier, a positionable reader for reading said machine readable serial number identifier, primary and backup non-volatile storage for storing said primary and said backup copies of said vital information, and a library controller comprising at least one processor, said library controller coupled to said accessor, said positionable reader, and to said primary and backup non-volatile storage, said library controller additionally storing programs for operating said library in accordance with said vital information, said method comprising the steps of:

storing said serial number identifier associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage;

copying said primary copy of vital information to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy associated with said serial number identifier;

upon a power-on reset of said processor, operating said positionable reader to read said machine readable serial number identifier;

comparing said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage;

if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, indicating said primary copy of vital information is valid; and

if said read serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier only, indicating restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said serial number identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of, if, in said comparing step, said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, copying said primary copy of vital information with said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

3. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of, if, in said comparing step, said read serial number identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored serial number identifiers, comparing said primary and said backup stored serial number identifiers, and:

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier, continuing operation of said library.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said positionable reader, in said operating step, fails to read said machine readable serial number identifier, said method additionally comprising the step of:

comparing said primary and said backup stored serial number identifiers, and;

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier, continuing operation of said library.

5. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the steps of:

temporarily storing said machine readable serial number identifier read by said positionable reader;

periodically comparing said stored read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, backup copying said primary copy of vital information with said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

6. The method of claim 5, additionally comprising the step of responding to an input trigger signal, conducting said comparing step.

7. An automated data storage library comprising:

a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage media;

at least one accessor for accessing said data storage media in said plurality of storage shelves;

a machine readable serial number identifier positioned at said library;

a positionable reader for reading said machine readable serial number identifier;

primary non-volatile storage for storing a primary copy of said vital information, said serial number identifier stored associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage;

backup non-volatile storage for storing a backup copy of said vital information, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information and associated with said serial number identifier; and

a library controller comprising at least one processor associated with said primary non-volatile storage, said library controller coupled to said accessor, said positionable reader, and to said primary and backup non-volatile storage, said library controller storing programs for operating said library in accordance with said vital information, said library controller;

upon a power-on reset of said processor, operates said positionable reader to read said machine readable serial number identifier;

compares said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage;

if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, indicates said primary copy of vital information is valid; and

if said read serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier only, indicates restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said serial number identifier.

8. The automated data storage library of claim 7, wherein said library controller, in comparing said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, copies said primary copy of vital information with said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

9. The automated data storage library of claim 7, wherein said library controller, in comparing said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read serial number identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored serial number identifiers, additionally compares said primary and said backup stored serial number identifiers, and:

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier, continues operation of said library.

10. The automated data storage library of claim 7, wherein said positionable reader fails to read said machine readable serial number identifier, said library controller additionally:

compares said primary and said backup stored serial number identifiers, and;

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number matches said backup stored serial number identifier, continues operation of said library.

11. The automated data storage library of claim 7, wherein said library controller additionally:

temporarily stores said machine readable serial number identifier read by said positionable reader;

periodically compares said stored read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, backup copies said primary copy of vital information with said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

12. The automated data storage library of claim 11, wherein said library controller is additionally coupled to an input, and is responsive to a trigger signal received at said input, conducting said comparison function.

13. The automated data storage library of claim 7, wherein said machine readable serial number identifier comprises a bar code label positioned at a predetermined location of said library, wherein said positionable reader is mounted at said accessor, and wherein said library controller, upon said power-on reset, operates said accessor to position said positionable reader at substantially said predetermined location to read said bar code label machine readable serial number identifier.

14. The automated data storage library of claim 7, wherein said machine readable serial number identifier comprises a contactless transceiver positioned at a predetermined location of said library, wherein said positionable reader is mounted at said accessor, and wherein said library controller, upon said power-on reset, operates said accessor to position said positionable reader at substantially said predetermined location to read said machine readable serial number identifier transmitted by said contactless transceiver.

15. A program product usable with a programmable processor having processor readable program code embodied therein, for verifying primary and backup copies of vital information for an automated data storage library, said library storing data storage media;

said library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage media;

at least one accessor for accessing said data storage media in said plurality of storage shelves;

a machine readable serial number identifier;

a positionable reader for reading said machine readable serial number identifier;

primary and backup non-volatile storage for storing said primary and backup copies of said vital information, said serial number identifier stored associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information to said backup non-volatile storage and associated with said serial number identifier; and

a library controller coupled to said accessor, said positionable reader, and to said primary and backup non-volatile storage, said library controller comprising at least one processor storing programs for operating said library in accordance with said vital information;

said program product comprising;

processor readable program code which causes said at least one library controller processor to, upon a power-on reset of said processor, operate said positionable reader to read said machine readable serial number identifier;

processor readable program code which causes said at least one library controller processor to compare said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage; and

processor readable program code which causes said at least one library controller processor, if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, to indicate said primary copy of vital information is valid; and

, if said read serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier only, to indicate restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said serial number identifier.

16. The program product of claim 15, wherein said processor readable program code which causes said at least one library controller processor to compare said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, additionally causes said at least one library controller processor to copy said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

17. The program product of claim 15, wherein said processor readable program code which causes said at least one library controller processor to compare said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read serial number identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored serial number identifiers, additionally causes said at least one library controller processor to compare said primary and said backup stored serial number identifiers, and:

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, to provide an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier, to continue operation of said library.

18. The program product of claim 15, wherein said positionable reader fails to read said machine readable serial number identifier, said processor readable program code additionally causes said at least one library controller processor to compare said primary and said backup stored serial number identifiers, and:

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, to provide an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier, to continue operation of said library.

19. The program product of claim 15, wherein said processor readable program code additionally causes said at least one library controller processor to:

temporarily store said machine readable serial number identifier read by said positionable reader;

periodically compare said stored read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, to copy said primary copy of vital information with said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

20. The program product of claim 19, wherein said library controller is additionally coupled to an input, and wherein said processor readable program code additionally causes said at least one library controller processor to respond to a trigger signal received at said input, conducting said comparison function.

21. A method for verifying primary and backup copies of vital information for an automated data storage library;

said library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage media;

at least one accessor for accessing said data storage media in said plurality of storage shelves;

a machine readable serial number identifier;

a positionable reader for reading said machine readable serial number identifier;

primary and backup non-volatile storage for storing primary and backup copies of said vital information, a copy of said serial number identifier stored associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information to said backup non-volatile storage and associated with said serial number identifier; and

a library controller comprising at least one computer processor associated with said primary non-volatile storage, said library controller coupled to said accessor, said positionable reader, and to said primary and backup non-volatile storage, said library controller additionally storing programs for operating said library in accordance with said vital information;

said method comprising the steps of;

upon a power-on reset of said computer processor, operating said positionable reader to read said machine readable serial number identifier;

comparing said read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage;

if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, indicating said primary copy of vital information is valid; and

if said read serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier only, indicating restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said serial number identifier.

22. The method of claim 21, additionally comprising the step of, if, in said comparing step, said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, copying said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

23. The method of claim 22, additionally comprising the step of, if, in said comparing step, said read serial number fails to match either said primary or said backup stored serial number identifiers, comparing said primary and said backup stored identifiers, and:

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier, continuing operation of said library.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said positionable reader, in said operating step, fails to read said machine readable serial number identifier, said method additionally comprising the step of:

comparing said primary and said backup stored serial number identifiers, and;

if said primary stored serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored serial number identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored serial number identifier matches said backup stored serial number identifier, continuing operation of said library.

25. The method of claim 21, additionally comprising the steps of:

temporarily storing said machine readable serial number identifier read by said positionable reader;

periodically comparing said stored read serial number identifier to said stored serial number identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read serial number identifier matches said primary stored serial number identifier, copying said primary copy of vital information with said serial number identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

26. The method of claim 25, additionally comprising the step of responding to an input trigger signal, conducting said comparing step.

27. A method for verifying primary and backup copies of vital information for a processing system, said system having at least one processor and having primary and backup non-volatile storage for storing said primary and said backup copies of said vital information, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pseudo-fixed reference identifier separate from and coupled to said at least one processor;

storing a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage;

copying said primary copy of vital information to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy associated with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

upon a reset identified by said processor, reading said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage;

if, in said comparing step, said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicating said vital information is valid; and

if, in said comparing step, said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier only, indicating restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said valid indicating step additionally comprises copying said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

29. The method of claim 27, additionally comprising the step of, if, in said comparing step, said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, comparing said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and:

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicating said vital information is valid.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein, upon said reading step failing to read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said method additionally comprising the step of:

comparing said primary and said backup copies of said stored serial number identifier, and;

if said primary stored copy of said serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said serial number identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicating said vital information is valid.

31. The method of claim 27, additionally comprising the steps of:

periodically reading said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, copying said primary copy of vital information with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

32. The method of claim 31, additionally comprising the step of responding to an input trigger signal, conducting said periodically reading step.

33. A multi-node processing system comprising:

a pseudo-fixed reference identifier at a reference location of said processing system;

primary non-volatile storage at a node of said processing system, and separate from and coupled to said reference location, for storing a primary copy of vital information, and for storing a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier associated with said primary copy of said vital information in said primary non-volatile storage;

backup non-volatile storage in said processing system coupled to said primary non-volatile storage node, for storing a backup copy of said vital information, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information and associated with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier; and

at least one processor coupled to said reference location, said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, said processor;

upon a reset identified by said processor, reads said pseudo-fixed reference identifier from said reference location;

compares said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates said vital information is valid; and

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier only, indicates restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier.

34. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said processor, in indicating said vital information is valid, additionally copies said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

35. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said processor, in comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, additionally compares said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and:

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates said vital information is valid.

36. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said processor fails to read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said processor additionally:

compares said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and;

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates said vital information is valid.

37. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said processor additionally:

periodically reads said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

compares said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, backup copies said primary copy of vital information with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

38. The multi-node processing system of claim 37, wherein said multi-node processing system additionally comprises an input, and wherein said processor is responsive to a trigger signal received at said input, conducting said comparison function.

39. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference identifier comprises an electronically readable “

electronic serial number”

fixed in an electronic module of said reference location.

40. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises an arrangement of I/O pins at said reference location.

41. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises settable switches of an electronic module at said reference location.

42. The multi-node processing system of claim 41, wherein said settable switches of said pseudo-fixed reference comprise manually settable “

DIP”

switches.

43. The multi-node processing system of claim 41, wherein said settable switches of said pseudo-fixed reference comprise manually settable multi-position switches.

44. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises a non-volatile memory at said reference location.

45. The multi-node processing system of claim 33, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises a reader and a sensible indicator readable by said reader.

46. A program product usable with a programmable processor having processor readable program code embodied therein, for verifying primary and backup copies of vital information associated with said programmable processor, said primary and backup copies of vital information stored respectively in primary and backup non-volatile storage coupled to said programmable processor;

said programmable processor coupled to a pseudo-fixed reference identifier separate from said primary non-volatile storage and from said programmable processor, a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier stored associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information to said backup non-volatile storage and associated with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

said program product comprising;

processor readable program code which causes said programmable processor to, upon a reset identified by said programmable processor, read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

processor readable program code which causes said programmable processor to compare said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage; and

processor readable program code which causes said programmable processor to, if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicate said vital information is valid;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier only, causes said programmable processor to indicate restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier.

47. The program product of claim 46, wherein said processor readable program code which causes said programmable processor to indicate said vital information is valid, additionally causes said programmable processor to copy said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

48. The program product of claim 46, wherein said processor readable program code which causes said programmable processor to compare said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, additionally causes said programmable processor to compare said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and:

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, to provide an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, to indicate said vital information is valid.

49. The program product of claim 46, wherein said programmable processor fails to read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said processor readable program code additionally causes said programmable processor to compare said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and:

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, to provide an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, to indicate said vital information is valid.

50. The program product of claim 46, wherein said processor readable program code additionally causes said programmable processor to:

periodically read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier read by said positionable reader;

compare said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, to copy said primary copy of vital information with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

51. The program product of claim 50, wherein said programmable processor is additionally coupled to an input, and wherein said processor readable program code additionally causes said programmable processor to respond to a trigger signal received at said input, conducting said comparison function.

52. A processor coupled to primary non-volatile storage, and to backup non-volatile storage, said primary non-volatile storage for storing a primary copy of vital information, said backup non-volatile storage for storing a backup copy of said vital information, said processor comprising:

a pseudo-fixed reference identifier at a reference location;

a processor element coupled to and separate from said reference location, and coupled to said primary and said backup non-volatile storage, said processor element;

storing a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage;

storing a backup copy of said vital information in said backup non-volatile storage, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information and associated with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

upon a reset identified by said processor, reading said pseudo-fixed reference identifier from said reference location;

comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage; and

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates said vital information is valid; and

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier only, indicates restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier.

53. The processor of claim 52, wherein said processor element, in indicating said vital information is valid, additionally copies said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

54. The processor of claim 52, wherein said processor element, in comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, additionally compares said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and:

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates said vital information is valid.

55. The processor of claim 52, wherein said processor element fails to read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said processor element additionally:

compares said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and;

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates said vital information is valid.

56. The processor of claim 52, wherein said processor element additionally:

periodically reads said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

compares said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, backup copies said primary copy of vital information with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

57. The processor of claim 56, wherein said processor additionally comprises an input, and wherein said processor element is responsive to a trigger signal received at said input, conducting said comparison function.

58. The processor of claim 52, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference identifier comprises an electronically readable “

electronic serial number”

fixed in an electronic module of said reference location.

59. The processor of claim 52, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises an arrangement of I/O pins at said reference location.

60. The processor of claim 52, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises settable switches of an electronic module at said reference location.

61. The processor of claim 60, wherein said settable switches of said pseudo-fixed reference comprise manually settable “

DIP”

switches.

62. The processor of claim 60, wherein said settable switches of said pseudo-fixed reference comprise manually settable multi-position switches.

63. The processor of claim 52, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises a non-volatile memory at said reference location.

64. The processor of claim 52, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises a reader and a sensible indicator readable by said reader.

65. A modular processing system comprising:

a plurality of functional modules, each operated by at least one processor;

a pseudo-fixed reference identifier at a reference location of said modular processing system;

primary non-volatile storage at a node of said processing system, and separate from and coupled to said reference location, for storing a primary copy of vital information, and for storing a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage, wherein at least one of said processors operates an associated functional module in accordance with said vital information;

backup non-volatile storage in said processing system coupled to said primary non-volatile storage, for storing a backup copy of said vital information, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information and associated with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier; and

at least one processor coupled to said reference location, said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, said processor;

upon a reset identified by said processor, reads said pseudo-fixed reference identifier from said reference location;

compares said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates said primary copy of vital information is valid; and

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier only, indicates restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier.

66. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said processor, in comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, copies said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

67. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said processor, in comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, wherein said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, additionally compares said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and:

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates continued operation of said at least one of said processors operating said associated functional module in accordance with said vital information.

68. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said processor fails to read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said processor additionally:

compares said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and;

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, provides an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicates continued operation of said at least one of said processors operating said associated functional module in accordance with said vital information.

69. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said processor additionally:

periodically reads said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

compares said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, backup copies said primary copy of vital information with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

70. The modular processing system of claim 69, wherein said multi-node processing system additionally comprises an input, and wherein said processor is responsive to a trigger signal received at said input, conducting said comparison function.

71. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference identifier comprises an electronically readable “

electronic serial number”

fixed in an electronic module of said reference location.

72. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises an arrangement of I/O pins at said reference location.

73. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises settable switches of an electronic module at said reference location.

74. The modular processing system of claim 73, wherein said settable switches of said pseudo-fixed reference comprise manually settable “

DIP”

switches.

75. The modular processing system of claim 73, wherein said settable switches of said pseudo-fixed reference comprise manually settable multi-position switches.

76. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises a non-volatile memory at said reference location.

77. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said pseudo-fixed reference comprises a reader and a sensible indicator readable by said reader.

78. The modular processing system of claim 65, wherein said modular processing system comprises an automated data storage library storing data storage media;

said library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage media;

at least one accessor for accessing said data storage media in said plurality of storage shelves; and

a library controller coupled to said accessor, said library controller comprising at least one computer processor storing programs for operating said accessor in accordance with said vital information, and wherein said associated functional module operated by said processor in accordance with said vital information comprises said library controller.

79. A method for verifying primary and backup copies of vital information for a processing system, said system having at least one processor, having a pseudo-fixed reference identifier separate from and coupled to said at least one processor, and having primary and backup non-volatile storage for storing said primary and said backup copies of said vital information, a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier stored associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage, said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information to said backup non-volatile storage associated with said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said method comprising the steps of:

upon a reset identified by said processor, reading said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicating said vital information is valid; and

if, in said comparing step, said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier only, indicating restore copying of said backup copy of vital information to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy associated with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein said step of indicating said vital information is valid additionally comprises copying said primary copy of vital information with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

81. The method of claim 79, additionally comprising the step of, if, in said comparing step, said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match either said primary or said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, comparing said primary and said backup stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, and:

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicating said vital information is valid.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein, upon said reading step failing to read said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said method additionally comprising the step of:

comparing said primary and said backup copies of said stored serial number identifier, and;

if said primary stored copy of said serial number identifier fails to match said backup stored copy of said serial number identifier, providing an error indication; and

if said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, indicating said vital information is valid.

83. The method of claim 79, additionally comprising the steps of:

periodically reading said pseudo-fixed reference identifier;

comparing said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifiers of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage, and;

if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, copying said primary copy of vital information with said copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said backup non-volatile storage as said backup copy.

84. The method of claim 83, additionally comprising the step of responding to an input trigger signal, conducting said periodically reading step.

85. An identifier, in a processing system having a processor element, a primary non-volatile storage, and a backup non-volatile storage, said primary non-volatile storage storing a primary copy of vital information associated with said processor, and said backup non-volatile storage storing a backup copy of said vital information, said backup copy copied from said primary copy, said identifier comprising:

a pseudo-fixed reference identifier separate from said at least one processor; and

a coupling between said pseudo-fixed reference identifier and said processing system, such that said pseudo-fixed reference identifier is readable by said processing system, such that (1) a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier is read by said processing system and stored associated with said primary copy of said vital information of said primary non-volatile storage, (2) said backup copy copied from said primary copy of vital information to said backup non-volatile storage and associated with a copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, (3) upon a reset identified by said processor, said pseudo-fixed reference identifier is read by said processing system, (4) said processor compares said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier to said stored copies of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier of said primary non-volatile storage and said backup non-volatile storage; and

(5a) if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said primary stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier, said processor indicates that said vital information is valid, and (5b) if said read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches said backup stored copy of said pseudo-fixed reference identifier only, said processor indicates said backup copy of said vital information is to be restore copied to said primary non-volatile storage as said primary copy.