Dynamic write once read many tape cartridge designation

摘要

A data storage library is described that essentially provides a write once and read many (WORM) conversion station located inside of the data storage library. After receiving a request to store data in a WORM arrangement on a tape cartridge in the data storage library and appropriate tape cartridge is selected from a scratch pool of tape cartridges, brought by a robotic transporter to a WORM station where the tape cartridge is converted into a WORM tape cartridge. The WORM tape cartridge can be converted back to a non-write disabled tape cartridge at the WORM station.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a tape library containing a robotic transporter, a scratch pool of tape cartridges, at least one tape drive, and a means for altering a tape cartridge, from the scratch pool of tape cartridges, between a write many and read many (WMRM) arrangement and a write once and read many (WORM) arrangement; receiving a request to store data in the WORM arrangement on one of the tape cartridges from the scratch pool; selecting the tape cartridge from the scratch pool; moving the tape cartridge from the scratch pool to the means for altering the tape cartridge via the robotic transporter; designating the tape cartridge as a WORM tape cartridge via the means for altering the tape cartridge, the receiving step, the selecting step, and the designating step done entirely within the tape library.