Patent ID: 7421312
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: G06F,G11B

Abstract:
1. A library partitioning module comprising: at least first and second bidirectional host input/outputs, each for connection to a respective associated one of at least first and second hosts; a bidirectional library input/output, for connection to a library, said library having at least one physical import/export element and having storage element resources including a first storage element and a second storage element; an allocator, the allocator being arranged to allocate at least said first storage element as a first virtual import/export element to the first host, and to allocate at least said second storage element as a second virtual import/export element to the second host; and a modifier, the modifier being arranged to receive at one of said first and second bidirectional host input/outputs a SCSI command, the SCSI command including an element address relating to said at least one physical import/export element and being to move a storage medium between a first element and one of said at least one physical import/export element, the modifier being arranged, when the SCSI command is received at the first bidirectional host input/output, to modify said element address forming part of the SCSI command to an element address relating to the first virtual import/export element such that the SCSI command constitutes a SCSI command to move the storage medium from one of a) said first element, and b) a second element to said first virtual import/export element, and the modifier being arranged, when the SCSI command is received at the second bidirectional host input/output, to modify the said element address forming part of the SCSI command to an element address relating to the second virtual import/export element such that the SCSI command constitutes a SCSI command to move the storage medium from one of a) said first element, and b) a third element to said second virtual import/export element, the modifier being further arranged to provide the modified SCSI command at the bidirectional library input/output.