Abstract:
A tape library system includes a plurality of cartridge cells for accommodating a plurality of tape cartridges respectively, a tape drive for writing and reading data to and from the tape cartridge inserted therein, a diagnosis drive for diagnosing the tape cartridge inserted therein, an cartridge carriage mechanism for inserting and ejecting the tape cartridge into and from the tape drive and the diagnosis drive, and a diagnosis controller for controlling the cartridge carriage mechanism to load the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive and for controlling the diagnosis drive to diagnose the tape cartridge inserted therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-151526, filed on Jun. 25, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The embodiments discussed herein are related to a tape library system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A technique has been proposed, which relates to a magnetic tape storage apparatus that inserts a magnetic tape cartridge having a magnetic tape medium, into a magnetic tape device, and writes data from a host, onto the magnetic tape medium, or transmits data read from the magnetic tape medium, to the host. For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-158157 discloses a tape library apparatus. 
         [0004]      FIG. 14  illustrates a configuration of an existing virtual tape system  600 . The virtual tape system  600  includes a global server  610  that is a host, a virtual tape apparatus  620 , and a physical tape library apparatus  630 . 
         [0005]    The global server  610  includes a task execution unit  611  and a virtual tape control unit  612 . The virtual tape apparatus  620  includes first and second control servers  621  and  622  that perform host interface control, tape library control, and volume management of a virtual tape, a tape volume cache (TVC)  623 , and a physical library control server  624  that controls the physical tape library apparatus  630 . The physical tape library apparatus  630  includes, for example, magnetic tape devices  631  and  632  into each of which one of magnetic tape cartridges  700   a  to  700   d  is inserted. When receiving writing of data A from a task job executed by the task execution unit  611  of the global server  610 , the virtual tape apparatus stores  620  the data A onto the tape volume cache  623 . After completion of the task job, the virtual tape apparatus  620  stores (migrates) the data A in the tape volume cache  623 , onto a magnetic tape cartridge  700   a  in the physical library apparatus  630 . 
         [0006]    Moreover, when receiving reading of data B from a task job executed by the task execution unit  611  of the global server  610 , the virtual tape apparatus  620  confirms whether or not there is the data B on the tape volume cache  623  (whether or not it is on-cache). When there is the data B on the tape volume cache  623 , the virtual tape apparatus  620  transfers the data B from the tape volume cache  623  to the global server  610 . On the other hand, when there is not the data B on the tape volume cache (it is off-cache), the virtual tape apparatus  620  recalls the data B stored on the magnetic tape cartridge  700   b  in the physical tape library apparatus  630 , onto the tape volume cache  623 . Then, the virtual tape apparatus  620  transfers the data B from the tape volume cache  623  to the global server  610 . 
         [0007]    As described above, main processes of the virtual tape apparatus  620  of the virtual tape system  600  are to store and recall data between the tape volume cache  623  and the magnetic tape cartridges  700  in the physical tape library apparatus  630 , according to access from the global server  610 . Thus, full attention needs to be given to a state (normal or abnormal state) of the magnetic tape cartridge  700 . 
         [0008]    However, at present, the state (normal or abnormal state) of the magnetic tape cartridge  700  can be determined only after the magnetic tape cartridge  700  is inserted into the magnetic tape device. Thus, the following problem arises. 
         [0009]      FIG. 15  is an external view of the magnetic tape cartridge  700  and 
         [0010]      FIG. 16  is a configuration diagram of the magnetic tape cartridge  700 . In the magnetic tape cartridge  700 , a magnetic tape medium  705  is wound therein. For example, it is assumed that the magnetic tape cartridge  700  inserted into the magnetic tape device is abnormal at a reel part  710  having flanges and magnetic seals or a leader block  710  owing to a physical damage. In this case, the magnetic tape cartridge  700  cannot be ejected from the magnetic tape device. Thus, the magnetic tape device is blocked, and cannot be used even when being not abnormal. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    According to an aspect of the invention, a tape library system includes a plurality of cartridge cells for accommodating a plurality of tape cartridges respectively, a tape drive for writing and reading data to and from the tape cartridge inserted therein, a diagnosis drive for diagnosing the tape cartridge inserted therein, an cartridge carriage mechanism for inserting and ejecting the tape cartridge into and from the tape drive and the diagnosis drive, and a diagnosis controller for controlling the cartridge carriage mechanism to load the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive and for controlling the diagnosis drive to diagnose the tape cartridge inserted therein. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method of diagnosing a tape cartridge accommodated in a tape library system, includes inserting the tape cartridge into a diagnosis drive for diagnosing the tape cartridge, diagnosing the tape cartridge inserted into the diagnosis drive, inserting the diagnosed tape cartridge into a tape drive for writing and reading data to and from the tape cartridge after the diagnosing, and writing and reading data to and from the tape cartridge inserted into the tape drive. 
         [0013]    The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
         [0014]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic configuration of a tape library system according to an embodiment 1; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a configuration of a tape library system according to an example 2; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a configuration of a status management table according to the embodiment 2; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow of processing performed by a virtual tape apparatus according to the embodiment 2; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 2; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flow of processing performed by a virtual tape apparatus according to an embodiment 3; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 3; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates a configuration of a status management table according to an embodiment 4; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a flow of processing performed by a virtual tape apparatus according to the embodiment 4; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 4; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a flow of processing performed by a virtual tape apparatus according to an embodiment 5; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 5; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  illustrates a computer that executes a tape cartridge diagnosis program; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  illustrates a configuration of an existing virtual tape system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is an external view of a magnetic tape cartridge; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a configuration diagram of the magnetic tape cartridge. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to accompanying drawings. 
         [0032]    With reference to the accompanying drawings, the following will describe in detail embodiments of a tape library system, a tape cartridge diagnosis method, and a tape cartridge diagnosis program, which are disclosed in the application. Note that the technique disclosed in the application should not be limited to embodiments described below as the embodiments of the tape library system, the tape cartridge diagnosis method, and the tape cartridge diagnosis program. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic configuration of a tape library system  10  according to an embodiment  1 . The tape library system  10  includes a tape library apparatus  11  and a tape library control apparatus  12 . 
         [0034]    The tape library apparatus  11  includes a cartridge carriage control unit  13  that performs insertion of a magnetic tape cartridge into a magnetic tape device  14  and ejection of the magnetic tape cartridge from the magnetic tape device  14  and a diagnostic magnetic tape device  15  that is not used for an actual operation. 
         [0035]    The tape library control apparatus  12  includes a diagnosis process control unit  16  that controls the control unit of the tape library apparatus  11 , that inserts the magnetic tape cartridge into the diagnostic magnetic tape device  15 , and that causes the diagnostic magnetic tape device  15  to perform a diagnostic operation on the magnetic tape cartridge. 
         [0036]    According to such a configuration, an abnormality of the magnetic tape cartridge that is attributed to a physical damage, can be detected before the magnetic tape cartridge is actually used. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates a configuration of a tape library system  150  according to an embodiment 2. The tape library system  150  is communicably connected to a global server  100  that serves as a host computer, and includes a virtual tape apparatus  200  and a tape library apparatus  300 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the tape library apparatus  300  includes a cartridge entry unit  310 , a plurality of tape drives  320 , a diagnosis drive  330 , a plurality of cells  340 , and a robot control module unit  350 . The robot control module unit  350  has a robot hand  355  as a cartridge carriage mechanism. The diagnosis drive  330  is connected to the robot control module unit  350  through an internal command path  331 . 
         [0039]    The cartridge entry unit  310  is referred to as a cartridge access station (CAS) or a magazine, and entered a tape cartridge from the outside into the tape library apparatus  300 . 
         [0040]    Each tape drive  320  is referred to as a magnetic tape device, receives insertion of a tape cartridge, and performs reading or writing of data in an actual operation of the tape library system. 
         [0041]    The diagnosis drive  330  is a drive for abnormality diagnosis, which is not used for the actual operation of the tape library system and is simplified for only a diagnosis operation. When performing diagnosis as to whether or not a tape cartridge entered from the outside via the cartridge entry unit  310  is abnormal, the diagnosis drive  330  receives insertion of the tape cartridge by the robot control module unit  350 . For example, an abnormality of the tape cartridge is an abnormality attributed to a physical damage of a leader block  710 , a reel  720 , or the like, of the tape cartridge, and a situation is expected in which the tape cartridge cannot be ejected. 
         [0042]    Then, when receiving a performance command of abnormality diagnosis from a library control server  240  via the robot control module unit  350 , the diagnosis drive  330  performs a diagnostic operation that includes loading and unloading of a tape cartridge, according to the performance command. The loading is an operation of winding the magnetic tape from the tape cartridge to a predetermined reading position relative to a head provided in the diagnosis drive  330 . The unloading is an operation of winding the magnetic tape, wound from the tape cartridge, back to the tape cartridge, and ejecting the tape cartridge from the diagnosis drive  330 . 
         [0043]    When the diagnostic operation is successfully completed to the unloading, the diagnosis drive  330  notifies the library control server  240 , via the robot control module unit  350 , of the completion of the diagnostic operation. When the diagnostic operation is not successfully completed to the unloading, the diagnosis drive  330  does not notify the library control server  240  of the completion of the diagnostic operation. 
         [0044]    Into each cell  340 , a tape cartridge entered from the outside via the cartridge entry unit  310 , is stored. When the tape cartridge is inserted from the cell  340  to the tape drive  320 , an operation of the tape cartridge is started. 
         [0045]    The robot control module unit  350  controls an operation of a robot that performs insertion of the tape cartridge entered from the outside, into the diagnosis drive  330 , storing the tape cartridge from the diagnosis drive  330  into the cell  340 , and the like. 
         [0046]    Specifically, when detecting an entry of a tape cartridge from the outside, the robot control module unit  350  obtains an individual number (an identification number of the tape cartridge) assigned uniquely to the tape cartridge. Then, the robot control module unit  350  notifies the library control server  240  of the detection of the entry of the tape cartridge, along with the individual number obtained from the tape cartridge. 
         [0047]    When receiving, from the library control server  240 , a command to insert the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 , the robot control module unit  350  controls the operation of the robot to insert the tape cartridge entered from the outside, into the diagnosis drive  330 . When the insertion is completed, the robot control module unit  350  notifies the library control server  240  of the completion of the insertion of the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 . 
         [0048]    When receiving, from the library control server  240 , a command to store the tape cartridge inserted into the diagnosis drive  330 , into the cell  340 , the robot control module unit  350  controls the operation of the robot to store the tape cartridge in the diagnosis drive  330 , into the cell  340 . When the storing is completed, the robot control module unit  350  notifies the library control server  240  of the completion of the storing of the tape cartridge into the cell  340 . 
         [0049]    The virtual tape apparatus  200  performs control of an interface with the global server  100 , control of a tape library of the tape library apparatus  300 , and management of a virtual tape volume. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the virtual tape apparatus  200  includes a first control server  210 , a second control server  220 , a tape volume cache  230 , and a library control server  240 . The first control server  210 , the second control server  220 , the tape volume cache  230 , and the library control server  240  are communicably connected to each other via an internally established LAN  1 . 
         [0050]    Each of the first control server  210  and the second control server  220  performs reading or writing of data according to a command from the global server  100 . When receiving, from the global server  100 , reading of data, the first control server  210  determines whether or not data to be read is present on the tape volume cache  230  (whether or not it is on-cache). When the data to be read is present on the tape volume cache  230  (it is on-cache), the first control server  210  transfers the data to be read, from the tape volume cache  230  to the global server  100 . 
         [0051]    On the other hand, when the data to be read is not present on the tape volume cache  230  (it is off-cache), the first control server  210  obtains the data to be read, from among data stored in the tape library apparatus  300  (data in the tape cartridge inserted into the tape drive  320 ), and recalls the data onto the tape volume cache  230 . Then, the first control server  210  transfers the data to be read, from the tape volume cache  230  to the global server  100 . Note that the second control server  220  serves as a stand-by system for the first control server  210 . 
         [0052]    The tape volume cache  230  stores the data written from the first control server  210  or the data read from the tape library apparatus  300  according to the command from the global server  100 . 
         [0053]    The library control server  240  sends, to the robot control module unit  350  provided in the tape library apparatus  300  through a robot control path  351 , a command to perform insertion or ejection of the tape cartridge from or into the cell  340 . In addition, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the library control server  240  includes a diagnosis process control unit  241  that causes the diagnosis drive  330  to perform abnormality diagnosis of the tape cartridge. 
         [0054]    When receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , detection of the entry of the tape cartridge, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records a status of the tape cartridge as “during diagnosis”. Specifically, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status “during diagnosis” in an internally-provided status management table  242 , such that the status is associated with an individual number “AAA123” of the tape cartridge that is received from the robot control module unit  350 .  FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a configuration of the status management table  242  according to the embodiment 2. 
         [0055]    Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to insert the tape cartridge, of which the entry is detected, into the diagnosis drive  330 . When receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , completion of the insertion of the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends a performance command of abnormality diagnosis to the diagnosis drive  330 . 
         [0056]    Here, the diagnosis process control unit  241  selectively uses two types of commands, a load full diagnosis command and a load time designation command, as performance commands to be sent to the diagnosis drive  330 . The load full diagnosis command is a command to perform loading the magnetic tape medium in the tape cartridge to the end and then unloading. The load time designation command is a command to perform loading the magnetic tape medium in the tape cartridge by a designated time and then unloading. 
         [0057]    For example, when a processing load of the tape library apparatus  300  is low, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends the load full diagnosis command, causing a detailed diagnostic operation to be performed on the tape cartridge. On the other hand, when the processing load of the tape library apparatus  300  is high, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends the load time designation command, causing a diagnostic operation to be performed on the tape cartridge in a possible range while taking into consideration the processing load of the tape library apparatus  300 . 
         [0058]    Moreover, the diagnosis process control unit  241  also can selectively use the load full diagnosis command and the load time designation command depending on the number of tape cartridges entered from the outside. For example, when a tape cartridge is entered from the outside and the number of tape cartridges to be diagnosed is one, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends the load full diagnosis command, causing a diagnostic operation to be performed on the tape cartridge. When a plurality of tape cartridges are entered from the outside and the number of tape cartridges to be diagnosed is a plural number, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends the load time designation command, causing a diagnostic operation to be performed on the tape cartridges. 
         [0059]    Then, when receiving, from the diagnosis drive  330 , a notice of completion of the diagnosis, the diagnosis process control unit  241  determines that the tape cartridge is not abnormal, and sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to store the tape cartridge in the diagnosis drive  330 , into the cell  340 . When receiving completion of the storing of the tape cartridge into the cell  340 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and clears the status of the tape cartridge stored into the cell  340  (e.g., empties the field of the status). 
         [0060]    On the other hand, for example, when there is no notice of completion of diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330  within a predetermined time period, the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the tape cartridge as being abnormal. Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  notifies the global server  100  of the abnormality of the tape cartridge together along with the individual number of the tape cartridge. 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow of processing performed by the virtual tape apparatus  200  according to the embodiment  2 . The diagnosis process control unit  241  waits for detection of an entry of a tape cartridge by the robot control module unit  350  (S 1 ). When an entry of a tape cartridge is not detected by the robot control module unit  350  (No at S 1 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  continues to wait for detection of an entry of a tape cartridge. 
         [0062]    Then, when receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , detection of an entry of a tape cartridge (Yes at S 1 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status of the tape cartridge as “during diagnosis” (S 2 ). 
         [0063]    After recording the status of the tape cartridge as “during diagnosis”, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to insert the tape cartridge, of which the entry is detected, into the diagnosis drive  330  (S 3 ). Then, when receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , completion of the insertion of the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends a performance command of abnormality diagnosis to the diagnosis drive  330  to instruct the diagnosis drive  330  to start diagnosis of the tape cartridge (S 4 ). 
         [0064]    Subsequently, on the basis of receipt of a response from the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses whether or not the tape cartridge is abnormal (S 5 ). In other words, when receiving a notice of completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the tape cartridge as not being abnormal (No at S 5 ), and sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to store the tape cartridge in the diagnosis drive  330 , into the cell  340  (S 6 ). Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and clears the status of the tape cartridge stored into the cell  340  (S 7 ), and returns to the above S 1 . 
         [0065]    On the other hand, when there is no notice of completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330  within a predetermined time period, the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the tape cartridge as being abnormal (Yes at S 5 ), and reports the abnormality of the tape cartridge along with the individual number of the tape cartridge to the global server  100  (S 8 ). Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  returns to the above S 1 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 5  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 2. As described above, according to the embodiment 2, using, as a trigger, a timing when a tape cartridge MT 1  is entered from the outside through the cartridge entry unit  310 , a status management table  242  in the library control server  240  is updated such that the tape cartridge MT 1  is recorded as the status “during diagnosis” (see (1) in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0067]    Next, the tape cartridge MT 1  is inserted into a diagnosis drive  330  (see (2) in  FIG. 5 ), and it is diagnosed whether or not the tape cartridge MT 1  is abnormal. Where the tape cartridge MT 1  is not abnormal, the tape cartridge MT 1  is stored into a cell  340  (see (3) in  FIG. 5 ) to be ready for an actual operation (reading or writing) at the tape drive  320 . Each tape drive  320  is connected to the first and second control servers  210  and  220  through data paths  321 . 
         [0068]    In other words, without actually inserting the tape cartridge into the tape drive  320 , an abnormality of the tape cartridge can be detected before the tape cartridge entered from the outside is used for an actual operation (before being inserted into the tape drive  320  for reading or writing). Thus, the tape drive that is not abnormal is prevented from being blocked owing to an abnormality of the tape cartridge. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0069]    In the above embodiment 2, using, as a trigger, a timing when a tape cartridge is entered from the outside, it is diagnosed whether or not the tape cartridge is abnormal. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and, at a timing when a tape cartridge on which reading or writing is performed is ejected from the tape drive  320 , it may be diagnosed whether or not the ejected tape cartridge is abnormal. 
         [0070]    A configuration of a tape library system according to the embodiment 3 differs from that of the embodiment 2 in the following points. 
         [0071]    Specifically, the robot control module unit  350  notifies the library control server  240  of completion of an ejection of the tape cartridge from the tape drive  320 . 
         [0072]    The diagnosis process control unit  241  detects the ejection of the tape cartridge by receiving the notice of completion of the ejection of the tape cartridge from the robot control module unit  350 , and records the status of the tape cartridge as “during diagnosis”. 
         [0073]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flow of processing performed by a virtual tape apparatus according to an embodiment  3 . The diagnosis process control unit  241  detects an ejection of a tape cartridge on the basis of receipt of a notice of completion of the ejection of the tape cartridge by the robot control module unit  350  (S 21 ). When not having detected an ejection of a tape cartridge (No at S 21 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  continues detection of an ejection of a tape cartridge. 
         [0074]    Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  detects an ejection of a tape cartridge by receiving a notice of completion of the ejection of the tape cartridge from the robot control module unit  350  (Yes at S 21 ), and records the state of the tape cartridge as “during diagnosis” (S 22 ). The subsequent steps S 23  to S 28  are the same as those in the above embodiment 2 (steps S 3  to S 8  in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 3. As described above, according to the embodiment 3, using, as a trigger, a timing when a tape cartridge MT 1  is ejected from the tape drive  320 , a status management table  242  is updated such that the tape cartridge MT 1  is recorded as “during diagnosis” (see (1) in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0076]    Next, the tape cartridge MT 1  is inserted into a diagnosis drive  330  (see (2) in  FIG. 7 ), and it is diagnosed whether or not the tape cartridge MT 1  is abnormal. When the tape cartridge MT 1  is not abnormal, the tape cartridge MT 1  is stored into a cell  340  (see (3) in  FIG. 7 ) to be ready for an actual operation (reading or writing) at the tape drive  320  again. 
         [0077]    In other words, an abnormality of the tape cartridge can be detected before the tape cartridge is used next time. Thus, the drive that is not abnormal is prevented from being blocked owing to an abnormality of the tape cartridge. 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0078]    The above embodiment 1 has described the operation of the tape cartridge system when one tape cartridge is entered from the outside, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. The following embodiment 4 will describe an operation of a tape cartridge system when a plurality of tape cartridges are entered from the outside. 
         [0079]    A configuration of the tape library system according to the embodiment 4 differs from that of the embodiment 1 in the following points. 
         [0080]    Specifically, when detecting entries of a plurality of tape cartridges from the outside, the robot control module unit  350  obtains an individual number assigned uniquely to each tape cartridge. Then, the robot control module unit  350  notifies the library control server  240  of detection of the entries of the plurality of tape cartridges along with the individual numbers of the tape cartridges that are arranged such that the order of entry is recognized. 
         [0081]    When receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , the detection of the entries of the plurality of tape cartridges, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status of the tape cartridge that is first entered in the tape library apparatus  300 , as “during diagnosis”. In addition, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status of each of the following tape cartridges that are entered in the tape library apparatus  300  after the first tape cartridge, as “waiting for diagnosis”. 
         [0082]      FIG. 8  illustrates a configuration of a status management table  242  according to the embodiment 4. The diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status “during diagnosis” in the status management table  242  such that the status is associated with an individual number “AAA123” of the tape cartridge that is received from the robot control module unit  350 . In addition, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the statuses “waiting for diagnosis” such that the statuses are associated with individual numbers “BBB123” and “CCC123” of the tape cartridges, respectively. 
         [0083]    Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  inserts the tape cartridge whose status is recorded as “during diagnosis”, into the diagnosis drive  330 , and sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to temporarily store the other tape cartridges whose statuses are recorded as “waiting for diagnosis”, into the cells  340 . When receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , completion of the insertion of the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends a performance command of abnormality diagnosis to the diagnosis drive  330 . 
         [0084]    Then, when receiving completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the tape cartridge that is first entered, as not being abnormal, and sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to store the tape cartridge in the diagnosis drive  330 , into the cell  340 . When receiving completion of the storing of the tape cartridge into the cell  340 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and clears the status of the tape cartridge stored into the cell  340 . 
         [0085]    On the other hand, for example, when there is no notice of completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330  within a predetermined time period, the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the first tape cartridge as being abnormal. Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  reports the abnormality of the tape cartridge along with the individual number of the tape cartridge to the global server  100 . 
         [0086]    After clearing the status, or after reporting the abnormality, the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and determines whether or not there is any tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis”. As a result of the determination, when there is any tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis”, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to insert the next tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis”, from the cell  340  into the diagnosis drive  330 . 
         [0087]    Then, when receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , completion of the insertion of the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends a performance command of abnormality diagnosis to the diagnosis drive  330 . Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until no tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis” exists. 
         [0088]      FIG. 9  illustrates a flow of processing performed by a virtual tape apparatus according to the embodiment 4. The diagnosis process control unit  241  determines whether or not the number of tape cartridges of which entries are detected by the robot control module unit  350 , is a plural number (S 31 ). 
         [0089]    When the diagnosis process control unit  241  receives detection of entries of a plurality of tape cartridges from the robot control module unit  350  and the number of tape cartridges of which entries are detected is a plural number (Yes at S 31 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  operates as follows. Specifically, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status of the tape cartridge that is first entered into the tape library apparatus  300 , as “during diagnosis”, and records the status of each of the following tape cartridges that are entered into the tape library apparatus  300  after the first tape cartridge, as “waiting for diagnosis” (S 32 ). 
         [0090]    Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command: to insert the tape cartridge whose status is recorded as “during diagnosis”, into the diagnosis drive  330 ; and to temporarily store the other tape cartridges whose statuses are recorded as “waiting for diagnosis”, into the cells  340  (S 33 ). 
         [0091]    When receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , completion of the insertion of the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  instructs the diagnosis drive  330  to start diagnosis of the tape cartridge by sending a performance command of abnormality diagnosis to the diagnosis drive  330  (S 34 ). 
         [0092]    Then, on the basis of receipt of a response from the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses whether or not the tape cartridge is abnormal (S 35 ). In other words, when receiving completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the first entered tape cartridge as not being abnormal (No at S 35 ), and sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to store the tape cartridge in the diagnosis drive  330 , into the cell  340  (S 36 ). Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and clears the status of the tape cartridge stored into the cell  340  (S 37 ). 
         [0093]    On the other hand, for example, when there is no notice of completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330  within a predetermined time period, the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the first entered tape cartridge as being abnormal (Yes at S 35 ), and reports the abnormality of the tape cartridge along with the individual number of the tape cartridge to the global server  100  (S 38 ). 
         [0094]    After clearing the status (S 37 ), or after reporting the abnormality (S 38 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and determines whether or not there is any tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis” (S 39 ). As a result of the determination, when there is any tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis” (Yes at S 39 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to insert the next tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis”, from the cells  340  into the diagnosis drive  330  (S 40 ). Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  repeats the above operations at steps S 34  to S 40  until no tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis” exists. 
         [0095]    Here, turning back to the description of S 31 , when the number of tape cartridges of which entries are detected is one (No at S 31 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  operates in a similar manner as in the above embodiment 1 (steps S 2  to S 8  in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0096]      FIG. 10  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 4. As described above, in the embodiment 4, when tape cartridges MT 1 , MT 2 , and MT 3  are entered from the outside, a status management table  242  is updated such that the tape cartridge MT 1  is recorded as “during diagnosis” and the tape cartridges MT 2  and MT 3  are recorded as “waiting for diagnosis” (see (1) in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0097]    Next, the tape cartridge MT 1  that is first entered is inserted into a diagnosis drive  330  (see (2) in  FIG. 10 ), and the following tape cartridges MT 2  and MT 3  are temporarily stored into cells  340  (see (3) in  FIG. 10 ). Then, diagnosis is performed as to whether or not the tape cartridge MT 1  is abnormal. 
         [0098]    When the tape cartridge MT 1  is not abnormal, the tape cartridge MT 1  is stored into a cell  340  (see (4) in  FIG. 10 ) to be ready for an actual operation (reading or writing) at the tape drive  320 . Subsequently, the tape cartridge MT 2  is inserted into the diagnosis drive  330  (see (5) in  FIG. 10 ), and diagnosis is performed as to whether or not the tape cartridge MT 2  is abnormal. The same operation is repeated until diagnosis of the tape cartridge MT 3  is completed. 
         [0099]    As described above, according to the embodiment  4 , even when a plurality of tape cartridges are entered from the outside, similarly as in the above embodiment 1, an abnormality of each tape cartridge can be detected before each tape cartridge is used for an actual operation (before being inserted into the tape drive  320  for reading or writing). Thus, the tape drive that is not abnormal is prevented from being blocked owing to an abnormality of the tape cartridge. 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0100]    In the above embodiment 3, at a timing when a tape cartridge on which reading or writing is performed is ejected from the tape drive  320 , it is diagnosed whether or not the ejected tape cartridge is abnormal. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The following embodiment 5 will describe an operation of a tape library system when a plurality of tape cartridges are ejected substantially simultaneously. 
         [0101]    A configuration of the tape library system according to the embodiment 5 differs from that of the embodiment 3 in the following points. 
         [0102]    When receiving notices of completion of ejections of a plurality of tape cartridges, from the robot control module unit  350  within a predetermined set time period, the diagnosis process control unit  241  substantially simultaneously detects ejections of the plurality of tape cartridges. Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status of any one of the tape cartridges that are ejected from the tape drives  320 , as “during diagnosis”, and records the statuses of the other tape cartridges as “waiting for diagnosis”. For example, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status of a tape cartridge for which a notice of completion of ejection is earliest from the robot control module unit  350 , as “during diagnosis” such that the status is associated with the individual number of this tape cartridge. Then, for each of the other tape cartridges of which ejections are completed after the earliest tape cartridge, the status is recorded as “waiting for diagnosis” so as to be associated with the individual number thereof. The subsequent operation is the same as in the above embodiment 4. 
         [0103]      FIG. 11  illustrates a flow of processing performed by a virtual tape apparatus according to the embodiment 5. The diagnosis process control unit  241  determines whether or not the number of tape cartridges of which ejections are detected by the robot control module unit  350  is a plural number (S 51 ). 
         [0104]    When detecting ejections of a plurality of tape cartridges by receiving notices of completion of ejections of the plurality of tape cartridges from the robot control module unit  350  within a predetermined set time period (Yes at S 51 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  operates as follows. Specifically, the diagnosis process control unit  241  records the status of any one of the tape cartridges that are ejected from the tape drives  320 , as “during diagnosis”, and records the statuses of the other tape cartridges as “waiting for diagnosis” (S 52 ). 
         [0105]    Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command: to insert the tape cartridge whose status is recorded as “during diagnosis”, into the diagnosis drive  330 ; and to temporarily store the other tape cartridges whose statuses are recorded as “waiting for diagnosis”, into the cells  340  (S 53 ). 
         [0106]    When receiving, from the robot control module unit  350 , completion of the insertion of the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  instructs the robot control module unit  350  to start diagnosis of the tape cartridge by sending a performance command of abnormality diagnosis to the diagnosis drive  330  (S 54 ). 
         [0107]    Then, on the basis of receipt of a response from the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses whether or not the tape cartridge is abnormal (S 55 ). In other words, when receiving a notice of completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330 , the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the first-diagnosed tape cartridge as not being abnormal (No at S 55 ), and sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to store the tape cartridge in the diagnosis drive  330 , into the cell  340  (S 56 ). Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and clears the status of the tape cartridge stored into the cell  340  (S 57 ). 
         [0108]    On the other hand, for example, when there is no notice of completion of the diagnosis from the diagnosis drive  330  within a predetermined time period, the diagnosis process control unit  241  diagnoses the first-diagnosed tape cartridge as being abnormal (Yes at S 55 ), and reports the abnormality of the tape cartridge along with the individual number of the tape cartridge to the global server  100  (S 58 ). 
         [0109]    After clearing the status (S 57 ), or after reporting the abnormality (S 58 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  refers to the status management table  242  and determines whether or not there is any tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis” (S 59 ). As a result of the determination, when there is any tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis” (Yes at S 59 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  sends, to the robot control module unit  350 , a command to insert the next tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis”, from the cell  340  into the diagnosis drive  330  (S 60 ). Then, the diagnosis process control unit  241  repeats the above operations at steps S 4  to S 10  until no tape cartridge whose status is “waiting for diagnosis” exists. 
         [0110]    Here, turning back to the description of S 1 , when detecting an ejection of a single tape cartridge by receiving a notice of completion of the ejection of the single tape cartridge from the robot control module unit  350  within a predetermined set time period (No at S 51 ), the diagnosis process control unit  241  operates as in the above embodiment 3 (steps S 22  to S 28  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0111]      FIG. 12  illustrates an effect achieved by the embodiment 5. As described above, in the embodiment 5, when tape cartridges MT 1 , MT 2 , and MT 3  are ejected substantially simultaneously from tape drives  320 , a status management table  242  is updated such that the tape cartridge MT 1  is recorded as “during diagnosis” and the tape cartridges MT 2  and MT 3  are recorded as “waiting for diagnosis” (see (1) in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0112]    Next, the tape cartridge MT 1  is inserted into a diagnosis drive  330  (see (2) in  FIG. 12 ), and the other tape cartridges MT 2  and MT 3  are temporarily stored into cells  340  (see (3) in  FIG. 12 ). Then, diagnosis is performed as to whether or not the tape cartridge MT 1  is abnormal. 
         [0113]    When the tape cartridge MT 1  is not abnormal, the tape cartridge MT 1  is stored into a cell  340  (see (4) in  FIG. 12 ) to be ready for an actual operation (reading or writing) at the tape drive  320 . Subsequently, the tape cartridge MT 2  is inserted into the diagnosis drive  330  (see (5) in  FIG. 12 ), and diagnosis is performed as to whether or not the tape cartridge MT 2  is abnormal. 
         [0114]    The same operation is repeated until diagnosis of the tape cartridge MT 3  is completed. 
         [0115]    As described above, according to the embodiment 5, even when a plurality of tape cartridges are ejected substantially simultaneously, an abnormality of each tape cartridge can be detected before each tape cartridge is used next time. Thus, the tape drive that is not abnormal is prevented from being blocked owing to an abnormality of the tape cartridge. 
       Embodiment 6 
       [0116]    The following will describe other embodiments of the tape library system, the tape cartridge diagnosis method, and the tape cartridge diagnosis program, which are disclosed in the application. 
         [0117]    Each component of the virtual tape apparatus  200  of the tape library system depicted in  FIG. 2  is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as depicted in the drawings. In other words, the specific mode of distribution and integration of the virtual tape apparatus  200  is not limited to the illustrated one, and, for example, the diagnosis process control unit  241  of the library control server  240  is distributed into a diagnosis process control function and a status management table function. 
         [0118]    As described above, all or a part of the virtual tape apparatus  200  can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in an optional unit according to various types of loads and the state of use. In addition, all or some of the processing functions performed on the virtual tape apparatus  200  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  9 , and  11 , and the like) can be implemented by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or can be implemented as hardware based on wired logic. 
         [0119]    The following tape cartridge diagnosis method is implemented by the virtual tape apparatus  200  described in the above embodiments. 
         [0120]    Specifically, a tape cartridge diagnosis method is implemented, which, in a tape library system that has a tape library apparatus and a tape library control apparatus that controls the tape library apparatus, is executed by the tape library control apparatus. In the method, a diagnosis performance control (e.g., steps S 3  and S 4  in  FIG. 4 ) is executed, in which the tape library control apparatus: inserts a magnetic tape cartridge into a diagnostic magnetic tape device that is provided in the tape library apparatus and is not used for an actual operation; and causes the diagnostic magnetic tape device to perform an diagnostic operation on the magnetic tape cartridge. 
         [0121]    Moreover, various processes of the virtual tape apparatus  200  described in the above embodiments (e.g., see  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  9 , and  11 , and the like) can also be implemented by a previously-prepared program being executed by a computer system such as a personal computer and a work station. With reference to  FIG. 13 , the following will describe one example of a computer that executes a tape cartridge diagnosis program having the same functions as those of the virtual tape apparatus  200  described in the above embodiments.  FIG. 13  illustrates the computer that executes the tape cartridge diagnosis program. 
         [0122]    Referring to this drawing, in a computer  400  as the virtual tape apparatus  200 , a communication control unit  410 , an HDD  420 , a RAM  430 , and a CPU  440  are connected to each other via a bus  500 . 
         [0123]    Here, the communication control unit  410  controls communications regarding exchange of various information. The HDD  420  stores information required for the CPU  440  to perform various processes. The RAM  430  temporarily stores various information. The CPU  440  performs various arithmetic processing. 
         [0124]    Then, as depicted in  FIG. 13 , a tape cartridge diagnosis program  421  that implements the same function as that of the library control server  240  of the virtual tape apparatus  200  depicted in  FIG. 2 , and a tape cartridge diagnosis data  422 , are previously stored in the HDD  420 . Note that the tape cartridge diagnosis program  421  may be distributed as appropriate and stored in a storage unit of another computer that is communicably connected via a network. 
         [0125]    Then, the CPU  440  reads the tape cartridge diagnosis program  421  from the HDD  420  and loads this program into the RAM  430 , whereby the tape cartridge diagnosis program  421  serves as a tape cartridge diagnosis process  431  as depicted in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0126]    In other words, the tape cartridge diagnosis process  431  reads the tape cartridge diagnosis data  422  and the like from the HDD  420 , stores these data into a region of the RAM  430 , which is assigned to the tape cartridge diagnosis process  431 , and performs various processes on the basis of the stored data and the like. Note that the tape cartridge diagnosis process  431  corresponds to the processes performed on the library control server  240  (diagnosis process control unit  241  and the like) of the virtual tape apparatus  200  depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0127]    Note that the tape cartridge diagnosis program  421  is not necessarily previously stored in the HDD  420 . For example, each program may be stored in a “portable physical medium” that is to be inserted into the computer  400 , such as a flexible disc (FD), a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card, or in “another computer (or server)” connected to the computer  400  via a public line, the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, or the like, and the computer  400  may read each program from them for execution. 
         [0128]    According to one aspect of the technique disclosed in the application, an abnormality of a magnetic tape cartridge that is attributed to a physical damage, can be detected before the magnetic tape cartridge is actually used. 
         [0129]    All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.