Patent Publication Number: US-2023136224-A1

Title: Automated system and method for diagnosing tape drive and media issues within large-scale tape library system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/274,794 filed on Nov. 2, 2021 and entitled “ADVANCED DRIVE DIAGNOSTICS FOR USE WITH TAPE LIBRARIES AND TAPE CARTRIDGE CAPACITY REPORTING DURING STREAMING WRITE”. As far as permitted, the contents of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/274,974 are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Automated tape library systems (also sometimes referred to herein as “tape library systems”, “library systems” or “tape systems”), which can include one or more automated tape libraries (also sometimes referred to herein as “tape libraries”), are commonly utilized for purposes of writing data to and reading data from magnetic tape cartridges (also sometimes referred to herein as “tape cartridges” or more generally as “storage media”). In particular, the tape libraries typically include a robotic, tape cartridge mover that selectively retrieves and/or moves tape cartridges as desired between storage slots and tape drives within the tape library. More specifically, upon receiving a signal to access a certain tape cartridge, such as from a user, customer or host application (or simply a “host”), the tape cartridge mover can be manipulated to physically retrieve the requested tape cartridge from its associated storage slot in the tape library. Subsequently, the tape cartridge mover moves the tape cartridge to an appropriate tape drive, and inserts the tape cartridge into a drive housing of the tape drive so that requested read/write operations can be performed on the magnetic tape retained within the tape cartridge. Upon completion of the requested read/write operations, the tape cartridge mover can then return the tape cartridge to an appropriate storage slot. 
     The design of tape libraries has been altered substantially in recent years so that the tape libraries exhibit drastic increases in storage capacity. However, such increases in storage capacity come with lot of novel techniques that need to be implemented either mechanically or electronically into the tape library. The number of components that collaboratively work together to enable such increases in storage capacity also poses the challenge of failure rates and potential catastrophic propagation of errors. Unfortunately, failures can be abundant within tape libraries. For example, failures can occur in the tape drives, the storage media (tape cartridges), and/or the tape cartridge mover. In fact, tape libraries are subject to various types of errors including damage to the storage media, malfunction of the tape cartridge mover, clogging of the tape head(s) in the tape drives, other tape drive hardware issues, debris accumulation, etc. Depending on when such errors first arose in the overall time course of events, there can be a complex connection between the constituent components and these failure types. 
     Tracking the root cause of these failures can be extremely hard, but is an important step towards designing more robust library systems. The tape library components are to blame when hard (persistent) errors occur during the lifetime of tape libraries. Due to its assembled and mechanical nature, tape cartridge movers (and other mechanical components for the same matter), tape cartridges and tape drives, with all supporting electronics, interact in an exclusive way. A specific hard/persistent error in one or more components of the tape system might begin affecting the other components severely, eventually leading other components to fail or malfunction down the road. Also, with removable media systems such as tape drives and tape cartridges, errors can be correlated rather than random leading to difficulties in isolating failures to individual tape drives or storage media. This issue can be amplified even more with hyperscale applications where drive and media numbers are scaled to very large quantities. However, detection and replacement of a component in a large and complex library system could be priceless as it can stop failures from accumulating and propagating in an undesired manner, thus saving money that the owners may otherwise have to spend down the road. 
     In many situations, understanding tape drive and storage media problems in individual tape libraries can be relatively simple. For example, SCSI-based data logging has been a mainstream data analytic input process for managing tape and cartridge problems in order to manage archival data based on magnetic tape systems, especially linear tape open (LTO) based systems. However, such analysis can quickly become unreasonably labor intensive and time-consuming when there are multiple customers (or hosts) and multiple tape libraries (up to hundreds or even thousands of tape libraries) in multiple data centers. This can dramatically alter the total cost of ownership (TCO) in a negative way for the customers. Accordingly, it is desired to develop a more scalable solution that can determine in an automated manner when tape drives and/or storage media should be replaced, and/or when the failures can be compensated for in another suitable manner, such as cleaning the tape heads of the tape drives, so no components need to be replaced. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed toward a tape library system including a plurality of tape libraries, a plurality of data centers, and an error diagnostic system. Each of the plurality of tape libraries includes a tape drive, at least one tape cartridge that retains magnetic tape, and a tape cartridge mover that moves the tape cartridge relative to the tape drive. Each of the plurality of data centers is configured to retain at least one of the plurality of tape libraries. In various embodiments, the error diagnostic system includes (i) a central database that is configured to receive one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries, each of the one or more error codes being generated due to errors that occurred during operation of the tape drive within a corresponding tape library, and (ii) a system controller including a processor that is configured to analyze the one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries to determine a health of the tape drive and the at least one tape cartridge within the corresponding tape library. 
     In some embodiments, the processor is configured to analyze the one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries to determine one of (i) the tape drive within the corresponding tape library needs to be replaced, (ii) a tape cartridge of the at least one tape cartridge within the corresponding tape library needs to be replaced, and (iii) the corresponding tape library can continue operation without replacement of the tape drive and without replacement of any of the at least one tape cartridge within the corresponding tape library. 
     In certain embodiments, the processor is configured to analyze the one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries to determine if the tape drive needs to be cleaned within the corresponding tape library. 
     In various embodiments, a host application requests that a read/write operation be performed in one of the tape libraries with respect to the at least one tape cartridge utilizing the tape drive of the corresponding tape library. 
     In some embodiments, one of the tape drive and the corresponding tape library generates the one or more error codes based on an error that occurs during the requested read/write operation, and transmits the one or more error codes to the error diagnostic system. 
     In certain embodiments, the processor of the error diagnostic system analyzes the one or more error codes and generates a recommended remedial action based on the analysis of the one or more error codes. 
     In some embodiments, the error diagnostic system transmits the recommended remedial action to the host application. 
     In certain embodiments, at least two of the plurality of data centers are positioned in different geographical locations. 
     In one embodiment, each of the plurality of data centers is positioned in a different geographical location. 
     The present invention is further directed toward a method of diagnosing health of components within a tape library system, the method including the steps of (A) establishing architecture of the tape library system including (i) a plurality of tape libraries, each of the plurality of tape libraries including a tape drive, at least one tape cartridge that retains magnetic tape, and a tape cartridge mover that moves the tape cartridge relative to the tape drive; and (ii) a plurality of data centers, each of the plurality of data centers being configured to retain at least one of the plurality of tape libraries; (B) receiving one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries within a central database of an error diagnostic system, each of the one or more error codes being generated due to errors that occurred during operation of the tape drive within a corresponding tape library, the error diagnostic system further including a system controller including a processor; and (C) analyzing the one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries with the processor to determine a health of the tape drive and the at least one tape cartridge within the corresponding tape library. 
     The present invention is also directed toward a tape library system including a plurality of tape libraries, each of the plurality of tape libraries including a tape drive, at least one tape cartridge that retains magnetic tape, and a tape cartridge mover that moves the tape cartridge relative to the tape drive; a plurality of data centers, each of the plurality of data centers being configured to retain at least one of the plurality of tape libraries, at least two of the plurality of data centers being positioned in different geographical locations; and an error diagnostic system including a central database and a system controller including a processor; wherein a host application requests that a read/write operation be performed in one of the tape libraries with respect to the at least one tape cartridge utilizing the tape drive of the corresponding tape library; wherein one of the tape drive and the corresponding tape library generates one or more error codes based on errors that occur during the requested read/write operation within the corresponding tape library, and transmits the one or more error codes to the error diagnostic system; wherein the central database receives one or more error codes from each of the plurality of tape libraries; wherein the processor of the error diagnostic system analyzes the one or more error codes and generates a recommended remedial action based on the analysis of the one or more error code, the recommended remedial action including one of (i) the tape drive within the corresponding tape library needs to be replaced, (ii) a tape cartridge of the at least one tape cartridge within the corresponding tape library needs to be replaced, and (iii) the corresponding tape library can continue operation without replacement of the tape drive and without replacement of any of the at least one tape cartridge within the corresponding tape library; and wherein the error diagnostic system transmits the recommended remedial action to the host application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a simplified schematic illustration of an embodiment of a tape library system having features of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a simplified schematic top view illustration of an embodiment of an automated tape library that can be incorporated into the tape library system illustrated in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a simplified schematic top view illustration of a magnetic tape drive, and a magnetic tape cartridge that has been inserted into the magnetic tape drive, which can be included as part of the tape library illustrated in  FIG.  2   ; and 
         FIG.  4    is a simplified flowchart illustrating an embodiment of implementation of the present invention within a large-scale tape library system. 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and drawings, and are described in detail herein. It is understood, however, that the scope herein is not limited to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope herein. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in the context of an automated system and method for diagnosing tape drive and media issues within large-scale tape library systems. More specifically, the present invention provides an automated error diagnostic system and method for receiving and analyzing error codes from a plurality of tape libraries that are located within a plurality of data centers, which can be at different geographical locations, to determine whether the errors are a result of (i) problems with the storage media (which may warrant replacement of the storage media), (ii) problems with the tape drives (which may warrant replacement of the tape drives), or (iii) other problems that can be resolved without the need for replacement of any storage media or tape drives. As such, the present invention provides a scalable solution for diagnosing health of the tape drives and tape cartridges within a tape library system that improves on previous methodologies that do not work at scale. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the present invention is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementations, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with application-related and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    is a simplified schematic illustration of an embodiment of a tape library system  10  having features of the present invention. As illustrated, the tape library system  10  of the present invention can be a large-scale, or hyperscale, tape library system. The design of the tape library system  10  can be varied. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the tape library system  10  includes a plurality of tape libraries  12 , a plurality of data centers  14 , one or more users, consumers or host applications  16  (or simply “hosts”) that access the plurality of tape libraries  12  and/or the plurality of data centers  14 , a data transmission system  18 , and an error diagnostic system  20 . Additionally, as shown, the error diagnostic system  20  can include a central database  22 , and a system controller  24 , including a processor  24 A, which is configured to control operation of the error diagnostic system  20  for purposes of diagnosing tape drive and storage media issues within the tape library system  10 . Alternatively, the tape library system  10  can include more components or fewer components than those specifically illustrated and described in relation to  FIG.  1   . 
     It is appreciated that, although the present invention is generally described as being usable within a tape library system including a plurality of tape libraries in a plurality of data centers, the teaching provided herein is in no way restrictive to tape libraries in particular. More specifically, any system with multiple and interactive components could fall into the described system, model or scheme. For example, the present invention can also be applicable to DNA storage where DNA storage systems use vessels to hold data synthesized using DNA technology, and there are many vessels including synthesizer (writer) or sequencing (reading) equipment, which can be equated with tape drives writing and reading magnetic recording data, with both using robotics-based libraries. 
     The plurality of tape libraries  12  are configured for purposes of storing tape cartridges  226  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   ), and for utilizing tape drives  228  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) for writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226 . 
     Unfortunately, various types of errors can potentially occur during use of the tape libraries  12 , such as during the processes of utilizing the tape drives  228  for writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226 . Through use of the present invention, when any such errors occur, error codes are generated within the tape drives  228  and/or the tape libraries  12 , which are subsequently transmitted to the error diagnostic system  20  via the data transmission system  18 . In order to inhibit any singular errors from propagating to cause additional errors within the tape library system  10 , it is desired to diagnose any potential issues with the tape drives  228  and/or the tape cartridges  226  that can be derived from such errors and/or error codes through use of the error diagnostic system  20 . In particular, the error diagnostic system  20  can analyze the realized errors and/or error codes to determine a health of the tape drives  228  and/or the tape cartridges  226 . More specifically, the error diagnostic system  20  can analyze the realized errors and/or error codes (or “error code data”), such as by comparing the realized errors and/or error codes with error codes previously realized and captured within the error diagnostic system  20 , to determine one of (i) a tape drive  228  being used within one of the plurality of tape libraries  12  needs to be replaced, (ii) a tape cartridge  226  being used within one of the plurality tape libraries  12  needs to be replaced, and (iii) the plurality of tape libraries  12  can continue operation without replacement of the tape drives  228  and without replacement of the tape cartridges  226  within the tape library  12 . As such, the error diagnostic system  20  can provided an automated system and method by which the health of the tape drives  228  and/or tape cartridges  226  can be effectively and accurately diagnosed. Moreover, by continuing to gather, store and process additional error codes from any tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14  within the tape library system  10 , the error diagnostic system  20  can continually create a more robust system through feedback as to whether or not the recommended health diagnosis effectively inhibited any potential error repetition or propagation within the tape library system  10 . 
     It is further noted that when diagnosing the health of the tape drives  228  and/or tape cartridges  226  within any tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14  within the tape library system  10 , the error code(s) received within the error diagnostic system  20  can be analyzed individually and/or in combination with any other error code(s) that are related to the same tape drive  228  and/or tape cartridge  226 . 
     The tape library system  10  can include any suitable number of tape libraries  12  and any suitable number of data centers  14 . As illustrated, each of the plurality of data centers  14  is configured to retain at least one of the plurality of tape libraries  12 . For purposes of simplicity, the tape library system  10  is illustrated with only three data centers  14 , with a first data center  14  including five tape libraries  12 , a second data center  14  including seven tape libraries  12 , and a third data center  14  including nine tape libraries  12 . However, it is appreciated that in many large-scale, or hyperscale, tape library systems, the tape library system  10  may include tens or hundreds of data centers  14 , and hundreds or thousands of tape libraries  12 . 
     The data centers  14  can have any suitable design for purposes of providing a desired housing for the plurality of tape libraries  12 . In certain embodiments, the plurality of data centers  14  can be individual buildings, rooms within buildings, or other portions of buildings, which can each provide the desired housing for at least one of the plurality of tape libraries  12 . Alternatively, the data centers  14  can have another suitable design. 
     In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of data centers  14  are positioned in different geographical locations. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of data centers  14  can be positioned in different geographical locations. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  2    is a simplified schematic top view illustration of an automated tape library  212  (also sometimes referred to herein simply as a “tape library”) that can be incorporated into the tape library system  10  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . It is appreciated, however, that the tape library  212  illustrated and described herein is just one simple example of a tape library  212  usable as part of the tape library system  10 . Moreover, any of the plurality of tape libraries  12  included within the tape library system  10  can have designs that are different from one another, or can have designs that are substantially similar to one another. 
     The tape library  212  includes a tape drive system  230  that includes one or more tape drives  228  that are usable for writing data to and reading data from magnetic tape  331  (illustrated in  FIG.  3   , and sometimes referred to as “tape medium”) that is retained within a tape cartridge  226 . In  FIG.  2   , a top cover (not shown) has been omitted for clarity so that the interior of the tape library  212  is visible. The design of the tape library  212  can be varied as desired. In particular, the tape library  212  can have any suitable design that is capable of storing a plurality of tape cartridges  226  and using one or more tape drives  228  to write data to and read data from the plurality of tape cartridges  226 . More specifically, it is noted that the tape library  212  illustrated in  FIG.  2    is just one non-exclusive example of a tape library  212  that can be incorporated into the present invention, and no limitations are intended based on the specific type and/or size of the tape library  212  shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     In various embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the tape library  212  can include one or more of: (i) a library housing  232  that defines a library interior  234 , (ii) a plurality of storage slots  236  that are each configured to receive and selectively retain (and store) a tape cartridge  226 , (iii) a rack assembly  238  including one or more racks  240 , (iv) a tape cartridge retrieval assembly  242  (also sometimes referred to herein as a “retrieval assembly”, a “tape robot”, or simply a “robot”), (v) the tape drive system  230  including the one or more tape drives  228 , (vi) a power supply  244 , (vii) a library control system  246 , (viii) a graphical user interface  248  (illustrated in phantom, and also sometimes referred to herein as a “GUI”), and (ix) a climate controller  250 . 
     In various embodiments, the tape library  212  (such as via the library control system  246 ) and/or the tape drives  228  (such as via a drive controller  382  (illustrated in  FIG.  3   )) can be configured to generate error codes when any type of failure occurs during the process of writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226  with the tape drives  228 . It is appreciated that the specific error code(s) that are generated are designed to provide information regarding the specific type of failure that was experienced during the process of writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226  with the tape drives  228 . Subsequently, the tape library  212  and/or the tape drives  228  can be further configured to transmit the error code(s) to the error diagnostic system  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) via the data transmission system  18  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ). 
     The library housing  232  is configured to retain various components of the tape library  212 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the plurality of storage slots  236 , the rack assembly  238  including the rack(s)  240 , the retrieval assembly  242 , the one or more tape drives  228  of the tape drive system  230 , the power supply  244 , the library control system  246 , and the climate controller  250  can all be received and retained at least substantially, if not entirely, within the library interior  234  that is defined by the library housing  232 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the library housing  232  can be rigid and can have a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, the library housing  232  can have another suitable shape or configuration. For example, the library housing  232  can have a substantially square-shaped cross-section or any other suitable shaped cross-section. In many embodiments, the library housing  232  may be constructed of any number of conventional materials such as, for example, those utilized in industry standard rack mount cabinets. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the plurality of storage slots  236  can be positioned within the library housing  232 , with the storage slots  236  being configured to receive and retain (and store) the tape cartridge(s)  226 . More particularly, in various embodiments, each of the storage slots  236  is configured to receive and retain a single tape cartridge  226 . Alternatively, storage slots  236  can be used that are configured to receive and retain multiple tape cartridges  226  therein. It is noted that no tape cartridges  226  are shown as being retained within the storage slots  236  in  FIG.  2    for clarity. 
     The tape library  212  can include any suitable number of storage slots  236 , and/or the tape library  212  can be designed to retain any suitable number of tape cartridges  226 . Moreover, the storage slots  236  can be arranged within the tape library  212  in any suitable manner. For example, in certain embodiments, the tape library  212  can include forty storage slots  236  arranged in two four-by-five storage areas. More particularly, in this embodiment, the tape library  212  includes two magazines  252 , one on each side of the retrieval assembly  242 , with each magazine  252  including four columns of storage slots  236 , and with each column having five storage slots  236  oriented substantially horizontally one on top of another (with limited spacing therebetween). Alternatively, the tape library  212  can include greater than forty or fewer than forty storage slots  236  and/or the storage slots  236  can be arranged in a different manner than is illustrated and described in relation to  FIG.  2   . For example, in certain non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the tape library  212  can be configured to include hundreds or even thousands of storage slots  236 , each being configured to receive and retain a separate tape cartridge  226 . 
     The design and configuration of the rack assembly  238  can be varied to suit the specific requirements of the tape library  212 . For example, in one non-exclusive embodiment, the rack assembly  238  can include four individual racks  240  that are spaced apart from one another. In some embodiments, each rack  240  can be oriented in a generally vertical direction and can extend a height that is sufficient to enable the retrieval assembly  242  to effectively retrieve a tape cartridge  226  from any of the plurality of storage slots  236 . Alternatively, the rack assembly  238  can include a different number of racks  240 . For example, in some non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the rack assembly  238  can include two racks  240 , three racks  240  or more than four racks  240  that can be spaced apart from one another. 
     The retrieval assembly  242 , or robot, selectively, such as upon request of a user or host application  16  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), retrieves and moves the tape cartridge  226  as desired between the storage slots  236  and the tape drives  228 . In particular, during use, upon receiving a signal from the library control system  246  to access a certain tape cartridge  226 , the retrieval assembly  242  can be manipulated to physically retrieve the requested tape cartridge  226  from its associated storage slot  236  in the tape library  212 . Subsequently, the retrieval assembly  242  moves the tape cartridge  226  to an appropriate tape drive  228 , and inserts the tape cartridge  226  into a drive housing  258  of the tape drive  228  so that requested read/write operations can be performed. Upon completion of the requested read/write operations, the retrieval assembly  242  can then return the tape cartridge  226  to an appropriate storage slot  236 . 
     It is appreciated that although a single retrieval assembly  242  is illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the tape library  212  can be designed to include more than one retrieval assembly  242 . For example, in one non-exclusive alternative embodiment, the tape library  212  can include two retrieval assemblies  242  that function in different portions of the tape library  212  and/or that provide redundancy in the event that one of the retrieval assemblies  242  fails. 
     The one or more tape drives  228  can be configured for reading and/or writing data with respect to the tape cartridge  226 . The number of tape drives  228  provided within the tape library  212  can be varied to suit the specific requirements of the tape library  212 . For example, in certain embodiments, the tape library  212  can include three tape drives  228  that are stacked substantially one on top of another (with limited spacing therebetween). Alternatively, the tape library  212  can include greater than three or fewer than three tape drives  228  and/or the tape drives  228  can be positioned in a different manner relative to one another. For example, in some non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the tape library  212  can be configured to include one hundred or more tape drives  228 . 
     In certain embodiments, the tape library  212  can include more than a single tape drive system  230  for purposes of providing the one or more tape drives  228 . For example, in some embodiments, the tape library  212  can include a plurality of tape drive systems  230 , with each tape drive system  230  including one or more individual tape drives  228 . 
     The power supply  244  provides electrical power in a well-known manner to the one or more tape drives  228 , the retrieval assembly  242 , the library control system  246  and/or additional tape libraries  212 . The power supply  244  can be interfaced with these components as well as with an external power source in a well-known manner using industry standard cabling and connections. Alternatively, the power supply  244  can be interfaced with these components in another manner. 
     The library control system  246  (also sometimes referred to as “library software”) provides the desired and necessary control for oversight functionality of the tape library  212 . The library control system  246  can have any suitable design, many of which are well-known in the industry. For example, in one embodiment, the library control system  246  can include a standard driver interface unit for receiving digital commands and translating the commands into driving currents, such as step pulses for controlling stepper motors, and/or for controlling the climate controller  250 . In certain embodiments, the library control system  246  can include a standard programmable general-purpose computer formed on a single plug-in card unit and can include a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller, memory, communication interface, control interface, connectors, etc. Alternatively, the library control system  246  can have a different design and/or the library control system  246  can be positioned within the tape library  212  in a different position or manner than that illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     Importantly, in various embodiments, the library control system  246  can be further configured for generating error codes due to any failures realized during the process of the tape drives  228  being used to write data to and/or read data from any of the tape cartridges  226 . The library control system  246  can be additionally configured for transmitting such error codes to the error diagnostic system  20 , such as via the data transmission system  18 . 
     The tape library  212  can use well-known industry standard cabling and communication protocols between the library control system  246  and other structures of the tape library  212 . Cabling and electrical characteristics including signaling protocols can be generally standardized, and the logical message protocols can be either proprietary or standardized as known to those skilled in the art. 
     As shown, the tape library  212  can also include the GUI  248 , or other suitable output device, such as an interactive touchscreen graphical user interface or another suitable graphical user interface, which allows the user or host  16  to interact with and/or transmit requests or commands to and/or from the tape library  212 . In certain embodiments, the GUI  248 , or other suitable output device, can provide information and/or feedback to the host  16  from the error diagnostic system  20  in the form of visual output, audio output and/or tactile output. Additionally, or in the alternative, in some embodiments, information and/or feedback, often in the form of remedial recommendations, can be provided to the host  16  in the form of email. 
     The climate controller  250  controls the climate, such as the temperature and/or humidity, within the library interior  234 . In various embodiments, the climate controller  250  can regulate, adjust, control and/or maintain a specific climate within the library interior  234 . In certain embodiments, at various times, the specific climate that is regulated, adjusted, controlled and/or maintained by the climate controller  250  within the library interior  234  can be based on a climate outside of the library interior  16 . 
       FIG.  3    is a simplified schematic top view illustration of a magnetic tape drive  328 , and a magnetic tape cartridge  326  that has been inserted into the tape drive  328 , which can be included as part of the tape library  212  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     In  FIG.  3   , covers for the tape drive  328  and the tape cartridge  326  have been omitted for clarity so that the interior of such components is visible. As shown, the tape cartridge  326  is configured to retain a magnetic tape  331 . It is appreciated that the tape drive  328  as shown in  FIG.  3   , in certain aspects, represents a generic tape drive in terms of overall size, shape and design, and is shown by way of example and not by way of limitation. In some embodiments, the tape drive  328  operates in compliance with an LTO specification, such as LTO-8 or LTO-9. Stated in another manner, in such embodiments, the tape cartridge  328  is an LTO-compatible tape cartridge. 
     During use of the tape drive  328 , the tape cartridge  326  is inserted into a drive housing  358  of the tape drive  328  so that the tape drive  328  can read data from and/or write data to the tape cartridge  326 . As shown, the tape cartridge  326  includes a cartridge reel  360  that includes and/or defines a cartridge hub  362 . The magnetic tape  331  is spooled about the cartridge hub  362  of the cartridge reel  360 . In certain embodiments, the magnetic tape  331  can include at least one servo track (not shown) and a plurality of data tracks (not shown) that run along a longitudinal length of the magnetic tape  331 . Each of these tracks can be positioned substantially parallel to each other. 
     The tape cartridge  326  supplies the magnetic tape  331  to the tape drive  328 . More particularly, when the tape cartridge  326  is inserted into the drive housing  358  of the tape drive  328 , one end of the magnetic tape  331  is taken up within the tape drive  328  to be wrapped around a drive reel  364  included in the tape drive  328 . The magnetic tape  331  traverses a predefined path  366  (illustrated as a two-headed arrow) between the cartridge reel  360  and the drive reel  364 , which is defined, at least in part, by one or more rollers  368  (two are shown in  FIG.  3   ) positioned at strategic positions along the predefined path  366 . The rollers  368  may also aid in limiting gross lateral movement (i.e. in and out of the page as shown in  FIG.  3   ) of the magnetic tape  331 , sometimes referred to as lateral tape motion or “LTM”. 
     Along the predefined path  366 , the drive reel  364  moves the magnetic tape  331  across a tape head assembly  370  (also sometimes referred to herein as a “head assembly”, “tape heads” or simply as a “head”) that is configured to read data from and/or write data to the magnetic tape  331 . In alternative embodiments, the head assembly  370  can include at least one read head, at least one write head, and at least one read/write head. In particular, the head assembly  370  is positioned in close proximity to the predefined path  366  of the magnetic tape  331  such that as the magnetic tape  331  travels in the longitudinal direction (by being wound from the cartridge reel  360  to the drive reel  364  or vice versa) the head assembly  370  can read/write data to particular tracks and longitudinal positions of the magnetic tape  331 . The head assembly  370  and/or a separate head assembly can include one or more servo elements configured to read the servo track(s) of the magnetic tape  331  in order to effectively maintain proper alignment between the head assembly  370  and the magnetic tape  331 . It is appreciated that the tape drive  328  can include any suitable number of heads within the head assembly  370  for purposes of reading data from and/or writing data to the magnetic tape  331 . For example, in one non-exclusive embodiment, the head assembly  370  can include 32 heads for purposes of reading data from and/or writing data to 32 data tracks on the magnetic tape  331 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown, the tape drive  328  can also include a cartridge reel motor  372  (illustrated as a box in phantom) that generates the necessary force to rotate the cartridge reel  360  at will, and a cartridge reel encoder  374 , such as a sensor or detector, that is configured to output signals representing the pulse rate (or rotation rate) of the cartridge reel motor  372 . 
     In certain embodiments, the tape drive  328  can include a drive reel motor  376  (illustrated as a box in phantom) that generates the necessary force to rotate the drive reel  364  at will, and a drive reel encoder  378 , such as a sensor or detector, that is configured to output signals representing the pulse rate (or rotation rate) of the drive reel motor  376 . 
     As illustrated in this embodiment, the tape drive  328  also includes an actuator  380  and a drive controller  382  (also sometimes referred to as “drive software”), including one or more processors and circuits, that can be communicatively coupled to the head assembly  370 . The actuator  380  is configured to control the lateral position of the head assembly  370  and/or the individual heads of the head assembly  370  relative to the magnetic tape  331  based on a signal provided by the drive controller  382 . As such, the actuator  380  comprises a mechanical positioner to move the head assembly  370  up or down laterally. By controlling the lateral position of the head assembly  370  relative to the magnetic tape  331 , particular tracks of the magnetic tape  331  can be accessed as desired. Alternatively, the tape drive  328  can include more than one actuator  380 . For example, the tape drive  328  can include a separate actuator  380  for each head. 
     The drive controller  382  is in communication with the actuator  380  and a number of other drive hardware components within the tape drive  328 , including the head assembly  370 . For example, although not specifically shown in  FIG.  3   , each of the cartridge reel motor  372 , the cartridge reel encoder  374 , the drive reel motor  376 , and the drive reel encoder  378  can be in communication with the drive controller  382 . As such, the drive controller  382  can be configured to perform various specified operations, either individually, or in combination with other software, hardware and/or firmware elements. 
     Importantly, in various embodiments, the drive controller  382  can be further configured for generating error codes due to any failures realized during the process of the tape drives  328  being used to write data to and/or read data from any of the tape cartridges  326 . The drive controller  382  can be additionally configured for transmitting such error codes to the library control system  246  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) before such error codes are transmitted by the library control system  246  to the error diagnostic system  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), such as via the data transmission system  18  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ). Additionally, or in the alternative, the drive controller  382  can be further configured to transmit the error codes to the error diagnostic system  20 , such as via the data transmission system  18 , without first being transmitted to the library control system  246 . 
     Returning back to  FIG.  1   , the tape library system  10  can include any suitable number of hosts  16  that can access and interact with the tape libraries  12  and the data centers  14  in any suitable manner. In particular, it is appreciated that although nine hosts  16  are specifically illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the tape library system  10  can include fewer than nine hosts  16  (and as low as a single host  16 ) or greater than nine hosts  16  (and as many as hundreds or thousands of hosts  16 ). 
     During use of the tape library system  10 , the hosts  16  can typically make various requests for the tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14  to perform any desired read/write operations using any appropriate tape drives  228  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) and tape cartridges  226  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) depending upon the specific requests being made by the hosts  16 . 
     It is appreciated that the hosts  16  can effectively access the tape libraries  12  and/or the data centers  14  in any suitable manner, utilizing any suitable type of input device. For example, in certain non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the input device usable by the hosts  16  can include one or more of the GUI  248  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) that is built into each of the individual tape libraries  12 , an alphanumeric input device such as a keyboard including alphanumeric and other keys, a cursor control device such as a mouse, a trackball, a stylus, or cursor direction keys, and a touch screen. 
     It is further appreciated that the hosts  16  can receive feedback, data or information from the tape libraries  12 , the data centers  14  and/or the error diagnostic system  20  utilizing any suitable type of output device. Stated in another manner, the tape library system  10  can further include any suitable type of output device for purposes of transmitting any feedback, data or information from the tape libraries  12 , the data centers  14  and/or the error diagnostic system  20  back to the hosts  16 . For example, in some non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the output device can include a display device, such as the GUI  248 , that can provide one or more of visual output, auditory output and tactile output. Additionally, or in the alternative, in certain embodiments, information and/or feedback, often in the form of remedial recommendations, can be provided to the host  16  in the form of email. 
     The tape library system  10  can further include a bus or other suitable communications device for purposes of enabling communications of any desired data and information in either direction between the hosts  16  and the tape libraries  12  and/or the data centers  14 . 
     As noted above, during use of the tape libraries  12  and/or the tape drives  228  for purposes of writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226 , many different types of failures or errors can occur. When such failures or errors occur, the tape libraries  12  (such as through the library control system  246  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   )) and/or the tape drives  228  (such as through use of the drive controller  382  (illustrated in  FIG.  3   )) can be configured to generate error codes that specifically relate to the types of failures or errors that occurred. In many embodiments, the error codes can further include information that identifies the particular data center  14 , tape library  12 , tape drive  228  and tape cartridge  226  in which the failures or errors occurred. In some embodiments, the error codes can also identify the particular location on the magnetic tape  331  (illustrated in  FIG.  3   ), such as the linear position along a length of the tape  331 , the data band, the wrap number, etc., at which the failures or errors occurred. 
     Once the error codes have been generated by the tape libraries  12  (such as through the library control system  246 ) and/or the tape drives  228  (such as through the drive controller  382 ), the error codes can then be transmitted to the error diagnostic system  20  via the data transmission system  18 . In various embodiments, the data transmission system  18  can include any suitable type of transmission device or system, such as utilizing the Internet, a bus or other suitable information transmission device or system, for purposes of transmitting the error codes to the error diagnostic system  20 . 
     In some embodiments, the error diagnostic system  20  can be a cloud-based system that enables the collection of error code data and information into a central location from the plurality of tape libraries  12  at the plurality of data centers  14 , which can be at different geographical locations. Alternatively, the error diagnostic system  20  can be another suitable type of centrally-based system that enables the collection of error code data and information into a central location from the plurality of tape libraries  12  at the plurality of data centers  14 . 
     The design of the error diagnostic system  20  can be varied to suit the requirements of the tape library system  10 . In various embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the error diagnostic system  20  can include the central database  22 , and the system controller  24 , including the processor  24 A, which is configured to control operation of the error diagnostic system  20  for purposes of diagnosing tape drive and media issues within the tape library system  10 . Alternatively, the error diagnostic system  20  can include more components than those specifically illustrated and described in relation to  FIG.  1   . 
     As an overview, the error diagnostic system  20  incorporated within the present invention provides a unique data collection infrastructure, and includes rules that have been created and are utilized to automatically disposition problems as they occur. More particularly, the present invention includes the central database  22 , which in one non-exclusive embodiment can be incorporated within a cloud-based approach, that is implemented for gathering library snapshot data, often in the form of error code data that is generated when failures or errors occur during use of the tape drives  228  in any of the tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14  for purposes of writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226 . The data collection system thus retrieves the necessary data that is required for subsequent analysis. Rules that have been established and are applied during use of the error diagnostic system  20  include one or more of (i) determining when generated error codes and/or combinations of error codes indicate that immediate tape drive  228  replacement is warranted; (ii) determining when generated error codes and/or combinations of error codes indicate that immediate tape cartridge  226  replacement is warranted; (iii) determining a ratio check approach to determine if write/read issues realized within the tape drives  228  are common enough to warrant tape drive  228  replacement; and (iv) determining rules using positional data on the magnetic tape  331  to identify problems within the tape cartridge  226  where repeated failures happen at the same location. Stated in another manner, the established rules are applied to the error code data, and the corresponding analysis results in a set of communications that are then provided to the customer or host  16  for purposes of then performing the recommended remedial actions. 
     As such, implementation of the present invention within large-scale tape library systems provides technical benefit in the way the data is collected from the plurality of tape libraries  12  and/or the plurality of data centers  14  in a seamless manner, and results are then made available to the customer in a real-time basis. This provides a much faster response to the customers than the customary systems where qualified engineers are utilized to look at the data after the fact, thus resulting in quicker replacement of faulty hardware and a much better overall experience. 
     The central database  22  can have any suitable design for purposes of effectively collecting and retaining error code data that is generated from failures and/or errors that occur during use of the tape drives  228  in any of the tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14  when writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226 . For example, in various embodiments, the central database  22  can include one or more storage devices that are configured to collect and retain any such error code data that is generated from failures and/or errors that occur during use of the tape drives  228  in any of the tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14  when writing data to and/or reading data from the tape cartridges  226 . In the non-exclusive embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the central database  22  includes a first storage device  22 A, a second storage device  22 B, and a third storage device  22 C. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the central database  22  can include fewer than three storage devices (such as simply a single storage device) or greater than three storage devices. 
     In certain embodiments, the first storage device  22 A can be a volatile storage device, such as random-access memory (RAM) or other suitable volatile storage device, that can be utilized for primary storage of any and all error code data, or other data collections that may change over time. In some embodiments, the first storage device  22 A can further be utilized for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor  24 A of the system controller  24 , which may be modified over time as new error code data is received and analyzed, and as additional feedback is received regarding the effectiveness of any recommended remedial actions. For example, if certain error codes were previously analyzed in a manner that led to a certain remedial recommendation being forward to the customer, the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of such remedial recommendation can then also be recorded within the first storage device  22 A for strengthening or weakening the probability of such remedial recommendations being made in the future when similar error codes are subsequently analyzed. In one embodiment, the first storage device  22 A can further be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information usable during execution of instructions by the processor  24 A of the system controller  24 . 
     In some embodiments, the second storage device  22 B can be a non-volatile storage device, such as read-only memory (ROM) and/or any other suitable static storage device, that can be utilized for storing any static information and instructions usable during execution of instructions by the processor  24 A of the system controller  24 . 
     In certain embodiments, the third storage device  22 C can be a back-up data storage device, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive, flash memory, or other suitable type of data storage device, that can be utilized for purposes of storing back-up data, such as when no power is supplied to the error diagnostic system  20 . 
     It is appreciated that any of the noted functions of any and all of the storage devices  22 A- 22 C within the central database  22  can be performed within the central database  22  in any suitable manner using any individual storage device or any combination of storage devices. 
     The system controller  24 , including the processor  24 A, is configured to analyze the error codes that are stored within the central database  22  to determine a health of the tape drives  228  and/or the tape cartridges  226  to which the error codes specifically relate. More specifically, in various embodiments, the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A are configured to analyze one or more of the error codes that are stored within the central database  22  to determine one of (i) the tape drive  228  from which the error code(s) derived, which is positioned within a particular tape library  12 , needs to be replaced, (ii) the tape cartridge  226  from which the error code(s) derived, which has been utilized within one or more tape drives  228  that are positioned within the particular tape library  12 , needs to be replaced, and (iii) the particular tape library  12  can continue operation without replacement of the tape drive  228  and/or the tape cartridge  226  within the particular tape library  12 . 
     During use of the error diagnostic system  20 , the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A are configured to follow a plurality of methodological steps in order to effectively and accurately determine the health of the tape drives  228  and/or the tape cartridges  226  to which the error codes being analyzed specifically relate. 
     In certain embodiments, an error code spreadsheet can be generated which provides a list of various categories through which one or more error codes can be grouped together to help accurately determine the correct remedial action to be taken to combat the problems that have been found through use of the tape drives  228  and/or the tape cartridges  226  within any of the tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14 . In some embodiments, columns formed into the error code spreadsheet can include one or more of (1) drive type; (2) half-height drive vs. full-height drive; (3) primary error code returned by the tape drive; (4) secondary error code returned by the tape drive, which can provide additional information that can sometimes help provide a more detailed understanding of the primary error code; (5) main tape alert combination returned by the tape drive for a given error code; (6) error count of a particular type versus total load count; (7) basic description of the definition or meaning of the error code, and any additional notes related to the particular failure event; (8) grouping of generalized error types; (9) indication of whether the particular error code may be a potential debris issue; (10) indication as set within the drive that the failure is indicative of a problem with the tape cartridge; (11) indication that the error codes may be resolved through initiation of certain recovery steps to bring the tape drive back online and into use; (12) latest firmware version where there has ben a fix for the realized error code; (13) recommended action to take, including replacement of the tape drive or the tape cartridge, once a threshold error count has been reached; and (14) indication of how common a particular error code may be. 
     In various embodiments, a particular sequence of methodological steps are undertaken by the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A when determining the health of the tape drives  228  and/or the tape cartridges  226  to which the error codes being analyzed specifically relate. For example, in one non-exclusive embodiment, the sequence of methodological steps can include:
     (1) Missing End-of-Data (EOD) Check - which can be indicative of when a tape drive has a hard write error;   (2) Error Handling - to handle simple cases that are easily dispositioned using either Tape Alert or Error Codes that indicate error types of “Application”, “Cleaning” or “Ecosystem” issues;   (3) Error Handling - to work through stuck/stranded tape issues, including first write/read investigation steps;   (4) Error Handling - including final checks for non-drive issues as well as a final ratio check to evaluate drive failure rate;   (5) Check for Tape Alert with Invalid Error Code;   (6) Firmware Check - to see if there is a drive firmware fix for the error code reported;   (7) Drive Problem Ratio Check - this takes inputs from the error code spreadsheet which includes error code specific failure rate data;   (8) Likely Debris Issues - often the case when large quantities of brand new storage media is in use;   (9) Evaluate Data Band, Wrap and LPOS - storage media that has a particular bad spot, either because of edge damage or other issues, can be identified by checking the location of failures.   

     It is appreciated, however, that in other embodiments, the order of the steps can be modified, certain steps can be skipped, and/or additional steps can be added during the process of utilizing the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A to determine the health of the tape drives  228  and/or the tape cartridges  226  to which the error codes being analyzed specifically relate. 
     Once an appropriate response and/or recommended remedial action has been determined by the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A based on analysis of relevant error code(s), the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A can be further configured to transmit the response and/or recommended remedial action directly or indirectly to the host  16 . For example, for purposes of a potential direct transmission to the host  16 , in one non-exclusive embodiment, the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A can generate an email that is sent to the host  16  that includes the response and/or recommended remedial action relating to the initial request by the host  16  to have certain read/write operations performed within the tape libraries  12  and/or data centers  14 . Alternatively, for purposes of a potential indirect transmission to the host  16 , in certain embodiments, the system controller  24  and/or the processor  24 A can transmit the response and/or recommended remedial action back to the corresponding tape library  12   or data center  14  such as via the data transmission system  18 . Subsequently, the response and/or recommended remedial action can be made available to the host  16  through use of any suitable output device, such as described in greater detail herein above. Still alternatively, transmission of the response and/or recommended remedial action can occur directly or indirectly in another suitable manner. 
     Once the response and/or recommended remedial action has thus been transmitted to the host  16 , the host  16  can then pursue appropriate further action based on the response and/or recommended remedial action. Depending on the actual response and/or recommended remedial action, the appropriate further action can include one or more of replacing the tape drive, replacing the tape cartridge, or continuing use of the tape library system as is. 
       FIG.  4    is a simplified flowchart illustrating an embodiment of implementation of the present invention within a large-scale tape library system. 
     At step  401 , architecture is established for the tape library system including a plurality of tape libraries and a plurality of data centers. Each of the plurality of data centers includes at least one of the plurality of tape libraries. In certain embodiments, at least two of the plurality of data centers are positioned at different geographical locations. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of data centers is positioned at different geographical locations. 
     At step  402 , upon request of a host application, one or more read/write operations are performed utilizing at least one tape drive and at least one tape cartridge within one of the tape libraries at one of the data centers. 
     At step  403 , error codes are generated within the tape drive and/or tape library based on any failures or errors that may have occurred during the process of performing the requested read/write operations. In various embodiments, the error codes can include information relating to one or more of (i) the type of failure or error that has occurred, (ii) in which data center the noted failure or error has occurred, (iii) in which tape library the noted failure or error has occurred, (iv) which tape drive was being used when the noted failure or error occurred, (v) which tape cartridge was being used when the noted failure or error occurred, and (vi) the specific location within the tape cartridge, such as LPOS, data band, wrap number, etc., at which the noted failure or error occurred. 
     At step  404 , error code data from the generated error codes is transmitted to a centrally-based error diagnostic system via a data transmission system. It is appreciated that the error diagnostic system can be configured to receive such error code data from each of the plurality of tape libraries and each of the data centers that are incorporated within the large-scale tape library system. 
     At step  405 , the received error code data is stored within a central database that is included within the error diagnostic system. 
     At step  406 , a system controller including a processor of the error diagnostic system analyzes the received error code data and determines an appropriate response and/or recommended remedial action based at least in part on the error code data. In many embodiments, the error code data is analyzed in light of any and all previously received error code data that can provide valuable information with respect to how and why such failures or errors within the tape drive, the tape cartridge and/or the tape library may have occurred. As provided herein, in various embodiments, the appropriate response and/or recommended remedial action can include one or more of recommended replacement of the corresponding tape drive, recommended replacement of the corresponding tape cartridge, recommended cleaning of the corresponding tape drive, and recommended continued use of the corresponding tape drive and tape cartridge essentially as is. 
     At step  407 , the appropriate response and/or recommended remedial action is transmitted, either directly or indirectly, to the host application that made the initial request for performing of the desired read/write operations. In one embodiment, direct transmission of the appropriate response and/or recommended remedial action can occur through generation of a suitable email by the system controller and/or the processor of the error diagnostic system. In another embodiment, indirect transmission of the appropriate response and/or recommended remedial action can occur by initially transmitting such information back to the corresponding data center and tape library via the data transmission system, before such information is then transmitted by to the host application via a suitable output device. 
     At step  408 , the host application can perform actions in accordance with the appropriate response and/or recommended remedial action. 
     As described herein, the concept behind the error diagnostic system is to isolate issues in the appropriate order to make sure that a tape drive is identified for replacement in the minimum number of cases possible. In particular, there are some issues that immediately flag a tape drive for replacement, but apart from those, issues are identified as recoverable media issues, definite media issues, and then a tape drive is only flagged for replacement if it fails often enough. For example, in various embodiments, the decision-making process as performed by the system controller and/or the processor of the error diagnostic system can proceed generally as follows:
     1. Recoverable media problems (mostly missing EOD related) are flagged;   2. Specific application/ecosystem issues, with periodic cleaning issues being ignored;   3. Specific issues are almost always debris related - these are flagged with specific error codes, or the fact that the tape in use has 1 or 2 tape loads;   4. Firmware issues are flagged, and code update recommendations made;   5. Specific error codes indicate a drive hardware issue;   6. Other error codes indicate a definite media problem;   7. Stuck tape issues are flagged and may be manually recovered;   8. Specific load errors are drive or media and are isolated by use of a tape in multiple drives or a drive with multiple tapes;   9. A history of problems is captured with positional information so media that repeatedly fails at the same location can be identified and not shown as a drive issue; and   10. Once the issues flagged in steps 1-9 have been isolated, any drive that shows an issue will only be called bad if it fails in a threshold number of loads/unloads, such as 5 out of 20 load/unloads in one non-exclusive example.   

     Thus, in general, the error diagnostic system illustrated and described in detail herein uses multiple approaches to spot certain root causes with a very high degree of confidence leading to the three possible dispositions: drive replacement, media replacements, or continued use as is. Cleaning is managed by the library and assumed as a normal recovery method. Accordingly, the error diagnostic system makes use of error codes and focuses on the following general concepts (i) missing EOD detection; (ii) 
     Identifying issues that are definite debris problems; (iii) Flagging cases where drive FW should be updated; (iv) Flagging error codes that are unresolved drive FW issues so they should not count as drive hardware issues; (v) Suggestions to potentially recover some stuck tape issues; (vi) Flag definite drive issues; and (vii) Flag definite media issues (e.g., broken tapes) 
     It is understood that although a number of different embodiments of the tape library system have been illustrated and described herein, one or more features of any one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of one or more of the other embodiments, provided that such combination satisfies the intent of the present invention. 
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of the tape library system have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.