Patent Abstract:
A data storage library utilizes library-local features to regulate access to shared read/write drives among multiple hosts, and thereby avoid the need for arbitrating host software. The library includes multiple data storage media, multiple data storage media slots, multiple read/write drives, and a library controller. The slots are originally partitioned into multiple logical libraries. Normally, the library shares the read/write drives among all hosts. However, when a host submits a request to unload a cartridge from a read/write drive, the library only honors that request if the host has access rights to the logical library from where the cartridge was originally loaded. Similarly, for each slot, the controller prevents a requesting host from loading a cartridge from that storage slot unless the requesting host has access rights to the logical library that includes that storage slot.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to data storage libraries housing multiple tapes or other data storage cartridges. More particularly, the invention concerns a data storage library that utilizes library-local features to regulate access to shared read/write drives among multiple hosts, thereby avoiding arbitrating host software. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A small computer system interface (“SCSI”) medium changer is a data storage device including storage slots, drives, and input/output (I/O) slots. SCSI medium changers also include robotic mechanisms that move data cartridges among other SCSI medium changer components. One example of a SCSI medium changer device is an IBM model 3575 tape library. 
     In many applications, it is desirable to share some or all components of a SCSI medium changer among multiple host applications. Sharing is especially desirable for tape libraries, since they are often used for the limited purpose of backing up data, and otherwise lie dormant during long periods when the tape library could be working for other hosts. Thus, especially for large tape libraries, it is desirable to have several host applications take turns using the library and its tape drives. 
     One problem with achieving this level of sharing is the need to arbitrate access among the different hosts. Namely, the sharing host applications must have some mechanism to ensure that one host does not access, or worse yet, update the contents of another host&#39;s cartridges. One popular solution is to install intervening software between the library and its hosts to arbitrate access to the library cartridges and tape drives. This software is known as “middleware,” and numerous examples are commercially available. Nonetheless, there are certain drawbacks. For instance, additional expense is required to purchase and maintain the middleware programs. Installation of the middleware requires the user to sacrifice processing capability of existing host hardware, or invest in additional processing hardware to run the middleware. 
     In contrast with middleware, a different approach is to logically partition storage slots and tape drives into distinct logical SCSI medium changer devices. This approach is implemented in the IBM model 3575 tape library, for example. The partitioning approach establishes “logical” partitions, each including an assortment of slots and one or more tape drives. Each partition is exclusively associated with one host. Thus, this approach shares the library resources by exclusively associating specific library resources to particular hosts. 
     Although this approach has certain advantages, engineers at International Business Machines Corp. (“IBM”) are continually seeking to improve the performance and efficiency of such systems. In this respect, one area of continual focus concerns the possibility of greater efficiency and device utilization through more efficient sharing schemes. In this respect, the present inventors have recognized that the partition approach still does not sufficiently share the read/write drives, one of the most expensive components in a tape library. Namely, one drive may be extremely busy processing requests of its corresponding host application, while other drives are inactive. Nonetheless, the other drives cannot be recruited to satisfy the busy host&#39;s requests due to the lines of partition. 
     Consequently, from the standpoint of efficiency, known library sharing schemes may not be completely adequate for some applications due to certain unsolved problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Broadly, the present invention concerns a data storage library that utilizes library-local features to regulate access to shared read/write drives among multiple hosts, thereby avoiding arbitrating host software. The library includes multiple data storage media, multiple data storage media slots, multiple read/write drives, and a library controller. The storage slots are originally partitioned into multiple “logical libraries,” with one or more hosts having access rights to the slots of each logical library. The controller will prevent a requesting host from removing a cartridge from a source storage slot unless the requesting host has access rights to the logical library of the source storage slot. In contrast to the partitioned storage slots, empty read/write drives are normally shared among all hosts. However, the controller will prevent a requesting host from unloading a cartridge from a read/write drive unless the requesting host has access rights to the “originating” logical library containing the storage slot from where the cartridge was loaded into the drive. 
     Accordingly, one embodiment of this invention concerns a method to regulate access to shared read/write drives among multiple hosts, thereby avoiding arbitrating host software. In another embodiment, the invention may be implemented to provide an apparatus, such as a data storage library, including structure to regulate access to shared read/write drives among multiple hosts, and thus avoid arbitrating host software. In still another embodiment, the invention may be implemented to provide a signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processing apparatus to perform operations as described herein. Another embodiment concerns logic circuitry having multiple interconnected electrically conductive elements configured to perform such operations. 
     The invention affords its users with a number of distinct advantages. Importantly, the present invention efficiently utilizes expensive library hardware resources by sharing empty read/write drives among multiple hosts. Accordingly, the present invention treats read/write drives as serially reusable resources, rather than exclusively assigning each drive to one or more hosts. Since this sharing scheme is implemented by the library controller, the invention advantageously utilizes library-local components to arbitrate host access to shared read/write drives. Thus, the invention avoids the need for expensive middleware programs to arbitrate host access to shared read/write drives. Similarly, the invention avoids sacrificing processing capability of existing host hardware that would be caused by running host-based arbitrating software. The invention also provides a number of other advantages and benefits, which should be apparent from the following description of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the hardware components and interconnections of a data storage system according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital data processing machine according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows an exemplary signal-bearing medium according to the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operational sequence for library-local arbitration of host access commands according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The nature, objectives, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     HARDWARE COMPONENTS &amp; INTERCONNECTIONS 
     Introduction 
     One aspect of the invention concerns a data storage system, which may be embodied by various hardware components and interconnections as described in FIG.  1 . FIG. 1 shows a data storage library  100  coupled to a number of hierarchically superior hosts  102 . The library  100  includes many portable data storage media, such as magnetic tape cartridges, optical cartridges, writeable CDs, etc. For ease of reference, the portable data storage media of the library  100  are referred to as “cartridges.” 
     Host(s) 
     Among other possible functions, the hosts  102  supply data to the library  100  for storage, and send requests to the library  100  to retrieve data. Multiple hosts  102  are shown, since one beneficial feature of the data storage library  100  its sharing of read/write drives among multiple hosts. As illustrated, the hosts  102  include hosts  102   a - 102   d.    
     The host role may be satisfied by various types of hardware, such as a digital data processing computer, logic circuit, construction of discrete circuit components, interface to a human operator, etc. As an example, one or more hosts  102  may comprise IBM RS/ 6000  machines employing an operating system such as AIX. The hosts  102  may also be coupled to respective interfaces (not shown), enabling the hosts  102  to exchange information with a human operator. Each such interface may comprise a control panel, video monitor, computer keyboard/mouse, or another appropriate human/machine interface. 
     The hosts  102  manage data in the library  100  using “location-centric” commands, and may utilize the SCSI medium changer protocol as one example. With location-centric commands, the hosts  102  request cartridge movement by specifying source and destination locations in the library  100 . Using the SCSI medium changer protocol to further illustrate one example, the hosts  102  may specify locations such as locations of medium transport elements, storage elements, import/export elements, data transfer elements, and the like. 
     Library 
     The library  100  is coupled to the hosts  102  by an interface  109 , which may be embodied in various forms. Some examples include wires/cables, one or more busses, fiber optic lines, wireless transmission, intelligent communications channel, etc. The library  100  carries out host requests to move cartridges, access cartridges, etc. 
     In one embodiment, the library  100  comprises a SCSI removable media library, such as a tape library. Along with other alternatives, the library  100  may utilize other connectivity options, such as a fibre channel-to-SCSI bridge product, SCSI-to-SCSI multiplexer, etc. 
     Drive 
     The library  100  includes multiple drives  106  to conduct read/write operations with cartridges in the library  100 . In the present example, two drives  106   a - 106   b  are shown. Advantageously, the controller  108  oversees sharing of the drives  106  among the hosts  102 , avoiding the need for any additional, library-external hardware or “middleware” software package. Since the drives  106  are shared without preference for one or another, the drives  106   a - 106   b  may be called a “drive pool”. 
     Each drive  106  comprises suitable hardware to access the format of data storage cartridge in the library  100 . For example, in the case of magnetic tape cartridges, the drive  106  may comprise IBM model  3590  tape drives. Cartridges are directed to/from the drives  106  by robotics  110 , described below. 
     Cartridge Storage &amp; Management 
     The library  100  includes equipment to physically move and store the cartridges. For instance, storage slots  114  house dormant cartridges. The storage slots  114  comprise shelves or other data storage library compartments. I/O slots  112  are provided to transfer cartridges to/from the library  100  without disrupting the operation of the robotics  110  or drives  106 . Using the I/O slots  112 , an operator can introduce cartridges into the library  100  (“insert” operation), or the library  100  can expel cartridges (“eject” operation). For example, the I/O slots  112  may comprise “pass-through” slots, a carriage, conveyor, etc. 
     The storage slots  114  are logically divided into multiple “partitions,” also called “logical libraries.” In the present example, four partitions  114   a - 114   d  are illustrated. The partitions  114   a - 114   d  may be selected to achieve any desired relationship with the physical storage slots. For example, a partition may include one slot, a row of slots, a panel of slots, a selection of individual slots, or any other arrangement. 
     According to the present invention, the partitions are used to implement one technique for sharing the storage slots  114  among the multiple hosts  102 . As explained below, the library controller  108  acts as a gateway that prevents a host from accessing the slots of each partition  114   a - 114   d  unless that host has “access rights” to that partition. Access rights occur according to a user selected host-partition mapping that is established at system configuration, or another appropriate time. As an example, the host-partition mapping may specify that the host  102   a  has exclusive access to the partition  114   a , the host  102   b  has access to the partition  114   b , and so on. Under host-partition mapping, one or more hosts have access rights to each partition. 
     To move cartridges between the drives  106 , I/O slots  112 , and storage slots  114 , the library  100  includes robotics  110 . The robotics  110  access these components by respective paths  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d . The robotics  110  may be implemented by any suitable cartridge movement machinery, such as robotic arms, integrated cartridge loading equipment, conveyors, grippers movable on an x-y coordinate system, etc. The robotics  110  may include a single device that is shared among the hosts  102 , or multiple devices that are partitioned or shared, depending upon the needs of the application. Likewise, the I/O slots  112  may be partitioned or shared, depending upon the requirements of the application. 
     Controller 
     The library  100  operates under supervision of the controller  108 , which receives commands from the hosts  102  requesting the controller  108  to move cartridges between storage slots  114 , I/O slots  112 , and the drives  106 . The controller  108  communicates with the hosts  102  via the interface  109 . In addition to the interface  109 , which constitutes a “control” path, the library  100  also includes a “data” path (not shown) that carries data between the hosts  102  and the read/write drives  106 . 
     The controller  108  comprises a digital data processing machine, logic circuit, construction of discrete circuit components, or other automated mechanism, and operates according to suitable programming, physical configuration, etc. To provide a specific example, the controller  108  may comprise an IBM POWER-PC processor. 
     The hosts  102  send location-centric movement requests for controller  108  to move cartridges. Each movement request includes a movement command along with various parameters, such as source and destination addresses corresponding to desired locations among the storage slots  114 , I/O slots  112 , and drives  106 . The controller  108  maintains a drive map  116  and partition map  118 . The drive map  116  maintains information that is used by the controller  108  in arbitrating use of the drives  106  among the hosts  102 , as explained below. TABLE 1 shows an example of the drive map  116 . Each row represents one drive, and lists the following related information: 
     1. The identity of the drive  106   a - 106   b  represented by this row. 
     2. Whether the drive contains a cartridge (“full”) or not (“empty”). 
     3. If the drive contains a cartridge, the identity of the “originating” partition  114   a - 114   d  where the cartridge came from. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 DRIVE MAP 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 DRIVE 
                 FULL/EMPTY 
                 ORIGINATING PARTITION 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 DRIVE 106a 
                 FULL 
                 PARTITION 114d 
               
               
                   
                 DRIVE 106b 
                 EMPTY 
                 N/A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The partition map  118  contains the host-partition mapping to aid the controller  108  in properly limiting each host&#39;s access to the host&#39;s designated partition. Each partition is only accessible by hosts with access rights to that partition. TABLE 2 shows an example of the partition map  118 . Each row represents one storage slot  114 , and lists the following related information: 
     1. The storage slot&#39;s physical address. 
     2. The identity of the partition containing this slot. 
     3. The identities of all hosts with access rights to the partition containing this slot. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTITION MAP 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL ADDRESS 
                   
                 HOST(S) WITH 
               
               
                   
                 OF STORAGE SLOT 
                 PARTITION 
                 ACCESS RIGHTS 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 000001 
                 114a 
                 102a 
               
               
                   
                 000002 
                 114a 
                 102a 
               
               
                   
                 000003 
                 114a 
                 102a 
               
               
                   
                 000004 
                 114a 
                 102a 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
                 000234 
                 114b 
                 102b, 102c 
               
               
                   
                 000235 
                 114b 
                 102b, 102c 
               
               
                   
                 000236 
                 114b 
                 102b, 102c 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
                 000301 
                 114c 
                 102c, 102d 
               
               
                   
                 000302 
                 114c 
                 102c, 102d 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
                 001024 
                 114d 
                 102d 
               
               
                   
                 001025 
                 114d 
                 102d 
               
               
                   
                 001026 
                 114d 
                 102d 
               
               
                   
                 001027 
                 114d 
                 102d 
               
               
                   
                 001028 
                 114d 
                 102d 
               
               
                   
                 001029 
                 114d 
                 102d 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
                 002056 
                 114d 
                 102d 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Exemplary Digital Data Processing Apparatus 
     The controller  108  may be implemented in various forms, including a digital data processing apparatus as one example. This apparatus may be embodied by various hardware components and interconnections; one example is the digital data processing apparatus  200  of FIG.  2 . The apparatus  200  includes a processor  202 , such as a microprocessor or other processing machine, coupled to a storage  204 . In the present example, the storage  204  includes a fast-access storage  206 , as well as nonvolatile storage  208 . The fast-access storage  206  may comprise random access memory (“RAM”), and may be used to store the programming instructions executed by the processor  202 . The nonvolatile storage  208  may comprise, for example, one or more magnetic data storage disks such as a “hard drive,” a tape drive, or any other suitable storage device. The apparatus  200  also includes an input/output  210 , such as a line, bus, cable, electromagnetic link, or other means for the processor  202  to exchange data with other hardware external to the apparatus  200 . 
     Despite the specific foregoing description, ordinarily skilled artisans (having the benefit of this disclosure) will recognize that the apparatus discussed above may be implemented in a machine of different construction, without departing from the scope of the invention. As a specific example, one of the components  206 ,  208  may be eliminated; furthermore, the storage  204  may be provided on-board the processor  202 , or even provided externally to the apparatus  200 . 
     Logic Circuitry 
     In contrast to the digital data storage apparatus discussed previously, a different embodiment of the invention uses logic circuitry instead of computer-executed instructions to implement the controller  108 . Depending upon the particular requirements of the application in the areas of speed, expense, tooling costs, and the like, this logic may be implemented by constructing an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) having thousands of tiny integrated transistors. Such an ASIC may be implemented with CMOS, TTL, VLSI, or another suitable construction. Other alternatives include a digital signal processing chip (“DSP”), discrete circuitry (such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, inductors, and transistors), field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), programmable logic array (“PLA”), and the like. 
     OPERATION 
     In addition to the various hardware embodiments described above, a different aspect of the invention concerns a method for performing library-local arbitration of host access commands in a partitioned data storage library. 
     Signal-Bearing Media 
     In the context of FIGS. 1-2, such a method may be implemented, for example, by operating the controller  108 , as embodied by a digital data processing apparatus  200 , to execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions. These instructions may reside in various types of signal-bearing media. In this respect, one aspect of the present invention concerns a programmed product, comprising signal-bearing media tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processor to perform a method for performing library-local arbitration of host access commands in a partitioned data storage library. 
     This signal-bearing media may comprise, for example, RAM (not shown) contained within the controller  108 , as represented by the fast-access storage  206 . Alternatively, the instructions may be contained in another signal-bearing media, such as a magnetic data storage diskette  300  (FIG.  3 ), directly or indirectly accessible by the processor  200 . Whether contained in the storage  206 , diskette  300 , or elsewhere, the instructions may be stored on a variety of machine-readable data storage media, such as direct access storage (e.g., a conventional “hard drive,” redundant array of inexpensive disks (“RAID”), or another DASD), magnetic tape, electronic read-only memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM), optical storage (e.g., CD-ROM, WORM, DVD, digital optical tape), paper “punch” cards, or other suitable signal-bearing media including transmission media such as digital and analog and communication links and wireless. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the machine-readable instructions may comprise software object code, compiled from a language such as “C,” etc. 
     Logic Circuitry 
     In contrast to the signal-bearing medium discussed above, the method aspect of the invention may be implemented using logic circuitry, without using a processor to execute instructions. In this embodiment, the logic circuitry is implemented in the controller  108 , and is configured to perform operations to implement the method of the invention. The logic circuitry may be implemented using many different types of circuitry, as discussed above. 
     Operating Sequence 
     FIG. 4 shows one example of a sequence  400  to performing library-local arbitration of host access commands in a partitioned data storage library. For ease of explanation, but without any intended limitation, the example of FIG. 4 is described in the context of the hardware components and interconnections shown in FIG. 1, described above. 
     The steps  400  are initiated in step  402 . After step  402 , the library  100  is configured in step  404 ,  406 . As an example, these steps may be performed when the library  100  is initially installed, subsequently reconfigured, or otherwise setup. In step  404 , the storage slots  114  are logically allocated into partitions (also called “logical libraries”). As an example, step  404  may be achieved by an operator transmitting input data to the controller  108  via a keyboard or library control panel (not shown). This input data specifies the extent of each partition, and as an example, may identify: 
     1. The number of partitions. 
     2. The storage slots  114  contained in each partition. 
     3. Any “unshared” I/O slots  112 , and the partition containing each unshared I/O slot. 
     4. Any unshared drives  106 , and the partition containing each unshared drive. For clarity of explanation, the present illustration does not depict any unshared drives, to focus on the drive sharing aspect of the invention. 
     After step  404 , step  406  conducts host-partition matching. This may be performed, for example, by the operator transmitting further input data to the controller  108 . This input data associates one or more hosts with each partition; each host associated with a partition is said to have “access rights” to the facilities of that partition. If desired, a host may have access rights to than one partition; this may be avoided, however, by redefining these multiple partitions as a single partition. Also in step  406 , the controller  108  stores the host-partition mapping in the partition map  118 . 
     When step  406  is complete, the initial configuration of the library is finished. Next, the controller  108  determines whether it has received any host cartridge movement requests (step  408 ). If not, step  408  repeats. When the controller  108  receives a cartridge movement request from one of the hosts  102 , the routine  400  branches according to whether the host requested an “unload” operation or a “load” operation. An unload operation involves transferring a cartridge from a drive to an I/O slot  112  or storage slot  114 , whereas a load operation involves the opposite action. 
     If the controller  108  received a cartridge load request, step  408  advances to step  410 . In step  410 , the controller  108  examines the load request, which includes a load command and various load parameters, including (1) identification of a “source” storage or I/O slot containing the desired cartridge, and (2) optionally, specification of a “destination” read/write drive for the load operation. The controller  108  proceeds to access the partition map  118  to determine whether the host has access rights to the partition containing the identified source storage slot (if a destination drive has been specified and this drive is allocated to a partition). If not, then this host does not have permission to access the source slot and/or destination drive according to the host-partition mapping that was established in step  406 . In this event, the controller  108  denies the host request in step  412  by returning an error message to the host, not responding, etc. Step  412  then leads back to step  408 , to wait for the next host movement request. 
     In contrast, if the host has permission to access the cartridge in the source slot (and destination drive, if specified), then step  410  proceeds to step  414 . In step  414 , the controller  108  directs the robotics  110  to load the cartridge from the specified storage slot into the identified destination drive (if one was specified), or alternatively into any available drive if none was specified. Since the drives  106   a - 106   b  are shared among all hosts  102 , the controller  108  may select any available drive if none was specified. If a specified destination drive is unavailable, of if all drives are unavailable and none were specified, the controller  108  may transfer the desired cartridge into a preloading shelf or loader, enter the cartridge&#39;s name in a load-pending memory queue for subsequent physical loading, etc. Assuming drive availability, in step  414  controller  108  also updates the drive map  116 , which was described above in TABLE 2. Namely, step  414  updates the drive map to show the following data, cross-referenced against the chosen drive: (1) the partition where the loaded cartridge came from, and (2) the “full” status of the drive. After step  414 , the load operation is complete, and control returns to step  408  to await the next cartridge movement request. 
     In contrast to the foregoing sequence, if the controller  108  received a cartridge unload request in step  408 , then the routine  400  advances to step  416  instead of step  410 . In step  416 , the controller  108  examines the unload request, which includes an unload command and various parameters including (1) identification of the source drive  106  containing the cartridge to be unloaded, and (2) identification of a destination storage slot or  110  slot. Also in step  416 , the controller  108  accesses the drive map  116  and partition map  1128  as follows. Namely, the drive map  116  indicates the originating partition, where the cartridge in the drive came from; the partition map  118  identifies the host(s) with access rights to the source partition. If the requesting host has access rights to the originating partition according to the partition map  118 , then the controller  108  moves the cartridge from the drive to the destination slow pursuant to the host&#39;s request (step  420 ). Otherwise, if the requesting host does not have access rights to the originating partition, then the controller  108  denies the host request in step  418  by returning an error message to the host, not responding at all, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the requesting host is required to have access rights to both the originating partition and destination location. In this embodiment, if the requesting host has access rights to the originating partition and destination location according to the partition map  118 , then the controller  108  moves the cartridge from the drive to the destination slot pursuant to host&#39;s request (step  420 ). Otherwise, if the requesting host does not have access rights to both partitions (i.e., originating and destination slot), then the controller  108  denies the host request in step  418  by returning an error message to the host, not responding at all, etc. After steps  418  or  420 , the controller returns to step  408  to wait for the next host movement command. 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     While the foregoing disclosure shows a number of illustrative embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6