Enhanced tape drive communication

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing software that communicates with a tape drive emulation unit that communicates using command mode or transport mode, the software comprising:

• executable code that receives an inquiry about whether the tape drive emulation unit communicates using transport mode;
• executable code that responds to the inquiry by indicating that the tape drive emulation unit does communicate using transport mode;
• and
• executable code that services transport mode commands until receiving a release command, wherein a host application sends commands to the tape emulation unit and receives commands from the tape emulation unit using command mode and wherein the host converts command mode control words into transport mode control words prior to transmitting the control words to the tape emulation unit.

A tape emulation unit, comprising:

• a tape emulation storage device;
• a data mover/server coupled to the tape emulation storage device;
• and
• a front end component coupled to the data mover/server and including a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing software that communicates using command mode or transport mode, the software including executable code that receives an inquiry about whether the tape drive emulation unit communicates using transport mode, executable code that responds to the inquiry by indicating that the tape drive emulation unit does communicate using transport mode, and executable code that services transport mode commands until receiving a release command, wherein a host application sends commands to the tape emulation unit and receives commands from the tape emulation unit using command mode and wherein the host converts command mode control words into transport mode control words prior to transmitting the control words to the tape emulation unit.