Hard disk drive library

A data storage and retrieval system, comprising:

• a first plurality of hard disk drive storage slots;
• a first plurality of backplane connectors;
• a first plurality of hard disk drives removably disposed within said first plurality of hard disk drive storage slots, such that each of said first plurality of hard disk drives is in electrical contact with one of said first plurality of backplane connectors;
• a first switch;
• a first plurality of read/write encoders;
• a first plurality of communication links, wherein one of said first plurality of communication links connects one of said first plurality of backplane connectors with one of said first plurality of read/write encoders;
• a second plurality of communication links, wherein one of said second plurality of communication links connects one of said first plurality of read/write encoders to said first switch;
• a controller, wherein said controller is connected to said switch by a third communication link;
• and
• one or a plurality of first external servers;
• one or a plurality of fourth communication links, wherein one of said one or a plurality of fourth communication links connects each of said one or a plurality of first external servers to said first switch.

A method for storing data in, and retrieving data from, a hard disk drive library, said hard disk drive library comprising a plurality of storage slots, one or a plurality of resident hard disk drives removably disposed in said plurality of storage slots, a directory comprising one or a plurality of resident hard disk drive volsers, a controller in communication with each of said plurality of resident hard disk drives, and one or a plurality of external servers in communication with each of said plurality of resident hard disk drives, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a non-resident hard disk drive into one of said plurality of storage slots;
• operating said non-resident hard disk drive;
• comparing said non-resident hard disk drive volser to said one or a plurality of resident hard disk drive volsers;
• terminating operation of said non-resident hard disk drive if said non-resident volser matches one or more of said one or a plurality of resident hard disk drive volsers;
• updating said directory to include said non-resident hard disk drive volser if said nonresident hard disk drive volser does not match one or more of said one or a plurality of resident hard disk drive volsers;
• communicating said updated directory to each of said one or plurality of external servers.

A hard disk drive library comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for optimizing power distribution within said hard disk drive library, wherein said hard disk drive library comprises a plurality of hard disk drive storage slots and one or more resident hard disk drives removably disposed in said plurality of hard disk drive storage slots, the computer readable program code comprising a series of computer readable program steps to effect:

• monitoring the power requirements of said one or more resident hard disk drives;
• upon a request to add a non-resident hard disk drive to said hard disk drive library, estimating the power requirements of said non-resident hard disk drive;
• and
• recommending insertion of said non-resident hard disk drive into one of said plurality of hard disk drive storage slots based upon the combined power requirements of said resident hard disk drives and said non-resident hard disk drive.