Library service port
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorsTimothy C. Ostwald, Daniel James Plutt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.
Claims17
A method of operating a data storage library having a housing that defines an interior region and an exterior region, at least one robotic mechanism disposed in the interior region, a plurality of storage cells disposed in the interior region for storing data cartridges, and a service port disposed through the housing, the method comprising:
- permitting access to at least part of the at least one robotic mechanism through the service port from the exterior region to allow maintenance on the at least one robotic mechanism;
- and
- blocking access to the plurality of storage cells through the service port from the exterior region to prevent access to the data cartridges stored in the plurality of storage cells.
A data storage library comprising:
- a housing defining an exterior and an interior region;
- at least one robotic mechanism disposed in the interior region
- a plurality storage cells disposed in the interior region for storing data cartridges;
- and
- a service port disposed through the housing, the service port being operative to permit access to at least part of the at least one robotic mechanism from the exterior region, and operative to block access to the plurality of storage cells from the exterior region.
A data storage library comprising:
- a housing defining an exterior and an interior region;
- at least one robotic mechanism disposed in the interior region;
- a plurality storage cells disposed in the interior region for storing data cartridges,
- a service port disposed through the housing, the service port being operative to permit access to at least part of the at least one robotic mechanism from the exterior region;
- and
- a door disposed across the service port, wherein the door has a closed position for blocking access to the plurality of storage cells through the service port from the exterior region, and an open position for enabling access to the at least part of the at least one robotic mechanism from the exterior region,
- wherein one robotic mechanism of the at least one robotic mechanism blocks access to the plurality of storage cells through the service port from the exterior region when the door is in the open position and the one robotic mechanism is aligned with the service port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.