Power reduction scheme for use with a disc drive magazine

A data storage library comprising:

• at least one of a plurality of docking stations adapted to receive a mobile disc drive magazine wherein the magazine comprises a plurality of disc drives;
• a loading device adapted to automatically pull the magazine into the at least one docking station in an engaging relationship to establish a communication link between the magazine and the at least one docking station and wherein the loading device is also adapted to automatically eject the magazine in a disengaged relationship with the at least one docking station when the magazine is in a substantially inactive state;
• an interface adapted to establish a communication pathway capable of transferring data between at least one data consumer and the library;
• the magazine capable of storing data received by the at least one data consumer when linked with the at least one docking station;
• the magazine capable of changing from a fully active state to at least one quiescent state when storage operations performed by the magazine requires less than a fully active magazine.

A system for saving power in a data storage library comprising:

• means for automatically drawing a mobile disc drive magazine towards a connecting surface of one of a plurality of docking stations comprised by the library;
• means for engaging the magazine with the docking station in an operatively linked state capable of storing data;
• means for establishing a communication pathway capable of transferring data between a data consumer and the library;
• means for retaining the magazine and the docking station in the operatively linked state while the magazine is actively engaged in storage related operations;
• means for changing the magazine from an active state to a quiescent state when the storage operations requires less than a fully active magazine.

A data storage library comprising:

• at least one of a plurality of docking stations adapted to receive a disc drive magazine to establish a communication link between the magazine and the at least one docking station wherein the magazine comprises a plurality of disc drives;
• a retaining device adapted to retain the magazine when engaged with the at least one docking station and when the magazine is in at least an active state;
• at least one interface adapted to establish a communication link capable of transferring data between at least one data consumer and the library;
• the magazine capable of storing data received by the at least one data consumer when linked with the at least one docking station;
• the magazine capable of changing from a fully active state to at least one quiescent state when storage operations performed by the magazine requires less than a fully active magazine.