High density hybrid storage system

Abstract

A system includes a linear storage media tier; a second storage tier having higher performance than the linear storage media tier; a data controller for moving data between the tiers; and a host interface responsive to disk and/or network storage commands. The linear storage media tier includes: a rest area for storing reels having linear media thereon, at least one linear media drive configured for reading and/or writing the linear media, and at least one robot for transporting the linear storage media between the rest area and the at least one linear media drive. The robot moves along a first surface via contact with the surface. A system according to another embodiment includes a linear storage media tier characterized by having a read access time to any block of data stored on any reel in the rest area in less than 10 seconds.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.