Multi-gen drives

A method for storing data to a tape library, the method comprising:

• providing a tape library system that is communicatively linked with a host computer system, the host computer system linked to a first switch system and controller identifiable to the host computer system via a first tape drive address and to a second switch system and controller identifiable to the host computer system via a second tape drive address;
• receiving a request from the host computer system to identify available tape drives in the tape library system via the associated addresses;
• transmitting the first tape drive address and the second tape drive address to the host computer system in response to the request;
• receiving a mount request from the host computer system to mount a first type of tape cartridge to the first tape drive address;
• and
• selecting a first tape drive that is attached to the first tape drive address, the first tape drive is one of a plurality of tape drives attached to the first tape drive address, of the plurality of tape drives the first tape drive is the only one adapted to cooperate with the first type of tape cartridge.

A method for storing data to a tape library, the method directed to the tape library comprising:

• receiving a request from a host computer to identify available tape drives in the tape library;
• responding to the request a first and a second tape drive address to the host computer;
• receiving instructions to load a target tape cartridge to the first tape drive address;
• assessing the target tape cartridge type independent from the host computer;
• and loading the target tape cartridge to a compatible tape drive of a plurality of tape drives attached to the first tape drive address, the host computer unaware of the plurality of tape drives.