System and method for allocating tape drives for multi-cartridge files

A method for a tape storage library having at least two tape drives and a robot assembly for mounting and dismounting tape cartridges in the tape drives, wherein the tape cartridges each store a part of a file, the method comprising:

• mounting a first tape cartridge in a first tape drive using the robot assembly;
• reading a first part of the file stored on the first tape cartridge with the first tape drive;
• generating an allocation signal after the first part of the file stored on the first tape cartridge has been read;
• providing the allocation signal to the robot assembly;
• mounting a second tape cartridge in a second tape drive using the robot assembly upon receipt of the allocation signal by the robot assembly;
• reading a second part of the file stored on the second tape cartridge with the second tape drive;
• rewinding the first tape cartridge with the first tape drive after the first part of the file stored on the first tape cartridge has been read;
• dismounting the first tape cartridge from the first tape drive using the robot assembly while reading the second part of the file stored on the second tape cartridge with the second tape drive;
• and
• deallocating the first tape drive in response to the first allocation signal.

A method for a tape storage library having at least two tape drives and a robot assembly for mounting and dismounting tape cartridges in the tape drives, the method comprising:

• mounting a first tape cartridge in a first tape drive using the robot assembly;
• recording a first part of a file on the first tape cartridge with the first tape drive;
• generating an allocation signal after the first part of the file has been recorded on the first tape cartridge;
• providing the allocation signal to the robot assembly;
• mounting a second tape cartridge in a second tape drive using the robot assembly upon receipt of the allocation signal by the robot assembly;
• recording a second part of the file on the second tape cartridge with the second tape drive;
• rewinding the first tape cartridge with the first tape drive after the first part of the file has been recorded on the first tape cartridge;
• and
• dismounting the first tape cartridge from the first tape drive using the robot assembly while recording the second part of the file on the second tape cartridge with the second tape drive.

A tape storage library system comprising:

• a first tape drive for processing tape cartridges;
• a second tape drive for processing tape cartridges;
• a robot assembly for mounting and dismounting tape cartridges in the tape drives;
• and
• a controller operable with the first and second tape drives and the robot assembly to mount a first tape cartridge in the first tape drive, process the first tape cartridge in the first tape drive, generate a first allocation signal after the first tape cartridge has been processed, mount a second tape cartridge in the second tape drive after the first tape cartridge has been processed in response to the allocation signal, and then process the second tape cartridge in the second tape drive;
• wherein the controller is further operable with the first and second tape drives and the robot assembly to rewind the first tape cartridge with the first tape drive after the first tape cartridge has been processed, and dismount the first tape cartridge from the first tape drive while the second tape cartridge is being processed in the second tape drive.