US 6,356,801 B1 · High availability work queuing in an automated data storage library

Abstract

A work queuing system and method to increase the availability of an automated data storage library for accessing and storing data storage media. At least one accessor moves the data storage media among storage shelves and data storage drives in response to work requests. The work queuing system comprises a communication processor node for receiving the work requests and for broadcasting the work requests, e.g., over a common bus network, to a plurality of work processor nodes coupled to the communication processor node and coupled to each other. Each work processor node responds to the broadcast work requests, establishing a work queue of jobs. At least one of the work processor nodes selects ones of the jobs in the work queue for an accessor and directs the accessor to conduct the selected job. The work processor nodes then synchronize the work queues.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A method for operating an automated data storage library, said library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage media, at least one data storage drive, and at least one accessor for accessing and delivering data storage media among said storage shelves and said at least one data storage drive in response to work requests, comprising the steps of:

receiving said work requests;
broadcasting said work requests to a plurality of work processor nodes;
said work processor nodes each establishing a work queue of jobs in response to said broadcast work requests;
at least one of said work processor nodes selecting at least one of said jobs in said work queue for said at least one accessor;
directing said-accessor to conduct each said selected job;
and
synchronizing said work queues.

4 more elements

A work queuing system for an automated data storage library, said library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage media, at least one data storage drive, and at least one accessor for accessing and delivering data storage media among said storage shelves and said at least one data storage drive in response to work requests, said work queuing system comprising:

a communication processor node for receiving said work requests and for broadcasting said work requests;
and
a plurality of work processor nodes coupled to said communication processor node and coupled to each other, each responding to said broadcast work requests, said work processor nodes each establishing a work queue of jobs in response to said broadcast work requests, at least one of said work processor nodes selecting at least one of said jobs in said work queue for said at least one accessor, directing said accessor to conduct each said selected job, and, said work processor nodes synchronizing said work queues.

An automated data storage library for storing and accessing data storage media in response to work requests, comprising:

a plurality of storage shelves for said storing data storage media;
at least one data storage drive;
at least one accessor for accessing and delivering said data storage media among said storage shelves and said at least one data storage drive;
a communication processor node for receiving said work requests and for broadcasting said work requests;
and
a plurality of work processor nodes coupled to said communication processor node and coupled to each other, each responding to said broadcast work requests, said work processor nodes each establishing a work queue of jobs in response to said broadcast work requests, at least one of said work processor nodes selecting at least one of said jobs in said work queue for said at least one accessor, directing said accessor to conduct said selected job, and, said work processor nodes synchronizing said work queues.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High availability work queuing in an automated data storage library

Life of this patent

High availability work queuing in an automated data storage library

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35