System and method for partitioning a storage area network associated data library

A method for partitioning a storage area network associated data library comprising the steps of:

• assigning a different logical element designation to each of a plurality of library partitions;
• establishing said partitions in said data library, each of said partitions comprising at least one storage element slot and at least one data transfer element, each of said slots adapted to store media, and each of said data transfer elements adapted to receive said media and transfer data to and from said media;
• and
• controlling movement of said media to and from said slots assigned to a same partition.

A partitioned storage area network with an associated data library, said network comprising:

• a data storage array that is divided into partitions, each of said partitions assigned a logical unit number;
• data-mover interconnectivity that extends between said data storage array and said associated data library, via at least one bridge;
• a library management interface that accepts user input partitioning said library and assigns a logical unit number corresponding to logical unit numbers of said array partitions to library partitions, each of said library partitions are comprised of:
• a set of at least one storage element slot, each slot comprised of a plurality of storage element slots, said slots are adapted to store data storage media;
• and
• a set of at least one data transfer element, said data transfer elements are adapted to receive said media and transfer data to and from said media;
• a library controller that directs movement of said media to and from said set of slots assigned to a same partition;
• and
• at least one data mover for direct communication from said array to said library.