Library service port
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorsTimothy C. Ostwald, Daniel James Plutt
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Abstract
A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotics mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotics mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotics mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotics mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.
Claims6
A data storage library comprising:
- a housing defining an exterior and an interior region;
- a robotics mechanism disposed in the interior region;
- a plurality of storage cells disposed in the interior region for storing data cartridges;
- a service port disposed through the housing for permitting access to at least part of the robotics mechanism from the exterior region, and for blocking access to the data cartridges when the robotics mechanism is aligned with the service port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.