Information sharing between a backup storage device and a management appliance

Apparatus comprising:

• library controller means for controlling and monitoring a robotics assembly that loads and unloads storage media into and from at least one storage device, and comprising a communication link;
• an operator control means coupled to the controller means for controlling functions of and displaying information regarding built-in components of the apparatus;
• and
• a communications link for establishing communications with an aftermarket installable component, the installable component including an interface manager and at least one interface controller, the interface manager and the at least one interface controller of the installable component operable to extend the functionality of the apparatus when coupled to the communication link, and the interface manager and the at least one interface controller of the installable component operable to discover services that are sharable between the library controller means and the installable component;
• wherein when communications are established between the interface manager and the library controller means, the operator control means via the shared services is also capable of controlling functions of and displaying information not directly available to the library controller means, the information regarding the installable component and previously only available to the interface manager.

A method for use with storage apparatus, comprising:

• providing storage apparatus that comprises a controller having a communication link, a component including an interface manager and at least one interface controller, the component operable to extend the functionality of the apparatus, and an operator control panel coupled to the controller for controlling functions of and displaying information regarding the apparatus;
• communicating between the component and the controller to discover services that are sharable therebetween;
• controlling functions of and displaying information regarding the component using the operator control panel via the shared services;
• and
• wherein the communications link facilitates an information sharing protocol that comprises a self-describing, self-referencing object model that allows interfaces employing the protocol to report and update shared data objects that they support.

A tape library, comprising:

• a controller coupled to an operator control panel that controls functions of and displays information about the tape library;
• a communications link coupled to the controller;
• an interface manager provided for registering a value-added device configured to be added to or removed from the tape library without disturbing other devices in the tape library, the value-added device powering up when added to the tape library and sending a signal out notifying the other devices present the tape library that the value-added device has been added to the tape library, the interface manager responding to the signal and providing information to the value-added device comprising communication parameters for communicating over the communication link;
• wherein after the value-added device is configured for communicating over the communication link, the interface manager initiates a request for a list of services provided by the value-added device, and the interface manager providing information about the value-added device to the other devices in the tape library.