Asynchronous media drive communications in a storage library

A method for asynchronous drive communications in a storage library having a plurality of media drives, in communication with at least one host system over a data communications path, and in communication with a drive control subsystem over a control communications path, the method comprising:

• communicating an instruction from a drive control subsystem to a library control subsystem over the control communications path to commence a control sequence during which communication between the at least one host system and a particular one of the media drives over the data communications path is not permitted;
• retrieving operational data from the particular media drive during the control sequence;
• and
• communicating the operational data from the drive control system to the library control subsystem over the control communications path in conjunction with an instruction of the control sequence.

A system for asynchronous drive communications in a storage library, the system comprising:

• a plurality of media drives in communication with at least one host system over a data communications path;
• a non-transient memory that has instructions stored thereon;
• and
• a set of processors in communication with the plurality of media drives over a control communications path and in communication with the memory, the set of processors operating, when the instructions are executed, to perform steps comprising:
• communicating an instruction to a library control subsystem over the control communications path to commence a control sequence during which communication between the at least one host system and a particular one of the media drives over the data communications path is not permitted;
• retrieving operational data from the particular media drive during the control sequence;
• and
• communicating the operational data to the library control subsystem over the control communications path in conjunction with an instruction of the control sequence.