Tape library system with integrated, feedback-based environmental and data durability control

Abstract

A tape cartridge for use in one or more tape drives of a tape library includes a cartridge housing and a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is retained within the cartridge housing. The magnetic tape includes a first tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to measure a health of the one or more tape drives and/or confirm a suitability of an operating environment within the tape library in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity. The calibrated data in the first tape section can be further configured for evaluating total transverse dimensional stability on the magnetic tape. The first tape section can include predetermined error patterns to assist in evaluating the data durability on the magnetic tape and/or periodic tape scrubbing operations to enhance data durability on the magnetic tape.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A tape cartridge for use in one or more tape drives of a tape library, the magnetic tape comprising:
 a cartridge housing; and   a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge housing, the magnetic tape including a first tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape;   wherein the magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to one of measure a health of the one or more tape drives and confirm a suitability of an operating environment within the tape library in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity; and   wherein the first tape section includes predetermined error patterns to assist in evaluating the data durability on the magnetic tape.   
     
     
         22 . The tape cartridge of  claim 21  wherein the calibrated data in the first tape section is configured for evaluating total transverse dimensional stability on the magnetic tape. 
     
     
         23 . The tape cartridge of  claim 21  wherein the magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to both measure the health of the one or more tape drives and confirm the suitability of the operating environment within the tape library in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity. 
     
     
         24 . The tape cartridge of  claim 21  wherein the magnetic tape further includes a second tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape. 
     
     
         25 . The tape cartridge of  claim 21  wherein the first tape section further includes periodic tape scrubbing operations to enhance data durability on the magnetic tape. 
     
     
         26 . The tape cartridge of  claim 21  wherein the magnetic tape further includes at least one data section that is configured such that user data can be written to and read from the at least one data section; and wherein the magnetic tape is further usable within the tape library to restore the user data using the at least one data section. 
     
     
         27 . A tape library comprising one or more tape drives, and the tape cartridge of  claim 21  that is usable in the one or more tape drives for measuring the health of the one or more tape drives. 
     
     
         28 . The tape library of  claim 27  further comprising a controller including a processor that is configured to implement an algorithm that adapts for variable environmental conditions in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity based at least in part on a reading of the magnetic tape by the one or more tape drives. 
     
     
         29 . A tape cartridge for use in one or more tape drives of a tape library, the magnetic tape comprising:
 a cartridge housing; and   a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge housing, the magnetic tape including a first tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape;   wherein the magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to one of measure a health of the one or more tape drives and confirm a suitability of an operating environment within the tape library in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity; and   wherein the first tape section includes periodic tape scrubbing operations to enhance data durability on the magnetic tape.   
     
     
         30 . The tape cartridge of  claim 29  wherein the calibrated data in the first tape section is configured for evaluating total transverse dimensional stability on the magnetic tape. 
     
     
         31 . The tape cartridge of  claim 29  wherein the magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to both measure the health of the one or more tape drives and confirm the suitability of the operating environment within the tape library in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity. 
     
     
         32 . The tape cartridge of  claim 29  wherein the magnetic tape further includes a second tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape. 
     
     
         33 . The tape cartridge of  claim 29  wherein the magnetic tape further includes at least one data section that is configured such that user data can be written to and read from the at least one data section; and wherein the magnetic tape is further usable within the tape library to restore the user data using the at least one data section. 
     
     
         34 . A tape library comprising one or more tape drives, and the tape cartridge of  claim 29  that is usable in the one or more tape drives for measuring the health of the one or more tape drives. 
     
     
         35 . The tape library of  claim 34  further comprising a controller including a processor that is configured to implement an algorithm that adapts for variable environmental conditions in terms of at least one of temperature and humidity based at least in part on a reading of the magnetic tape by the one or more tape drives. 
     
     
         36 . A tape cartridge for use in a tape drive of a tape library, the magnetic tape comprising:
 a cartridge housing; and   a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge housing, the magnetic tape including (i) a first tape section that is pre-recorded with calibrated data for evaluating data durability on the magnetic tape, and (ii) a data section that is configured such that user data can be written to and read from the data section;   wherein the magnetic tape is usable to one of (i) measure a health of the tape drive, and (ii) confirm a suitability of an operating environment within the tape library relative to at least one of temperature and humidity, and wherein the magnetic tape is configurated to restore the user data using the data section.   
     
     
         37 . The tape cartridge of  claim 36  wherein the calibrated data in the first tape section is configured for evaluating total transverse dimensional stability on the magnetic tape. 
     
     
         38 . The tape cartridge of  claim 36  wherein the magnetic tape is usable within the tape library to both measure the health of the tape drive and confirm the suitability of the operating environment within the tape library relative to at least one of temperature and humidity. 
     
     
         39 . A tape library comprising a plurality of tape drives, and the tape cartridge of  claim 36  that is usable in the plurality of tape drives for measuring the health of at least one of the plurality of tape drives. 
     
     
         40 . The tape library of  claim 39  further comprising a controller including a processor that is configured to implement an algorithm that adapts for variable environmental conditions relative to at least one of temperature and humidity based at least in part on a reading of the magnetic tape by at least one of the plurality of tape drives.