Patent attributes
A method for validating media and drives. The method includes receiving a validation request for a data storage tape in a library and, with the tape loaded into a predefined gold drive in the tape library, performing a statistical analysis on the tape to determine an operating parameter such as a measure of read margin for the tape in the predefined gold drive. The method includes validating the tape when the operating parameter compares favorably with a threshold limit defined for the operating parameter for the tape library. The method includes, when the operating parameter fails to compare well with the threshold limit, running a performance test on a drive qualified tape from the library loaded into the predefined gold drive and, when the drive qualified tape passes the test, identifying the tape as degraded. The method includes, when the drive qualified tape fails the test, re-qualifying the gold drive.
