IDG 9482 Tape Control Module

The Tape Control Module is conceptually similar to the Remote Data Storage component, except its target media is permanent write-once storage, such as a DVD burner, rather than disk.

The Tape Control Module periodically requests tape-movement criteria from the Secure Tape Catalog, prioritizing "recall" requests for tapes to be recovered from the Archiver to the tape emulator. Like each emulated tape device and each virtual tape, the Tape Control Module is assigned to one or more security groups controlling which tapes it is able to transfer from the tape emulator or data storage components.

If a candidate tape doesn't have a matching security group, then it is not considered for transfer. In the case of a recall, the Tape Control Module will scan a specific storage unit (such as a read-only DVD drive) to identify whether or not a volume to be recalled has been manually inserted.