Method and apparatus for assigning alias node names and port names within a tape library

A tape library apparatus comprising a plurality of FC drives. A host computer and a fiber channel switch portion are connected with an optical fiber cable through respective fiber channel interfaces. The fiber channel switch portion and FC drives are connected with respective optical fiber cables through respective fiber channel interfaces. A controlling portion and the FC drives are connected with respective -232C cables. Alias WWNNs and alias WWPNs of the FC drives are assigned by the controlling portion through respective RS-232C cables. Data reproduced by the FC drives and data supplied thereto are transmitted to and received from the host computer through, for example, respective optical fiber cables.