A method for adding intelligence into the tape drive subsystems of a media storage library. The present invention improves overall system availability by enhancing existing control, monitoring, and diagnostic functionalities. As a result of inserting intelligence into the drive trays, certain control and monitoring functions traditionally performed by the main library controller may be performed locally at the drive trays. Since certain functions are performed locally at the drive trays, fewer connections are required between the tape drive trays and the main library controller. Also, the main library controller's performance is not degraded as the number of tape drives increases. The present invention also provides flexibility to the storage system since new features and functions may be added to the drive tray subsystem without the need to modify the base library cabling infrastructure.