1. A multi-purpose media drive configured to removably receive media items and exchange data therewith, said drive including at least one host port to receive thereon control signals including (1) data exchange commands directing an exchange of data with a media item received by the media drive and (2) the robotic device management commands, the media drive also comprising a processor programmed to perform operations comprising processing incoming data exchange commands by conducting an exchange of data with a media item loaded to the drive and processing at least some robotic device management commands by forwarding said robotic device management commands to a robotic media transport device while withholding from the robotic media transport device all data exchange commands received upon the host port.