Patent ID: 6529996
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: G06F,G11B

Abstract:
A distributed virtual storage system for accessing data files on a plurality of storage media by a plurality of data processors, comprising:a plurality of devices for providing at least one of said plurality of data processors with access to at least one of said data files stored on at least two of said plurality of storage media; a network interconnecting said plurality of data processors and said plurality of devices; and means for managing storage of data on said plurality of storage media, wherein said means for managing storage of data comprises: means for creating a virtual device by associating at least two of said devices together for substantially concurrently reading/writing data on said at least two of said plurality of storage media; and means for creating another virtual device by dynamically reconfiguring at least some of the plurality of devices, said another virtual device having characteristics different from the virtual device.