Patent ID: 7222172
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: G06F,H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A storage system configured to provide a storage area to a host coupled to the storage system, comprising: a first storage device being configured to store data and provide one or more functions to be performed by the first storage device; a second storage device being configured to store data and provide one or more functions to be performed by the second storage device; a virtual volume providing a storage location and being associated with at least one of the first and second storage devices; a database including information relating to the one or more functions that each of the first and second storage devices is configured to perform; and a first server coupled to the first and second storage devices and having the database and providing the virtual volume to the host, the first server being configured to access the database in response to a function request from the host involving at least one of the first and second storage devices, the function request being a request of a function to be performed by a storage device, the database being accessed to determine whether or not the at least one of the first and second storage devices is capable of performing the function of the function request from the host, the first server further being configured to perform the function request if the determination is negative or provide an instruction to the at least one of the first and second storage devices to perform the function request if the determination is positive.