A non-volatile data storage system, comprising: a controller; an array of one or more solid-state memory storage devices (162, 164, 166, 168), the memory storage devices (162, 164, 166, 168) including a plurality of multi-level cell memory data locations capable of operating in a multi-level cell mode and a single-level cell mode; and a bridge device coupled with the array, the bridge device configured to: define a first and second region within at least some of the multi-level cell memory data locations, wherein: the first region includes data locations operating in either the single-level cell or in the multi-level cell mode; the second region includes data locations configured to be assigned to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode, the second region being defined by an initial starting address and initial ending address; characterised in that said bridge is further configured to: assign a set of data locations in the second region to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode in response to a command from the controller to adjust the initial starting address to a new starting address or adjust the initial ending address to a new ending address; and prevent data access to the data locations in the second region until they are assigned to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode. a controller; an array of one or more solid-state memory storage devices (162, 164, 166, 168), the memory storage devices (162, 164, 166, 168) including a plurality of multi-level cell memory data locations capable of operating in a multi-level cell mode and a single-level cell mode; and a bridge device coupled with the array, the bridge device configured to: define a first and second region within at least some of the multi-level cell memory data locations, wherein: the first region includes data locations operating in either the single-level cell or in the multi-level cell mode; the second region includes data locations configured to be assigned to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode, the second region being defined by an initial starting address and initial ending address; characterised in that said bridge is further configured to: assign a set of data locations in the second region to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode in response to a command from the controller to adjust the initial starting address to a new starting address or adjust the initial ending address to a new ending address; and prevent data access to the data locations in the second region until they are assigned to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode. the first region includes data locations operating in either the single-level cell or in the multi-level cell mode; the second region includes data locations configured to be assigned to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode, the second region being defined by an initial starting address and initial ending address; characterised in that said bridge is further configured to: assign a set of data locations in the second region to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode in response to a command from the controller to adjust the initial starting address to a new starting address or adjust the initial ending address to a new ending address; and prevent data access to the data locations in the second region until they are assigned to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode. assign a set of data locations in the second region to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode in response to a command from the controller to adjust the initial starting address to a new starting address or adjust the initial ending address to a new ending address; and prevent data access to the data locations in the second region until they are assigned to operate in either the single-level cell or multi-level cell mode.