Patent ID: 7657008

Claim:
A method, comprising: providing telecommunications service; providing a data storage service comprising a network of shared, interconnected storage devices provided by a telecommunications service provider, the data storage service comprising a four layered framework, the four layer framework comprising: a fourth layer comprising a network transport that interconnects a third layer of the framework, the third layer comprising a plurality of storage points of presence to communicate electronic data along a network of shared, interconnected storage devices, the plurality of storage points of presence interconnected via the network transport to communicate electronic data along the network of shared, interconnected storage devices, a second layer comprising a storage operating system that facilitates monitoring and management of the data storage service from a storage network operating center, and a first layer comprising an application program; receiving redundant electronic data that has been locally stored at a customer's premise; archiving the redundant electronic data to a storage device operating in a storage point of presence of the plurality of storage points of presence; allowing the customer to manage the redundant electronic data residing in at least one of the plurality of storage points of presence, the at least one of the plurality of storage points of presence operating in a local central office serving the customer; and accessing a service level agreement describing parameters for the data storage service.