Patent ID: 8738681

Claim:
A computer implemented method to enable a virtual storage layer to offer array based extent services, the virtual storage layer communicatively coupled to one or more storage mediums, the method comprising: determining for the one or more storage mediums, the services offered by the storage mediums; and enabling extent based services at the virtual service layer by combining the services offered by the one or more storage mediums to create new services and by providing a set of services at the virtual service layer; wherein the virtual service layer enables the extent based services by translating a request for an extent based service of the extent based services applied to a virtual extent by mapping the virtual extent to the one or more physical extents that make up the virtual extent; wherein the virtual service layer translates the request for the extent based service to include one or more services to be applied to the physical extents; wherein the virtual service layer coordinates the ability to execute the one or more services before executing the one or more services to be applied to the physical extents.