Storage system having virtualized resource

A storage system configured to provide a storage area to a host coupled to the storage system, comprising:na 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; anda 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.

A method for managing a storage system having first and second storage devices and a first server, the method comprising:nproviding a database including information relating to one or more functions that the first and second storage devices are configured to provide;receiving at the first server a request relating to a function to be performed by a storage device from a host computer, the request involving at least one of the first and second storage devices;determining whether or not the at least one of the first and second storage devices is able to perform the request by accessing the database; andinstructing the at least one of the first and second storage devices to perform the request if the determination is positive.

A computer readable medium for use in managing a storage system having first and second storage devices and a first server, the medium comprising:ncode for receiving at the first server a request relating to a function to be performed by a storage device from a host computer, the request involving at least one of the first and second storage devices;code for determining whether or not the at least one of the first and second storage devices is able to perform the request by accessing a database, the database including information relating to one or more functions that the first and second storage devices are configured to provide;code for instructing the at least one of the first and second storage devices to perform the request if the determination is positive; andcode for enabling the first server to perform the request if the determination is negative.

A server for managing a storage system, wherein the server is coupled to first and second storage devices and a host, the server having access to a database including information relating to one or more functions that the first and second storage devices are configured to provide, the server comprising:na processor to process information;an interface coupled to a network that is coupled to the first and second storage devices and the host; anda computer readable medium, including:code for receiving at the first server a request relating to a function to be performed by a storage device from a host computer, the request involving at least one of the first and second storage devices,code for determining whether or not the at least one of the first and second storage devices is able to perform the request by accessing the database,code instructing the at least one of the first and second storage devices to perform the request if the determination is positive, andcode for enabling the first server to perform the request if the determination is negative.