Quad-state power-saving virtual storage controller

A system for reducing the collective power consumption of a plurality of storage devices including a plurality of associated storage volumes, comprising:

• a controller in communication with the plurality of storage volumes, the controller adapted for:
• grouping the storage volumes by a last access time according to a plurality of ranks, the plurality of ranks corresponding to a level of power consumption based on device activity, and
• moving a volume of the plurality of storage volumes between the plurality of ranks according to an access pattern of the volume.

A computer program product for reducing the collective power consumption of a plurality of storage devices including a plurality of associated storage volumes, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

• a first executable portion for grouping the storage volumes by a last access time according to a plurality of ranks, the plurality of ranks corresponding to a level of power consumption based on device activity;
• and
• a second executable portion for moving a volume of the plurality of storage volumes between the plurality of ranks according to an access pattern of the volume.