Distribution of data volume virtualization

A computer readable medium storing instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by a processor in a second device in a network containing a first device, the second device, and a third device, wherein the network stores a data volume, wherein the first device is configured to transmit I/O transactions to the second device, and wherein the first device is configured to transmit I/O transactions to the third device, the method comprising:

• the second device receiving and storing in memory thereof, a data volume layout description of the data volume created and transmitted by the first data device;
• the second device receiving an write I/O transaction from the first device, wherein the write I/O transaction comprises data D;
• after receiving the write I/O transaction, the second device generating another transaction to write data D;
• the second device transmitting the other transaction to the third device.

A computer readable medium storing instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by a processor in a second device in a network containing a first device, the second device, and a third device, wherein the network stores a data volume, wherein the first device is configured to transmit I/O transactions to the second device, wherein the first device is configured to transmit I/O transactions to the third device, and wherein the first device is located in a different network layer than the second and third devices, the method comprising:

• the second device receiving and storing in memory thereof, a data volume layout description of the data volume created and transmitted by the first data device;
• the second device receiving an write I/O transaction from the first device, wherein the write I/O transaction comprises data D
• in response to receiving the write I/O data transaction, the first second device accessing the data volume layout description or the modified version thereof stored in memory of the first device;
• in response to accessing the data volume layout description or the modified version thereof stored in memory of the second device, the second device writing data D to separate memory locations within the second device.

A network comprising:

• a first device coupled to second and third devices, wherein the first device is configured to transmit I/O data transactions to the second and third devices, and wherein the first device is located in a different network layer than the second and third devices;
• wherein the first device is configured to create a data volume layout description of a data volume, wherein data of the data volume is stored in two or more data storage systems of the network;
• wherein the first device is configured to store the data volume layout description in memory of the first device;
• wherein the second and third devices are configured to store a copy of the data volume layout description or respective modified versions thereof in respective memories of the second and third devices.