Redundant array of independent disks systems that utilize spans with different storage device counts for a logical volume

A method comprising:

• identifying storage devices coupled with a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) controller;
• receiving input requesting creation of a RAID logical volume;
• and
• defining multiple RAID spans to implement the logical volume, each span comprising one or more of the coupled storage devices, at least one of the spans including a different number of storage devices than at least one other span,
• wherein a first span for the logical volume has a storage capacity less than a second span for the logical volume, the one or more storage devices of each span have the same capacity, and the method further comprises:
• distributing rows for the logical volume evenly across the spans for the logical volume, wherein data for each of the rows is striped across each of the storage devices in a single span, until the storage capacity of the first span is filled;
• and
• distributing the remaining rows for the logical volume across the remaining spans.

A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method comprising:

• identifying storage devices coupled with a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) controller;
• receiving input requesting creation of a RAID logical volume;
• and
• defining multiple RAID spans to implement the logical volume, each span comprising one or more of the coupled storage devices, at least one of the spans including a different number of storage devices than at least one other span, wherein
• a first span for the logical volume has a storage capacity less than a second span for the logical volume, the one or more storage devices of each span have the same capacity, and the method further comprises:
• distributing rows for the logical volume evenly across the spans for the logical volume, wherein data for each of the rows is striped across each of the storage devices in a single span, until the storage capacity of the first span is filled;
• and
• distributing the remaining rows for the logical volume across the remaining spans.