A state machine and system for redundantly backing up data. A first storage facility is controlled by a first state machine having a finite number of states, each state having a set of allowed operations. The first state machine includes at least one state for controlling the first storage facility to operate as a primary storage facility for storing and updating a primary copy of the data. A second storage facility is controlled by a second state-machine that has least one state for controlling the second storage facility to operate as a secondary storage facility for storing redundant data. The second state machine also has at least one state for controlling the second storage facility to operate as the primary storage facility. The second storage facility assumes the role of primary in response to a fault at the first storage facility or based on the origin of request traffic. The first and second state machines may also include states for responding to various fault conditions and may include substantially the same states as the other.