A storage system configured to provide a storage area to a host coupled to the storage system includes a first storage device being configured to store data and provide one or more functions. A second storage device is configured to store data and provide one or more functions. A virtual volume provides a storage location and being associated with at least one of the first and second storage devices. A database includes information relating to the one or more functions that the first and second storage devices are configured to perform. A first server is coupled to the first and second storage devices and having access to 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 is a request of a function to be performed by a storage device. The database is accessed to determine whether or not the at least one of the first and second storage devices is capable of performing the request from the host. The first server is further configured to perform the request if the determination is negative or provide an instruction to the at least one of the first and second storage devices to perform to the request if the determination is positive.

 
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> Method and apparatus for overflowing data packets to a software-controlled memory when they do not fit into a hardware-controlled memory

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