The computing devices (164-170) in the example of FIG. 1 are coupled for data communications to a number of storage arrays (102, 104) through a storage area network (SAN) (158) as well as a local area network (160) (LAN). The SAN (158) may be implemented with a variety of data communications fabrics, devices, and protocols. Example fabrics for such a SAN may include Fibre Channel, Ethernet, Infiniband, SAS (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface), and the like. Example data communications protocols for use in such a SAN (158) may include ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), Fibre Channel Protocol, SCSI, iSCSI, HyperSCSI, and others. Readers of skill in the art will recognize that a SAN is just one among many possible data communications couplings which may be implemented between a computing device and a storage array. Any other such data communications coupling is well within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

The local area network (160) of FIG. 1 may also be implemented with a variety of fabrics and protocols. Examples of such fabrics include Ethernet (802.3), wireless (802.11), and the like. Examples of such data communications protocols include TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP (User Datagram Protocol), IP (Internet Protocol), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), WAP (Wireless Access Protocol), HDTP (Handheld Device Transport Protocol), SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), RTP (Real Time Protocol) and others as will occur to those of skill in the art.