Each storage controller (106, 112) may be implemented in a variety of ways, including as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a PLC (Programmable Logic Chip), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or computing device that includes discrete components such as a central processing unit, computer memory, and various adapters. Each storage controller (106, 112) may, for example, include a data communications adapter configured to support communications via the SAN (158) and the LAN (160). For clarity, only one of the storage controllers (112) in the example of FIG. 1 is depicted as coupled to the LAN (160) for data communications. Readers should understand that both storage controllers (106, 112) are independently coupled to the LAN (160). Each storage controller (106, 112) may also, for example, include an I/O controller or the like that couples the storage controller (106, 112) for data communications, through a midplane (114), to a number of storage devices (146, 150), and a number of write buffer (148, 152) devices.