A storage management system in which a volume provider incorporates an application
programming interface (API) for receiving storage access information that characterizes
high-level input/output (I/O) attributes of the storage volume such as intended
access patterns, a desired level of fault handling and optimization preferences.
The volume provider and the underlying storage devices conform to the specified
attributes as best as possible and resolve any conflicts with the communicated
attributes. The volume providers monitor the storage volumes and may reconfigure
the storage volumes in order to accomplish the desired attributes.
