A data storage system (201) includes file system processes (308),
array controller processes (300), and one or more data storage devices (203)
accessed through the array controller processes. Certain file system access operations
are diverted from the file system processes (308) so that the array controller
processes (300) can directly perform the requested access operation. The
array controller processes (300) then communicate with the file system processes
(308) so that the file system processes may update the file system data
management arrangement as appropriate. In this way, the hierarchical file system
management is maintained while the storage media may be accessed directly through
the array controller processes (300) in response to a file system access
operation request.
