A storage system configured to provide a storage area to a host coupled to the storage system includes a first storage device of first type being configured to store data and provide one or more data-storage-related functions. A second storage device of second type is configured to store data and provide one or more data-storage-related 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 data-storage-related 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, the first server being configured to access the database in response to a data-storage-related-function request from the host involving at least one of the first and second storage devices. 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 further being 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.