Patent attributes
A cluster of data transfer devices is used to augment the capabilities of a data storage system. For example, the cluster of data transfer devices may be configured to store a portion of a bundle of redundancy coded shards in a similar fashion as a data storage system. As another example, the cluster may be configured to provide other capabilities incident to the devices used, such as computational capabilities. Data stored on the cluster may be read from and written directly to the cluster without transfer of data to the data storage system. In some embodiments, a connecting entity (such as a customer entity) may interchangeably interface with the data storage system and the cluster, and the requested capabilities may be directed to either in a fashion that is transparent to the requestor.
