Patent attributes
A data storage system includes multiple head nodes and data storage sleds. The data storage sleds include multiple mass storage devices and a sled controller. Respective ones of the head nodes are configured to obtain credentials for accessing particular portions of the mass storage devices of the data storage sleds. A sled controller of a data storage sled determines whether a head node attempting to perform a write on a mass storage device of a data storage sled that includes the sled controller is presenting with the write request a valid credential for accessing the mass storage devices of the data storage sled. If the credentials are valid, the sled controller causes the write to be performed and if the credentials are invalid, the sled controller returns a message to the head node indicating that it has been fenced off from the mass storage device.
