US Patent 11397532 Data storage across simplified storage volumes

The technology described herein enables data storage across storage volumes having fewer features than the storage volumes otherwise would. In one example, a method includes, in a data access system, identifying first data for storage on physical storage volumes. Each of the physical storage volumes corresponds to respective ones of data channels and control channels. The method further includes segmenting the first data into data segments corresponding to respective ones of the data channels and transferring the data segments as respective bit streams over the respective ones of the data channels to the respective ones of the physical storage volumes. The method also includes providing real-time write control to the physical storage volumes over respective ones of the control channels. The real-time write control directs a process for how the physical storage volumes write the data segments.