A distributed 
data storage system and method comprising a highly integrated 
mass storage controller 
system permitting 
distributed management and control of data storage is disclosed. The present invention in some preferred embodiments permits 
mass storage media to be made available on a network in a fashion to permit global access, while automatically handling many high-level file access and 
data integrity / security / control functions normally associated with a host 
operating system. This integration and redistribution of functionality permits spatial diversification of 
data resources, automatic mirroring of data, fault isolation, 
data security, and a plethora of other control functions to be integrated into the 
mass storage device. This integration permits peer-to-
peer communication between 
mass storage devices to both unburden the host data consumers but also isolate the 
data management functions from the data presentation functions normally associated with host systems. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention as applied to specific preferred 
system contexts include but are not limited to distributed data storage in a networked environment, brokered 
data access metering, 
database access / control, data 
backup, journaling, checkpointing, and automated 
software distribution.