Systems and methods for deploying profitable storage services

Systems and methods for delivering electronic data storage to consumers in an efficient, cost-effective way. A new storage networking paradigm, Utility Storage, is provided which addresses the specific needs of SSPs. Many characteristics of the Utility Storage model enable a new SSP business model to be implemented that is more profitable and growth orientated. An SSP using the Utility Storage model is able to provides storage to an end customer with a low entry cost threshold that encourages incremental consumption by the consumer. Additionally, using the Utility Storage model, the SSP is able to provide storage services to an end customer at a lower cost by amortizing the operating and infrastructure costs across a larger population of customers.