1. A method for storing data within a plurality of disk drives; comprising the steps of: partitioning at least one of said plurality of disk drives into multiple partitions; configuring at least some of said partitions within said plurality of disk drives into at least two groups; and configuring said groups into a logical disk array; wherein each group within said logical disk array operates as a single disk drive within said logical disk array; data is stored within at least one of said groups in accordance with a disk array storage scheme; and data is stored within another of said groups in accordance with a different disk array storage scheme.