A system and method for supporting asynchronous write operations within data storage systems and repairing a failed component within data storage subsystems without interruption of service. A data storage cluster is coupled to a client. The cluster comprises a plurality of data storage locations addressable as rows and columns in an array. Each column of the array comprises a separate computer of a plurality of computers interconnected to each other via a network. A coordinating column corresponding to a particular row receives data from the client for storage in the row and sends an indication of storage completion to the client, in response to forwarding the received data to data storage locations within the row. Although the client receives a write complete status before the data is actually written in corresponding computers, the cluster has sufficient information to complete the write operation even in the event of a column being temporarily offline.