In a Distributed Virtual Array data storage system, a storage pool receives, from at least one writing entity within a host, a request to write a container of data that is identified by a unique key that is independent of physical storage identifiers and that comprises a set of data chunks. The key indicates a plurality of storage devices in which to store the data chunks, which are accordingly stored in those storage devices. Different combinations, each comprising a layout map, of storage devices are represented in a layout table. Information in the container key is used to select which layout map to use for the chunks of each container. An error-correction chunk is preferably also stored along with the chunks of each container so as to enable data container reconstruction in case of storage device failure.