A storage router includes an IP network interface with IP network ports
and data path processors. Each of the data path processors may control
one of the IP network ports. High speed communication links couple the
data path processors with a fiber channel switch. The storage router may
route IP datagrams between the data path processors using the fiber
channel switch. The fiber channel switch switches fiber channel packets
between the data path processors and a plurality of fiber channel switch
ports. The fiber channel packets may be encapsulated IP datagrams. Fiber
channel packets received at a data path processor may be re-encapsulated
and sent back through the fiber channel switch to another data path
processor when the packets are destined for IP addresses associated with
IP network ports controlled by other data path processors. Among other
things, asymmetric data paths, and multiple and redundant communication
paths with host systems are supported.