Described are a storage system and method for providing networked access to a plurality of storage devices. The storage system includes a virtualization controller coupled to a network. The virtualization controller produces a mapping of a virtual target to one or more physical storage devices on the network. The storage system also includes an initiator in communication with the virtualization controller over to the network to receive the mapping from the virtualization controller. The initiator includes a virtualization client for translating, in accordance with the mapping, a target access request directed to the virtual target by the initiator into a target access request directed to one of the physical storage devices.