A dual-mode network storage controller integrated on a chip is connected to a first set of hosts over a block-level storage area network (SAN), and to a second set of hosts over a metadata Ethernet/IP network. The dual-mode storage controller is also connected to one or more storage devices, such as a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID). The storage controller comprises dedicated-hardware metadata translation logic for translating metadata (e.g. file-level) storage commands into block-level storage commands. The storage controller can also include block translation logic for translating logical block-level storage commands into physical block-level storage commands. The storage controller further comprises multiplexing logic for sequentially transmitting to the storage device(s) block level storage commands derived from the commands received from the first set of hosts and the second set of hosts. The storage controller allows the first set of hosts and the second set of hosts to share a single storage device.