Patent ID: 7349903

Claim:
An apparatus for an alternate connection path, the apparatus comprising: a request module configured to receive a first connection request to establish redundant connection paths between a first host and a control unit that controls a storage device containing data accessible by a plurality of hosts; a primary connection module configured to establish a first connection path communicating lock attention data between the control unit and the first host through a first communication channel; an alternate connection module configured to establish a second connection path communicating lock attention data between the control unit and the first host through a second communication channel; a detection module configured to detect a failure of the first connection path; a redirection module configured to redirect communication between the control unit and the first host through the second connection path responsive to a detection by the detection module of a failure of the first connection path; and the request module is further configured to direct the primary connection module to establish a third connection path and to direct the alternate connection module to establish a fourth connection path in response to a second connection request, the third connection path communicating the lock attention data between the control unit and the first host through a third communication channel, and the fourth connection path communicating the lock attention data between the control unit and the first host through a fourth communication channel if the third connection path fails.