Patent ID: 8412863

Claim:
A storage apparatus ( 100 ) storing data, comprising: a storage device ( 410 ) storing the data; a first interface device ( 200 ) connected to a host system and controlling data input/output between the storage apparatus ( 100 ) and the host system; a second interface device ( 400 ) connected to the storage device ( 410 ) and controlling data input/output to and from the storage device ( 410 ); a main processor controlling data transfer inside the storage apparatus ( 100 ); a first switch mutually connecting the main processor, the first interface device ( 200 ) and the second interface device ( 400 ); and a sub-processor ( 201 ) controlling the operation of the first interface device ( 200 ); wherein the first interface device ( 200 ) comprises: a second switch connecting to the first switch; a physical port connecting the first interface device ( 200 ) and an external network; a virtual port device having multiple virtual function units which provide virtual ports of the first interface device ( 200 ) using the physical port; and a non-transparent bridge including a mapping table for translating device identifiers of the virtual function units, and relaying communication between the first switch and the second switch after translating the device identifier using the mapping table; the sub-processor ( 201 ) enables any one or more of the virtual function units the device identifiers of which are registered with the mapping table; and does not enable any one or more of the virtual function units the device identifiers of which are registered with the mapping table; and the main processor communicates with the virtual function unit enabled by the sub-processor ( 201 ), via the non-transparent bridge.