Patent ID: 8166478

Claim:
A system, comprising: a storage array for storing data; a first storage array controller communicatively coupled with the storage array for controlling the storage array; a first virtual machine manager resident on the first storage array controller for managing a storage services virtual machine, a first storage array application virtual machine, and a first dedicated multiplexer virtual machine, the storage services virtual machine utilizing a multi-path driver, the multi-path driver, the first storage array application virtual machine, and the first dedicated multiplexer virtual machine communicatively coupled via a first plurality of virtual machine manager coupling drivers; a second storage array controller communicatively coupled with the storage array for controlling the storage array, the second storage array controller communicatively coupled with the first storage array controller via a dedicated inter controller link; and a second virtual machine manager resident on the second storage array controller for managing a second storage array application virtual machine and a second dedicated multiplexer virtual machine; the second storage array application virtual machine and the second dedicated multiplexer virtual machine communicatively coupled via a second plurality of virtual machine manager coupling drivers, wherein the first dedicated multiplexer virtual machine and the second dedicated multiplexer virtual machine are communicatively coupled via a plurality of device drivers communicating across the dedicated inter controller link.