Patent ID: 7574529

Claim:
A method executing in a processor for managing logical paths in a data storage system, comprising: providing up to 2 y logical subsystems (LSS), each LSS having a y-bit virtual LSS (VLSS) number; selecting up to 2 x of the LSSs to be assigned to a host adapter in a control unit, each selected LSS being addressable in a first network by an x-bit LSS number, where x<y; for each selected LSS, assigning an LSS number; storing in a configuration data structure in the control unit the assigned LSS number of each selected LSS with the corresponding assigned VLSS number; receiving in the control unit a request from an attached host device to establish a logical path between the host device and one or more of the selected LSSs; storing in a logical path data structure in the host adapter the VLSS number of each LSS for which a logical path is to be established; storing in the logical path data structure link addresses of the requesting host device and of the control unit; receiving in the control unit a command transmitted by the host device to perform an I/O operation with a first LSS identified in the command by its LSS number; and performing the I/O operation by the LSS having the VLSS number corresponding to the LSS number.