Tape emulation alternate data path

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing software that that emulates tape data, the software comprising:

• executable code that causes data to be transferred from a host to a first storage device via a first link between the host and the first storage device;
• executable code that causes data to be transferred from the host to a tape emulation unit via a second link between the host and the tape emulation unit;
• executable code that receives a data transfer command from the host, wherein the transfer command directs data to be transferred between the tape emulation unit coupled to the host and the first data storage device via a third link between the first storage device and the tape emulation unit;
• and
• executable code that transfers data between the first storage device and a data mover that is part of the tape emulation unit using the third link while maintaining the first link and the second link, wherein data that is transferred bypasses the host.

A tape emulation unit, comprising:

• a front end component;
• a data mover coupled to the front end component;
• and
• a first storage device coupled to the data mover, wherein in response to a command to transfer data between a second storage device coupled to a host via a first link and the tape emulation unit which is coupled to the host by a second link, data is transferred between the data mover and the second storage device using a third link while maintaining the first link and the second link and wherein data that is transferred bypasses the host and wherein data is transferred from the host to the second storage device using the first link and from the host to the tape emulation unit using the second link.