Smart network interface controller host storage access

An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having instructions thereon that are executable by a processor of a network interface of an information handling system for:

• in response to a host system that includes the network interface being powered down, transmitting one or more signals to a control circuit, wherein the host system includes a first Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) root complex, wherein the network interface includes a second PCIe root complex, wherein the one or more signals are configured to cause the control circuit to supply power and data connectivity from the network interface to a host physical storage resource of the host system, wherein the data connectivity is via the second PCIe root complex, and wherein the host physical storage resource is a Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) drive;
• and
• providing access to the host physical storage resource from a remote network information handling system while the host system is powered down.