Disk subsystem

A storage system coupled to a plurality of disk drives by at least one of first paths, comprising:

• a controller coupled to a network for receiving data from an information unit coupled to said network;
• and
• a switch coupled to said controller by at least one of second paths,
• wherein said switch is further coupled to each disk drive by one of said first paths, thereby forming a point-to-point connection between said switch and said each disk drive,
• wherein the number of said second paths is less than the number of said first paths,
• wherein said plurality disk drives store data sent from said information unit through said switch, and each of said plurality of disk drives has an identification (ID) number, and
• wherein said switch conducts switching between said first and said second paths by transferring data to at least one disk drive among said plurality of disk drives by at least one of said first paths based on information of said ID number of said at least one disk drive.

A switch coupled to a plurality of disk drives by at least one of first paths and a controller by at least one of second paths,

• wherein connections between said switch and each disk drive is formed as a point-to-point by said first paths;
• wherein the number of said second paths is less than the number of said first paths;
• wherein each disk drive has an identification (ID) number;
• and
• wherein said switch conducts switching between said first and second paths by transferring data to at least one disk drive of said plurality of disk drives by at least one of said first paths based on information of said ID number of said at least one disk drive.