Multi-protocol storage network i/o devices and methods

A method for managing communications in a storage network, said method comprising:

• deploying a plurality of network devices in the storage network;
• configuring at least one of said network devices to utilize a first input/output (I/O) port to communicate using a first communication protocol and to utilize a second I/O port to communicate using a second communication protocol;
• and
• reconfiguring the first I/O port to communicate using a said second communication protocol.

A computer program product, comprising:

• a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to:
• monitor data traffic to and from a device in a storage network;
• determine to reconfigure an input/output (I/O) port of the device from communicating using a first communications protocol to communicating using a second communications protocol based on the monitored data;
• and
• manage the reconfiguration of the I/O port.