Fail-over switching system

A method for recovering from a malfunctioning communication path comprising the steps of:

• providing a first data storage controller having communication access to a plurality of data storage devices over a first communication path and a second data storage controller having communication access to the plurality of data storage devices over a second communication path;
• detecting a malfunction over the first communication path;
• requesting access to the second communication path;
• and
• switching the first data storage controller into communication access with the plurality of storage devices over the second communication path to form a serial communication loop that includes the first data storage controller, the second data storage controller and the second communication path wherein communication messages on the serial communication loop reaching one of the data storage controllers but not intended for the one of the data storage controllers is forwarded along the serial communication loop.