Systems configured for improved storage system communication for N-way interconnectivity

A system comprising:

• a plurality of storage enclosures wherein each storage enclosure further comprises:
• a plurality of storage controllers each adapted to perform Redundant Array of Independent Drive (RAID) storage management each storage controller further comprising:
• an inter-controller communication interface adapted to couple the storage controller to other storage controllers in the same storage enclosure;
• a front-end interface adapted to couple the storage controller to one or more host systems;
• and
• a back-end interface adapted to couple the storage controller to a switched fabric communication medium;
• a switched fabric communication medium coupled with each of the plurality of storage enclosures through the back-end interface of each storage controller of each of the plurality of storage enclosures;
• and
• a plurality of storage devices coupled with the switched fabric communication medium,
• wherein each storage controller of each of the plurality of storage enclosures is adapted to communicate through its back-end interface and the switched fabric communication medium with any of the plurality or storage devices,
• wherein all storage controllers of each of the plurality of storage enclosures collectively provide declustered RAID storage management for data stored on the plurality of storage devices, and
• wherein each storage controller of each of the plurality of storage enclosures is adapted to communicate all inter-controller communications through its back-end interface and the switched fabric communication medium with any other storage controller of any of the other storage enclosures of the plurality of storage enclosures through the switched fabric communication medium.

A declustered Redundant Array of Independent Drives (RAID) storage system comprising:

• a switched fabric communication medium;
• a plurality of RAID storage controllers where each storage controller comprises a front-end interface for coupling the controller with one or more host systems and comprises a back-end interface coupling the controller with the switched fabric communication medium, wherein the plurality of storage controllers comprises three or more storage controllers;
• a plurality of storage devices coupled with the switched fabric communication medium,
• wherein the system is N-way connected in that all of the plurality of storage controllers communicate with one another exclusively through the switched fabric communication medium and their respective back-end interfaces and in that all of the plurality of storage controllers are coupled through the switched fabric communication medium and their respective back-end interfaces to all of the plurality of storage devices.