Abstract: A storage system is provided which includes an internal local area network. The local area network is achieved by providing a separate Ethernet bus as well as Ethernet hardware on each host and disk/tape controller within the storage system. Each host controller and disk/tape controller is coupled to the Ethernet bus via the Ethernet interface hardware. Also coupled to the Ethernet bus is a service processor. The service processor is coupled to the Ethernet bus via an Ethernet hub. All communications between the service processor and the controllers occurs over the Ethernet bus. This allows communications with the controllers which does not materially impact the operation of the storage system in providing storage services to the attached host computers.