Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing data in a multi-device data storage system. In some embodiments, a control board interconnects a plurality of storage devices and supports at least first and second switch circuits each operationally connected to the respective storage devices. A storage device control circuit directs user data from a host device to the first switch circuit and control data to the second switch circuit. A peripheral interface control (PIC) circuit selectively establishes an active session, via the first and second switch circuits, between the storage device control circuit and a selected storage device responsive to a command received from the host device associated with the selected storage device.