Abstract: A bridging system, comprising bridges 3, 4 and network 5, is arranged to transfer data using TCP/IP or similar between a local Storage Area Network (SAN) 1 and a remote SAN 2. In one embodiment, the bridge 3 is arranged to transfer data from a plurality of ports 12-1˜12-n in a periodic sequence. While an acknowledgement from SAN 2 for data transferred from one port 12-1 data is awaited, further data can be transferred using one or more of the remaining ports 12-2˜12-n. In other embodiments, one or more parameters, such as number of ports, Receive Window Size etc., can be optimised using artificial intelligence (AI) routines in order to control the data transfer rate between the bridges 3, 4. The bridging system may be configured to perform a self-learning routine on installation and, in some embodiments, to compile and consult a knowledge base storing optimum configurations for transferring data packets having different attributes by simulating data transfers.