this embodiment allows for a communications path between two storage management servers , when they do not have their normal ha communications path connected directly with one another , to send communications through the storage device server . an embodiment of this invention creates a request header that will direct the storage device server to perform certain operations . this request header is used to send commands from the storage management server to the storage device servers . this common connection with the storage device between the two storage management servers allow them to continue communication with each other if the direct link is severed .