an exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method , system , and storage medium for resolving contention issues by a channel in a fiber optic switch environment that occur during channel program execution . the method comprises a channel receiving a status packet indicating a device is no longer busy . the method also includes specifying whether the channel intends to re - initiate a channel program that previously resulted in the device busy status . if the channel does not intend to re - initiate the channel program , a first combination of bits in a re - initiate field of a status - acceptance packet are set which indicate that the channel will take no further action . if the channel intends to re - initiate the channel program , a second combination of bits in the re - initiate field of the status - acceptance packet are set , indicating that the channel will re - initiate the channel program . the method further includes transmitting the status - acceptance packet to a control unit . the invention also includes a system and a storage medium .