A unified networking device communicates directly with storage devices and servers in the data center and communicates directly with switches and routers outside of the data center environment. The unified networking device manages data transfers between storage devices, between a storage device and a server, between a storage device and a web switch, and between a storage device and a router. The unified networking device is configured to perform data transfers while bypassing a server. The unified networking device is further configured to perform multi-protocol conversion.