A data storage system includes a first and second boards disposed in a
chassis. The first board has disposed thereon a first Serial Attached
Small Computer Systems Interface (SAS) expander, a first management
controller (MC) in communication with the first SAS expander, and
management resources accessible to the first MC. The second board has
disposed thereon a second SAS expander and a second MC. The system also
has a communications link between the first and second MCs. Primary
access to the management resources is provided in a first path which is
through the first SAS expander and the first MC, and secondary access to
the first management resources is provided in a second path which is
through the second SAS expander and the second MC.