A method of transparently inserting a virtual storage layer into a Fiber channel based storage area network (SAN) while maintaining continuous I/O operations is provided. A device is inserted between a host entity and a first storage device. The device identifies a plurality of first paths between the host entity and the first storage device, and defines a plurality of second paths by defining, for each first path among the plurality of first paths, a corresponding second path between the host entity and a second storage device. The device determines, for each of the plurality of first paths, a respective first state. The device establishes, for each of the second paths among the plurality of second paths, a second state based on the first state of the corresponding first path. The device redirects, to the second storage device, communications directed from the host entity to the first storage device, via the plurality of second paths.