An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises an MPIO driver that is configured to deliver input-output operations from the host device to the storage system over the network. The MPIO driver is configured to obtain a command generated by the host device under a first protocol for communicating with one or more of the storage devices. The command is directed to a target storage device of the plurality of storage devices. The target storage device is configured to communicate using a second protocol that is different than the first protocol. The MPIO driver is further configured to convert the command for communication under the second protocol and to provide the converted command to the target storage device.