A redundant array of independent disks (RAID) storage system, includes a RAID master controller receiving a RAID request selectively communicating the RAID request to one of a plurality of storage devices, wherein first and second storage devices are directly connected outside a data communication path including the host among the storage devices. The first storage device determines upon receiving the RAID request whether distribution of a RAID sub-request to the second storage device is necessary, such that upon determining that the distribution of a RAID sub-request is necessary, the first RAID controller communicates the RAID sub-request to the second storage device via the direct network connection.