US Patent 9026694 Techniques for workload redistibution

Described are techniques for redistributing workload. A first port, from which a first workload is to be redistributed, is selected. A second port, having available capacity to perform additional workload, is selected. A device, accessible over both the first port and the second port, is selected. Each of one or more paths including the first port is set to a passive state for the device. Each of the one or more paths having the passive state for the device indicates to a client that sends I/O operations to the device that said each path is not to be used for sending I/O operations to said device and that said each path is available for use in performing control operations directed to the device.