Replication handling among distinct network transfer layers, including: establishing, over a first type of network messaging layer, a communication link for replication between a first storage system and a second storage system; initiating, over a second type of network messaging layer, a configuration change to one or more aspects of the first storage system; and replicating, without disrupting the configuration change to the one or more aspects of the first storage system, data from the first storage system to the second storage system.