In a data processing system, configured utility devices are designated in logical storage subsystems. The identification numbers of the designated utility devices are stored by a network interface. When a non-device specific command or query is received from a server by the interface, the interface obtains the ID of one of the utility devices and uses the utility device to address the command or query to the controller. Consequently, the overhead and delays associated with repeated command rejections due to unconfigured devices is substantially reduced.