A mode indexing table is used for listing the available modes in a multimode device. From information in the mode indexing table, a host recognizes the modes as listed in the table. The host has a mandatory initialization mode using a known technique, such that the device can enter into an initialization mode directly or via a boot function. During initialization, the host receives the remaining part of the table from the multi-mode device and recognizes the functionality of each of the listed modes in the table. Among the available modes, some modes are allowed to access data of other modes according to the level of access. The multimode device has some commands that can be used for direct mode switching.