A recovery method and fail-over switch for use in a data storage system in which a plurality of data storage devices are connected to each of two communication paths. The switch may route requests to either of the two communication paths. Switching may be accomplished by two fail-over switches connected to each other and each in connection with one of the two communication paths. With one data storage controller in communication with the data storage devices over a first path and a second data storage controller in communication with the data storage devices over a second path, the fail-over switches may be used upon detection of a malfunction on one path to switch a controller into connection with the remaining operable path so as to share that path with the other controller.