The disclosed technique uses virtual machines in solving a problem of persistent state for storage protocols. The technique provides for seamless, persistent, storage protocol session state management on a server, for higher availability. A first virtual server is operated in an active role in a host system to serve a client, by using a stateful protocol between the first virtual server and the client. A second, substantially identical virtual server is maintained in a passive role. In response to a predetermined event, the second virtual server takes over for the first virtual server, while preserving state for a pending client request sent to the first virtual server in the stateful protocol. The method can further include causing the second virtual server to respond to the request before a timeout which is specific to the stateful protocol can occur.