An apparatus includes interface configured to receive input/output (I/O) traffic from a host computer via a dedicated I/O channel. The I/O traffic includes one or more I/O requests. The apparatus includes a network interface configured to receive network traffic from a second device via a network. The apparatus includes a cache memory configured to store data and a storage device configured to store second data. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled via a communication path to the storage device. The processor is configured to access the cache memory during processing of the I/O traffic or the network traffic. The processor is further configured to perform one or more access operations at the storage device based on the I/O traffic or the network traffic. The communication path is distinct from the I/O channel.