PCIe tunneling through SAS

Systems and methods presented herein provide for tunneling PCIe data through a SAS domain. a data system includes a SAS expander, a PCIe target device coupled to the expander, and a SAS controller communicatively coupled to a host system and the expander. The controller is operable to open a connection with the expander via the SAS protocol, and to transport packet data between the target device and the host system through the connection via the PCIe protocol. For example, the controller and the expander may be operable to buffer packets of data in the connection. The controller may issue a number of the data packets to be transferred in the connection. Then, the issued number of data packets are transported between the target device and the host system through the connection via the PCIe protocol.