1. A method for optimizing communication paths in a network system comprising: identifying an optimal port between a multi-ported target node and a multi-ported initiator node; coupling the multi-ported target node and the multi-ported initiator node using an optimal path corresponding to the identified optimal port; generating a connection request via the multi-ported initiator node; determining a preferred port via which the multi-ported initiator node will communicate based on network connectivity to provide a shortest communication path, the shortest communication path being determined based upon path distance metrics, the shortest communication path corresponding to a shortest physical path between an initiator port of the multi-ported initiator node and a target port of the multi-ported target node; wherein the network system comprises an Immediate Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) enabled switch; and the path distance metrics are determined using a TRILL analysis operation, the TRILL analysis operation accessing routing information about media access control (MAC) addresses via a link state protocol.