The active path group connection to the target device is detected in the ESS subsystem. This indicates the target device can possibly be online to some host system. The online status of the device must be checked from every host system with access to the target device. If the target device is offline to all attached host systems and the path group connection is still active, the ONLINTGT(YES) keyword can be added to the FlashCopy Establish request. Host system console command VARY OFFLINE can also reset the path group connection.