Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a control unit receives a request to establish a relationship over a fiber channel connection, wherein a first indicator associated with the request indicates that the relationship supports persistent information unit pacing across a plurality of command chains. The control unit sends a response indicating an acceptance of the relationship, wherein a second indicator associated with the response indicates that the control unit supports persistent information unit pacing across the plurality of command chains. An information unit pacing parameter value is retained across the plurality of command chains, in response to determining that the second indicator indicates that the control unit supports persistent information unit pacing across the plurality of command chains.