- Internet SCSI (iSCSI)
- Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP).
iSCSI is a storage networking technology which allows storage resources to be shared over an IP network Whereas FCIP is an IP-based protocol that enables distributed FC SAN islands to be interconnected over an existing IP network. In FCIP, FC frames are encapsulated onto the IP payload and transported over an IP network.
IP is a matured technology and using IP as a storage networking option provides several advantages.
- Most organizations have an existing IP-based network infrastructure, which could also be used for storage networking and may be a more economical option than deploying a new FC SAN infrastructure.
- IP network has no distance limitation, which makes it possible to extend or connect SANs over long distances. With IP SAN, organizations can extend the geographical reach of their storage infrastructure and transfer data that are distributed over wide locations.
- Many long-distance disaster recovery (DR) solutions are already leveraging IP-based networks. In addition, many robust and mature security options are available for IP networks.
Lets look at how iSCSI based SAN works and FC based IP SAN works in this chapter
iSCSI SAN Overview
As said earlier, iSCSI is a storage networking technology which allows storage resources to be shared over an IP network and most of the storage resources which are shared on an iSCSI SAN are disk resources. Just like as SCSI messages are mapped on Fibre Channel in FC SAN, iSCSI is a mapping of SCSI protocol over TCP/IP.
iSCSI is an acronym for Internet Small Computer System Interface, it deals with block storage and maps SCSI over traditional TCP/IP. This protocol is mostly used for sharing primary storage such as disk drives and in some cases it is used for disk backup environment aswell.
SCSI commands are encapsulated at each layer of the network stack for eventual transmission over an IP network. The TCP layer takes care of transmission reliability and in-order delivery whereas the IP layer provides routing across the network.
In iSCSI SAN, initiators issue read/write data requests to targets over an IP network. Targets respond to initiators over the same IP network. All iSCSI communications follow this request response mechanism and all requests and responses are passed over the IP network as iSCSI Protocol Data Units (PDUs). iSCSI PDU is the fundamental unit of communication in an iSCSI SAN.
iSCSI performance is influenced by three main components. Best initiator performance can be achieved with dedicated iSCSI HBAs, target performance can be achieved by purpose-built iSCSI arrays and finally the network performance can be achieved by dedicated network switches
Multiple layers of security should be implemented on an iSCSI SAN as security is the most important in IT infra. These include CHAP for authentication, discovery domains to restrict device discovery, network isolation and IPsec for encryption of in-flight data.
iSCSI components
- iSCSI initiators such as an iSCSI HBA
- iSCSI targets such as a storage system with an iSCSI port
- IP-based network such as a Gigabit Ethernet LAN An iSCSI initiator sends commands and associated data to a target and the target returns data and responses to the initiator.
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Hi Anil,
I have just setup lab but looking for TSM server and client to download but it seems that you have remove downloads from your blog. Really appreciate if you provide the downloads for them
HI,
I have updated the menu list with download links… Please check again…