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Building an iSCSI SAN
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iSCSI is the server to storage SCSI over IP protocol.
IP storage using Internet SCSI (iSCSI) provides opportunity for many organizations looking to extend existing Fibre Channel SANs to stranded servers, or looking to deploy Ethernet-based SANs. It can reduce costs by allowing IT managers to take advantage of existing, familiar Ethernet networks. Often the biggest complaint with new technology like iSCSI is its ability to provide more than simple functionality and connectivity. That argument is addressed by leveraging fast, wire-speed TCP/IP products common to networking today with fast storage systems. This combination can offer maximum performance and efficiency comparable to many Fibre Channel-based solutions.
The iSCSI (Internet SCSI) protocol extends the cost benefits of SANs by allowing users to create storage networks using existing Ethernet technology, eliminating the need for costly proprietary alternatives such as fibre channel (FC). With iSCSI, expanding storage to keep pace with data growth is as simple and economical as purchasing a disk array or adding drives to an existing disk array.
But how can an IT manager gauge return on investment of an iSCSI SAN? One way is to determine total cost of ownership (TCO) for the iSCSI approach and compare it to the two alternatives: a fibre channel SAN or traditional direct-attached storage (DAS).
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