EXPERT RESPONSE
iSCSI is used for block access to disk resources for HOSTS over IP for servers that do not have Fibre Channel HBA connections to a SAN. This requires an iSCSI driver for each server for the LAN NIC and either native iSCSI storage arrays or an iSCSI bridge from that converts iSCSI traffic to FC traffic for traditional FC-based SAN storage arrays.
iFCP is a protocol used between SAN islands to create a SWAN (storage wide area network). Both iSCSI and iFCP use IP as the transport mechanism, but they are used for different applications. iFCP is used for connecting fabrics together, and iSCSI is used for IP hosts to access disks.
Chris
Editor's note: Do you agree with this expert's response? If you have more to share, post it in one of our discussion forums.
The views and opinions expressed by Christopher L. Poelker are his alone and not necessarily shared by Hitachi Data Systems.
|
