Home > Ask the Storage Technology Experts > Questions & Answers > What switches to use when implementing an iSCSI SAN
Ask The Storage Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

What switches to use when implementing an iSCSI SAN

Christopher Poelker EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Christopher Poelker

Pose a Question
Other Storage Categories
Meet all Storage Experts
Become an Expert for this site
>
QUESTION POSED ON: 05 February 2004
With all the hype around the cost delta between FC and iSCSI, most has been aimed at the cost of adapters. My question is, when implementing an iSCSI SAN, will I use an off the shelf Ethernet switch or will we see "specialized storage" switches for this purpose?

>
You will use both. Your hosts will be connected to their normal IP switches, which in turn will be connected to a specialized IP gateway switch where the existing FC storage gets connected. This solution allows you protect your investment in your SAN hardware and connect it up to your Ethernet network for block access to the FC storage targets.

Click here for an example of what's available in the iSCSI gateway realm. All the other switch vendors, including Cisco, have multi-protocol switches available for connecting iSCSI clients to FC storage.

As more native iSCSI storage solutions become available, the need for these switches will decrease but there are still advantages to using them like error traffic isolation and the ability to use iFCP between iSCSI storage islands for data replication.

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.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Search for Data Management Tools
TechTarget Storage Media
Storage Magazine View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
Storage Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
SearchStorage.com
HomeNewsMagazineTopicsLearningMultimediaWhite PapersBlogsEventsAbout Us

About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts