Storage Management Strategies for the CIO
ISCSI SANs
Additional iSCSI information <<previous|next>> :Testing iSCSI SAN performance with IometerISCSI SAN
ISCSI network configuration, design and optimization
By Greg Schulz
SearchStorage.com
ISCSI, having evolved from hype to reality after it was approved as an industry standard in 2003, continues to evolve with more features, available solutions, interoperability and actual customer deployments now measured in the thousands.
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Storage systems including disk arrays and tape libraries support iSCSI either natively with some number of built-in Gigabit Ethernet ports or via external iSCSI routers (bridges or gateways). Some iSCSI enabled storage systems support concurrent iSCSI block-based and NAS file-based access while others support a mix of iSCSI and Fibre Channel (FC), or a combination of iSCSI, FC and NAS. On the other hand, some vendors support iSCSI and Fibre Channel, however, not concurrently.
Directly connected iSCSI, using point-to-point Ethernet between a server and an iSCSI router or iSCSI storage, would be applicable for environments that do not need shared iSCSI connectivity. An example is attaching a Windows-based server running Microsoft Windows Storage Server (WSS) software functioning as a NAS filer and data server with a dedicated iSCSI storage array.
Single- or multi-path access to iSCSI storage is a decision that balances cost vs. performance and eliminating single points of failure (SPOF). For smaller servers or less critical applications, single attachment of servers may be sufficient to meet your service level objectives for uptime and data access. For the relatively low cost of a second NIC or HBA combined with host-based path management software, you get in return automated failover, load balancing and eliminate a SPOF.
Your decision to use a shared or public network for iSCSI will be influenced by security and performance considerations -- which, in turn, are influenced by cost. At a minimum, logically isolate iSCSI traffic using VLAN and other techniques along with security features including encryption and VPNs.
Looking to the future, 10 Gigabit Ethernet should certainly provide a performance boost in raw theoretical network line speed; however, software will be the key to using new technologies such as iSER and RDMA. Look beyond the wire or optical cabling when designing and deploying iSCSI-based storage networks considering server, storage and software capabilities.
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Greg Schulz is founder and senior analyst with the IT infrastructure analyst and consulting firm StorageIO. Greg is also the author and illustrator of "Resilient Storage Networks" (Elsevier) and has contributed material to "Storage" magazine and other TechTarget venues.
23 Aug 2006
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