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Introduction
With an ever-expanding need for storage, it has become increasingly desirable for small and
medium-sized businesses to consolidate and centralize all of their data.
While Windows-powered HP StorageWorks NAS products have addressed some of their
file-level needs, consolidation/centralization of block-level storage for applications such as
databases and messaging servers has been difficult for these businesses because of a lack
of resources to address the costs and complexity of supporting a Storage Area Network. As
a result, the majority of small and medium business databases and messaging servers are
still using direct attached storage and storage administrators are facing increasing
manageability problems.
The advent of a standard iSCSI protocol holds the promise of allowing these businesses to
have their applications access centralized storage using their existing, familiar IP network
infrastructure.
What is iSCSI?
You are probably already familiar with the Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) which
enables host computers to perform block-level data I/O to a variety of peripheral devices
(such as disk and tape devices and printers). The Internet SCSI (iSCSI) protocol adds
dimension to SCSI and eliminates the distance limitation associated with it by enabling
block-level I/O over the IP network.
With its ability to simply attach servers and storage devices into your existing network
infrastructure, iSCSI enables your organization to cost-effectively build and manage a
storage area network based on technologies (SCSI, IP) you already understand and use.
HP StorageWorks iSCSI Feature Pack
HP StorageWorks iSCSI Feature Pack for HP StorageWorks NAS products provides
virtualization, allocation of disk storage, and centralized management for iSCSI host
applications.
HP iSCSI Feature Pack is comprised of a Windows-compatible iSCSI target driver and an
iSNS (Internet Storage Name Service) server. All software management has been integrated
under a tabular "iSCSI" window in the Windows Server 2003 Web Administration screen.
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HP StorageWorks iSCSI Feature Pack User Guide
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