iSCSI block-Level storage protocol and IP SAN
In the world of computing, iSCSI is an abbreviation used for Internet Small Computer System Interface. It is based on IP (Internet Protocol) storage, and is the standard that is used on most networks for the linking together of facilities for the storage of data (Dell, n.d.). By making sure that the commands created by SCSI are carried over specific IP networks, data can be easily transferred and storage can be managed (Dell, n.d.). That holds true even over very long distances, no matter what is being sent. Wide area networks and local area networks can be used for the transmission of data, and that same data can also just be sent over the Internet (Oppenheimer & Patterson, 2002). The storage and the retrieval of the data are both independent of location, meaning that it is possible to store things "in the cloud" and retrieve them from anywhere. That helps facilitate easy storage as well as quick retrieval no matter where a person is or what time he or she needs to store or retrieve some type of data for personal or professional use (Dell, n.d.; Oppenheimer &...
That creates a SAN (storage area network) protocol (Dell, n.d.). The storage from various clients can be consolidated quickly and efficiently, but the illusion of being local is still something that is created by the network. Even though it appears the information is on something local, such as an attached disk, the information is actually consolidated onto storage arrays in data centers (Dell, n.d.). Because of the way in which the data is stored, retrieval from anywhere is possible and is often considered a major improvement to having something stored on a local disk. The network infrastructure that is already in existence can also be used for iSCSI, so there is no need to run any kind of special cabling (Oppenheimer & Patterson, 2002). That is true even when the iSCSI is going to be used over very long distances or in remote areas (Dell, n.d.).
In short, iSCSI just allows two different hosts to exchange SCSI commands and negotiate with one another over an IP network. That sounds very simple,…
