ISCSI Storage Technology – A Basic Overview

If your organization is in any way required to store large amounts of data, you definitely might have heard of the term iSCSI. This technology has become pretty much the standard when it comes to data management and remote access requirements. In fact, its use in building storage area networks or SANs has completely revolutionized the way data storage and flow is managed on an enterprise level. But as you are not a techie and do not fully understand what this technology is all about, I am here to help you out.

When defined technically, iSCSI is the standard protocol for encapsulating SCSI command into TCP/IP packets and enabling I/O block data transport over IP networks. But it is a lot more than that. For websites, service providers, online traders, enterprises and other organizations, this technology offers a means to store, access, and use their data in a way that was never possible before. iSCSI storage has been characterized by many adjectives ever since it was introduced in the market. It has been called:

• simple
• powerful
• high speed
• low cost
• long distance data management wizard and many other names.

Now you can see that all these are buzzwords that each and every organization will want to have in their daily processes. And hence you can understand the reasons behind the popularity of iSCSI storage.

Let us understand how this system works...

The iSCSI target is made to reside in a host on which the Star Wind software is preinstalled for enabling support of virtualization as well as various kinds of physical hardware. The iSCSI client or the initiator makes it possible to access different target devices over a TCP/IP-based network (a local network or the Internet). This means that over an easily available connection such as the internet, you can access the data you have stored in target devices with the help of the initiator.

There are many advantages that have been seen to accrue from the introduction of iSCSI storage in an enterprise’s systems and everyday activities.

• With the use of this system, the remote device can be used as a local one without any loss of application or compatibility issues. There are no problems faced while accessing or using data.
• The person using the initiator device gets complete geographical independence. He does not have to carry around all the documents he needs in his handy device. Whether through a smart phone or a laptop, he can easily access any and every file he needs. This is business on the go!
• The use of familiar network technology and management reduces training and staff costs, and increases stability and reliability of an organization's infrastructure.
• It also helps to minimize data losses in case of disasters, thus enabling scalability, remote replication as well as faster recovery of systems.

There are many more advantages that are associated with iSCSI storage. You can learn more about it and the many ways that it can help your enterprise by visiting http://www.digiliant.com/.

About The Author

Reyna Adams is considered to be an authority when it comes to network storage server and solutions and likes to share his experiences from the field in the many informative articles that he writes on the topic. He recommends http://www.digiliant.com/ as the best place to find high storage area network solutions and devices for all kinds of needs.