Microsoft Storage Technologies - iSCSI

Microsoft released Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) support software for Microsoft Windows® client and server environments in June 2003. The Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator package includes both the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator service and the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator software driver.

Downloads

iSCSI Software Initiator v2.07iSCSI Software Initiator v2.07

The newest version of the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator integrates multipathing for high availability. To learn more about Microsoft's continuing storage innovation with iSCSI, read the datasheet.

iSCSI Hardware Devices Qualified Under the Designed for Windows Logo ProgramiSCSI Hardware Devices Qualified Under the Designed for Windows Logo Program

If you are planning on deploying iSCSI technology in your environment, please check this list to ensure that the hardware you have chosen has received the Designed for Windows Logo. Using qualified iSCSI hardware ensures support from Microsoft for your iSCSI deployment.


Events

Simplifying Mailbox-Level Restore for Microsoft Exchange with an iSCSI SANSimplifying Mailbox-Level Restore for Microsoft Exchange with an iSCSI SAN

The process of recovering individual mail items is time consuming and filled with many pitfalls. Join this webinar to see a live demo and hear how combining Recovery Storage Groups with disk-based snapshots make mail item recovery simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft Support for iSCSI ClustersMicrosoft Support for iSCSI Clusters

Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding iSCSI Server Cluster support in Windows Server 2003.


Case Studies

Royal Appliance

Royal Appliance wanted to explore less time-consuming and costly ways of adding storage to its Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN). LeftHand Networks IP SAN, in combination with Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003, provided the solution. Read the case study here.

SDC Udvikling A/S

With several Fibre Channel-based SANs operational, SCD found their storage solution difficult to manage and expensive. After intensive testing of Fibre Channel and IP SAN options, SDC chose to implement the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system with Microsoft Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) architecture using EqualLogic storage arrays.

White Papers

Deploying iSCSI SANs

Networked storage solutions have enabled organizations to more effectively share, consolidate, and manage resources than was possible with direct attached storage (DAS). The shift from server-centric storage to networked storage has been dependent on the development of technologies that can transfer data to and from storage as fast as, or faster than, direct attached technologies while also overcoming the limitations inherent in parallel SCSI, the dominant interconnect for DAS.

Microsoft Support for iSCSI

Differing data requirements, system complexities, and cost constraints mean that storage needs vary enormously from business to business. Microsoft is committed to offering a broad range of storage solutions to meet these needs. Most recently this includes support for iSCSI. This white paper is intended for storage administrators and others who are interested in capitalizing on the emerging iSCSI technology.


News and Reviews

Microsoft Blesses iSCSI Hardware

Byte and Switch (November 2003): The announcement is a signal from Microsoft to companies that compatible HBAs and arrays are available to begin implementing iSCSI networks on Windows.

Vendors Show iSCSI Storage Devices Support Windows

InforWorld (November 2003): In a development that could help to ease the adoption of iSCSI, a protocol for creating storage networks over existing infrastructures, Microsoft Corp. has qualified iSCSI products from 14 storage hardware vendors to work with Windows and Microsoft's iSCSI drivers.

Microsoft Delivers iSCSI Support for Windows

eWeek (July 2, 2003): The road to iSCSI deployment got a bit smoother when Microsoft released its iSCSI driver for Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Professional.


Press Releases

Leading Storage Hardware Vendors Qualify iSCSI-Based Products for the Windows

(November 19, 2003): Broad industry adoption of Microsoft iSCSI architecture means greater choice and reliability of IP storage solutions for Windows customers.

Microsoft Delivers iSCSI Support for Windows

(June 30, 2003): Microsoft today announced the availability of its iSCSI Software Initiator package, including the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator service and the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator software driver.

Industry Support for New iSCSI Storage Protocol Swells, Beta Tests Underway

(April 14, 2003): In companies large and small, IT organizations are taking a keen interest in the new iSCSI protocol because it may solve many of their most challenging storage problems.

Microsoft Embraces iSCSI to Foster Broader Storage Interoperability

(March 12, 2003): Microsoft is playing an important role in bringing the storage vendor community together to make iSCSI-based applications and storage devices a reality for customers.

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