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Windows Storage Server 2008

iSCSI Software Target

The Microsoft implementation of Internet SCSI (iSCSI) is based on the industry standard developed to enable transmission of SCSI block commands over the existing IP network by using the TCP/IP protocol. The encapsulated SCSI commands and data can be transmitted over a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). iSCSI provides an ease of management to organizations looking to deliver both messaging traffic and block-based storage over existing Internet Protocol (IP) networks, without installing a separate Fibre Channel network. Combined with better scalability, reliability & availability iSCSI is set to provide an enterprise class solution at a low cost price. Affordable because it leverages existing Ethernet-based hardware and the current expertise of your IT staff.

Industry Standard Storage Protocol

Internet SCSI (iSCSI) is an industry standard developed to enable transmission of SCSI block commands over the existing IP network by using the TCP/IP protocol. iSCSI is a technological breakthrough that offers organizations the possibility of delivering both messaging traffic and block-based storage over existing Internet Protocol (IP) networks, without installing a separate, expensive Fibre Channel network. Implementing this solution is simpler and provides a cost-effective alternative.

Flexible and Unified Block-Storage

The iSCSI Software Target provides block-level storage as disk volumes which can be mounted by any client running an iSCSI initiator. The iSCSI target uses space that is allocated as VHD's within the Windows Storage Server. This helps provide a simplified model for storage management and a more flexible platform for supporting file services at the block level.

Cost-Effective and Manageable SAN

Windows Storage Server 2008 provides the ability to deploy iSCSI SAN solutions which capitalize on the preexisting LAN infrastructure and make use of the much more ubiquitous IP expertise available in most organizations unlike a Fibre Channel (FC) SAN solution, which requires the deployment of a completely new network infrastructure and specialized technical expertise and hardware for troubleshooting. The WSS08 iSCSI solution allows implementers of iSCSI SANs to minimize the initial costs of deploying while still delivering an enterprise class solution for storage purposes.

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