SAN Integration Technologies
Microsoft has a number of support options to enhance the performance of Storage Area Network (SAN). This page provides resources for iSCSI, MPIO, Storport, and Boot from SAN.
On This Page
 | Support for iSCSI |
| MPIO |
| Boot from SAN |
| Storport |
Support for iSCSI
Microsoft released Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) support software for Microsoft Windows client and server platforms in June 2003.
White Papers
Deploying iSCSI SANs
See how networked storage solutions organizations can more effectively share, consolidate, and manage resources than was possible with direct attached storage (DAS).
Microsoft Support for iSCSI
Capitalize on the emerging iSCSI technology. See how Microsoft is committed to offering a broad range of storage solutions , inlcuding support for iSCSI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microsoft Support for iSCSI Clusters
Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding iSCSI Server Cluster support in Windows Server 2003.
Downloads
iSCSI Software Initiator v2.0
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.
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.
iSCSI Hardware Devices Qualified Under the Designed for Windows Logo Program
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.
MPIO
The Microsoft Multipath I/O (MPIO) driver development kit allows storage vendors to build interoperable multipath solutions that integrate tightly with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems.
White Papers
Highly Available Storage: Multipathing and the Microsoft MPIO Driver Architecture
Discover how to ensure that your data is available at all times.
Posted August 24, 2004
Webchats
High Availability in Windows Using Microsoft MPIO
Read this webchat about high availability in Windows Server 2003 operating systems using Microsoft MPIO.
Posted August 24, 2004
Boot from SAN
Through facilitating centralization of the boot process, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems helps organizations in their efforts to consolidate equipment, increase IT administration efficiency, and lower costs.
White Papers
Boot from SAN in Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Server
See the advantages and complexities of the technology, and a number of key SAN boot deployment scenarios.
Knowledge Base Articles
Support for Booting from a SAN
Learn about the supportability of having a Windows Server 2003 operating system server boot from a SAN.
Support for Multiple Clusters Attached to the Same SAN Device
This article describes an example of a supported SAN–based cluster.
Storport
Storport is a new storage driver model created by Microsoft for Windows Server 2003 and future Windows operating systems. Storport offers a higher performance architecture and better Fibre Channel compatibility in Windows Server operating systems.
White Papers
Storport in Windows Server 2003: Improving Manageability and Performance in Hardware RAID and Storage Area Networks
The Storport driver delivers greater performance in hardware RAID and SAN environments than the preexisting SCSIport driver was capable of delivering.