Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

iSCSI offers a choice of initiators from software (standard NIC or TOES) to hardware (HBAs). NIC- Gigabit Ethernet is processed in hardware while the rest of the protocol stack is processed in software. HBA Gigabit Ethernet, TCP/IP, and iSCSI are all processed in hardware while the rest of the protocol stack is processed in software. TOE TCP/IP offload engine - Gigabit Ethernet, TCP/IP, are processed in hardware while the rest of the protocol stack is processed in software. Pros and cons of hardware vs. software initiators A NIC is cheaper than an HBA Where processing is handled: NIC only process: The Gigabit Ethernet frame information is on the card. TCP/IP, iSCSI and SCSI and application/ file system processes are done in software. HBA process: The Gigabit Ethernet, TCP/IP, and iSCSI tasks are on the card while the SCSI and application/file system processes are done in software, typically resulting in higher performance than a NIC. iSCSI HBAs are much less expensive per port than the FC HBAs. Based on Gartner estimates, these differences will expand in iSCSIs favor due to commoditization and volumes of Ethernet networks.

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

Allows boot from SAN, isolation of iSCSI traffic from other TCP/IP traffic. May increase performance due to offloading of iSCSI, Network and Hardware. HBA should also be considered for boot from SAN applications. Boot from SAN is possible using software initiator/NIC, but may be harder to set up and manage than an HBA.

HBAs are useful in non-Windows environments to ensure egress port binding

Most non-Windows software initiators dont provide a way to bind iSCSI traffic to a particular NIC

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

The Software iSCSI Initiator enables connection of a host to an external iSCSI storage array using Ethernet NICs, TCP offloads or even some iSCSI HBAs. Not shown above but worth mentioning is the 10GB Converged Network Adapter (CNA). CNAs offer server administrators the opportunity to consolidate LAN, NAS, iSCSI SAN and Fibre Channel SAN connectivity onto a single adapter.

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

To verify whether sector alignment has been performed run the DiskPart (DiskPar if on Windows 2000) utility. Example: DISKPART> select disk 0 Disk 0 is now the selected disk. DISKPART> list partition Partition ### Type Size Offset ------------- ---------------- ------- ------Partition 1 Primary 119 GB 64 KB

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

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Whether it is a software or hardware initiator, the basic requirements for connecting to a target are the same. The following are required: Target information (normally the targets IP address) Discovery of volumes Login to the desired volumes Bind the volume Done in the iSCSI initiator control panel Persistent target means that the initiator will login to that volume the next time it reboots The customer must then assign a drive letter to the file system, i.e. NTFS Assigning a drive letter to the file system happens in Disk Management. Binding (a.k.a Bound Volumes) is the process whereby the iSCSI initiator ensures that a volume has been logged in and that the drive letter assigned to it is visible before returning control to the boot process. This ensures that any subsequent applications will always have their data drives available. This is strictly a function of the initiator.

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Avoid common problems relating to both hardware and software initiators: Make sure the latest BIOS is installed on the server motherboard Confirm that the latest BIOS is installed on the HBA Confirm that the latest drivers are installed

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Storport is the new Microsoft port driver recommended for use with hardware RAID storage arrays and high performance Fibre Channel interconnects. Storport overcomes the limitations of the legacy SCSIport design while preserving enough of the SCSIport framework that porting to the Storport device is straightforward for most developers. Storport enables bidirectional (full duplex) transport of I/O requests, more effective interactions with vendor miniport drivers, and improved management capabilities. Storport should be the port driver of choice when deploying SAN or hardware RAID storage arrays in a Windows Server 2003 environment. Storport is about 30-50% more efficient than SCSIport, passing through more I/O per second than SCSIport and using less CPU to do so.

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Module 7 Multi-Vendor iSCSI Initiators

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