iSCSI: The protocol for IP/Ethernet-based storage area networking

摘要

There has been much discussion (and a good dose of confusion) about the term "iSCSI" over the last year. This relatively new protocol for storage technology offers many compelling benefits, including solid performance and the ability to inexpensively create a storage area network (SAN) using standard Ethernet components. But what exactly is iSCSI? Perhaps it is helpful to first touch briefly on what iSCSI is not. It is not networked attached storage (NAS). It does not require Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) disks. It is not a file-sharing protocol like those used by Mac and Windows servers. It is not Internet Fibre Channel Protocol (iFCP), a protocol used to connect Fibre Channel (FC) SAN islands across long distances. Nor is it Fibre Channel Over Internet Protocol (FCIP), a tunneling protocol used to extend or connect FC networks.