Appendix B: Terminology - Dell PowerVault MD32X0 Implementation Manual

PowerVault™ MD32X0, MD32X0i, and MD36X0i Series of Storage Arrays: Implementing Hyper-V

Appendix B: Terminology

Bandwidth – The amount of data that the storage array can process over time. Bandwidth is measured
in megabytes per second (MB/s).
Initiator – The system component that originates an input/output (I/O) command over an I/O bus or
network. I/O adapters, network interface cards, and intelligent RAID controller module device I/O bus
control Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) are typical initiators. A peripheral device is a
target. (The Dictionary of Storage Networking Terminology)
Latency – The interval of time between submitting a request and receiving a response.
Multi Path I/O (MPIO) – In computer storage, an arrangement whereby more than one logical path
exists between the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer system and its storage devices. This
path is routed through the buses and bridge devices that connect the CPU and its storage devices. If
one RAID controller module, port, or switch fails, the operating system can route I/O through the
remaining RAID controller module so that work can continue.
Network interface card (NIC) – An adapter that connects an intelligent device to a network. The
common terminology is a network interface card or an Ethernet NIC network.
Node – An addressable entity connected to an input/output (I/O) bus or network and used primarily to
refer to computers, storage devices, and storage arrays. The component of a node that connects to the
bus or network is a port. (The Dictionary of Storage Networking Terminology).
Pass-through physical disk – An unformatted physical disk directly assigned to the virtual machine.
Portal – A service that links initiators and targets when their IP addresses are not known.
Quorum virtual disk –A virtual disk on the shared storage array that stores the quorum information.
Response time – The interval of time between submitting a request and receiving a response.
Session – A group of iSCSI connections. As each connection is established, the session can negotiate its
own unique parameters.
Signature – An embedded code that identifies the device. The signature is used when passing
information between devices.
Target – The storage destination. In this document, the target is the MD3200i storage array.
Throughput – The number of individual I/Os the storage array can process over time. Throughput is
measured in I/Os per second (IOPs).
Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) – A suite of protocols that includes
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and Internet
Control Message Protocol (ICMP). These protocols form the basic set of communication protocols used
on the Internet. (The Dictionary of Storage Networking Terminology)
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