Iscsi Technology; Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 Editions; Tiered Storage - HP ProLiant ML350 G5 Administration Manual

Primary storage
Fibre Channel and SCSI disk storage
Secondary storage
Serial ATA disk storage
Tertiary storage
Tape
Storage
Figure 1 Tiered storage

iSCSI technology

The iSCSI protocol defines the rules and processes for transporting SCSI (block-level) data over a TCP/IP
network. The iSCSI standard follows the SCSI architectural model, which is based on message exchange
between an initiator and a target. In the SCSI model, initiators and targets are identified by a unique
SCSI device name. Because iSCSI transport occurs over a network fabric instead of a direct cable
connection, the initiator and target have multiple IP addresses associated with their iSCSI names.
The following is an example of what occurs during a message exchange between an initiator and
a target. The process begins when an application sends a request to the operating system (OS) to
read or write data. The OS generates the appropriate SCSI commands and data request in the form
of a message. Before the message can be sent over an IP network, it is processed through iSCSI to
encapsulate the request into the TCP/IP protocol stack (attaching routing, error checking, and control
information) for transmission over the network. This can be accomplished using driver- or OS-level
software, or it can be offloaded to the host bus adapter (HBA). The HBA transmits the packets over the IP
network. When the packets reach the target device, they go through a reverse process to reassemble
(sequence) the data, which is then moved to the SCSI controller. The SCSI controller fulfills the request by
writing data to, or reading data from, the target device. If it is a read transaction, the target returns data
to the initiator using the iSCSI protocol.
For further information about HP StorageWorks iSCSI products, visit http://www.hp.com/go/nas.

Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 editions

Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 is a dedicated file and print server application based on Windows
Server 2003, with dependability and seamless integration in networked storage. Windows Storage
Server 2003 R2 integrates with existing infrastructures and supports heterogeneous file serving as
well as backup and replication of stored data. Windows Storage Server is also an ideal solution for
consolidating multiple file servers into a single solution that enables cost reduction and policy-based
management of storage resources. Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 includes advanced availability
features such as point-in-time data copies, replication, and server clustering. Because Windows Storage
Server 2003 R2 solutions are preconfigured, they can be deployed out of the box in a short time, and the
HP Storage Server Management Console makes management easy. Windows Storage Server 2003
R2 integrates with existing infrastructures, so enterprises can make full use of commonly-used network
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