What is iSCSI?

iSCSI (internet SCSI) is a protocol that allows clients (initiators) to send SCSI commands to SCSI storage devices (targets) on remote servers. iSCSI is a popular Storage Area Networking (SAN) protocol. Unlike Fiber Channel, iSCSI requires no special-purpose cabling, and can be run over long distances using existing network infrastructure. Many organizations are looking to iSCSI as a cost-effective solution to Fibre Channel

Storage Consolidation Move from Direct Attached Storage (DAS) to iSCSI networked storage. This results in better utilization of storage resources and less wasted space Cost Reduction iSCSI storage running on Ethernet is a fraction of the cost of Fiber Channel. Centralize storage for reduced management costs. Utilize commodity hardware for additional costs savings Backup and Recovery Backup servers to disk or to tape reducing backup window and speeding restores Disaster Recovery Make a second copy of data by replicating it offsite to protect from natural disaster or other catastrophic loss

	Beneits of iSCSI
	Enables storage consolidation by reducing hardware cost and complexity
	Centralizes management and reduces administrative costs Increases scalability and reliability of disk storage
	Improves performance (comparable to Fibre Channel) and accessibility over DAS
	Utilizes a block level interface - compatible with database and web applications

 

What is NAS?

NAS servers communicate vs. NFS (Network File System) and CIFS (Common Internet File System). NAS supports other storage protocols, such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or AppleTalk. NAS enables multiple users to share the same storage space simultaneously. NAS allows users to share data across the network with significant performance improvements.

Benefits of NAS Heterogeneous OS support i.e. different types of machines and OS’s can share files Easy to install and manage. NAS is simple, plug and play Leverages existing network architecture. No costly fiber upgrades Can be administrated and managed remotely Enables data sharing across the network with performance improvements Applications File/Print Servers  Application Specific Servers Video Imaging Graphical Image Store Heterogeneous File Sharing CAD/CAM

Storage Consolidation:

Migrate from many Direct Attached Storage (DAS) to simplified Networked Attached Storage (NAS)

Benefits of Storage Cosolidation

• Increased utilization of storage resources (DAS capacity is often underutilized)
• Ability to share data across multiple servers with networked storage
• Implement disaster recovery protocols (volume replication, failover, etc)
• Reduce hardware costs
• Simplify management

 

What is Backup & Recovery?

• Integrated Volume and Data Replication
• Snapshot Copy
• Task Management for Automation
• Backup Utilities
• Support for Tape Libraries
• Support for 3rd Party Backup Software

Benefits of Disk-based Backup

• Accelerates Backup Windows
  • Time for tape backup often exceeds time available
  • Data continues to grow as backup window shrinks
    
• Eliminates Application Downtime and/or Disruption
• Applications are often offline during backups
• Often each application or server must be backed up individually
  
• Enables Fast and Successful Restores to Disk
• Over 30% of all restores from tape fail
• Restores from tape are time consuming
  
• Minimizes Costs
• Typical “enterprise” backup strategies are typically too expensive
• Reduces the IT staff required to run and manage backups

What is Snapshot Copy?

Use snapshot copies to make point-in-time copies of your logical volumes and shares. The snapshot image can then be used for both consistent and temporary backup. Snapshot Copy ensures users have uninterrupted and complete access to their data

Benefits of Snapshot Copy

• Create stable copies of data quickly
• Offer instant restore of disk images for improved restore time
• Reduce loss of work and downtime of data
• Allow more frequent backup operations
• Able to have another server access the snapshot
• Data is in usable format, no conversion is required

What is Replication?

Replication is the process of creating identical replicas of data on two separate storage systems. There are two types of replication: Volume Replication and Data Replication.
Volume Replication is a process of copying a logical volume from one location to another
With volume replication data is copied synchronously. Data replication enables asynchronous file and folder copy from one storage system to another.

Benefits of Replication

• Enable Disaster Recovery
  • Protect data from loss through a disaster by replicating it to a remote secondary site
  • Eliminate business disruption
• Eliminate Business Downtime
• Reduce application and server downtime
• Keep employees working 
• Accelerate Backup and Restore
• Reduce backup windows
• Disk-based backup offers faster and easier access to data than tape

 

What is Disaster Recovery?

A storage and network protection strategy that ensures protection of data in case of a natural or man-made disaster

• Types of disasters
  • Location (natural disaster, fire, theft)
  • Data (Hardware failure, software malfunction or human error)
• Challenges of disaster recovery
• Planning for failures
• Eliminating downtime
• Minimizing costs

 

Benefits of Disaster Recovery

• Cost Effective
  • All products needed for DR are included
  • Utilizes current network infrastructure 
• Easy to Use
• Simple web base GUI for support of all operations
• Fast, easy setup and configuration
• Reduces Downtime
• No loss of data or business productivity
• Automates recovery operations

What is Automatic Failover?

Automatic failover is a key requirement in many business critical environments. In the event of a failure or scheduled maintenance of the primary server the software automatically switches operations over to the secondary storage server. The data is copied in real-time and every change is immediately mirrored on the secondary storage server.

Benefits of Automatic Failover

• Ensures business continuity
  • Reduces system and data downtime
• Offers complete data protection
• Protects data from loss from a disaster by having a second server available in case of a failure
• Improves performance
• Ensures continuous access to your data
• Automatic failover is simple and fast and is done via iSCSI volume replication 
• Improves data reliability