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1200 and 1400 Series iSCSI Disk Arrays System Overview | en 19
Bosch Sicherheitssysteme GmbH Software Manual Doc | V1 | 2010.09
2 System Overview
With the Microsoft iSCSI Software Target in Windows Storage Server 2008, you can create
and manage iSCSI targets, create and manage virtual disks for storage, and implement backup
and recovery support by using snapshots.
Note
The Microsoft iSCSI Software Target is pre installed and pre configured on all Bosch DLA
models. If it is not installed or provided together with your storage appliance, contact your
storage appliance manufacturer for information about acquiring the Microsoft iSCSI Software
Target.
2.1 iSCSI Overview
Several protocols, such as ATA (SATA) and SCSI (SAS), are available for enabling a disk
controller to communicate with disk drives. These protocols are predefined standards that
determine how commands, such as read and write requests, are packaged and sent between
the controller and disk drive. The iSCSI protocol extends the SCSI standards by encapsulating
SCSI commands in TCP/IP packets. These commands are sent over a TCP/IP network, which
enables servers to access storage on a storage area network (SAN). This facilitates
implementation and centralized management of consolidated storage, including centralized
backup and remote system recovery.
2.1.1 iSCSI Network Components
In an iSCSI network, there are three components:
– iSCSI target
The iSCSI target provides storage, similar to the disk drives of locally attached storage, but
accessed over a network instead of locally. This functionality is provided in Windows Storage
Server 2008 by the Microsoft iSCSI Software Target.
– iSCSI initiator
The iSCSI initiator is sometimes referred to as the client. The iSCSI target provides the
storage to the iSCSI initiator, which acts as a disk controller for the disks that are hosted by
the target.
– Storage fabric
This is an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network that connects the iSCSI target to the iSCSI
initiator. The storage fabric is typically a gigabit local area network (LAN).
2.1.2 Microsoft iSCSI Software Target Components
The Microsoft iSCSI Software Target package comprises three components:
– Microsoft iSCSI Software Target – This component lets you create and manage virtual
disks, create and manage iSCSI targets, and provide backup and recovery of iSCSI
targets through snapshots.
– Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Hardware Provider – The VSS Hardware Provider is
installed on the initiator computer and works with the VSS service to provide application
consistent snapshots of iSCSI virtual disks on the computer that runs the Microsoft iSCSI
Software Target.
– Virtual Disk Service (VDS) Hardware Provider – The VDS Hardware Provider is installed
on an initiator computer and lets VDS-aware applications manage virtual disks on a
storage appliance running the Microsoft iSCSI Software Target.