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Enhancing the Dell iSCSI SAN with Dell PowerVault
TM
Tape Libraries and Chelsio Unified Storage Router
iSCSI Appliance
2.0 Chelsio Unified Storage Router (USR) SAS-to-iSCSI Appliance
Dell and Chelsio Communications have teamed together to provide a product which could be utilized
with the PowerVault tape libraries to provide a 10Gb iSCSI. PowerVault tape libraries already offer a
variety of interface options, including Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) and Fiber Channel (FC), but do not have
native iSCSI support. The Chelsio-developed USR 1100 SAS-to-iSCSI appliance meets Dell’s 10Gb iSCSI
tape solution needs.
As shown in Figure 1, the Chelsio USR SAS-to-iSCSI appliance is a 1U rack mounted device which allows
the customer to bridge Dell SAS tape devices to their 10Gb iSCSI SAN.
Figure 1 - Chelsio USR SAS-to-iSCSI Appliance
Chelsio USR Port Layout
The Chelsio USR SAS-to-iSCSI appliance features two 10Gb Ethernet ports and two 6Gb SAS ports. This
allows the customer to attach up to eight 6Gb SAS tape drives to the iSCSI SAN using a 1 to 4 SAS fan out
cable for each SAS port. The Chelsio USR also features two 1Gb Ethernet ports which are used to
remotely access the Chelsio USR management interface through a web browser. Alternatively, the
management interface can be accessed through the VGA, serial, and USB ports by using a keyboard-
video-mouse (KVM) switch. Figure 2 shows the location of key external components of the appliance.
Figure 2 - Chelsio USR Ports
Optimal Connectivity to a Dell PowerVault Tape Library
The Chelsio USR has two 6Gb mini-SAS (SFF-8088) ports which connect to the PowerVault tape library.
While a customer could attach only a single mini-SAS to mini-SAS cable to each port this would limit the
Chelsio USR to having two tape drive connections.