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Intel Storage System SSR212PP User Guide 43
PRELIMINARY
What is Microsoft iSNS?
Microsoft Internet Storage Naming Service (iSNS) is an option that applies to
configurations with multiple hosts.
The iSNS service provides automated discovery, management and configuration of iSCSI
devices. It eliminates the need to manually configure each individual storage device with
its own list of initiators and targets. Once configured, the iSNS server assumes
responsibility for the discovery and management of iSCSI devices.
The iSNS service includes an iSNS server component and iSNS client components. The
iSNS server must reside somewhere within the IP storage network, for example, in the
switch firmware, or on a host. An iSNS client resides on both the SSR212PP-Series iSCSI
storage system and any iSCSI hosts connected to the storage system. When you start the
storage system, the iSNS client on the storage system gathers all the storage system s
iSCSI port information and stores it locally on the storage system. When you add a server
to the storage system s iSNS configuration, Navisphere Express establishes a connection
from the storage system to the iSNS server, and then registers all the stored information on
the storage system with the iSNS server.
To use the features of the iSNS service in an iSCSI storage environment:
An iSNS server must be running on a network to which the storage system has access.
The NIC or iSCSI HBA initiators must be able to use the iSNS service.
The iSNS server must be able to communicate with the storage system.
Figure 19 represents a sample iSNS configuration. In this configuration, the management
and storage networks are separate. The management station is used to configure both the
iSNS servers and the storage system (using Navisphere Express). The iSNS servers are
also connected to the storage network so that the clients may query them for target
information. The storage system uses either the storage or the management network to
register its targets (ports) with the iSNS servers.