User`s guide

XStack Storage User’s Guide 15
Chapter 1 Introduction
The XStack Storage controller is an intelligent, high-performance iSCSI Gigabit Ethernet storage
solution designed for businesses that want to improve the reliability, availability, serviceability,
and performance of their storage systems.
Based on an Internet Protocol-Storage Area Network (IP-SAN) architecture, the XStack Storage
controller is built around a custom-designed Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)solution
combining 10Gbps iSCSI, TCP/IP offload, embedded processors and a storage virtualization
firmware stack controlled by firmware loaded into the on-board flash memory. The controller is
housed in a 19-inch 3U rugged hardware enclosure holding up to 15 internal Serial ATA (SATA)
drives, up to 512MB of system memory and up to 4GB of cache buffer memory. Host connectors
for each model are as follows:
- DSN-3200 provides eight 1GbE RJ-45 host connectors accessed via the back panel
- DSN-3400 provides a single 10GbE XFP-transceiver interface (transceiver sold separately)
accessed via the back panel.
The XStack Storage unit back panel also has a 10/100 Mbps management port and an RS-232-C DB9
diagnostic/console port.
Complete configuration and management are available through the intuitive, GUI-based Web
Manager interface. A variety of network configurations are easily established using the XStack
Storage’s volume management, initiator, target, network portal, and Link Aggregation Group
(LAG) features. In addition, the XStack Storage unit features Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), default
task priority, cache, TCP/IP, spare count, and battery policy settings for advanced users.
This chapter provides an introduction to the XStack Storage unit. Topics in this chapter include:
 Section 1.1, Models on page 16
 Section 1.2, Hardware Enclosure on page 16
 Section 1.3, Benefits on page 17
 Section 1.4, Features on page 18
 Section 1.5, System Overview on page 19
 Section 1.6, Applications on page 20