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iSCSI Optimization
An Aggregator enables internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) optimization with default iSCSI parameter
settings(Default iSCSI Optimization Values) and is auto-provisioned to support:
iSCSI Optimization: Operation
To display information on iSCSI configuration and sessions, use show commands.
iSCSI optimization enables quality-of-service (QoS) treatment for iSCSI traffic.
Supported Modes
Stacking, VLT, Standalone, PMUX, and FullSwitch
Topics:
iSCSI Optimization Overview
Monitoring iSCSI Traffic Flows
Information Monitored in iSCSI Traffic Flows
Synchronizing iSCSI Sessions Learned on VLT-Lags with VLT-Peer
iSCSI Optimization: Operation
Configuring iSCSI Optimization
Displaying iSCSI Optimization Information
iSCSI Optimization Overview
iSCSI is a TCP/IP-based protocol for establishing and managing connections between IP-based storage devices and initiators in
a storage area network (SAN).
iSCSI optimization enables the network switch to auto-detect Dells iSCSI storage arrays and triggers self-configuration of
several key network configurations that enables optimization of the network for better storage traffic throughput.
iSCSI optimization provides a means of monitoring iSCSI sessions and applying QoS policies on iSCSI traffic. When enabled,
iSCSI optimization allows a switch to monitor (snoop) the establishment and termination of iSCSI connections. The switch uses
the snooped information to detect iSCSI sessions and connections established through the switch.
iSCSI optimization allows you to reduce deployment time and management complexity in data centers. In a data center network,
Dell EqualLogic and Compellent iSCSI storage arrays are connected to a converged Ethernet network using the data center
bridging exchange protocol (DCBx) through Ethernet switches.
iSCSI session monitoring over virtual link trunking (VLT) synchronizes the iSCSI session information between the VLT peers,
allowing session information to be available in both VLT peers.
iSCSI optimization functions as follows:
Manual configuration to detect Compellent storage arrays where auto-detection is not supported.
Jumbo frames Ports are set to a maximum transmission unit (MTU) of 12,000 bytes.
If you configured flow-control, iSCSI uses the current configuration. If you did not configure flow-control, iSCSI auto-
configures flow control.
iSCSI monitoring sessions the switch monitors and tracks active iSCSI sessions in connections on the switch, including
port information and iSCSI session information.
iSCSI QoS A user-configured iSCSI class of service (CoS) profile is applied to all iSCSI traffic. Classifier rules are used
to direct the iSCSI data traffic to queues that can be given preferential QoS treatment over other data passing through the
switch. Preferential treatment helps to avoid session interruptions during times of congestion that would otherwise cause
dropped iSCSI packets.
iSCSI DCBx TLVs are supported.
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