Users Guide

9
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 conguration and sessions, use show commands.
iSCSI optimization enables quality-of-service (QoS) treatment for iSCSI trac.
Supported Modes
Stacking, VLT
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 Dell’s iSCSI storage arrays and triggers self-conguration of several
key network congurations that enables optimization of the network for better storage trac throughput.
iSCSI optimization provides a means of monitoring iSCSI sessions and applying QoS policies on iSCSI trac. 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 stacked and/or non-stacked 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:
• Auto-detection of EqualLogic storage arrays — the switch detects any active EqualLogic array directly attached to its ports.
• Manual conguration to detect Compellent storage arrays where auto-detection is not supported.
• Automatic conguration of switch ports after detection of storage arrays.
• If you congured ow-control, iSCSI uses the current conguration. If you did not congure ow-control, iSCSI auto-congures
ow 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-congured iSCSI class of service (CoS) prole is applied to all iSCSI trac. Classier rules are used to direct
the iSCSI data trac 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.
iSCSI Optimization
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