iSCSI technologies in HP ProLiant servers using advanced network adapters, 2nd edition

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iSCSI technologies in HP ProLiant servers

using advanced network adapters

technology brief

Edition

Abstract.............................................................................................................................................. 2

Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 2

iSCSI message exchange...................................................................................................................... 2

iSCSI functionality................................................................................................................................ 4

Operating distance .......................................................................................................................... 4

Security........................................................................................................................................... 4

FlexFabric Adapters with full iSCSI offload.............................................................................................. 5

Multifunction network adapters with accelerated iSCSI............................................................................. 6

iSCSI boot .......................................................................................................................................... 7

iSCSI boot for FlexFabric adapters ..................................................................................................... 7

Configuring iSCSI boot using Virtual Connect Manager........................................................................ 7

iSCSI boot on multifunction network adapters ...................................................................................... 9

iSCSI and HP Storage products ............................................................................................................. 9

iSCSI SANs..................................................................................................................................... 9

iSCSI interoperability with Fibre Channel SANs................................................................................... 9

Conclusion........................................................................................................................................ 10

For more information.......................................................................................................................... 11

Call to action .................................................................................................................................... 11

Summary of content (11 pages)

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iSCSI technologies in HP ProLiant servers using advanced network adapters technology brief 2nd Edition Abstract.............................................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 2 iSCSI message exchange.................................................................................
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Abstract This technology brief explains iSCSI technologies you will find in HP ProLiant servers. It also explains how these simple and cost-effective technologies benefit your data center. It covers the accelerated iSCSI implementation for embedded and optional multifunction NICs. It also describes the full offload iSCSI functionality available on HP FlexFabric adapters. These adapters are integrated onto some G7 HP BladeSystem servers and are available as mezzanine cards for G6 BladeSystem servers.
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Figure 1. Diagram of block storage using SCSI (left) and iSCSI (right) iSCSI initiators access targets using the iSCSI protocol. While the target is usually a hard drive enclosure or another computer, it can also be any other storage device that supports the iSCSI protocol, such as a tape drive. The iSCSI stack at both ends of the path puts SCSI block commands into Ethernet packets for transmission over IP networks. Figure 2 illustrates a message exchange between an initiator and a target.
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Figure 2. Message exchange between an initiator and target using the iSCSI protocol mode Initiators include software initiators and hardware initiators (accelerated or offload HBAs). Software initiators require CPU resources to manage the protocol stack.
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describes two encryption modes: transport and tunnel. Transport mode encrypts only the data portion (payload) of each packet and leaves the header untouched. Tunnel mode, on the other hand, encrypts both the header and the payload for increased security. Authentication iSCSI has provisions for servers and storage devices to prove their identities to each other. It uses the Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol with Diffie-Hellman key protocol (DH CHAP).
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Figure 3. Software stack for full offload iSCSI on the FlexFabric adapter. Multifunction network adapters with accelerated iSCSI Until recently, the typical server environment required separate connectivity products for networking, storage, interconnects, and infrastructure management. HP multifunction network adapters function as both iSCSI HBAs and Ethernet NICs, so they support multiple functions through a single connection.
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You must use HP ProLiant Essentials Accelerated iSCSI Pack to enable accelerated iSCSI on HP servers with embedded Multifunction Gigabit Ethernet server adapters. It is not required for the multifunction mezzanine cards and multifunction Gigabit Ethernet server adapters because accelerated iSCSI is included on these optional cards. For more information on the Accelerated iSCSI Pack, please go to www.hp.com/go/iscsi.
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Figure 4. FlexFabric iSCSI Connections shown in Virtual Connect Configuring iSCSI Boot parameters in Virtual Connect As Figure 4 shows, the FlexFabric adapter lets you configure both a primary and secondary iSCSI boot path for the iSCSI function.
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The iSCSI function on the FlexFabric adapter can support up to 128 separate iSCSI targets. Unlike iSCSI boot parameters, additional iSCSI targets are configured through the iSCSI BIOS utility that is part of the FlexFabric adapter option ROM. You can access the iSCSI BIOS utility using the CTRL-S key sequence during server POST.
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protocol from the initiators on the Ethernet TCP/IP network and translating it to FC protocol for the storage volumes on the FC SAN (Figure 5). Servers that are not directly tied to the FC SAN have access to its storage resources if needed. Figure 5.
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For more information For additional information, refer to the resources listed below. Resource description Web address HP iSCSI SAN Solutions Homepage http://www.hp.com/go/iscsi HP Virtual Connect http://www.hp.com/go/virtualconnect Server-to-network edge technologies: converged networks and virtual I/O http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManu al/c02044591/c02044591.pdf HP ProLiant networking Ethernet network adapters http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/networking/in dex-nic.