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

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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.
iSCSI boot on multifunction network adapters
Within a Red Hat, SUSE Linux®, or Microsoft® Windows® Server environment, the HP iSCSI boot
solution for multifunction network adapters includes scripts to significantly simplify installation. HP
supplies the iSCSI boot option ROM at no cost to users. Adding an iSCSI HBA card is not required.
The HP NC-Series iSCSI Boot Package for Windows is available here:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&s
wItem=MTX-028ce39726d74abfbb046f153f&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN).
The HP NC-Series iSCSI Boot Direct Install Package for Linux is available here:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&s
wItem=MTX-212a7a437b374218b9fe4e8db0.
Various HP multifunction network adapters support iSCSI boot capability. For more information on
ProLiant network adapters and their capabilities, please visit
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/networking/index-nic.html.
iSCSI and HP Storage products
Using the iSCSI protocol, HP ProLiant servers can connect to any valid iSCSI target in the IP network
and map to a logical drive. The iSCSI initiator on the ProLiant server sees a logical SCSI block device,
regardless of whether the volume on the target is a physical disk, an array, or a SAN volume.
Several HP StorageWorks product families incorporate iSCSI target support as one of the primary
means for servers to access their storage resources. These include the HP StorageWorks X1000 series
Network Storage Systems, 2000 series Modular Smart Arrays and P4000 series SANs. Each of these
product families provides different levels of storage capability. You can find detailed information
about HP StorageWorks iSCSI Solutions at http://www.hp.com/go/iscsi.
iSCSI SANs
iSCSI allows servers to access storage resources across a TCP/IP Ethernet network. Even though iSCSI
traffic can run over the primary LAN network, it significantly increases network traffic. Under these
circumstances, an iSCSI implementation cannot provide consistent low latency storage throughput.
The best option is to run storage traffic over a separate physical Ethernet network, or over a separate
virtual LAN (VLAN). This creates an iSCSI SAN, which is architecturally similar to how Fibre Channel
SANs are implemented.
iSCSI interoperability with Fibre Channel SANs
Fibre Channel SANs are still the ultimate in performance, reliability, and storage capabilities. They
store mission critical data that must be preserved at all costs. They use attached storage systems with
redundancy at every level and advanced capabilities such as storage clustering, snapshot capability,
and advanced storage volume management. Servers have traditionally used Fibre Channel HBAs to
access this storage across the dedicated Fibre Channel network.
The HP X3000 series Network Storage Gateway lets HP ProLiant servers access storage volumes on
the Fibre Channel SAN using the iSCSI protocol. The X3000 acts as mediator, accepting iSCSI