CloudArray® and iSCSI Enable Storage in the Cloud

iSCSI represents a cost-efficient shift in the evolution of storage area networks (SANs). iSCSI gives IT organizations an alternative, less complex solution to deploy a more economical networked storage infrastructure. Businesses of all sizes are adopting iSCSI because it's easy to install, inexpensive, utilizes ubiquitous Ethernet networks, and doesn't require a specialized skill set.

Much of iSCSI's acceptance and growth continues to emerge from the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In this network storage market, iSCSI SANs are particularly attractive to companies that need to transmit, store and share large amounts of data over their existing networks. This includes businesses with:

  • Limited IT resources, infrastructure and budget
  • Requirements for access to the same data across distributed environments
  • Needs for remote data replication and disaster recovery
  • Considerations for using the cloud as an extension of their storage infrastructure

Server Virtualization is Driving iSCSI Adoption

With server virtualization platforms such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix XenServer becoming ubiquitous in nearly every sizable IT operation, demand for iSCSI SANs continues to increase. It is no secret that key server virtualization features such as virtual machine migration, failover and recovery require external storage to operate across physical servers. Faced with the prospect of deploying a SAN in order to enjoy these high-value benefits, iSCSI stands out as the most cost-efficient and least disruptive solution that leverages existing network infrastructure.

All Apps, All the Time

It was only a few years ago that only FC SANs were suitable for business-critical applications such as transactional databases or email. iSCSI was used strictly for less business-critical, front-office applications, file shares and Web services. But iSCSI has evolved and IT organizations are beginning to deploy iSCSI across mission-critical applications in addition to the less-demanding applications.

When integrated with CloudArray, iSCSI is suitable for most applications because of its local speed acceleration of cloud storage. CloudArray is fully compatible with proven Windows or Linux-based NFS/CIFS technology giving IT the confidence to run any file or block-based application.

Outstanding iSCSI Performance

While Fibre Channel traditionally held a speed edge over iSCSI, 10-Gigabit Ethernet has rendered iSCSI a high-performance technology that can fulfill most application performance requirements. As capacities grow, many businesses are able to easily scale up their storage with iSCSI while maintaining a commodity-based storage network with minimal support needs.

Easy Justification

For many businesses that have limited Fibre Channel experience, installing and maintaining a Fiber Channel infrastructure is characteristically difficult and expensive, requiring a separate network switching infrastructure. The simple and easier alternative, iSCSI, uses existing infrastructure. iSCSI uses the same media as the industry standard Ethernet. When considering how iSCSI runs a diverse range of applications and delivers increasingly satisfactory performance metrics, involves less complexity and support than FC, and costs less to deploy, the justification and ROI for iSCSI becomes very compelling.

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CloudArray easily connects you to any file or operating system and to cloud storage without compromise or change

Advantages of CloudArray and iSCSI

  • Build immediate access to cloud storage based on stable and known technology standards
  • Create an offsite data protection strategy with a significantly reduced TCO
  • Accelerate backup and recovery operations across IP storage networks at block level and wire speed
  • Provide higher levels of interoperability and use regular Ethernet switches instead of special Fibre Channel intermediaries
  • Enable remote access to cloud storage provider sites across metropolitan or wide area IP networks for off-site backup or replication
  • Use shared or dedicated IP networks for on-demand storage operations

Benefits of Deploying CloudArray and iSCSI

  • Easy integration and deployment
  • Rapid storage expansion
  • Ideal for second-tier and tertiary storage
    • File system selection flexibility
  • Support virtually any file and operating system
    • Application selection flexibility
  • Any application can use cloud storage for any purpose using iSCSI
    • Block-level deltas
  • Only move data that has changed and not entire objects/files
    • Security
  • Data in the cloud can be encrypted both in-flight (IP security) and at-rest (whole disk encryption)
  • Any further security applications can be deployed as an additional layer (e.g. Microsoft BitLocker)