iSCSI is an IP-based storage networking standard to manage storage over long distances. iSCSI is used to link data storage devices and to facilitate data transfers over intra- and internet. The iSCSI target modules (ITMs) are managed by the administrator as local hard drives. Due to the ubiquity of IP networks, iSCSI can enable location-independent data storage and retrieval.

iSCSI allows low-cost centralization of storage without the usual expense and incompatibility normally associated with Fibre Channel storage area networks (SANs). It is especially appealing since it facilitates solutions that provide rapid and efficient transport of block-level I/O data, where simplicity, flexibility, and price/performance are critical IT decision factors. Unlike Fibre Channel SAN, iSCSI can run over existing Ethernet networks providing easy migration and administration since iSCSI leverages existing knowledge of Ethernet and SCSI.

The Open-E iSCSI software increases the capabilities and performance of storage data transmission in the SAN market. It offers the best combination of data throughput, security, compatibility, management, costs and flexibility. The Open-E iSCSI software is a complete operating system, which turns a computer system into a powerful network storage device in about 10 minutes. Pre-installation of the OS on the secured IDE flash ensures minimum downtime and the protection of the OS against viruses. Integrated technologies from SAN, like snapshot with scheduling, IPsec, Adaptive Load Balancing, Online Logical Volume Expansion and the support for multi-CPUs, 10 Gb Ethernet cards and Fibre Channel, makes Open-E iSCSI a serious alternative to Fibre Channel SANs.

Available Versions

The Open-E iSCSI SOHO is ideal or small businesses, departments or workgroups that need to expand disk capacity for a few application servers, but doesn’t require advanced data protection features, high bandwidth or snapshots.	The SMB version is suitable for building large iSCSI Target Modules (ITMs), providing a moderate-sized solution that meets a wide variety of performance and capacity requirements. The SMB version offers snapshot, supports 10 Gbit Ethernet cards with TCP/IP Offload engine and up to 2 CPUs for heavy duty data requirements.	The Enterprise version offers the highest data throughput, latency and performance by supporting multiple network connections, Fibre Channel and up to four CPUs. Available with advanced software features like Multi-Snapshot, IP-Sec and Multiple Management Level, the Open-E iSCSI Enterprise version delivers tremendous value for any size business.

Benefits

High Data Throughput
Optimized Storage Software; Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB), 10 GbE-, TOE-, Fibre Channel- and Multi-CPU Support.

High Security
Clustering Support, IPsec, Snapshot with Scheduling, OS on Secured IDE flash, minimized Downtime, CHAP Authentication and Network UPS Support.

High Flexibility
Support for all leading SCSI, IDE and Serial ATA Controllers, FC HBAs, NICs and Networking Chipsets, iSCSI HBAs and Software Initiators.

Easy Management
Web-based, Password-Protected User Interface, Console Tool and an integrated Volume Manager.

Features

RAID Controller Support
Open-E iSCSI supports leading SCSI, IDE, and Serial ATA RAID controllers from AMCC/3ware, Adaptec, Areca, Intel, LSI Logic and ICP vortex. While creating an iSCSI Target Module (ITM), system builders have flexibility in choosing HDDs, RAID level and storage volume.

iSCSI Initiator Support
Open-E iSCSI is compatible with iSCSI software initiators from Microsoft, Linux and others. It also supports iSCSI HBAs from Adaptec, Alacritech, Intel and Qlogic.

Supported FC HBAs
Open-E iSCSI supports most FC HBAs from Emulex and Qlogic for connecting an Open-E iSCSI Target Module in a FC-SAN environment.

Snapshot
Snapshot is an immediate point-in-time image of the logical volume (LV). The snapshot image can be used for both consistent and temporary backup, while users still have uninterrupted and complete access to the LV. Also, if a user accidentally deletes or incorrectly modifies a file, that file can be recovered from a previous snapshot image. Open-E iSCSI Enterprise supports "Multi-Snapshot with Scheduling" to create snapshots at predefined points in time(e.g. automatically every hour).

Multiple Network Interface Card (NIC) Support
Open-E iSCSI Enterprise supports usage of 2 or more network cards to access separate sub-networks. It allows administrators to select services to be enabled on a specified NIC.

Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB)
Adaptive Load Balancing enhances data throughput by automatically routing data through alternative paths as application change.

Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT)
Adapter Fault Tolerance assures greater reliability by providing a secondary network adapter which automatically takes over if the primary network adapter fails.

TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) and 10GbE support
TOE lowers the host-system CPU communications overhead. It increases bandwidth, reduces message latency across connections and improves the overall performance. Open-E iSCSI supports 10GbE cards with TOE from Chelsio, accelerating the iSCSI protocol for block-level storage traffic between servers and ITMs.

Secured Administration Access
Administrators can access and configure the iSCSI Target Module through the web-based, password-protected user interface, using Secured Administration Access (SSL). Open-E iSCSI Enterprise allows assignment of multiple administrators with different administrator rights.

UPS Support
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) eliminates the effects of a temporary power outage and provides safe shutdown, without loss of data, in case of power failure. The UPS device can be connected by Serial or USB cable to the iSCSI Appliance. Open-E iSCSI Enterprise supports Network UPS to ensure safe shutdown of all Open-E iSCSI Targets in the network in case of a power failure.

IPsec
IPsec (IP security) is a standard for securing Internet Protocol (IP) communications by encrypting Administrators can access and configure the iSCSI Target Module through the web-based, password-protected user interface, using Secured Administration Access (SSL). Open-E iSCSI Enterprise allows assignment of multiple administrators with different administrator rights.

Target Password Protection
The iSCSI Targets can be protected from unauthorized access by a password, allowing administrators to control the access of an iSCSI Target.

Multi CPU Support
Open-E iSCSI supports multi CPU systems to improve overall performance of the ITM, by reducing latency across connections and increasing bandwidth for the TCP/IP processing. and/or authenticating all IP packets. It provides security for the network layer.

More Information:
 Download Brochure (246.42 KB)
 Open-E i-SCSI Comparison Chart (99.78 KB)