What is iSCSI?: Beginner’s Guide to iSCSI

In the world of storage technology, iSCSI is one of the great breakthroughs of the industry. This beginner’s guide to iSCSI and iSCSI storage computability will answer most basic questions about what it does, how it works, and how it can help you and your business.

What is iSCSI?

iSCSI is an acronym for Internet Small Computer System Interface. SCSI is defined as the means by which a computer can be connected to peripheral devices such as printers, CD disc drives, and, of course, storage devices. This includes commands, protocols, electrical, and optical interfaces. 

How Does iSCSI Work?

iSCSI encapsulates SCSI commands and places the data in packets for the TCP/IP layer.  Fibre Channel requires specific cable, but iSCSI protocols work over a standard Ethernet cable to transport data it over a business’s intranet. This standard encapsulation makes protocol routable.

How Can It Help Me?

The benefits of an iSCSI storage interface are quite significant. As mentioned earlier, data transmission occurs faster and easier, using the same infrastructure as the business network. Another great benefit of iSCSI service is the fact that it can also transport data across much longer distances than its Fibre Channel predecessor. This makes it especially useful for companies that have multiple locations. iSCSI also gives the storage device its own IP address to make it easy to access and allow for a large number of expansions to be implemented on it, allowing the device to be customized to your specific needs. Nfina’s iSCSI SAN and iSCSI NAS products can help you reap the benefits of iSCSI for your business at the best cost.