iSCSI Storage here to stay

It's easy to install - almost as fast as Fibre attached storage and yes reliable. So why not purchase an iSCSI SAN?

Actually many companies are going the iSCSI root, however it is not the ideal solution for all. If you need very fast storage and are working with large databases - perhaps it will be best to stay with Fibre attached storage. Not all vendors agree and some vehemently state - "ours is fast enough". This might indeed be the case, however most primary storage in enterprise accounts tend to stick with a particular manufacturer and Fibre has worked in the past so why not continue.

We at Sunstar Company do recommend iSCSI Attached Storage for many many of our clients. For the most part they are easy to install, reliable and yes fast. Most manufacturers that do offer an iSCSi solution have in the past paired the unit with SATA drives, thus good but not great performance. Now with the new SAS drives, we are looking at a higher performing solution.

We tend to offer the following solutions when we have a client looking to purchase iSCSI:

• NexSAN - Their line of storage supports a choice of Fibre and iSCSI ports or SAS and iSCSI ports. In conjunction with The Edge that SATABeast or SATABoy will now supports NAS with a choice of SATA or SAS drives.
• iQstor - iSCSI storage with software functionality, choice of Fibre or SATA drives.
• RELDATA - iSCSI Gateway (use your existing storage) or purchase the head with storage. iSCSI - add NAS, replication and more.
• Arena- basic box - add drives and you are ready to go.
• StoreVault from NetApp - Twelve drive solution - SATA drives - NAS options and software.

All these manufacturers support iSCSI and you have a choice when connecting to your network. Download the Microsoft iSCSI drive (free) and install or purchase a TOE [network interface cards with TCP/IP offload engines] . Not absolutly necessary - however some folks tend to think that they do offer an advantage. Personally I have not see too much of a diiference in performance.

Contact us at Sunstar and let us steer youi to the solution that best fits your requirements and budget.

info@sunstarco.com (800) 663-5523

Thank You

Gavin