A guide to iSCSI and Fibre Channel

Fibre Channel is a storage area networking technology designed to interconnect hosts and shared storage systems within the enterprise. It's a high-performance, high-cost technology. iSCSI is an IP-based storage networking standard that has been touted for the wide range of choices it offers in both performance and price.

This handbook gives an overview of each technology, offers tips on enhancing iSCSI performance, and outlines how to achieve high availability and reliability in a SAN.

Fibre Channel technology

This chapter offers an overview of Fibre Channel specifications and devices including HBAs and switches. Readers will also learn about the pros and cons of Fibre Channel SANs in the storage enterprise.

ISCSI technology

This chapter highlights iSCSI details and devices including Ethernet adapters and Ethernet switches. Readers will learn about the pros and cons of iSCSI and its preferred applications.

Enhancing iSCSI performance

This chapter builds on the previous one by examining means of improving iSCSI performance with high-performance Ethernet switches and TOE adapter cards. This chapter also offers tips/guidelines for iSCSI deployment.

SAN availability and reliability

This chapter outlines some of the techniques and tactics used to achieve high availability and redundancy in a SAN (Fibre Channel or iSCSI). These can include port aggregation, trunking and failover.

Related Fibre Channel and iSCSI information

ISCSI vs. Fibre Channel performance: A closer look

Using iSCSI for clustering

How to compare Fibre Channel and SCSI

iSCSI: What is it good for?

Will 10 Gbps iSCSI trump Fibre Channel?