We can make things a little bit more complex now. As we have mentioned earlier, iSCSI SANs can be connected over a wide area network with standard Ethernet equipment. However, when connecting to fibre channel SANs, an IP storage device is needed to convert the FC protocol to iSCSI.
Both IP storage routers and switches allow users to extend the reach of the FC SAN and bridge FC SANs to iSCSI SANs. Having this functionality allows you to then perform FC-to-FC switching, FC-to-iSCSI switching, or FC-to-gigabit Ethernet switching.
HP StorageWorks IP Storage Router 2122-2
While visiting HP's Storage Centre in Rhodes, Sydney we had a look at HP's StorageWorks IP Storage Router 2122-2. This is HP's second generation IP storage router for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprise workgroups. This device helps migrate servers from a DAS to a SAN environment and consolidate storage.
This IP Storage Router supports iSCSI bridging; it can bring storage resources to servers in the IP network. It also supports FC/IP for SAN extension, where it can extend the SAN infrastructure across WANs.
The SR21222 iSCSI router has a list price of AU$17,045.
Cisco MDS 9000 IP Services Module
Another impressive device is the MDS 9000 IP Services Module from Cisco. It supports the interconnection of remote SANs and extends SAN connectivity to IP enabled servers using FC/IP and iSCSI.
It supports the full range of services available on other MDS 9000 family Switching Modules including virtual SANs, security, and traffic management. It includes eight hot swappable, small-form-factor-pluggable (SFP), LC gigabit Ethernet interfaces and all ports are configurable for both FCIP and iSCSI operation on a port-by-port basis.
The MDS 9000 IP Services Module has a list price of AU$74,545.
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