iSCSI Consolidation

Solution Description

The staggering growth in information gathered and used by businesses today drives the need for consolidation. In response, Hitachi Data Systems has developed both standalone solutions and joint offerings with our partners that address unique situations.

The solutions offered by Hitachi Data Systems use iSCSI-based server connections to minimize the cost of connecting heterogeneous servers while dramatically improving manageability as compared to server attached storage.

In addition to the generic benefits of consolidation — increased manageability, improved storage utilization and minimized operational cost — the iSCSI SAN solution created with a Hitachi storage system delivers unique, compelling advantages. By using the IP communications infrastructure already in place, disruptions to the environment are minimized. Further, in a heterogeneous environment, iSCSI provides a very cost-effective way to combine the needs of servers running Microsoft® Windows and multiple UNIX operating systems.

Value Proposition and Benefits

Consolidates Large Numbers of Servers

This solution is ideal for consolidating large numbers of application servers onto a robust storage platform. A Hitachi storage system provides the industry’s highest raw capacity while delivering unmatched performance.

Employs Existing IP Networking Infrastructure

By providing flexible controls, this solution works within an organization’s existing IP network. By minimizing costs, these capabilities make iSCSI consolidation deliver benefits more rapidly than consolidation over other protocols.

Delivers Cross Platform Functionality

Hitachi storage works across servers running UNIX and Windows operating systems. Regardless of the organization’s unique environment, this solution will provide powerful cross platform functionality.

Delivers Consolidation without Sacrifice

This solution delivers business critical scalability, availability, reliability and more. For example, depending upon the organization’s needs, a solution can be configured to deliver high performance, even for high-transaction volumes.

Minimizes Disruption to the Environment

This solution minimizes disruptions to the environment by employing low cost iSCSI connections communicating over a shared IP infrastructure to storage.

Automation of Management Functions

This solution decreases cost of storage administration.

Solution Diagram

Solution Offers

Hitachi iSCSI storage system and iSCSI Storage
QuickStart services, including:

• Storage switch configuration
• System settings pertaining to iSCSI access
• Subnet definitions
• LUN assignments
• Printed copies of Introduction to Technology slides
• Printed copies of operations slides